| Oxford Academy? That's right immortality has a new home! |
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| Written by James Guan |
| Saturday, 13 June 2009 15:57 |
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This is a note that was written by former Oxford Academy Assistant Baseball Coach Michael Fishman
Something strange happened at 6:05 Friday June 5, 2009. Something that changes conceptions, raises questions, and is sure to be a topic for years to come. It starts with whispers and questions that are rolling across our city like ripples cascading across a still pond. Each bigger and more distinct as the news spreads. Oxford Academy , a school built on academics is now a champion in a new arena, athletics!
That's right Oxford Academy Baseball is the 2009 CIF Champions! In a school that boasts for it's students, a rigorous educational program in a collaborative setting, with emphasis on mastery of academics, critical thinking, effective communication skills, and character development, a select few used those very skills for new achievement, athletic superiority. This program started as an after thought as all sports at the school did. When the school was established in 1998 a small group of strong minded parents fought for the right to have sports. Among them the architect of Oxford Academy baseball, Dana Bedard. One man with an unwavering goal has seen his vision realized. He established the baseball program instilled a unique vision, that smart kids can focus their desire into athletic prowess. This journey has been long and arduous as many of us who have been around the program know. Even as posts spring up on the Internet about the undeniable fact of this achievement it still seems surreal and impossible. Oxford Academy , a school of less then 1200, who plays against schools of thousands. Oxford Academy , who competes against schools that recruit athletes for this very purpose has reached the summit and stands alone. Dana built a program from the most unlikely foundation and yet with it, a legacy that cannot be denied. Hand fulls of league championships, players who have gone off the college to compete nationally, all while fighting to keep it a float. Oxford is not an underdog story though. These boys are no fluke. They are a mission accomplished and a different breed of genius born from a proud history. As this team stood on the field holding one finger in the air and their CIF Championship patches in their other hand I was overwhelmed by the history of this program. Dana started with no seniors, those players laid the hard foundation that led to winning. It was followed by the excellence of players like Delos Reyes boys, Swanson, Ott, and Hernandez all on hand cheering this moment. Followed by the next wave of great players to cement a winning tradition. Warren, Foutas, Alfano, Kezos, Chopra, Hertz many of who were also at Blair Field, a group that cemented Oxford 's tradion with more heart then anything else. Winning with less fueled Dana's expectation of superiority. Each of us stepping stones standing tall cheering loudly for this year's team. Young and determined, lead by seniors Cameron Bedard and Ryan Plunkett who grew among the tradition and now pass on an even brighter mantle. How fitting a team with second generation players, the second Bedard, the second Warren builds on the history their families help create. I've seen the struggles first hand. Yesterday though I watched the culmination of Dana's dream, a small determined team, young with promise and full of character with the heart of champions, become just that. In 2009 the Oxford Academy Baseball team stepped out of the shadows, burst forth from tradition and obtained eternity. Dana, Steve, Matt, Cameron, Ryan, Patrick, Steve, Hayden, Harvey, Doug, Luke, Nick, Daniel, Jeremy, and Kevin proved that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it and sacrifice for it. So when you wake up and read this know that the impossible is only a few steps of devotion away. These boys aren't just smart, they're Champions! |
