Third School is the Charm

The University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) left fielder, Jack Lombardi, played against his former school, Creighton University on Saturday, March 7.

Lombardi has been allowed to play at a few of the top baseball colleges in the nation (Creighton University and Jefferson Junior College), but the UNO Mavericks have held him here.

Lombardi started his baseball career at UNO rival school, Creighton University. With the Bluejays, Lombardi struggled to see his dream become a reality.

As a freshman at Creighton, Lombardi played one inning.

“I was super frustrated,” Lombardi said. “I came to school to play baseball, but the coaches weren’t giving me the chance.”

He struggled to find the right move to make to fulfill his dream of becoming a major league baseball (MLB) player. After his first season with the Bluejays, Lombardi decided that Creighton wasn’t giving him the best shot at making it into the MLB so he transferred.

Jefferson Junior College was his first stop. Lombardi carried his team to the Junior College (JUCO) World Series where they lost in the second round.

“I thought I was ready for division 1 baseball when I committed to Creighton, but I wasn’t,” Lombardi said. “Jefferson was the perfect stepping stone.”

Junior college students are given two years to prepare for a University, and Lombardi did just that. 

“If I’m being honest,” Lombardi said. “I picked Omaha because it gave me the best scholarship.”

Although the money got Lombardi to UNO, the relationships he has made have kept him here. 

“I haven’t been at a school longer than 1 year,” Lombardi said. “It was so nice not having to start all over at the beginning of this year. The guys on my team and the friends I have made within the athletic community are keeping me here.”