d3photography.com photo by Larry Radloff

By Jim Dixon, D3sports.com

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. -- This June, former UW-Oshkosh star Tim Jorgensen will be inducted in the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Jorgensen threw the ball out before Sunday's Cortland State-Wheaton game at the D-III World Series and took time to reminisce about his days playing Division III baseball in northeast Wisconsin.

"It was a little bit of shock, excitement, and every possible term you can describe an emotion like that," said Jorgensen about his induction. "When you played four years for Oshkosh, had the opportunity to play for a great program and being fortunate to play at the level that I did, it was a humbling honor."

Jorgensen got the interest of several D-I programs coming out of Luxemburg-Casco High School but a shoulder injury played as a part of his decision to go to UW-Oshkosh.

"I was recruited by Minnesota and Arkansas before going to Oshkosh. My goal was to play D-I ball but at the end of the day, the situation was not right and I ended up going to Oshkosh knowing about the great program and the unknown about my shoulder. Everything works out for a reason, had a great career and got to the next level through that."

With Jorgensen's National Player of the Year awards in 1994 and 1995 and his 70 career home runs, it is his teammates and their accomplishments he is proud of.

"Every at-bat you can cherish but the accomplishment of our team back in '94 when we won the World Series was the the most prominent remembrance. Anytime you win a championship it is a great experience and having the opportunity to repeat and to get back there. For me, the most cherishing memories are the friendships that I was able to form. Without a doubt that was the funniest part of that team."

UW-Oshkosh coach Tom Lechnir and Jorgensen's brother, Terry Jorgensen were part of preparing Tim to succeed.

"He looks to get the best of every player," Jorgensen said about Lechnir.  "He challenges you to the utmost and tries to provide you the most knowledge that he has it is a tribute to him in regards to my success.

"Having an opportunity to watch Terry play, the success that he had, the drive to succeed, had a lot of influence on me. I had a lot to look up to because of my brother.  There is no question he player a large role in my success as well."

Following the 1995 season, the Cleveland Indians selected Jorgensen in the Major League Baseball amateur draft. He played for four years in the Cleveland and Pittsburgh organizations before an injury ended his career.

"They gave me the opportunity, my childhood dream, to play professional baseball," Jorgensen said about Cleveland. "They are a class A organization. If someone gave me two healthy knees, and said I could go back today, I'd go back to play."