Story written and posted by Anthony Perry ’08, Fisher College Interim Sports Information Director
BOSTON, MASS. – Michael Oliveira’s legacy in the Fisher pinstripes will be remembered as a true underdog story. He entered the baseball program as an undersized recruit who was known for his grit and determination. Over the next four years, Oliveira used that determination to become the best defensive second baseman that the Fisher Baseball program has ever seen.
During his career, Oliveira played in 168 games, committing just 27 errors in 556 total chances. His finest performance came in his senior season when the “undersized recruit” earned the NAIA Rawlings Gold Glove Award as the best defensive second baseman in the country. Oliveira made just two errors in 166 total chances (61 PO | 103 A | 2 E) for a .988 fielding percentage and in the process, became the first Falcon to collect a major national award. He was inducteed into the Fisher College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
Since his time at Fisher ended, Oliveira has taken his talents to the workforce at Tufts University while also continuing his passion for baseball by being an assistant coach at Rivier University. He recently caught up with FisherFalcons.com for a Q & A.
Q: What was your career like at Fisher? What sport(s) did you play? When did you play? Did you garner any accolades – captain/championship/all-conference, etc.
A: My career at Fisher was truly one of a kind, I am blessed to have a fascinating experience within the Fisher community. The Fisher community gave me lifelong friends and tremendous memories on and off the field. The sport I played at Fisher college was baseball from 2008-2011 for Coach Dulin. I was grateful to be part of four Sunrise Conference Championships, two Sunrise conference Golf Gloves (2009 and 2011), Sunrise All conference (2010), and NAIA Rawlings National Gold Glove in 2011. Also, I was fortunate enough to be inducted into the Fisher Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
Q: Since Fisher, you’ve moved into the work field. Could you describe your current occupation, what company you work for and the role you have?
A: My current occupation is the Gift Processing Coordinator at Tufts University for their Advancement Department. I allocate all fundraising efforts throughout Tufts University schools.
I am the Assistant Baseball Coach at Rivier University as well. I help Head Coach Anthony Perry with the day to day baseball operations of the baseball team as well as manage the infielders.
Q: How did you land your job?
A: I knew I wanted to be in higher education when graduating Fisher College. I have always been intrigued by the higher education atmosphere. When learning about the Advancement department in higher education and getting offered a job at such a prestigious school like Tufts University, which is currently 29th on US News Best Colleges, I knew this is where I wanted to be.
Head Coach Anthony Perry and I were roommates and teammates at Fisher College in 2008. When I graduated in 2011, Anthony asked me to join the Rivier University program, where we currently coach.
Q: Is this your dream job?
A: As a baseball player, my dream job was to play in the MLB, but we all know the odds are slim. I am blessed to have my job I currently maintain. I enjoy what I do, I enjoy the people I work with, and I enjoy the Tufts community.
I could say the same about coaching at Rivier University. The Rivier University community is truly marvelous. I am blessed to be aside a Head coach that trusts me and a person I can learn from. I enjoy helping the players on and off the field, but I mostly relish to see what they accomplish when they graduate.
Q: Describe your typical work day.
A: My typical workday involves working with donors and my fellow coworkers on how we can make improve Tufts community for the alumni, students, staff, and faculty through our fundraising efforts.
Q: What’s the most surprising part of your job?
A: The most surprising part of my job is meeting and talking to interesting Tufts University alumni and hearing their experience within the Tufts community.
Q: What’s the biggest perk of your job?
A: The biggest perk of my job is being able to attend lectures by our accomplished professors.
The biggest perk of coaching at Rivier University is being able to see what the student athletes accomplish when they graduate Rivier University. Another great perk is being able to have the opportunity to be a small influence on a student athlete’s life.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: I am most proud of graduating with my Bachelor of Science Management degree in four years and having the opportunity of meeting friends that turned into family over time at Fisher College
Q: What is your favorite memory at work?
A: My favorite memory at work is having the opportunity to meet with alumni and current students to talk about their Tufts University experience.
Q: How did Fisher prepare you for your role?
A: Fisher prepared me in many ways for my role. The biggest way Fisher College prepared me is time management. In the work force as we all know, this attribute is one of the key’s to success. At Fisher in one my day my schedule may consist of morning practice, class, studying, go to the gym, and then practice at night.
Q: What’s your favorite Fisher memory?
A: My favorite Fisher memory is getting the call that I won the National NAIA Rawlings Gold Glove in 2011. I feel like this award did a bunch for Fisher College baseball on a national level by getting our school name out there for people to see. Also, it did and still does feel good to be the only National award winner in Fisher College history when so many individuals doubt you. This was so important to me, because many coaches in the past have doubted my talents; some never even gave me an opportunity. I am blessed Coach Dulin gave me that opportunity at Fisher College. Through hard work ethic and having an approach at what I wanted to accomplish in college, I proved many individuals wrong and accomplished my college goals.
Q: What advice do you have for current student-athletes?
A: My advice I have for current student-athletes is control what you can control. You can control work ethic. Look at school, life, and sports as an opportunity. For example, if you get an atrocious test score look at that as an opportunity to strive to get better an improve on the next test. For the baseball guys, if you ground out to shortstop, look at that as an opportunity to run a hard 90.
Q: What made you choose Fisher?
A: What made me choose Fisher College was Coach Dulin and the players on the Fisher baseball team. Once I met Coach Dulin and a few of the players, I knew this was the school for me. Fisher College made me feel like I was in a comfortable college environment where I could have success in the classroom and on the baseball field.
Q: Outside of work, what is your life like? I.E. family, kids, what do you do for fun, etc?
A: Outside of work, I like to spend time with my family by visiting my parents, brothers, and cousins. I like to enjoy time with my friends. I am big on traveling around the world and experiencing new cultures. I enjoy staying active by going to the gym, playing basketball, flag football, golf, and playing baseball in a men’s league in the summer.
Q: Do you have social media accounts that Falcon Nation can follow to stay up-to-date with you and your career?
A: Yes! My instagram is @oliveira.mike11 and you can find me on Facebook at Michael Oliveira