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Dawgs get pitcher on college bump

A Millarville student’s uphill climb for a post-secondary education got a boost by being on the bump in Okotoks. Graeme Cherry is enjoying his first year at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado where the southpaw will pitch for the Plainsmen.
Graeme Cherry, here pitching for the Okotoks Red Dawgs, credits the Dawgs’ program for finding him a spot into Northeastern College Plainsmen in Colorado.
Graeme Cherry, here pitching for the Okotoks Red Dawgs, credits the Dawgs’ program for finding him a spot into Northeastern College Plainsmen in Colorado.

A Millarville student’s uphill climb for a post-secondary education got a boost by being on the bump in Okotoks.

Graeme Cherry is enjoying his first year at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado where the southpaw will pitch for the Plainsmen. He credits his experience with the Dawgs Academy in getting him there.

“I’ve been with the Dawgs for six years,” Cherry said. “I was really fortunate to have such great facilities to practice and train and really grow my skill-set.

“Six years ago, I would have said playing college baseball was a long-shot, but with the Dawgs’ support, they made it a reality”

Much of the proceeds from the ninth annual Dawgs banquet on Jan. 30 at the Foothills Centennial Centre will go towards the junior program.

The program has produced college students at a rate a prep school would be proud of.

Over the past four years, every Dawg Academy high school graduate interested in playing post secondary ball has received that opportunity, according to Dawgs Academy head coach Allen Cox.

He estimates 80 Dawgs Academy grads have moved on to the college and university level, including Foothills Composite grad Matt Lloyd who is now a Hoosier at Indiana University.

Cherry came from last year’s crop after enjoying a season with the Okotoks Red Dawgs.

“I was an over-ager and it gave me a chance to be a leader,” Cherry said. “After every game, (Dawgs Academy pitching coach) Lou Pote gave me advice — ‘what did you think?’, ‘what would you have done different?, ‘What should you do in certain situations.’

“It was nice to develop the mindset of a pitcher.’

Pote just happens to have a World Series ring, which he won with the Anaheim Angels in 2002.

Cherry said the Dawgs’ coaches also helped him decide on a college.

“They told me what I had to look for, how many innings are you going to get and would you love it there,” Cherry said.

He got his foot in the door at Northeastern via Plainsmen coach Trevor Varley, who once coached in the Dawgs’ organization.

He also received advice from Dawg Academy alumnus and former Northeastern Plainsmen Jordan Procyshen, who is now catching in the Boston Red Sox organization.

“The coaches are always there to get you to the next level,” Cherry said.

Of course, to get to college you have to be a student. Dawgs have to be able to handle the three R’s as well as run, hit and field.

“If you’re low on your grades, the Dawgs will make you go to tutors and work to get your grades up,” said Cherry, a Holy Trinity Academy grad.

“At HTA, Mrs. (Marlene) Donnelly always looked out for the best for us. If I had a spare, she was always getting on me to see a tutor or study.”

Cherry isn’t done yet with the Dawgs. He plans to suit up for the Dawgs college team in the Western Major Baseball League this summer.

“I can’t wait,” Cherry said. “It’s going to be fun to be a Dawg for the summer.”

The awards for the Okotoks Dawgs summer college team will be handed out at the banquet.

The recipients are MVP — Brian Sisler: Rookie of the Year - Daniel Fredrickson, OF; True Grit Award - Kellen Marruffo, DH/1B and Pitcher of the Year - Dylan Nelson.

Also at the banquet, the Dawgs will induct builders Darryl ‘Doc’ Seaman and former Okotoks mayor Bill McAlpine into the Dawgs Hall of Fame.

The guest speaker at the banquet is Sportsnet Blue Jays analyst Gregg Zaun. He is a former catcher with the Jays and was a member of the world champion Florida Marlins in 1997.

There will also be a silent and live auction – including a Harley Davidson motorcycle on the block.

For ticket information to the banquet go to www.dawgsbaseball.ca or call 403-262-DAWG (3294).

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