In 2018, Dr. Coop DeRenne helped start a youth baseball team in Lanai City, Hawaii, giving several children their first-ever chance to play ball. A former professional baseball player turned professor and coach, Coop had seen first hand how sports change lives. Many families in the area are of lower income, and there are no major stores on industries on the island. The 11 players came from various ethnic and financial backgrounds, and with a lack of resources on the island, they had not had a chance to ever experience the game before the creation of this team.
“We saw their socialization improve, their grades improve. They all play sports today…. They’ve just blossomed through this experience.”