Alumni Interviews
Whitt Callahan
SOUTHERN INDIANA TIGERS: SPALDING UNIVERSITY
"The speed of the game. That was the biggest adjustment."
Whitt Callahan, a senior infielder at Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky, joins Carter Mize on this episode of Tiger Alumni Player Spotlight.
A Southern Indiana Rawlings Tigers alum, Callahan played four full summer seasons with the Tigers from 15U to 18U before beginning his collegiate career at Spalding.
Reflecting on his time with the Tigers, Callahan shared:
"I played all my high school summers with the Tigers. I'm really glad I did—it gave me the reps and exposure I needed to connect with college coaches and make my way into college baseball."
Callahan’s path to college baseball is unconventional in today’s era of frequent transfers. Preparing for his final season of eligibility, he has stuck at Spalding University throughout his collegiate journey.
The senior infielder found Spalding after the Southern Indiana Rawlings Tigers held a private workout for Spalding’s coaching staff to see.
“There were about 10 of us that attended this mini-camp that Spalding was high on. After that workout they brought me into the locker room and offered me a spot. In Division 3 there are no athletic scholarships so we didn't talk about any scholarship money obviously but I really liked the campus and facilities. It didn't take me long to commit at all.”
The infielder has played in 75 games over 3 seasons for Spalding playing both third base, and second base.
“I’ve played a large majority of third base here, with some spot starts at second base sprinkled in. If you hit, you play so I just play wherever they put me.”
Winning is a hallmark of Spalding's baseball program. The NCAA Division III team has captured back-to-back SLIAC conference titles, with Callahan playing a key role in their success. In the 2024 SLIAC conference final, he hit a two-run home run, bringing his season total to a career.
"I never thought about transferring out of Spalding. I love it here—they push me every day, and I’ve become a much better player since I first arrived. Plus, we win all the time, which always makes it fun," he said.
As Whitt enters his final season of eligibility,the Rawlings Tigers community wish him the best as he looks to cap his time at spalding off with an all-SLIAC caliber season.
#Train #Educate #GrowTheGame
By: Carter Mize
Rawlings Tigers National Director - Player Development
[email protected]
@mize_carter on X