Some stories come full circle – and Bryce Johnson’s is one of them.
From stepping onto the field as a nervous 14-year-old freshman at Maynard Jackson High School, to now returning as a graduate student at Georgia Tech, Bryce’s journey with the Safe at Home Game is a powerful reminder of why this annual event matters.
On Saturday, August 23rd, at Georgia Tech’s Russ Chandler Stadium – with gates opening at 10:00 a.m. – Bryce will lace up his cleats for the 11th Annual Safe at Home Game. His story is one of growth, grit, and giving back, and it’s exactly why you’ll want to be there.
Learn more about the Safe at Home Game here.
Home to First
Q: At 14 years old, playing in your first Safe at Home game as a freshman at Maynard Jackson-what do you remember most about that experience, and what did it mean to you?
Bryce: “I remember feeling nervous at first, but then I reminded myself why we were there. It was bigger than baseball – it was about something meant to be fun. I told myself that no matter who I was playing against or where I was playing, I should always give my all, because effort was something I could control. I felt grateful to be part of something so unique and so needed in our community.”
First to Second
Q: How did baseball help you stay focused and resilient through high school and college at North Carolina A&T?
Bryce: *”Baseball shaped my mindset in many ways that benefited me later in life, but one of the most important lessons I took from the sport was the ‘Next Pitch’ mindset. In baseball, we sometimes make errors, miss the pitch we were supposed to hit, or swing at the ones we weren’t supposed to. Coach Des – a L.E.A.D. alumnus, coach, and Maynard Jackson High School coach – always reminded us: ‘So what, next pitch.’
This meant forgetting about the mistake, taking only the lesson from it, and using that lesson to be better the next time. In baseball, dwelling on past mistakes only makes you worse in the future. I carried this same resilient mindset through high school and college.
Failed a test? So what – study harder and do better on the next one. Didn’t get the internship I wanted? So what – keep applying and reaching out to people. Without this mindset, I wouldn’t be who or where I am today.”*
Second to Third
Q: What was your childhood dream job-and are you on track to achieving it? What company or role do you envision yourself thriving in?
Bryce: *”As a child, I dreamed of becoming a professional athlete. As I got closer to college, I had to start figuring out what I wanted my major to be. I’ve always had a passion for making things run smoothly and efficiently – something my parents noticed early on when I created a system to take the trash out from the top floor of our home without walking downstairs.
When I discovered that industrial engineering would open opportunities for me to innovate processes like this, I knew it was the path I wanted to pursue. My dream job became working as an industrial engineer for a theme park like Universal Studios, where I could find ways to make the park more efficient so guests can spend more time having fun and less time waiting for rides.
I’m proud to say I’m on track toward that goal, as I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in industrial engineering at Georgia Tech, learning skills that will help me make that vision a reality.”*
Third to Home
Q: Now playing in the 11th annual Safe at Home game as a grad student at Georgia Tech, what are you pursuing your master’s degree in, and how are you feeling about being back on the field?
Bryce: *”I’m currently pursuing my master’s in industrial engineering at Georgia Tech, and I’m super excited to get back on the field – especially since it’s at my current school. I’m not sure which team I’ll be on this year, but I can promise it will be great competition and a lot of fun. And of course, my team is winning for sure!
I’m feeling thankful to still have this opportunity to participate in something so great, and I’m most definitely looking forward to it.”*
Bryce Johnson’s journey – from a wide-eyed freshman to a Georgia Tech graduate student – is proof of what happens when community, opportunity, and resilience meet. The Safe at Home Game is more than just a day of baseball. It’s a platform for stories like Bryce’s to inspire the next generation.
Come witness these stories in person on Saturday, August 23rd at Georgia Tech’s Russ Chandler Stadium. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. Be there for the competition, the community, and the cause.
Click here to learn more and join us.
