Alumni Spotlight: Richie Cortese

Since the first time he picked up a baseball, Richie Cortese has dreamed of stepping onto a professional baseball field. That dream became reality this summer when the Dickinson State University alum was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies as a pitcher.

Born and raised in Laurel, Montana, Cortese grew up as the youngest of four brothers: Zach, Dakota, and Dawson. When he is not on the field, Cortese enjoys spending time with friends, fishing, and camping. Yet no matter where life has taken them, baseball has always been the Cortese family’s shared passion. His father, Dave Cortese, had once played in the Padres organization, and all three of his brothers continued the family legacy by competing at the collegiate level.

When it came time for college, Cortese chose Dickinson State for a very personal reason: the chance to finally play baseball alongside his older brother Dawson. Growing up, their age difference meant they never shared the same team, but DSU gave them that long-awaited opportunity. The two created lasting memories on the field together, memories that Cortese says he will never forget. Though his collegiate journey later took him to Lander University in South Carolina, his short time at Dickinson State remains an important part of his story.

Family has always been central to his journey. Through every high and low, they have been his biggest supporters. “No matter how I was performing, they always had my back and pushed me to be the best version of myself every day,” Cortese reflects. “My family helped me realize that baseball isn’t everything, but that being yourself and having fun with the pursuit of bettering yourself every day is what matters.

Now, as he prepares to take the field in the Phillies organization, Cortese looks forward to the resources and mentorship that await him. “The thing I am most excited about with the Phillies is the tools I will have at my disposal,” he says. Training systems and innovative programs, combined with the experience of coaches who once played professionally themselves, offer him the chance to keep refining his game. “All of the cool baseball technology is something I know can elevate me to the player I know I can be,” he adds. “Having people around me with exceptional baseball knowledge and expertise is very exciting for me.”

Even as he embraces this next chapter, Cortese is mindful of the younger athletes watching him. He encourages them not to tie their identities too tightly to their sport. “Baseball, or any sport, is not who you are, it’s just what you do,” he says. “Do not fall into the trap that social media displays, that people just have success all the time. There are plenty of bumps in the road. I know I have had more bumps in the road than wins. Just never give up on yourself, no matter the card you were dealt.”

And while he is grateful for the opportunities ahead, Cortese has not forgotten the places and people along the way. “I want to thank everyone at DSU for making my experience there so memorable,” he says. “From the staff to the students, you were the best part of my time at DSU.”

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By Alician Parks-DSU HF Student Writer