MLB, ASU launch partnership to get players back at bat with their education
After retiring from professional baseball — and after nearly 20 years away from school — Chris Young (pictured during the 2022 Hall of Fame Classic) returned to college via ASU Online and graduated with a degree in business administration. Now he's encouraging other players to follow suit thanks to a new partnership between MLB and ASU. Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB
Nearly four years after finishing his career as a professional baseball player, Chris Young fulfilled a personal commitment to himself and graduated with a degree in business administration from Arizona State University — an accomplishment he cherishes.
“Walking across that graduation stage in front of my family and friends was an unforgettable moment for me,” said the former player for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who was enrolled in ASU Online.
The experience was so rewarding that he’s now urging other players to take advantage of a new initiative — the MLB + ASU Education Partnership, which provides the league’s professional athletes with the skills needed to pursue successful post-baseball careers. The partnership offers a range of educational programs to current and retired players at the major and minor league levels.
“Initially, the idea of going back to school was daunting, especially after being away for nearly 20 years,” said Young, who played for the Diamondbacks from 2006 to 2012 and retired as a Major League Baseball player from the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.
“However, my apprehension quickly faded when I learned about ASU's dedicated support team, designed to facilitate a smooth transition for students like me.”
Learn more
Interested players can find details about the new partnership at mlb.asu.edu.
Through the MLB + ASU Education Partnership, players can pursue online education at any stage through ASU and its partners, including English proficiency via Global Launch, high school diploma and GED programs, undergraduate and graduate degrees, nondegree courses and certifications. The players’ educational costs will be covered.
The initiative fits closely with ASU’s charter, according to Chris Howard, executive vice president and chief operating officer of ASU.
“Traditionally, we've looked for ways to advance opportunity for people around the world. Sports provide a very unique and special way to do that because sport matters so much in terms of who we are as a nation and how we interact on the global stage,” he said.
“Baseball is a great professional sport. You don't play it forever.
“And to make sure that these athletes and, in turn, their families are going to have good lives and opportunities beyond the diamond is very much in line with what we want to do as a university.”
Paul Mifsud, vice president and head baseball operations counsel for MLB, said, “Major League Baseball recognizes that player development, both on and off the field, leads to long-term success.
“MLB’s agreement with Arizona State University will provide players with a range of top-tier educational options to meet the academic and developmental needs of MLB players.”
ASU Online, with more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, has long been a draw for professional athletes who want to boost their post-athletic careers.
A key component of this initiative is ASU’s ability to provide education options in Spanish, ensuring that players from Latin America and other Spanish-speaking countries have accessible learning pathways.
By offering multilingual support and culturally relevant resources, ASU ensures that all MLB players — regardless of background — can successfully pursue their educational goals.
Like other ASU Online students, players will be assigned success coaches to provide tailored guidance for enrollment, academic progress and career planning, plus access to services including online tutoring, career development and wellness support.
Young said that his success coach was invaluable.
“They helped me choose my major, plan my class schedule and kept me accountable throughout the process,” he said.
Young said he leveraged his degree to work in sports media. He’s an analyst for the MLB Network.
“From being drafted straight out of high school to playing in the major leagues, and finally achieving my goal of obtaining a degree, I am immensely grateful to ASU for providing a pathway to success.”
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