UH football fans might remember Jordan Mannisto for the 50-yard field goal he made that gave the Cougars precious points in their one-point victory over Texas Tech on September 26, 2009.
It turns out the kicker has a strong arm as well as a leg.
Mannisto is now a part of the pitching staff for the baseball team. In his first season with the team, the right hander sports a 3.33 ERA and a 2-1 record including a win against Texas A&M on April 5.
Mannisto said that playing baseball in the spring is beneficial since he gets the opportunity to keep in shape before football season begins.
“The football coaches have been really cool about it since the workouts fit a kicker’s schedule,” Mannisto said. “We really don’t need heavy lifting, and in baseball we run a lot so it actually benefits you in the weight room.”
Mannisto was recruited out of Westlake, Calif. by UH to play football exclusively. In high school he played football, baseball and soccer but ultimately decided to focus on football for college.
It was through recognition of his abilities on the baseball field in high school that he was approached by assistant coach Trip Couch and asked to try out for the team.
“I didn’t know all the coaches, but coach Couch found me during football season since he had recruited people from my high school team,” Mannisto said.
Mannisto has one season remaining for football, but will have three more years of eligibility for baseball. In 2010, Mannisto’s football duties consisted of kickoffs and some punting.
Although he insists that he does not prefer one sport over another, Mannisto said that the highlight of his athletic career was the UH victory over Texas Tech in 2009.
“For the school, that was one of the biggest games we’ve had on campus,” he said.
“I had never seen our school like that. Walking in Monday morning and seeing people lined up for tickets was crazy.”
