2008 Woodie Awards
America's favorite pastime, back at PUC
By: Casey Brandon
Issue date: 3/5/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Spring training excitement is no longer confined to fans of the Cubs or White Sox. Now, through the tremendous effort of a few individuals, baseball has returned to PUC. Darren Zancan, a junior majoring in journalism, is most responsible for the new baseball clubs founding.
Zancan said the process of starting a baseball club from scratch is like working a 40 hour-a-week job while attending school and actually playing on the team. At first Zancan and a roommate were the only ones working to start the team.
"There were many roadblocks that had to be overcome in the first couple of months," said Zancan.
Without financial support from the school, the team is forced to raise money though various fundraising events aimed at buying uniforms and equipment.
"It's one of the most amazing and exciting things I've ever accomplished," added Zancan.
Dave Funk, an instructor at the White Sox Training Academy in Griffith, was named head coach. Funk said he was surprised at how far along the team was when he got the job.
"The players were working out on their own before I got here, most show a real enthusiasm for the game. I expect the team to be competitive this season, hopefully playing .500 baseball," said Funk.
The others coaches on the staff are volunteers. Funk said that he made six calls for assistant coaching positions when he took over the team and all six are now on the staff.
"It just shows the commitment and passion that the players and coaches all have for the game," he said.
With no facilities at PUC, the team is forced to play all away games this season. With having almost all double headers, thirty six games will be played at various schools in the region.
The university will provide transportation for students interested in traveling to watch the team play.
Alex Gonzales, a baseball team member, said that overall there is a pretty good feeling on the team concerning the time that's been invested by the players and staff. The junior in electrical engineering technology added that it would be nice to have a home game, but he doesn't mind to travel.
Zancan said the process of starting a baseball club from scratch is like working a 40 hour-a-week job while attending school and actually playing on the team. At first Zancan and a roommate were the only ones working to start the team.
"There were many roadblocks that had to be overcome in the first couple of months," said Zancan.
Without financial support from the school, the team is forced to raise money though various fundraising events aimed at buying uniforms and equipment.
"It's one of the most amazing and exciting things I've ever accomplished," added Zancan.
Dave Funk, an instructor at the White Sox Training Academy in Griffith, was named head coach. Funk said he was surprised at how far along the team was when he got the job.
"The players were working out on their own before I got here, most show a real enthusiasm for the game. I expect the team to be competitive this season, hopefully playing .500 baseball," said Funk.
The others coaches on the staff are volunteers. Funk said that he made six calls for assistant coaching positions when he took over the team and all six are now on the staff.
"It just shows the commitment and passion that the players and coaches all have for the game," he said.
With no facilities at PUC, the team is forced to play all away games this season. With having almost all double headers, thirty six games will be played at various schools in the region.
The university will provide transportation for students interested in traveling to watch the team play.
Alex Gonzales, a baseball team member, said that overall there is a pretty good feeling on the team concerning the time that's been invested by the players and staff. The junior in electrical engineering technology added that it would be nice to have a home game, but he doesn't mind to travel.
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