A month ago at a showcase event, Elgin Academy junior Jonathan Cruz threw 88 mph for scouts.
It’s a number many potential college pitchers would love to reach as juniors.
“I fixed one of my biggest problems, and that was falling from the mound too much,” Cruz said. “It kind of ruined my accuracy. I was yanking my shoulder as my arm tended to drag when I fell to the left.”
While Cruz is excited about his pitching improvements and for Elgin Academy’s start to the season Tuesday, something else took the ace right-hander away from baseball during spring break.
Cruz was making beds in South Dakota.
Cruz, teammates Justin King and Andrew Wilson, several soccer players, field hockey players and other students from Elgin Academy were doing it as well.
That’s not to say they were straightening blankets, sheets and pillows. They actually built beds on a Native American reservation. They were part of two groups of Elgin Academy students who did service work on the Pine Ridge Reservation in Lakota, S.D..
“We were spending all day sanding and nailing,” Cruz said. “The kids are so happy and feel blessed just to get a bed in their house after sleeping on the floor for years.
“It’s awesome to think that we’re making a difference with the smallest thing. It really changes your perspective on how good you have it to do this.”
Wilson saw the same benefits as Cruz did.
“The trip is a great opportunity to step away and learn more about others, learn more about fellow members of society who’ve been victims for so many years,” Wilson said.
As a sophomore, Cruz went on a similar trip to Nicaragua to help disadvantaged students learn English.
“That was a tremendous experience,” Cruz said. “So many of them were walking miles just to get to school. You were only there a week, but every week a different school would send kids. So they were constantly learning English.
“It was remarkable how they remembered names and faces of those who’d been there to visit before, considering how many of us came through. You could tell the impact. It’s gratifying to know you’re helping them learn English and possibly be able to get a job some day.”
With two weeks off for spring break, it would have been easy for Elgin Academy’s players to take the time to rest and focus on their games.
“Jonathan and Andrew are my captains,” Hilltoppers coach Steve Shapiro said. “And you can see why.”
The often-painted picture of today’s youth is one of self-absorbed spoiled brats playing video games or wasting time on social media.
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Meanwhile, exchange programs and charitable endeavors have grown popular in recent years with schools and athletic teams.
Every May, Hampshire baseball coach John Sarna holds the Strike Out Cancer Game, and his team takes time to raise awareness and money to benefit research for all forms of cancer.
Jacobs has a Walk-Off Cancer Game and Burlington Central’s baseball team has the annual Game to End Alzheimer’s.
Teams in numerous sports take time to assist the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
None of this should be surprising. Teenagers 16 to 19 rank among the highest age groups in volunteerism nationally at 26.4 percent, according to Bureau of Labor statistics.
There are plenty of disturbing trends in high school athletics, starting and almost always ending with the recruiting proces. That garbage has been going on for decades.
Yet the trend toward a more aware and benevolent student-athlete gains greater momentum every day. And with students like Cruz, it’s unlikely to stop any time soon.
Twitter @genechamberlai2