Former Anderson University baseball standout Stephen Jones became the seventh recipient of the Carl D. Erskine Award of Excellence last Tuesday.
The award, given annually to an Anderson University baseball player, was presented at a luncheon of the Anderson Rotary Club at Anderson Country Club.
Jones, a 2004 Anderson High School graduate who will get his diploma at AU this December, is the second winner to come from the Anderson Community Schools system. The first was Highland’s Nathan Willowby in 2005.
“This award acknowledges the warm, special relationship that Anderson University has with Anderson Rotary Club and this community,” said Bill Pitts, who is co-chairman of the award committee. “It acknowledges a player from one of the premier baseball programs, but it’s also our way of saying thanks to Carl Erskine for all he’s done in our community.”
Jones was born and raised in Anderson. He will graduate from AU with over a 3.0 grade-point average.
In four years as a Ravens baseball player he hit over .320. His senior year he hit .368 with a slugging percentage of .571.
Last year he was among those who watched Pete Whiting claim the 2007 award. “I remember thinking it was very cool,” said Jones. “I thought to myself ‘I wonder if I could win that award.’ When October came around I wondered whether I would get a call.”
That call did come and for many reasons. “He has size, speed and a great arm,” said AU coach Don Brandon. “He is a player who puts the team above himself.”
In accepting the award, Jones admitted it meant more because of his upbringing and the name on the trophy. “Since this is my hometown I know what a great honor it is to get this award with Mr. Erskine’s name on it,” he said. “I can only hope to follow in his footsteps in terms of service to people.”
Jones is majoring in Criminal Justice and has applied to both the Anderson and Kokomo police departments. He thanked many people for helping him reach this point in his life, not the least of which was coach Brandon and his coaches.
“I want to thank my family as well for teaching me great life skills,” said Jones. “My family and friends have had a great impact on me.”
Erskine was on hand to present the award.
“We’ve been getting a steady diet on the news of bad things and some that are pretty scary,” said Erskine. “This is one of the good things we have to embrace.”
Erskine was still smarting a bit from the fact that the Los Angeles Dodgers won’t be playing as the World Series opens today. But he had a story to tell directed at Chicago Cubs fans.
“Actually I was rooting for the Cubs for most of the year,” he said. “I heard a story about a Cub fan who was so distraught about his frustration that he asked God if the Cubs would ever win a World Series. God answered ‘Yes, the Cubs will win a World Series! Just not in my lifetime.’”
Anderson Rotary Club President Dana Donahue presented Dr. Carl Caldwell, vice president and dean of Anderson University, with a check for $500 for the school’s general scholarship fund.
“We take these gifts seriously,” said Caldwell. “It will go back out to help out a student.”
<i><b>This story was published in The Herald Bulletin and written by Herald Bulletin sportswriter Rick Teverbaugh
