In Focus: Huskies 'Burn The Boats', Pass The Axe
April 24, 2015 | General, Baseball
By Mason Kelley
GoHuskies.com
Donegal Fergus was looking for a way to keep Washington's baseball players motivated at the plate. The Huskies' hitting coach wanted to come up with something his players would embrace.
With Washington head coach Lindsay Meggs expecting his players to be “all the way in,” Fergus tried to find a story that would inspire the Huskies each time they stepped to the plate.
“I'm always looking for ways to keep guys motivated, using different analogies or themes to get guys fired up, bought in and working toward something,” Fergus said.
An avid reader, Fergus focused on a story he believed would resonate among the Huskies.
“One of the stories that always captivated me is the 'burn the boats' legend,” Fergus said.
In 1519, Hernán Cortés landed in Mexico determined to conquer an empire and secure its riches. However, when he arrived, he did not have the requisite force for such an undertaking.
To inspire his men, Cortés issued an order to “burn the boats.”
“It gave them no options but to conquer or be killed trying,” Fergus said.
Fergus liked the imagery of the story. He believed it could be a rallying cry for Washington's hitters.
“There's nowhere else to go,” he said, describing the mentality. “You're just in. You're all in. There's no other choice but to keep forging ahead as hard as you can.”
Once Fergus had a story, he needed a symbol. He bought an axe.
“With young guys, that sort of imagery, they think it's cool and it provides a symbol of toughness,” Fergus said.
The axe has become Washington's award for offensive success. It is passed each week to the new recipient from the previous week's winner. The player who wins the axe is responsible for getting it to games, making sure it is in the dugout when the Huskies take the field.
“We fight to win or we fight and die,” said outfielder Braden Bishop. “That's the only choice we have. That's what the axe stands for. It's us going to battle every week. There's no turning back. It's fight to win.”
The axe has become a pivotal part of the program's culture.
To receive the award, “is an honor,” said Bishop, a two-time winner. “You want that award. You want to be a guy who can help your team win and put together some good at-bats.
“It's a symbol for all of us.”
