C.J. Breen
Baseball "Meet the Newcomers": C.J. Breen
10/30/2020 2:00:00 PM | Baseball
St. Cloud State Baseball welcomes 16 newcomers to the roster in the 2021 season. Our second edition of "Meet the Newcomers" features junior first baseman/outfielder C.J. Breen of Livonia, Michigan.
A 2017 graduate of Divine Child High School where he played for Tony DeMare, Breen spent his freshman and sophomore prep seasons at Livonia Stevenson High School. His freshman campaign saw him earning All-Region, All-District and All-Conference while batting .367 with 18 RBI including a walk off double and game winning Grand Slam. As a sophomore Breen was named All-Region, All-District and All-Conference after batting .384 with 43 hits, 8 doubles and 5 home runs. During his senior season at Divine Child he earned All-City and All-District nods after batting .350 with 22 runs scored, 21 RBI, 11 doubles and 2 triples while helping his team win their 18th straight district title, second straight Class B regional title and back to back final four state championship appearances. Breen began his collegiate career at NCAA-DI Chicago State University, where appeared in 16 games with one start and was a key contributor to the program's third consecutive ABCA Team Academic award. Breen played with the Woodstock River Bandits of the Valley Baseball League, where he hit a two-run home run in his first River Bandits at-bat. He spent 2019 at Grand Rapids CC, playing 18 games with 11 starting nods. Breen scored six runs and drove in two, then played with the Battle Creek Bombers and the Thunder Bay Border Cats of the Northwoods League, scoring a pair of runs. He joined Division I Niagara University in 2020 and beat #12 Florida State in season opener. Breen spent last summer playing in the Northwoods League's Kenosha Series with the K-Town Bobbers, batting .259 with three runs scored and four RBI while reaching base at a .400 clip across nine games.
Huskies Athletics: Why did you choose St. Cloud State University?
C.J. Breen:Â During the recruiting process and after multiple conversations with Coach Dolan and Coach Gaines, I felt that coming to SCSU would give me an opportunity to compete for a national championship opposed to staying at the mid major D1 level, all while earning a nationally recognized degree in sports management. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to play here in St. Cloud.
HA: When did you decide you wanted to play collegiate baseball?
CJB:Â All I ever wanted to do growing up was play baseball at the collegiate level. Once I got to high school and began performing, everything fell into place during the process leading up to signing day.
HA: How did you go about staying sharp baseball-wise during the COVID-19 related halting of the 2020 season?
CJB:Â I was very fortunate to have my Dad home to help me stay sharp by throwing hundreds of rounds of batting practice, along with the many rounds of backyard fungo at our home batting cage.
HA: Your collegiate baseball career has taken you from Michigan to Chicago, back to Michigan, then all the way to Niagara, New York, and now here to St. Cloud. What are some of your favorite memories that you have made thus far in your playing career?
CJB: I have had quite the collegiate baseball experience traveling around the country! I have made lifelong friendships and memories while traveling state to state. One of my favorite memories would be getting to play in front of a packed stadium while playing at UCF during spring break.
HA: You're from Livonia, Michigan, one of the larger suburbs of Detroit. What're some of your favorite sights and sounds to see and hear back home?
CJB:Â Being so close to Detroit and Ann Arbor, I also try to make a point of going to my favorite restaurants in the area such as Nikki's Pizza or Buddys. For those who know me best know I will be spotted at Biggby Coffee shop every chance I get.
HA: This summer you had the opportunity to intern with Tennessee-Martin's Athletic Director, Kurt McGuffin. What was that experience like, and what are some interesting things you learned about the industry?
CJB: The time I spent down at Tennessee-Martin was instrumental in my growth towards working in collegiate athletics. Kurt McGuffin was gracious enough to let me sit in on ongoing meetings and allow me the opportunity to have hands-on experience related to multiple aspects of the athletic department. After sitting down with Mr. McGuffin and having one on one conversations about the industry, I realized even more how much I want to work my way up to become a college athletic director at the mid major level.
HA: Who is an important person in your life that has helped you reach the collegiate level?
CJB: Both my parents have pushed me from a young age to achieve great things not only on the field but in the classroom as well. In times of adversity my parents have been there to encourage me to never give up and march forward. I don't know where I would be without the support and sacrifice they've given up for the last 20 years.
HA: What are some athletic goals you hope to achieve while at St. Cloud State?
CJB: Seeing another NSIC championship brought home to St. Cloud followed by a National Championship ring on everyone's finger on the roster.Â
HA: What career field are you interested in?
CJB: Becoming a athletic director or some related position in college athletics.
Hit-and-Runs
Favorite baseball team: Detroit Tigers
Favorite Halloween candy: Kit Kats
Go-to karaoke song:Â Everytime We Touch - Cascada
Favorite movie/TV character: Open Season - Elliot the Deer
Most underrated song: I Found A Way - Drake Bell
Ranch or ketchup?: NeitherÂ
Preferred playing surface: Turf
Preferred statement haircut: Mullet
Go-to late night meal: Lucky Charms
Favorite Darrin in the 1960s sitcom Bewitched?: Dick YorkÂ
Worst TV show finale: Outer Banks
Would you survive a zombie apocalypse?: 100% I've watched too many walking dead episodes to not survive.Â
Glove you grew up with: Wilson A2000
If you were stranded on the island from Castaway, which two teammates would you want to have with you?: Caleb Marquez and Paul Steffensen
If Doc Swendra was an actual doctor, what kind of doctor would he be?: Family Physician
A 2017 graduate of Divine Child High School where he played for Tony DeMare, Breen spent his freshman and sophomore prep seasons at Livonia Stevenson High School. His freshman campaign saw him earning All-Region, All-District and All-Conference while batting .367 with 18 RBI including a walk off double and game winning Grand Slam. As a sophomore Breen was named All-Region, All-District and All-Conference after batting .384 with 43 hits, 8 doubles and 5 home runs. During his senior season at Divine Child he earned All-City and All-District nods after batting .350 with 22 runs scored, 21 RBI, 11 doubles and 2 triples while helping his team win their 18th straight district title, second straight Class B regional title and back to back final four state championship appearances. Breen began his collegiate career at NCAA-DI Chicago State University, where appeared in 16 games with one start and was a key contributor to the program's third consecutive ABCA Team Academic award. Breen played with the Woodstock River Bandits of the Valley Baseball League, where he hit a two-run home run in his first River Bandits at-bat. He spent 2019 at Grand Rapids CC, playing 18 games with 11 starting nods. Breen scored six runs and drove in two, then played with the Battle Creek Bombers and the Thunder Bay Border Cats of the Northwoods League, scoring a pair of runs. He joined Division I Niagara University in 2020 and beat #12 Florida State in season opener. Breen spent last summer playing in the Northwoods League's Kenosha Series with the K-Town Bobbers, batting .259 with three runs scored and four RBI while reaching base at a .400 clip across nine games.
Huskies Athletics: Why did you choose St. Cloud State University?
C.J. Breen:Â During the recruiting process and after multiple conversations with Coach Dolan and Coach Gaines, I felt that coming to SCSU would give me an opportunity to compete for a national championship opposed to staying at the mid major D1 level, all while earning a nationally recognized degree in sports management. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to play here in St. Cloud.
HA: When did you decide you wanted to play collegiate baseball?
CJB:Â All I ever wanted to do growing up was play baseball at the collegiate level. Once I got to high school and began performing, everything fell into place during the process leading up to signing day.
HA: How did you go about staying sharp baseball-wise during the COVID-19 related halting of the 2020 season?
CJB:Â I was very fortunate to have my Dad home to help me stay sharp by throwing hundreds of rounds of batting practice, along with the many rounds of backyard fungo at our home batting cage.
HA: Your collegiate baseball career has taken you from Michigan to Chicago, back to Michigan, then all the way to Niagara, New York, and now here to St. Cloud. What are some of your favorite memories that you have made thus far in your playing career?
CJB: I have had quite the collegiate baseball experience traveling around the country! I have made lifelong friendships and memories while traveling state to state. One of my favorite memories would be getting to play in front of a packed stadium while playing at UCF during spring break.
HA: You're from Livonia, Michigan, one of the larger suburbs of Detroit. What're some of your favorite sights and sounds to see and hear back home?
CJB:Â Being so close to Detroit and Ann Arbor, I also try to make a point of going to my favorite restaurants in the area such as Nikki's Pizza or Buddys. For those who know me best know I will be spotted at Biggby Coffee shop every chance I get.
HA: This summer you had the opportunity to intern with Tennessee-Martin's Athletic Director, Kurt McGuffin. What was that experience like, and what are some interesting things you learned about the industry?
CJB: The time I spent down at Tennessee-Martin was instrumental in my growth towards working in collegiate athletics. Kurt McGuffin was gracious enough to let me sit in on ongoing meetings and allow me the opportunity to have hands-on experience related to multiple aspects of the athletic department. After sitting down with Mr. McGuffin and having one on one conversations about the industry, I realized even more how much I want to work my way up to become a college athletic director at the mid major level.
HA: Who is an important person in your life that has helped you reach the collegiate level?
CJB: Both my parents have pushed me from a young age to achieve great things not only on the field but in the classroom as well. In times of adversity my parents have been there to encourage me to never give up and march forward. I don't know where I would be without the support and sacrifice they've given up for the last 20 years.
HA: What are some athletic goals you hope to achieve while at St. Cloud State?
CJB: Seeing another NSIC championship brought home to St. Cloud followed by a National Championship ring on everyone's finger on the roster.Â
HA: What career field are you interested in?
CJB: Becoming a athletic director or some related position in college athletics.
Hit-and-Runs
Favorite baseball team: Detroit Tigers
Favorite Halloween candy: Kit Kats
Go-to karaoke song:Â Everytime We Touch - Cascada
Favorite movie/TV character: Open Season - Elliot the Deer
Most underrated song: I Found A Way - Drake Bell
Ranch or ketchup?: NeitherÂ
Preferred playing surface: Turf
Preferred statement haircut: Mullet
Go-to late night meal: Lucky Charms
Favorite Darrin in the 1960s sitcom Bewitched?: Dick YorkÂ
Worst TV show finale: Outer Banks
Would you survive a zombie apocalypse?: 100% I've watched too many walking dead episodes to not survive.Â
Glove you grew up with: Wilson A2000
If you were stranded on the island from Castaway, which two teammates would you want to have with you?: Caleb Marquez and Paul Steffensen
If Doc Swendra was an actual doctor, what kind of doctor would he be?: Family Physician
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