Sharks in the Pros

SHARKS IN THE PROFESSIONAL RANKS

JD Martinez - Boston Red Sox

2011 Call Up: NSU Alumnus J.D. Martinez Called Up to the Houston Astros

HOUSTON (July 30, 2011) - Nova Southeastern alumnus J.D. Martinez has been called up to play for Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros, as announced by the organization late Friday evening. Read More

Career Highlights - Team NCBWA All-American, Second-Team Daktronics All-American, Third-Team ABCA/Rawlings All-American as a junior. - Set a NSU program record with 73 runs scored, while batting .428 his junior year. - Selected in the 20th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft by the Houston Astros. - Astros' 2010 Minor League Player of the Year. - Was batting .340 with 13 home runs, 25 doubles and 71 RBI in 87 games at Double-A Corpus Christi before being called up to the Astros. - Was called up to the Major League July 29, 2011. - First career MLB hit was an RBI double to centerfield. - After starting with the Astros, was signed by Detroit and has become a starter on a World Series contender in 2014. - J.D. earned his first AL All-Star nod in 2015. Martinez led the Tigers in home runs (38), RBI (102) and games (158). He was awarded his first Silver Slugger award. - In 2017, The Tigers traded J.D. to the Arizona Diamondbacks, in a trade deadline deal that catapulted the Diamondbacks to the National League playoffs. In just 62 games in the desert, Martinez hit 0.302, clubbed 29 home runs and drove in 65. - J.D. signed a five-year, $110 million dollar contract with the Boston Red Sox prior to the 2018 season, transforming the Boston lineup and helping guide the Red Sox to the winnigest season in franchise history and the World Series title. - Martinez enjoyed the best season of his career in 2018, hitting 0.330, with 43 home runs and led the Major Leagues with 130 home runs and 358 total bases. J.D. earned his second All-Star honor, finished fourth in MVP voting and became the first player in the history of MLB to win two Silver Sluggers in the same season (OF/DH) - Following five seasons, and four All-Star teams, J.D. signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and earned his sixth All-Star spot, first in the National League, in his career. - J.D. hit his 300th career home run on June 27, 2023, leading the Dodgers to a 5-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Mike Fiers - Oakland Athletics

2011 Call Up: NSU Alumnus, Mike Fiers Called Up to Milwaukee Brewers

MILWAUKEE (Sep. 9, 2011) - Nova Southeastern alumnus and Nashville Sounds right-hander Mike Fiers has been called up by the Major League Milwaukee Brewers as of Sept. 9, 2011. Read More

Career Highlights - Selected to the NCBWA and ABCA/Rawlings All-America Third-Teams as a senior. - Led the nation with 145 strikeouts, setting an NSU single-season record, as a senior. - Selected in the 22nd round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. - Led the Milwaukee Brewers organization with 13 victories and a 1.86 ERA in 34 games in 2011. - Earned an 8-0 record with a 1.15 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 10 starts at Triple-A Nashville. - Called up to the Major League Sept. 9, 2011. - Pitched a scoreless inning in his first major league appearance (Sept. 14, 2011 against Colorado) with a pick off at first base and two strikeouts. - After sitting out most of 2013, Fiers took 2014 by storm and blossomed into a starter in a rotation competing for the lead in the NL Central. His best outing came against the Cubs, in which he struck out 14 batters. - As a member of the Houston Astros, Fiers was part of the 2017 World Series Champions.

Sandra Changkija - Women's Golf

2011 Debut: NSU Alumna Changkija Receives LPGA Membership

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 4, 2011) - Former Nova Southeastern women’s golfer Sandra Changkija has received membership into the Ladies Professional Golf Association after finishing in seventh place in the final stage of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament. Read More

Career Highlights
- Member of three consecutive national championship team at NSU (2009-2011).
- First student-athlete to be selected as the PING/NGCA Player of the Year honors four times.
- Four-time NGCA First-Team All-America selection.
- Won seven tournaments, including the individual national championship during 2010 season.
- Selected as the SSC Female Athlete of the Year as a junior and senior.
- Competed on the LPGA Futures Tour after finishing her collegiate career.
- Received membership in the the LPGA with a seventh-place finish at the final stage of the LPGA Qualifying Tournament.

Greg O'Mahony - Men's Golf

2011: NSU Men's Golf Alum, Greg O'Mahony, Makes Honda Classic

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (2011) -A 2009 graduate of Nova Southeastern University and Shark men’s golf alum, Greg O’Mahony shot 66 at Mayacoo Lakes Country Club to earn one of four spots in the Monday qualifier for the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic. Read More

Career Highlights
- While at NSU, O’Mahony was a three-time GCAA/NCAA Division II All-American.
- O'Mahony was named Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year once in 2009.
- At the time of graduation, he ranked second in school history with a 72.17 scoring average and was tied for the school record for the lowest individual round at 65.
- After participating in the Honda Classic, O'Mahony continues to compete in professional tournaments around the nation.

Miles Mikolas - St. Louis Cardinals

2012 Call Up: NSU Alum Mikolas Called Up to Play for the San Diego Padres

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 5, 2012) - NSU baseball alumnus Miles Mikolas has been called up to the San Diego Padres to replace Huston Street, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Mikolas becomes the third Shark to be called up to a Major League 40-man roster. Read More

Career Highlights
- Member of the NSU baseball team from 2007-2009 before being drafted as a junior.
- Totaled 167 strikeouts over his three-year career, which ranks in the top-five all-time at NSU.
- Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the seventh round of the 2009 MLB Draft.
- From 2010 to being called up in 2012, Mikolas collected 40 saves at a combined four different levels of minor league baseball.
- Made his debut against the Florida Marlins on May 5, 2012 after being called up to replace Huston Street, who was placed on the 15-day DL.
- Was traded to Texas by way of the Pirates in 2014, which began a whirlwind campaign. He was sent down to AAA, became a starter, and returned to the majors in the Rangers' starting rotation. He has recorded outstanding performances at both Marlins Park and Yankee Stadium in 2014.

Aly Hassan - Fort Lauderdale Strikers

2012 Signing: NSU Alumnus Hassan Signswith Fort Lauderdale Strikers

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (March 24, 2012) - Nova Southeastern men’s soccer alumnus Aly Hassan will continue his soccer career in the Sharks’ backyard, as the forward has signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Read More

Career Highlights
- Four-year starter for the NSU men's soccer team from 2007-10.
- As a Shark, Hassan finished his career with 87 points on 36 goals scored.
- He became only the fifth Shark in history to compile at least 30 goals and 80 points.
- Hassan travelled the world after finishing his collegiate career, playing proffesional soccer on three different continents.
- Hassan has started in 10 of his first 13 games as a Striker.
- Hassan would have his breakout gamein April of 2012, earning his first career hat trick for the Strikers in a win over the Puerto Rico Islanders.

Brett Clements - Houston Astros

2013: Clements Signs with Houston Astros

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (June, 20, 2013) - NSU alumnus Brett Clements will continue his professional career with the Houston Astros, after signing a contract with the club this week. Read More

Career Highlights
- Clements was a key member of the Sharks' squad in 2012 and 2013, helping NSU make a regional tournament appearance and push the Sharks' streak of 30-win seasons to nine.
- During his time with the Sharks, Clements amassed 73 hits, 66 RBI's and four home runs.
- Although Clements has a solid offensive reputation, his most valuable quality has been his defense. Clements capped off his senior year by receiving the South Region Gold Glove award.
- With the Astros, Clements has played two straight seasons in extended spring training in Kissimmee.

Taylor Collins - Women's Golf

2013: NSU Alum Collins Wins Big Break Mexico

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (July 18, 2013) - Nova Southeastern Alumna Taylor Collins wins the Golf Channel's hit reality competition Big Break Mexico and receives an exemption to compete on the LPGA Tour at the 2013 Lorena Ochoa Invitational from Nov. 14-17. Read More

Career Highlights
- Was one of only a handful of student-athletes to win multiple NCAA National Championships in her career.
- Was the individual NCAA National Champion in 2010-11, a year in which she was a top-5 ranked golfer in the nation and had Division II's third lowest stroke average.
- Set a new NCAA record that stands across all three NCAA divisions for the lowest score in relation to par after three rounds with her 13 under score of 203.
- Turned pro after her college career and has played in several tournaments across the globe.
- Was the winner of the Golf Channel's Big Break Mexico, which pitted several male and female professional golfers against each other.
- Participated in the 2013 Lorena Ochoa Invitational at the Guadalajara Country Club in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Darryl Gordon - Fort Lauderdale Strikers

2014 Signing: Gordon Signs with Fort Lauderdale Strikers

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 7, 2014) - Nova Southeastern alum Darryl Gordon has signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the North American Soccer League (NASL). Read More

Career Highlights
- Gordon played in 73 games over four years at NSU, logging a total of 3,972 minutes played.
- He was a versatile player for NSU, with career totals of 11 goals and seven assists.
- Made his pro debut in Vienna, Austria
- Gordon is listed as one of seven defenders on the Strikers.
- Gordon made his first appearance for the Strikers in the U.S. Open Cup match against Laredo Heat at Lockhart on May 28, starting at the right side of defense.
- He made his first NASL appearance as a second-half substitute in the Strikers 3-0 defeat to Minnesota United FC in the opening match of the Fall season.

Carlos Asuaje - San Diego Padres

2017 Call Up: Padres Promote Asuaje from Triple-A

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Following a brief stint at the major league level in 2016, former Nova Southeastern star Carlos Asuaje will make his return to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, joining the club in New York for the series opener against the Mets. Read More

Career Highlights
- Asuaje played for three seasons at NSU, ranging from 2B, 3B and shortstop.
- Asuaje made history at NSU, becoming the first player in program history to win Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year Honors.
- Was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 11th round of the 2013 MLB Draft.
- At low-A, Asuaje batted .306 in Greenville and slugged .542. His triples total led the South Atlantic League, while his mark of 73 RBI ranked second at the time of his call up to Salem.

Victor Nirrenold - Fleetwood Town

Nirrenold Signs Professional Contract with League One’s Fleetwood Town

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Sept. 1, 2015) - Former Nova Southeastern University men's soccer player Victor Nirrenold has signed a professional contract to play for Fleetwood Town of England's League One, the Football Association's third division. Read More

Career Highlights
- Appeared in 16 matches, starting in 14 in his first season with NSU in 2014.
- Logged 1,210 minutes played, more than any other forward on the team.
- Ranked second on the team with three goals.
- Scored his first goal for NSU against Florida Southern on the road (10/4/14).
- Scored his first game-winner, the only goal of the match, against Barry (10/8/14).
- Also scored at home against Eckerd (10/25/14), sealing the Sharks' place in the SSC Tournament.
- Assisted on goals against Rollins (10/15/14) and Eckerd.
- Took 21 shots, with 11 on goal.
- Prior to signing, Nirrenold had already appeared in a developmental match for Fleetwood, logging 90 minutes in a shutout win against Championship side Burnley.