A recent article in Forbes features College of the Holy Cross’ Greg DiCenzo, head baseball coach, discussing the increasing intensity and expense for high school athletes that want to play a sport in college. Many high school athletes are determined to play in college, both for love of the game and for the scholarship money that usually accompanies a spot on the team. As the competition for high school students to gain a spot on college teams increases, so does the money parents shell out for their child to be seen by college coaches.
DiCenzo, who just completed his eighth year of coaching for the College, commented on the very popular showcases, tournaments that feature travel teams populated by high school baseball players. These baseball tournaments, among other sports, allow college coaches to see many potential recruits over the course of a few days. He says that these tournaments are an easy way to “stretch the dollar” for an athletic department, making it popular for college coaches to do much of their recruiting there.
However, there are downsides to the quality of players at showcase tournaments. DiCenzo says “When you attend high school games you see kids play for their teammates and for the names on the front of their jersey. When you attend a showcase game, you see him playing more for the name on his back.”
A former Holy Cross baseball player, Mike Schell ’05, noticed the growing expenses for high school baseball players that want to play in college. The thousands of dollars spent on travel teams are not feasible for every family. Schell told Forbes, “Baseball is becoming an upper-class sport.” Therefore, Schell started The Cannonball Foundation, a non-profit committed to supporting aspiring college athletes academically and athletically, regardless of their ability to pay.
Schell supports baseball and softball players through athletic scholarships and by giving them opportunities to meet with admissions departments and coaches at top colleges. Schell attributes the creation of his organization to his education at Holy Cross, where the phrase “men and women for others” left a lasting mark on him.
This "Holy Cross in the News" item by Sarah Barrett '18.
