Category: Wildcat Baseball News

Wildcat Prospects & Parents,

In planning for this spring, the varsity baseball team will be traveling to Gulf Shores, AL and Memphis, TN during late March and early April for 2 tournaments.

I have secured accommodations for the team for the trip to Gulf Shores, AL in March.  The Caribe Resort-Gulf Shores, AL (251) 980-9000 http://www.caribe-resort.net/  Player cost for this trip will be $325. Checks will be made payable to Normal West baseball.  This will cover breakfasts, suppers, transportation, accommodations, and baseball.  The player will be responsible for his lunch each day and any other spending money he might need.

I have secured accommodations for the team for the trip to Memphis, TN in April.  We will stay at the Quality Inn located in Millington, TN.  -General Manager  7726 Hwy 51 North  Millington, TN, 38053  Tel-901-873-2222  Cell-901-355-4627.  Player cost for this trip will be $100 and will cover all expenses.

 

Gulf Shores Tournament–Depart from Normal West on Saturday, March 21st around 6 PM.  Arrive in Gulf Shores, AL on Sunday, March 22nd.  Play games on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Depart Gulf Shores, AL on Thursday, March 26th, and arrive back at Normal West on Friday, March 27th. (about 1,800 roundtrip miles)    http://www.gshsbaseball.com/#!tournaments/c1vrm

Transportation will be provided by Elegant Limousine.  The Normal West varsity baseball team will share and split the costs of the 56 passenger bus with Yorkville H.S. who will also be playing in the Gulf Shores tournament.  I spoke with Dave Quinn at Elegant Limos and we reserved a 56-passenger bus. Total Cost $6,995

We will be staying at  The Caribe Resort-Gulf Shores, AL (251) 980-9000 http://www.caribe-resort.net/
I spoke with Kaylie on July 8th.  A 25% down payment was due to make the reservations.  Our rooms will be in Building D, Units 1106 sleeps 10 $1,337.60 ($334.40 down), 1107 sleeps 10 $1,539.65 ($384.91 down), 1110 sleeps 12 $1,539.65 ($384.91 down), and PH15 sleeps 10 $1,539.65 ($384.91 down).  A down payment check was mailed in July by Cheri Sheli.

 

USA Classic Tournament in Memphis, TN–Leave Normal West on Wednesday, April 1st around 2 PM.  Arrive in Memphis late that evening.  Play on Thursday, April 2nd, Friday, April 3rd, and Saturday, April 4th and depart for home Saturday evening. The team will be traveling in 2 of the school’s activity busses and driven by the coaches.  Trip is about 900 miles roundtrip.  I have secured accommodations for our team.  We will stay at the Quality Inn located in Millington, TN.  -General Manager  7726 Hwy 51 North  Millington, TN, 38053  Tel-901-873-2222  Cell-901-355-4627

 

Spring Fundraiser–In saying all of this, I want you to know that we will be doing our annual fundraiser with our letter writing and community service this spring.  For every dollar over $200 your son raises in our fundraiser, your family will have the opportunity to request all dollars over $200 raised to help pay for the trip. More information coming in March and April.

Baseball Signup Meeting                          

Who:  All Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors interested in trying out for the 2015 Normal West Baseball Teams

What:  Mandatory Informational Meeting, bring a writing utensil

Where:  Senior Cafeteria

When:  Thursday, October 30th from 2:35-3:00

Why:  Signup, Tryout Info, Offseason Info, and Q & A. 2015 Wildcat Baseball Prospects,

There will be a mandatory informational baseball meeting on Thursday, October 30th from 2:35-3:00 in the Senior Cafeteria.  Information will be shared about spring tryouts and an upcoming Intramural opportunity involving strength, speed, and agility training this winter.  Announcements and flyers will be posted as a reminder throughout the week…pass the word along to anyone who might be interested in playing baseball next spring. For those that are involved with a fall sport, your coaches have been notified that you might be late to practices that evening, but you might want to remind them.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Coach Hawkins

P.S. Please bring a writing utensil.

Michael Collins was a middle infielder and pitcher for the Normal West Wildcat baseball team winning back-to-back Big 12 Championships in 2009 and 2010. He was a middle infielder and pitcher who was a career .373 hitter, had a 9-1 overall varsity pitching record, and a dazzling .960 fielding percentage earning All Big 12 recognition during both of his varsity seasons. In addition, Collins was selected to play in the Illinois Coaches Association and Pantagraph All-Star games, and was a member of the Big 12 All-Academic team in 2010.

After high school, Michael “MC” Collins joined the Heartland Hawks and made consecutive trips to the NJCAA World Series in Enid, OK in 2011 and 2012. The 2011 team was the first Heartland team to advance to the World Series. In 2012 Michael hit .400, pacing Heartland to the Region 24 tournament championship and a second consecutive World Series birth. Michael capped off his baseball career with a 3-hit game against Western Oklahoma and a glorious home run against Madison College, leading the Hawks to a best-ever 3rd place finish. Michael was named an NJCAA Academic All-American in 2012.

Michael’s life was tragically cut short when the car he was a passenger in was struck by a drunk driver. His decision to be an organ donor saved several lives and had a positive impact on many others. His death sparked a “Pay it Forward” campaign throughout the United States and reached several other countries, and his story graced the pages of Sports Illustrated and ESPN Magazine.

Michael was passionate about many things but the greatest joy he brought his family was his faith in God and his relationship with the Lord. His favorite scripture was Philippians 4:13, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Off the field, Michael built a reputation of sharing his strong faith with others.  His outgoing personality made him a friend to so many, and his willingness to share his faith will be his true legacy.

Though Michael Collins has left this world, his legacy will live on at Normal West High School.   When Michael died tragically in a car accident on April 2, 2014, the MCStrong movement was born.

 

In order to honor Michael’s legacy…

• Normal West Baseball will retire Michael’s #19 in the spring of 2015.  The ceremony will include the Collins Family and friends as MC’s number is retired and the permanent sign is unveiled.
• An annual $1,000 scholarship to award a student-athlete at Normal West who represents MC’s legacy: faith (FCA, Active in church), community service, academic achievement (Big 12 Scholar), athletic prowess (play 4 years) has been created.
• NCHS vs. Normal West on April 22 and 24, 2014 involved both teams wearing #19 on Orange and Black jerseys with #19 on them.
• The Wildcat baseball program has and will continue to distribute cards that tell Michael’s story, inform others about #MCstrong and the “Pay It Forward” campaigns, and gives a testimony of the Christian story.
• MC decals provided by Read’s will be worn on the Wildcat batting helmets for the tenure of Coach Hawkins’ coaching career.
• Wristbands provided by Read’s will be allowed to be worn in Michael’s honor in the hopes it will lead to an opportunity to share his story with others.
• A new page on this website -link along the top – will permanently share this information.