Mets' Sean Manaea Surprises Alma Mater in Viral Moment

Mets pitcher Sean Manaea visited his former college team, the Indiana State Sycamores, during their game against Miami this week.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea, who played college baseball at Indiana State from 2011 to 2013, surprised his alma mater by showing up at their game against the Miami Hurricanes this week. Manaea sat in the Sycamores' bullpen during the game, unbeknownst to the team's head coach Tracy Archuleta until after the game when the moment went viral on social media. Manaea spoke to the entire Indiana State team after the game and took the time to reconnect with his old program, much to the delight of the current Sycamores players.

Why it matters

Manaea's surprise visit to his alma mater highlights the lasting impact that college programs can have on professional athletes. Even years after leaving Indiana State, Manaea still feels a strong connection to the university and wanted to show his support for the current team. This gesture resonated with the Sycamores players and coaches, reminding them of the value of their program and the potential for their own future success.

The details

Manaea, who was in Florida for Mets spring training, drove over two hours from Port St. Lucie to Miami to watch the Sycamores take on the Hurricanes. He sat unnoticed in the Indiana State bullpen during the game, until videos of him there started circulating on social media after the game. Sycamores head coach Tracy Archuleta was unaware Manaea was coming, but was touched that the MLB pitcher took the time to support his alma mater. After the game, Manaea spoke to the entire Indiana State team and answered questions from the pitchers, giving them rare access to a veteran big leaguer.

  • On February 19, 2026, Manaea attended the Indiana State vs. Miami game in Miami.
  • After the game, videos of Manaea in the Indiana State bullpen went viral on social media.

The players

Sean Manaea

A starting pitcher for the New York Mets who played college baseball at Indiana State University from 2011 to 2013.

Tracy Archuleta

The head coach of the Indiana State Sycamores baseball team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I had no idea! Our guys loved it. For someone with his status to take the time to drive two-plus hours to go watch his alma mater play, it means so much to us.”

— Tracy Archuleta, Indiana State Sycamores Head Coach (NJ.com)

“I was like, I'll probably regret this if I don't do it. Just wanted to go see them and support them. Chopped it up. It was a really cool experience.”

— Sean Manaea (NJ.com)

The takeaway

Manaea's surprise visit to his college alma mater is a heartwarming example of how professional athletes can maintain strong connections to their roots and give back to the programs that helped launch their careers. This gesture resonated deeply with the current Indiana State players, reminding them of the lasting impact their university can have and the potential for their own futures.