The Cincinnati Reds and the Reds Community Fund hosted graduating seniors of the Reds Nike RBI program on Thursday at Great American Ball Park to celebrate their commitment to play baseball or softball in college.
Twenty-nine seniors from the RBI program are graduating from high school this spring, and 10 of those seniors are continuing their education and athletic careers at the collegiate level.
In recognition of those moving on to play at the next level, the 10 students were invited to the Nike RBI Signing Day in the Lexus Diamond Club. Charley Frank, executive director of the Reds Community Fund, welcomed the class, alongside Reds COO and CFO Doug Healy and Reds chief communications and community officer Karen Forgus Bowman.
Reds radio broadcaster Tommy Thrall served as the event emcee.
Five student-athletes and their families were in attendance including Evie Denen (Walnut Hills High School), Norman “Deuce” Jefferies (Western Hills High School), Deion Oatis (Hamilton High School), Manuel “Manny” Sanchez (Princeton High School) and Joshua Sanders (Walnut Hills High School).
Becoming the first graduate of the Reds RBI Program to commit to a Division I school in one of the Power Four conferences, Manny Sanchez heads to the Big 12’s University of Louisville to play baseball in July.
When asked about his future goals, Sanchez spoke about his dreams of playing in the big leagues.
“I don’t want to stop in college; I want to keep going to the next level and hopefully become an MLB player,” he said. “I come to the Reds games, and I always have in my mind that one day I want to be here playing.”
Sanchez further thanked and showed his gratitude to the Reds RBI program for developing him into the player he is now.
“The Reds Academy means everything to me. ... The only thing I had to put in was my effort and dedication.”
Sanchez’s former RBI teammates, Deuce Jefferies and Joshua Sanders, will continue their careers at Wilberforce University in Ohio under head coach Roosevelt Barnes. Barnes also coaches at the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy, mentoring many of the seniors throughout their careers.
When asked about playing for his former coach in college, Jefferies spoke about his admiration for Barnes.
“He means a lot to me. I came to the Reds Academy … and he treated me like family. So, I wanted to play for him.”
Jefferies also commented on how the RBI program has not only made him a better athlete, but also a better individual.
“[The RBI program] has helped me become a better person, a better baseball player, a better friend, a role model, and someone to look up to for the little kids. I’ve got a few cousins who play for RBI because of me. It really helps me find a purpose in my life and what I want to do, giving me a motor to keep going.”
Representing the RBI softball program, Evie Denen attended the signing day event with plans to attend Baldwin Wallace University. Having been in their shoes, Denen gave advice to the young RBI players still making their way through the program.
“Don’t compare yourself to others and don’t get down on yourself just because you’re not there yet … because you’re in this program and playing good competition. You deserve to be here.”
Due to scheduling conflicts, the other five seniors were unable to attend the event but were still recognized in the ceremony: De’vion Gipson (Roger Bacon High School), Addysen Griffin (Campbell County High School), Terrance Todd (Roger Bacon High School), Makayla Graham (Reading High School) and McKenzie Marcum (Oak Hills High School). The other 19 graduating seniors were also recognized for becoming “Major League Citizens."
Reds executive Doug Healy addressed the seniors, wishing them luck in the next steps of their journey.
“Congratulations to the five of you who are here and the five that are not. This is a huge accomplishment. And you should be very proud.”
Healy also took a moment to recognize the families.
“To the families … I appreciate the commitment, the amount of travel, and the amount of time that you have spent. Your children definitely stand on your shoulders. You should be very proud of their accomplishments.”
After opening remarks and dinner, players and their families were invited onto the field for the signing ceremony. Each player signed their letter of intent and then put on a hat from their university.
This was the 11th year of the “Signing Day” format and the first time the event took place on a non-game day. The access to the field, Diamond Club and Reds executives helped make it memorable.
The list of all 10 student-athletes is as follows:
Joshua Sanders (Walnut Hills High School) – Wilberforce University
Deion Oatis (Hamilton High School) – Berea College
Manuel Sanchez (Princeton High School) – University of Louisville
Norman Jefferies (Western Hills High School) – Wilberforce University
De’vion Gipson (Roger Bacon High School) – Wilmington College
Terrance Todd (Roger Bacon High School) – Capital University
Addysen Griffin (Campbell County High School) – Indiana Institute of Technology
Makayla Graham (Reading High School) – Union Commonwealth University
Evie Denen (Walnut Hills High School) – Baldwin Wallace University
McKenzie Marcum (Oak Hills High School) – Hocking College