Inspire, Spring 2011

Yellow Jacket Becomes a Brave Former Yellow Jacket catcher David Convertini ’10 is continuing his baseball career after signing a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves made the offer in late January to Convertini, who was planning to serve as an assistant coach with the Jackets this spring. The Buffalo, New York, native reported to the Braves’ minor league camp in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, on March 3 along with other catchers and pitchers. He is expected to begin the season with one of the organization’s rookie league teams. After transferring from St. John Fisher College in New York, Convertini posted a .383 career batting average in his two seasons at Cedarville. He was named to the 2010 NCCAA All-American Team and was the Midwest Region Player of the Year. Convertini started 106 of the 107 games that he played for the Yellow Jackets with 10 home runs, 25 doubles, and 82 RBIs. He was a two-time All-American Mideast Conference performer and established a single-season school record with 70 hits in 2009. Convertini is believed to be the first Yellow Jacket player to sign a contract with a major league organization since right-hand pitcher Steve Hester ’90 was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds following his freshman season in 1987. Top: David Convertini ’10 enjoyed a successful college baseball career with the Yellow Jackets. Bottom: Pictured with Mike Manes, Yellow Jacket baseball coach, Convertini signs a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves. campus news 6 spring 2011 Nineteen current Athletic Hall of Fame members and the two newest inductees attended a brunch together during Alumni Basketball Weekend. Left to right: Teresa (Cooper) Clark ’75, Dr. Don Callan, John McGillivray ’70, Dr. June Kearney, Elvin King ’64, Joyce (Walker) King ’64, Karen DeMars ’73, Dr. Pam (Diehl) Johnson, Dr. Eric Mounts ’81, Sandy (Holwerda) Schlappi ’75, John Krueger ’99, Dr. Dee Morris, Dr. Cliff Johnson ’87H, Mark Womack ’82, Vicki Butler ’80, Dr. Maryalyce Jeremiah ’65, Dr. Melissa Hartman ’96, Pete Reese ’60, Joyce Reese (Not pictured: Kirk Martin ’76 and Dr. Shirley Schneider) Alumni Athletes Join Hall of Fame Three-sport athlete Sandy (Holwerda) Schlappi ’75 and men’s basketball standout John Krueger ’99 were inducted into the Cedarville University Athletic Hall of Fame during Alumni Basketball Weekend in January. Schlappi was a four-year participant in volleyball and basketball during her career from 1971–75, and she also played one season of tennis. She was a member of four volleyball squads, totaling 47 victories at a time when teams routinely played 20 or fewer matches per season. Schlappi also contributed to 46 basketball wins, and she was a member of the Lady Jackets’ 1973 OAISW state championship team and the 1972 runner-up squad. Krueger is Cedarville’s third all-time leading scorer in men’s basketball with 2,236 points tallied during his career from 1995–99. He is one of only three players in Yellow Jacket basketball history to be named an NAIA Division I All-American when he earned third team honors as a senior. Krueger was a two-time NCCAA All-American. He was also the NCCAA Midwest Region Player of the Year and the American Mideast Conference Player of the Year. John Krueger ’99 and Sandy (Holwerda) Schlappi ’75 stand in front of the recently refurbished Athletic Hall of Fame display in the Callan Athletic Center.