The Carolina Miracle League held a celebrity game on April 20 to celebrate a decade of providing baseball to kids with special needs. Wofford was well represented with current student-athletes, coaches and a notable former student-athlete, Brenton Bersin ’12.
Bersin, who signed a new contract with the Carolina Panthers in the offseason, made the drive from Charlotte to take part as one of more than 30 celebrity buddies. He helped the kids run the bases and field balls on defense during the two games played as part of the event at Miracle Park in Boiling Springs.
“I somehow never made it out here when I was at Wofford,” says Bersin. “It means a lot to come back to Spartanburg and participate in this event. One of my friends in Charlotte works for an organization called Rainbow Express that helps children with disabilities, so I have helped out with them in the past. I grew up playing baseball, and it is one of my favorite sports, so it is great to give these children that same opportunity.”
Other members of the Wofford family taking part in the event were men’s basketball coach Mike Young, running backs coach Dane Romero ’09, members of the 2016 football team David Marvin ’17 and Nick Colvin ’17, Boss the Terrier and the voice of the Terriers, Mark Hauser.
“It is awesome just to be able to give back to the community that has given me so much in my four short years here at Wofford,” says Nick Colvin ’17. “It is rewarding to see the smile on a kid’s face rounding third base and coming towards home plate.”
During the past 10 years, the Carolina Miracle League has provided nearly 350 participants facing mental and physical challenges with the opportunity to play baseball, bolster their self-confidence and bond with others sharing similar challenges. Their families also benefit from the support network created through Carolina Miracle League.
by Brent Williamson