Meet Hurricane David Gil
April 20, 2000
Q & A With Senior RHP and team captain David Gil
What has been your favorite memory playing at the University of Miami?
Definitely, winning the 1999 College Baseball World Series. Being a part of the whole atmosphere in Omaha, NE is amazing. That whole experience over those two weeks will always be with me. The journey that this team took to winning the title was incredible.
How did it feel to be the pitcher of record in UM’s World Series opening victory over Rice?
It was very exciting. It was something I will never forget. The stadium was so packed with fans from both schools and from Omaha. It was as close to feeling like a professional player as I have ever been.
Last season, you marched out to a 12-0 record, earned All-American honors and won at the College World Series. How does that assist your memory of the 1999 season?
It made it more meaningful — knowing that I was able to go out there and do my job successfully, knowing that I was able to help this team reach its goal.
When did you start playing baseball?
I started playing baseball when I was 11-years old. Back then I was an outfielder at the Flagami Little League park. It took me about two years to realize that this was something really special for me.
Who was your favorite professional baseball team growing up?
I have always been a New York Yankees fan. In the National League, I like the Marlins, though. I was able to see the Yankees and Marlins play two years ago in Miami.
Other than professional baseball, do you follow any other pro leagues?
I like watching basketball. My favorite team is the New York Knicks. I know being from Miami, the rivalry is tremendous between these two teams, but my parents are from New York. Growing up, that was my influence.
What was the last movie you saw? What did you think of it?
With the schedule we have this time of year, I do not get to go out to the movies a lot. But, I did rent the Bone Collector the other day. It was a really good suspense movie.
What are your favorite types of movies?
I like to watch action movies and movies with a purpose. I like movies that set out to do something in the beginning and accomplish that goal by the end. The only movie I can think of right now is probably “Jaws”. That movie was great. Roy Scheider set out to kill Jaws in the beginning and by the end, he and Richard Dreyfuss did it.
What are you academic aspirations?
I will earn my degree in Finance at the end of the year. I am just a handful of classes away now. I also have a minor in sports management.
If you weren’t playing baseball, where would you be?
Owning and operating my own saltwater fish store. I currently have three different size tanks at my house. This is my favorite hobby. My tanks have more coral, rocks and growth than fish.
When did you first get interested in the University of Miami?B
I grew up in Miami and I would come and watch the Hurricanes play. We didn’t have the Marlins back then, nor most of these professional teams. They were it! UM had the big-time crowds and big-time college games. The Hurricanes were like the pro guys to us.
