By: Samantha Witte, Staff Writer
Eat. Sleep. Play. Repeat. This is the sequence of events often used to describe the average day in the life of a student athlete. Then, on top of all of this, there is homework, and any other demands or challenges the day might bring along. These athletes all end up on the same intense schedule, and it is one that leads them to success. They all share a common goal, along with the motivation and drive to achieve it. No wonder there always seems to be a special sort of bond between the members of a team. They are linked together with passion. This type of bond is hard to understand from the outside looking in. These members become more than just teammates. They become a family.
One of these special tight-knit groups is the men’s baseball team. They are a family with over thirty members, and each one is able to connect with another in this special way. It is often easy to pick these members out simply walking around the campus on a daily basis. Most of the time they are in some sort of practice attire or hanging out in groups. They are often outgoing, and they are very in touch with the community. All of these traits and looks are then put together to create that very unique baseball player look. It would be safe to say that each team creates various forms of unity among its members. This unity is then able to reach out to the community of Saint Leo, and then even further. As a result, a close and respectable community for all members can then be established.
On the night of Wednesday January 28, 2015, the baseball team took the idea of mixing unity with the community to a completely new level. The team went to the field and participated in a very different kind of preparation for the opening weekend ahead. Many of them shaved their heads, adding to the list of similarities. The next day various students began to take notice and talk about the potential reasoning for this new look. One idea was that teams do it as sort of a pre-game hype to get ready for the upcoming season. Another possible factor was pure intimidation. The real reason was of much greater impact than baseball itself. They did it to raise awareness for cancer victims.
Often times people take for granted the life that they have been given, or the impact that they are able to have on other people. These boys already serve as role models to the community because of their athletic talent and their ability to represent Saint Leo well in a positive way. There are many young kids at the game, and many of them look to these players on the field wanting to be just like them one day. These kids get a hold of a glove or bat, and try to mimic every little detail that they can pick up from their idol. By shaving their heads for cancer, these boys were able to set an excellent example for anyone of any age that happens to take notice. It was an experience for these players that can reach out and touch all people in the community. It can help the community be aware of all that they can do to raise awareness as well.
“Everyone is touched by cancer in one way or another,” says Dylan Harris, who was one of the hair donors.
Cancer has become such a common aspect of our society today, and it is a shame that many people have to face the prominent effects that it leaves behind. The boys have done an amazing job in lending a hand. They have already raised over $3000 for the Vs Cancer Foundation, which is the foundation that they are also trying to raise awareness for. It was founded by Chase Jones and is aimed at fighting back against childhood cancer. The team jumped at the opportunity when it was presented to them.
“Chase asked us if we wanted to get involved and it really was a no brainer,” said Head Coach Sean O’Conner.
This whole organization is able to access and utilize their full potential on and off the field. Reaching out in a positive way to the community is truly what being a good role model is all about, and this group of boys have done just that.
Please help Saint Leo men’s baseball to raise awareness by checking out the Vs. Cancer foundation and by spreading the word. Also, come support the team as they jump into their 2015 spring season.
