Baseball squad teams up with Prescott Elementary School
Jon Denham, Sports Information Director

Members of the Loras College baseball team have volunteered numerous hours on a weekly basis during the 2007-2008 academic year at Prescott Elementary School in Dubuque. The connection between the two groups was bridged by Kory Tuescher, a Duhawks baseball alum and current physical education teacher at Prescott. Tuescher also currently serves as an assistant with the Loras team after a four-year playing career. “It has been a positive experience for both groups. By meeting once a week, they are continuing to learn more about each other and about themselves,” Tuescher said last week.

The Loras baseball players have assisted the Prescott students with everything from their reading, internet research, and projects, to joining in various games and activities with them. These types of experiences allow the student-athletes to be a part of something more than just intercollegiate athletics. For this reason, the baseball team jumped at the chance to have an influence on the young students at Prescott. Head coach Carl Tebon noted, “Being a role model for these kids is an experience that is just as important as any on the baseball field.”

The Loras College student-athletes were clearly aware of the positive impact they are capable of when they spoke about the program in early February.

“I have been lucky enough throughout my life so far to have some standout men that I have grown to trust and have acted as great role models shaping who I am today,” commented sophomore infielder Alex Lose. “That is why I chose to work with these students.  I think everyone deserves the kinds of relationships I have experienced, and I really enjoy being able to give back what I have.”

Senior pitcher Brad Joniec added, “I enjoy knowing that I can be a positive influence on a young person with a bright future ahead of them.  It is also great to hear from the teachers that the student looks forward to me coming that day.”

The mentoring program will continue through the academic year and pick up again in the fall. The Prescott students will likely be making a trip to Petrakis Park this spring to catch a Loras game.

Loras’ 2008 season begins this weekend when they travel to the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota to take on Macalester and Hamline on Sunday and Monday.