Aroldis Chapman funds new locker room for volleyball team
The men’s volleyball program at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati doesn’t have the funds or the backing to provide its athletes with a fancy locker room like those of other major universities around the country. However, thanks to a generous donation by Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman, they won’t be far behind.
According to Cincinnati.com, Chapman recently donated 80 percent of the money needed for renovations to the team’s locker room. The exact amount donated was not disclosed, but the end result of the three-month project indicates it was significant. The locker room is now equipped with enjoy 21 custom wood lockers, which can be seen in part in the photo above, as well as all new flooring.
The volleyball team was able to raise the other 20 percent on their own, but some are wondering why Chapman reached out specifically to Mount St. Joseph University and so generously to boot. MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon has that answer.
What links Chapman to the program is volleyball player Cesar Trigo de Serrano, a senior from Miami, Fla., whose parents are from Cuba — just like the three-time National League All-Star. Chapman defected from the communist nation in 2009 and signed a six-year, $30.25 million contract with the Reds in January 2010. de Serrano moved to Cincinnati several years ago before enrolling at MSJ as an adult transfer student. He also became a friend of Chapman’s.
“We have seen him at our matches in the past because Cesar is a very close friend of his,” men’s volleyball coach Ryan Lengerich told MLB.com. “When it came time that we were considering the locker room renovation, Aroldis found out about us raising money for this project and he made a donation. He’s been to our matches and has seen what we’re all about. We’ve all met him.
It’s always good to have connections. Even better when those connections can afford and are willing to help out in ways that Chapman has for Mount St. Joseph University. With that in mind though, coach Lengerich says the amount matters far less than Chapman’s generosity or his desire to help make an impact on his young athletes.
“What makes a large donation or a small donation doesn’t necessarily have to do with the amount given, but the impact it has on those who benefit,” added Lengerich. “Whether the amount Aroldis gave the volleyball program is a lot or a little is subjective. What I do know is that the positive impact his donation had on the 18 student-athletes and two coaches in the men’s volleyball program is remarkable, and we could not be more thankful.”
Chapman deserves a pat on the back, no doubt, but so do all of the others who helped provide a better place for these athletes to call home. Every little bit counted.
By the way, the men’s volleyball will open its season on Jan. 17 on the road against Limestone College. The first home games will be played Jan. 24-25 as a part of the Charlie Wrublewski Invitational. Good luck to the team as they look to decorate their new diggs with some new hardware.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
