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Memories of life on street inspire Roberto Hernandez's personal and financial interest in Academy Prep.
By MARC TOPKIN
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 23, 2000
ST. PETERSBURG -- As one of baseball's most successful closers, Roberto Hernandez is used to coming to the rescue. But there was a time when he needed help, and the gesture is one he is still repaying. Growing up on the streets of New York City, Hernandez believed he was going nowhere fast. He was lost in a massive public school system that seemed concerned primarily with social promotions, and midway through vocational high school he needed to look only as far as the crowd on the corner for a depressing preview of where he might be headed.
"I probably would have wound up like some of my older friends, who are still hanging out in the neighborhood, or dead, through drugs or some illegal activities," he said. "I wanted to do something with my life."
Hernandez got help. People in his west-side neighborhood put their hearts and souls into running an after-school program for youngsters who wanted more. They provided basic aftercare, tutoring and advice.
In other words, they provided hope.
Through the program, Hernandez found other avenues, including the opportunity to attend private boarding schools in New England.
It seemed like an impossible dream for an inner-city youth whose family had little money, but the folks at the after-school program helped make it happen. They told him about the scholarships available, helped him navigate the application process and made him focus on schoolwork.
Hernandez landed a two-year scholarship to New Hampshire's New Hampton Prep School and went on to the University of Connecticut and South Carolina-Aiken before beginning his pro baseball career.
Fifteen years and millions of dollars later, the Devil Rays star is trying to make sure some youngsters in the Tampa Bay area have similar opportunities. He has taken a personal, and financial, interest in Academy Prep, the blossoming St. Petersburg education center that provides a structured, college prep environment at no charge to children from low-income families.
"Just by going there and seeing the way they are, what their goals and values are, how dedicated they are, and their process of developing the kids and not wasting any minds, it reminded me of my situation," Hernandez said. "It hit home. I was in a situation like a lot of those kids."
Hernandez has spoken to Academy Prep students about the importance of staying in school, appeared at several school functions, donated memorabilia for charity auctions, given the students tickets to Devil Rays games and, with help from the team and some sporting good companies, provided baseball equipment, from cleats to gloves, for a 20-player team.
In late October, he announced at the school's charity ball he was making a $150,000 donation to the endowment fund, one of the largest single gifts for the 4-year-old school. "It sort of surprised me he did that at the event because he's one of the more humble people. But he didn't do it for the attention; he did it to inspire other people," said John Erik Savitsky, the school's director of marketing and development.
"He's a guy who has a huge heart, and by the grace of God he was able to do what he set out to do. He realizes how lucky he is and how unlucky others are and he does what he can to give back."
The school, which serves boys in grades 5-8 and recently added a fifth-grade girls class, is close to its goal of raising $2.5-million, which triggers a $1.25-million challenge gift from the Eckerd Family Foundation. The ultimate goal is a $10-million endowment.
Hernandez wants to see the school, which encourages graduates to go on to private or boarding schools and continues to monitor their progress, succeed.
"I had people that gave of their time and money for me," said Hernandez, who spoke reluctantly about his contribution. "I told the people (at Academy Prep), I'm set and my family's set, but I can do a lot of good by doing this for the school. A lot of these kids won't have the opportunity if this school doesn't survive or progress."
During a recent visit, Hernandez happened upon a single mom worried about sending her oldest son to boarding school. "I explained to her that I grew up in New York City and I left my family, but it led me to be a better person," he said. "It showed me responsibility. It showed me that if I wanted something in life, I had to go out and work for it."