America East Baseball: Chatham's Kraham signs with UAlbany

CHATHAM - With his father John, mother Michelle, and sisters Sarah and Katie at his side, Chatham senior Zach Kraham signed his national letter of intent to play baseball for the University of Albany Great Danes Thursday, November 29, at the Chatham High School.

While his family was at his side, it is the one who is no longer with him who gives him the motivation to excel. "My sister Meghan is my motivation," Kraham said of his sister, who passed away this past summer. "Every time I step on the field, I'm doing it for her."

The three-sport star has been the four-year starting quarterback for the football team, is playing in his fourth season of varsity basketball and excelled on the baseball diamond for his first three years of high school. He will be the Panthers' ace on the mound yet again for this, his senior season.

Last year, Kraham went 7-0 with 3 saves on the mound for the Panthers, posting a 1.27 ERA and striking out 80 batters. "I hope to win the Patroon [Conference] this year and make a run at states," he said. "That's our goal coming into every season."

With interest from University of Connecticut, Lemoyne and Siena, a few things about UAlbany stood out for Kraham and made the Great Danes the choice for the young star.
"It's close to home, the athletics are on the rise and coach [Jon] Mueller really showed he cared," said Kraham. "[Mueller] called the most and came to watch me play, and he's a small-town guy like me."

Despite the thought of playing both football and baseball crossing his mind, Kraham has decided to focus solely on baseball. "I talked to my dad and my uncle, who played both sports in college, and they told me what a toll it takes on your body," Kraham said of his decision. One thing is clear: whether you're talking to someone about Kraham or whether you're talking to him yourself, he remains grounded, despite his immense skills on the fields.

"This is every father's dream," said John Kraham. "The big thing is with all the attention he's been getting, he's friends with all types of kids and he's stayed humble." His future coach, Jon Mueller echoed those sentiments: "His makeup-and not just physically either-makes him special. The way he carries himself, he's polite and he's humble, which is a rare quality in a kid that is so talented."

The goals he, his family and Coach Muller have for him remain tied to both his athletic ability and his hard work in the classroom. "I'm going to major in education and then get my master's in physical education to be a gym teacher," said Kraham. "He's going there to get a good education, hopefully do well and maybe get to the next level," said the elder Kraham. "Zach has so much raw ability that's untapped," said Mueller. "He might be the most talented kid we've ever signed in my 10 years here."

Outside of sports, Kraham also loves to hunt and fish despite the fact that, as he says, "my sisters make fun of me for it and tell me I'm weird." It's easy to tell, after talking to him for a brief time, Kraham is a well-rounded kid who, despite all his natural talent, is quick to share in his accomplishments. When asked who helped him get to this stage, it's almost easier to list who he doesn't think has helped him: "My dad, my uncles, the fan support, all the coaches-they've all helped me get to where I'm at."

By: GREG DEDRICK