“Excellencism is the healthy pursuit of high standards. It’s demanding, but it’s also more flexible and realistic than perfectionism. We now know that this mindset is more effective for both performance and personal growth,” explains Gaudreau.
Last summer, psychology undergraduate Phil Donaldson joined Gaudreau’s coaching team. A former player for the Gee-Gees baseball team, Phil was curious to see how the professor applies science to coaching in real-life settings. “I’d heard great things about Patrick as both a researcher and a coach. I wanted to see firsthand how he blends the two,” says Donaldson.
To support his development, Gaudreau offered Phil a directed reading course to explore coaching strategies grounded in sports psychology and science. As a guest coach, Phil played a key role in the team’s impressive win at Baseball Québec’s mid-season tournament. “Baseball is a game of mistakes,” Phil reflects. “My readings and work with Patrick helped me better prepare the players emotionally for high-pressure moments. Psychology isn’t often part of standard coaching education, but it makes a huge difference.”
Professor Gaudreau firmly believes that social psychology has a bigger role to play in shaping tomorrow’s coaches. “Young athletes face a lot of performance anxiety. It’s important to help them see mistakes as a normal part of learning. Coaches can play a huge role in turning pressure into positive energy.”
The results speak for themselves. In 2024, the U15AA Tyrans de l’Outaouais clinched the championship title in the Inter-Cité Montréal Baseball League—the first time in 43 years that an Outaouais team has done so. “It wasn’t an overnight success,” Gaudreau notes. “This win is the result of years of teamwork and growth.”
Phil’s involvement also helped elevate the team’s coaching practices. “He took a deep dive into our coaching methods—identifying what worked and where we could improve. His fresh perspective helped us refine our team culture and unlock our full potential.”
This dynamic team of coaches, led by Gaudreau and including Donaldson, was named the top U15AA coaching staff in Quebec, marking Gaudreau’s fourth provincial award for his volunteer work in coaching.
Now, as Phil completes his honours thesis and prepares for graduate studies, Professor Gaudreau is gearing up for another season—this time with Watson Elite Baseball—continuing his mission to inspire the next generation of baseball talent in the National Capital Region.
