George Washington University Athletics
Photo Credit: Ephrata High School
The Fassnachts, A Hall of Fame Father-Son Duo
10/7/2024 9:50:00 AM | Baseball
For GW baseball alum Nate Fassnacht '20, earning accolades for his play on the diamond was not a rare occurrence. The 2019 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and All-American is used to being recognized for his athletic excellence, but for someone who has won countless awards throughout their career, one would think being inducted into your high school's Sports Hall of Fame would be just another achievement on an ever-growing list of accolades. However, when Nate joined Ephrata Area High School's elite athletic company earlier this month, he wasn't the first Fassnacht to enter the exclusive club.
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Nate's path to the Ephrata's Sports Hall of Fame was solidified after a terrific prep career. He helped guide the Mountaineers to three sectional championships, one league title and a district crown - all while hitting .412 during his varsity tenure. For someone who made a lot of history on the diamond, he made a different kind of history during his induction. He joined his father, Dave, who was inducted into Ephrata's elite club 20 years earlier in 2004, as the first father-son duo to be enshrined in the school's Hall of Fame.
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Dave, a 1988 graduate of Ephrata, was a three-sport athlete during his playing days with the Mountaineers. Making his most significant impact on the gridiron, Dave went on to play four years collegiately as a punter with the University of Pennsylvania. Now, 20 years after his own induction, Dave was able to reminisce as Nate was honored for his achievements. "It's always nice to be recognized for your accomplishments," said Dave. "It's extra special when your children are honored for their successes."
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Following his career at Ephrata, Nate committed to play baseball at GW and joined the team in the fall of 2016. What followed was an incredible career that included 168 games started, a career batting average of .328, 113 RBI, 65 extra-base hits, a slugging percentage of .489 and an on-base percentage of .408. Nate was the A-10's 2019 Player of the Year during his senior season and was a Third Team Collegiate Baseball All-America selection as well.
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During his junior season in 2019, Nate received his call to the pros when he was selected in the eighth round (240thoverall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Draft. After completing his playing career at GW, Nate went on to play two seasons in the Phillies' minor league system before retiring from baseball.
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Now four years removed from his baseball career, Nate and his wife, Cass, whom he met while at GW, spend their days caring for their daughter, who arrived earlier in 2024. Nate's playing days may be over, but his accolades and accomplishments will live on, none more special than sharing space with his father in the Ephrata High School Sports Hall of Fame.
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Nate's path to the Ephrata's Sports Hall of Fame was solidified after a terrific prep career. He helped guide the Mountaineers to three sectional championships, one league title and a district crown - all while hitting .412 during his varsity tenure. For someone who made a lot of history on the diamond, he made a different kind of history during his induction. He joined his father, Dave, who was inducted into Ephrata's elite club 20 years earlier in 2004, as the first father-son duo to be enshrined in the school's Hall of Fame.
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Dave, a 1988 graduate of Ephrata, was a three-sport athlete during his playing days with the Mountaineers. Making his most significant impact on the gridiron, Dave went on to play four years collegiately as a punter with the University of Pennsylvania. Now, 20 years after his own induction, Dave was able to reminisce as Nate was honored for his achievements. "It's always nice to be recognized for your accomplishments," said Dave. "It's extra special when your children are honored for their successes."
Â
Following his career at Ephrata, Nate committed to play baseball at GW and joined the team in the fall of 2016. What followed was an incredible career that included 168 games started, a career batting average of .328, 113 RBI, 65 extra-base hits, a slugging percentage of .489 and an on-base percentage of .408. Nate was the A-10's 2019 Player of the Year during his senior season and was a Third Team Collegiate Baseball All-America selection as well.
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During his junior season in 2019, Nate received his call to the pros when he was selected in the eighth round (240thoverall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB Draft. After completing his playing career at GW, Nate went on to play two seasons in the Phillies' minor league system before retiring from baseball.
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Now four years removed from his baseball career, Nate and his wife, Cass, whom he met while at GW, spend their days caring for their daughter, who arrived earlier in 2024. Nate's playing days may be over, but his accolades and accomplishments will live on, none more special than sharing space with his father in the Ephrata High School Sports Hall of Fame.
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