Will Bermudez’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and unyielding determination. As a first-generation college student and a standout on the UC Irvine baseball team, Will’s journey has been anything but conventional.
In May 2019, during a travel baseball game, the 17-year-old collided with a teammate while chasing a pop fly, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Although Will quickly regained his mobility, the collision resulted in a traumatic brain injury that caused him to lose five years of memory. For more than two weeks, Will thought he was 12 years old. A few months after his injury, he suffered his first epileptic seizure. Will was diagnosed with Myoclonic Juvenile Epilepsy, leading the Air Force Academy to rescind his scholarship.
The injury took a toll on Will’s physical and mental health. In addition to extensive rehabilitation, Will leaned into his faith and the coping skills he developed in mental health counseling.
Determined to forge a path forward, he enrolled at UC Davis, quit baseball, and focused on his academics and health. Wanting to play baseball again, in 2022, he transferred to Mount San Antonio College, where he excelled, batting .343. His play caught the attention of the UC Irvine coaches, and Will transferred there in 2023 and quickly earned the starting job at second base. He batted .250 and was named a finalist for the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Last year, he improved at the plate, batting .301 and earning All-Big-West Second Team honors.
This season, he has been an integral part of the 20th ranked team in the nation with a record of 39-13. He started 49 games, batting .263 with 46 hits, 31 walks, 39 runs scored, and 39 runs batted in (RBI). He also continued to play Gold Glove-quality defense with just five errors in 230 chances.
Will’s experiences inspired his academic pursuits. Majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology, he aspires to become a psychiatrist, dedicated to helping people struggling with mental health challenges—just as he learned to manage his own.
“Everyone has different battles. Mine was epilepsy,” said Will. “I want everyone to know that whatever they are going through will get better if they take it one day at a time and don’t let anything stop them from achieving their dreams.”