Robert Sawicki: From Mound to Hall of Honor

Robert "Bobby" Sawicki was a four-year letterwinner for Texas State baseball from 2001 to 2005. Sawicki will be one of two members of the Hall of Honor Class of 2022 that will be inducted on Friday, November 25 at Bobcat Stadium. He will also be honored at halftime of the Bobcats’ football game against Louisiana on November 26.

Sawicki is currently in the top-four in program history wins, innings pitched and strikeouts in both single-season and career categories. Sawicki began his journey as one of the most decorated pitchers in Texas State history as a starting pitcher in his freshman year.

A breakthrough moment came to Sawicki in his first year in a matchup against Texas, while he was trying to grasp the realization that he could play at the collegiate level. A couple months into the season, Sawicki had only pitched a few times, but he was named the starting pitcher against the Longhorns. 

After pitching eight innings with great defense, and his teammates putting up eight runs on the board, Sawicki got his first big win in college. 

The monumental wins kept coming for Sawicki and the Bobcats the following season when they took down No. 5 Rice. When he learned he was being inducted into the Hall of Honor, Sawicki specifically reflected on that game and moment.

“I was pitching in the seventh inning, and it was bases loaded, full count with two outs; so pretty high-pressure situation,” said Sawicki. “My catcher, Cody Farr, and I were always on the same page with what pitches to throw. For that pitch he immediately called a changeup, which was a little crazy. But I went from thinking this was a crazy idea to a genius one. I threw the changeup, and he had no chance. He swung and missed, and we got out of the jam to win the game.”

While Sawicki had many electrifying moments early in his career, a traumatic shoulder injury derailed his hopes at accomplishing even more at the collegiate and professional level. 

With the injury keeping him out of his junior and senior seasons, he played a fifth year after graduation. In his impressive recovery, he knew that in life you have ups and downs and must fight through adversity. 

In that fifth year in 2005, he took the mound again, but he felt different and was not throwing with the velocity he once had.  

“It was a life-changing injury, and difficult to get through at times,” Sawicki explained. “We had a great team, and we were still able to have success.”  

After reflecting on his time at Texas State, Sawicki knew none of it was possible without many people along the way. He acknowledges that he would not have been the standout baseball player without his parents’ support and dedication from a young age. He attributes his opportunity to being a Bobcat to former head coach and assistant coach of the Bobcats, Howard Bushong, who recruited him to San Marcos. Sawicki also gives a lot of credit to his catchers and noting that they are some of the toughest guys he has met. Through Sawicki’s rehabilitation, he always appreciated Jason Karlik, current head athletic trainer, for his efforts to get him back on track. 

One of the most important relationships Sawicki had while at Texas State was with Ty Harrington, the former Texas State baseball head coach for 20 seasons. 

Harrington starting Sawicki as a freshman was an easy decision seeing how Sawicki was a composed and accomplished strike thrower. Through the injury, Harrington stuck by his pitcher for the 2005 season after noticing how Sawicki approached his rehab in a diligent and motivated way. 

A memory Harrington shared about Sawicki was against Houston where they won a one-run game. Sawicki balked the tying run into scoring position with two outs, and was up against a hitter who would go on to play professionally.  

“I went to the mound to talk to him and settle him down,” Harrington said. “Bobby was laughing at himself, and he said, ‘Go back to the dugout coach, I’m fine I’m going to strike him out anyway,’ and he did just that to win the game.”  

Harrington sees how proud Sawicki is of his college roots and university. 

“Bobby is the mold of what a Hall of Honor person is,” Harrington said. “He was a tremendous competitor, tireless worker, incredible student and has a professional approach in everything he did and does.”

Sawicki and his family stay close to the program and got the chance to see the Bobcats outside of San Marcos when he lived in California and the team traveled to Santa Barbara. 

Not only has Sawicki left his impact on the baseball field, but the university has left an impact on him as well.

As a member of the Diamond Club and “T” Association, Sawicki wants to be involved in the programs due to his experience and love for Texas State.  

Sawicki is looking forward to being inducted the Texas State Hall of Honor alongside Bradley George, former roommate, and quarterback of the Bobcats from 2006 to 2009.  

“I can’t think of anybody else I’d rather be inducted with, and I look forward to celebrating with him,” said Sawicki.  “It is going to be a fun experience; I am really looking forward to it. We’ve got a good crew of friends and family that will join us.”