On Monday, January 29, the new semester was beginning at Bishop Loughin Memorial High School. On this very very day, however, the members of the Bishop Loughlin softball and baseball teams had a special treat awaiting them.
Having just launched the Willie Randolph Foundation, Brooklyn-native Mr. Randolph (above right, along with principal Bro. Dennis Cronin and baseball coach, Kelly Williams) began his outreach to students with an appearance this day at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School. A graduate of Tilden HS, Willie was seeking a Brooklyn school to launch his Foundation, as his school is in the process of being closed. Much to the delight of the forty students who got to spend 90 minutes with him, that launch was held at Loughlin.
Mr. John Flack, Athletic Director, introduced Willie by noting this is the 60th anniversary year of Jackie Robinson entering the major leagues. The always articulate Mr. Flack did a masterful job of connecting Mr. Randolph's ascent to being manager of the Mets as part of the dream that motivated the historically significant Mr. Robinson.
Mr. Randolph is one of those rare persons who appeals to both Yankee fans and Mets fans. Most of his legendary career was spent manning second base for the Yankees and he was a coach for Joe Torre for many years before becoming Mets manager in 2005. He had already had Mets connections by ending his playing career at Shea.
Willie gave a short talk but spent much of his time fielding questions from the interested students. As a player, he rarely erred at second base for the Yankees, and as a speaker he handled every question with class, honesty and inspiration. He emphasized the values of education and family. He stressed that baseball is a game to enjoy and to share the comradery of teammates. He congratulated the student athletes for choosing a sport that is not nearly as popular in Brooklyn as is basketball.
The classy Mr. Randolph showed humor as well as he flashed the first of his Yankee World Series rings. He told the crowd that he will be wearing that ring all year as a motivator to his players to strive for earning their ring in 2007. The many Mets fans in attendance were delighted with his presence and even those who weren't previously Mets fans are now supporters of their manager.
Perhaps the biggest fan of Mr. Randolph this day was Bro. Dennis Cronin, who was happy to receive a check in the amount of $10,000 from Willie, on behalf of this newly formed Willie Randolph Foundation, which is headed by one of his three daughters, who accompanied the manager on this visit. Their website is currently under construction, but we encourage all to visit http://willierandolphfoundation.com in the future to see all the ongoing good work that his great man is accomplishing with the young in the urban areas. We are so grateful that this new enterprise began at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School.
|