Michael Collins was a middle infielder and pitcher for the Normal West Wildcat baseball team winning back-to-back Big 12 Championships in 2009 and 2010. He was a middle infielder and pitcher who was a career .373 hitter, had a 9-1 overall varsity pitching record, and a dazzling .960 fielding percentage earning All Big 12 recognition during both of his varsity seasons. In addition, Collins was selected to play in the Illinois Coaches Association and Pantagraph All-Star games, and was a member of the Big 12 All-Academic team in 2010.
After high school, Michael “MC” Collins joined the Heartland Hawks and made consecutive trips to the NJCAA World Series in Enid, OK in 2011 and 2012. The 2011 team was the first Heartland team to advance to the World Series. In 2012 Michael hit .400, pacing Heartland to the Region 24 tournament championship and a second consecutive World Series birth. Michael capped off his baseball career with a 3-hit game against Western Oklahoma and a glorious home run against Madison College, leading the Hawks to a best-ever 3rd place finish. Michael was named an NJCAA Academic All-American in 2012.
Michael’s life was tragically cut short when the car he was a passenger in was struck by a drunk driver. His decision to be an organ donor saved several lives and had a positive impact on many others. His death sparked a “Pay it Forward” campaign throughout the United States and reached several other countries, and his story graced the pages of Sports Illustrated and ESPN Magazine.
Michael was passionate about many things but the greatest joy he brought his family was his faith in God and his relationship with the Lord. His favorite scripture was Philippians 4:13, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Off the field, Michael built a reputation of sharing his strong faith with others. His outgoing personality made him a friend to so many, and his willingness to share his faith will be his true legacy.
Though Michael Collins has left this world, his legacy will live on at Normal West High School. When Michael died tragically in a car accident on April 2, 2014, the MCStrong movement was born.
In order to honor Michael’s legacy…
- Normal West Baseball will retire Michael’s #19 in the spring of 2015. The ceremony will include the Collins Family and friends as MC’s number is retired and the permanent sign is unveiled.
- An annual $1,000 scholarship to award a student-athlete at Normal West who represents MC’s legacy: faith (FCA, Active in church), community service, academic achievement (Big 12 Scholar), athletic prowess (play 4 years) has been created.
- NCHS vs. Normal West on April 22 and 24, 2014 involved both teams wearing #19 on Orange and Black jerseys with #19 on them.
- The Wildcat baseball program has and will continue to distribute cards that tell Michael’s story, inform others about #MCstrong and the “Pay It Forward” campaigns, and gives a testimony of the Christian story.
- MC decals provided by Read’s will be worn on the Wildcat batting helmets for the tenure of Coach Hawkins’ coaching career.
- Wristbands provided by Read’s will be allowed to be worn in Michael’s honor in the hopes it will lead to an opportunity to share his story with others.
- A new page on this website -link along the top – will permanently share this information.
