A new team took the field Monday, as West Los Angeles College (WLAC) baseball coach Bob Grant passed new blue and gold jerseys and baseball hats to L.A. County Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke; Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Vice President Kelly Candaele and Trustee Nancy Pearlman; LACCD Chancellor Darroch Young; WLAC President Dr. Mark Rocha; and Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Founder John Young.
“Thank you for being on our team,” Grant said. “Without all your efforts, we wouldn’t be able to give these kids an opportunity to play in their community. We hope to see you all here on opening day – January 25, 2008.”
The WLAC baseball program, which was cut 21 years ago because of budget restraints, returns to the campus and plans for a new “Jackie Robinson Stadium and Civil Rights Pavilion” were revealed by Burke, Young and Rocha. Monday’s event also introduced Coach Bob Grant, who most recently worked for the L.A. Dodgers organization.
“As some of you know, this is my last week at the District,” retiring Chancellor Young said. “And it feels great to step out on such a positive note.”
“Restoring the baseball program at this school is truly something to celebrate and we thank Supervisor Burke for meeting with RBI and the Dodgers, helping to make this happen,” Young added. “These partnerships will sustain this program for thousands of our future student athletes at West L.A. College.”
Through her progressive meetings with the Dodgers and RBI, Supervisor Burke has coordinated seed money sponsorship toward the revival of baseball at WLAC. The $350,000 field renovation will open in 2008 while design plans move forward to construct a stadium in honor of Jackie Robinson. This announcement coincides with this year’s 60th anniversary celebrations of Jackie Robinson’s admission into Major League Baseball.
Los AngelesCommunity Colleges give many students a second chance, not just baseball players, but also others who may have faced life obstacles and put schooling aside. Student athletes come to community colleges for a new beginning to their sports careers and to earn a certificate or associates degree. For more information, visit www.wlac.edu or LAcolleges.net.
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