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Penn High School softball coach Beth Zachary believes that her players should make a difference both on and off the playing field.
That's why the Kingsmen plan to make a difference in the lives of some children at the Beacon Children's Hospital in South Bend.
Penn will host a Teddy Bear toss prior to its varsity game versus rival Mishawaka on Wednesday, April 16. The team will collect new teddy bears and blankets at the contest that will be donated to the hospital.
More: 'It's sentimental.' Clay softball honors player's grandfather in final cancer classic
More: Final South Bend Clay softball tournament to raise funds for several types of cancer
"While we are local rivals on the field, we are all softball players and we are proud to unite for the evening to support children in our community," said coach Zachary. "It is important for our student-athletes to express gratitude for their health and the opportunities they have in athletics by participating in community service.
"Learning to be a positive, contributing member of one's community and growing as servant leaders is incredibly important to us here in the Penn softball program. We hope the experience and lessons that our student-athletes learn will continue long after their time in high school is complete and that they continue to pay it forward throughout their lives."
Longtime Mishawaka coach Brian Miller was all-in on the idea from the start.
"When Beth reached out to me this winter about the possibility, it was a no brainer," Miller stated. "Certainly, there are no bigger rivals than Mishawaka and Penn. Both of our programs are so blessed with great facilities, players and winning traditions. Any way we can give back and make a positive impact to the community, in particular to a child's life, that's a lot more important than any ballgame.
Softball is a unique sport locally on how many of our area coaches and athletes support each other. My Lady Cavemen are excited to be involved in this worthwhile cause."
The junior varsity game at Penn will begin at 5 p.m. April 16 with the varsity contest immediately following. There will be collection bins for fans to donate new teddy bears and blankets.
Giving back to those fighting cancer is near and dear to the heart of Katie Rodriguez.
That's a big reason why the Marian softball program will host a Cleats vs. Cancer tournament on Saturday, May 17.
Rodriguez, the former head coach at South Bend Clay, is now a member of the Marian coaching staff. The former star player at South Bend LaSalle High School hosted an annual tournament to raise funds for those with cancer when she was at Clay prior to the school closing in 2024. Rodriguez son Gabe was diagnosed with leukemia in 2015 when he was two years old.
The tourney at the Baranay Sports Complex at Marian will feature the host Knights, along with South Bend Adams, Brandywine and Buchanan from Michigan, Portage Northern and Living Water Home. Games are slated to begin at 9 a.m.
The event, in additon to softball, will inclue a silent auction and a bake sale with proceeds raised going to fight cancer.
Admission is $10 for the day with kids in grades six and under admitted for free.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Penn and Marian softball programs are hosting community service events
Continue reading...
That's why the Kingsmen plan to make a difference in the lives of some children at the Beacon Children's Hospital in South Bend.
Penn will host a Teddy Bear toss prior to its varsity game versus rival Mishawaka on Wednesday, April 16. The team will collect new teddy bears and blankets at the contest that will be donated to the hospital.
More: 'It's sentimental.' Clay softball honors player's grandfather in final cancer classic
More: Final South Bend Clay softball tournament to raise funds for several types of cancer
"While we are local rivals on the field, we are all softball players and we are proud to unite for the evening to support children in our community," said coach Zachary. "It is important for our student-athletes to express gratitude for their health and the opportunities they have in athletics by participating in community service.
"Learning to be a positive, contributing member of one's community and growing as servant leaders is incredibly important to us here in the Penn softball program. We hope the experience and lessons that our student-athletes learn will continue long after their time in high school is complete and that they continue to pay it forward throughout their lives."
Longtime Mishawaka coach Brian Miller was all-in on the idea from the start.
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"When Beth reached out to me this winter about the possibility, it was a no brainer," Miller stated. "Certainly, there are no bigger rivals than Mishawaka and Penn. Both of our programs are so blessed with great facilities, players and winning traditions. Any way we can give back and make a positive impact to the community, in particular to a child's life, that's a lot more important than any ballgame.
Softball is a unique sport locally on how many of our area coaches and athletes support each other. My Lady Cavemen are excited to be involved in this worthwhile cause."
The junior varsity game at Penn will begin at 5 p.m. April 16 with the varsity contest immediately following. There will be collection bins for fans to donate new teddy bears and blankets.
Marian event May 17
Giving back to those fighting cancer is near and dear to the heart of Katie Rodriguez.
That's a big reason why the Marian softball program will host a Cleats vs. Cancer tournament on Saturday, May 17.
Rodriguez, the former head coach at South Bend Clay, is now a member of the Marian coaching staff. The former star player at South Bend LaSalle High School hosted an annual tournament to raise funds for those with cancer when she was at Clay prior to the school closing in 2024. Rodriguez son Gabe was diagnosed with leukemia in 2015 when he was two years old.
The tourney at the Baranay Sports Complex at Marian will feature the host Knights, along with South Bend Adams, Brandywine and Buchanan from Michigan, Portage Northern and Living Water Home. Games are slated to begin at 9 a.m.
The event, in additon to softball, will inclue a silent auction and a bake sale with proceeds raised going to fight cancer.
Admission is $10 for the day with kids in grades six and under admitted for free.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Penn and Marian softball programs are hosting community service events
Continue reading...
