Pookie Wilson tells AUM graduates to keep stepping up to the plate

At Auburn University at Montgomery’s spring commencement, alumnus and former professional baseball player Pookie Wilson delivered a heartfelt message to the Class of 2026 about perseverance, resilience and the importance of finishing what you start.

Wilson reflected on his own journey from arriving at AUM in 1988 as a student-athlete with dreams of playing professional baseball to eventually returning decades later to complete the degree he once left behind to pursue his career. After a professional baseball career with the Florida Marlins organization and years spent coaching and mentoring young athletes, Wilson earned his degree from AUM in December 2025.

Throughout his address, Wilson encouraged graduates to embrace setbacks as part of growth and to continue moving forward even when life becomes difficult.

“Success isn’t about never failing,” Wilson told graduates. “Success is about learning how to keep going when things get hard.”

Wilson closed his speech by leaving graduates with three key lessons: chase your dreams, embrace challenges and finish what you start. He reminded graduates that life may not always follow the timeline they expect, but persistence and discipline can lead them exactly where they are meant to be.

“Work hard. Support the people around you. Stay humble. And never stop learning,” Wilson said. “If you stay committed, stay disciplined, and keep moving forward, you will eventually arrive exactly where you’re meant to be.”

AUM celebrated more than 700 graduates during two commencement ceremonies Saturday at the AUM Athletics Complex.