Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Former Owl Somarriba Named Outstanding Young Owl
11/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Former Florida Atlantic University baseball player Dr. Gabe Somarriba earned the Outstanding Young Owl Award from the FAU College of Education last month for his impressive post-graduate successes.
The award recognizes exceptional alumni under the age of 40 for their personal and professional accomplishments. The recipients serve as exemplary representatives of the academic and personal development ideals of FAU.
Somarriba is an assistant professor at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Miami and an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Miami. He serves as director and academic coordinator of clinical education for the Doctorate in physical therapy program at St. Augustine.
The Miami native played outfield for the Owls from 1999-2002, serving as a captain in each of his last two seasons. He started each of FAU's 67 games as a senior in 2002, hitting .345 with 66 runs scored, eight home runs and 50 RBI. That season, he also drew 51 walks, slugged .502 and did not commit an error in 141 putouts, leading FAU to its first-ever Super Regional appearance. As a freshman, Somarriba helped the Owls to tie the national win-streak record as the Owls won 34 straight en route to the best season in program history at 54-9 and a No. 8 national ranking. He epitomized everything a teammate should be and shortly after his graduation, the team's teammate of the year award was named in his honor.
"The skills that were engraved in myself as a student-athlete such as hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence have translated perfectly into the work ethic needed to succeed professionally," Somarriba said.
After graduation, Somarriba earned a Doctorate in physical therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. He has co-authored several peer-reviewed articles and written several book chapters and serves as a journal reviewer for International Journal of Pediatrics, Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics, HIV/AIDS Research and Palliative Care and Pediatric Health, Medicine and Therapeutics. He currently is a member of the neurology, pediatric and education sections of the American Physical Therapy Association.
"Gabe is an outstanding young man and one that I consider a pleasure to have coached," FAU Head Coach John McCormack said. "He is proof that you can be a high achiever both in the classroom and on the field. He defines the term student-athlete."
