ATLANTA — A new chapter is underway for students at a southwest Atlanta High School, and it’s all thanks to a legendary baseball player’s legacy.
Therrell High School dedicated its new baseball diamonds, created thanks in part to the Atlanta Braves and the Hank Aaron Diamonds initiative.
Channel 2’s Lori Wilson spoke Aaron’s widow, Billye Suber Aaron about continuing Aaron’s work of helping students chase their dreams.
“It’s just something that would warm Henry’s heart and of course it warms my heart,” Aaron said. “I am so thrilled.”
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The opening of the diamond means a new school year, with a new field and a new home for baseball in Atlanta at the high school.
“This represents the 10th and 11th diamonds out of 16 diamonds that we’re doing total across the district,” Danielle Bedasse, Atlanta Braves Foundation, said. “We’re just like this turned into a complex, and it’s just an incredible place. I hope the students and families are just super proud.”
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Now, student athletes at Daniel M. Therrell High School can use the brand new diamonds, designed to help the Panthers on and off the field, thanks to the Atlanta Braves Foundation and the Henry Louis Aaron Fund.
“Back in the day, a couple years ago when I was at Morehouse College, I was a Hank Aaron Chasing Dream 4-4 scholar,” Head Coach Ryan Christian told Channel 2 Action News. “They helped me tremendously while I was in Morehouse College.”
Rubye Lucas, widow of the first African American general manager in Major League Baseball, said the new diamond also has special meaning for her.
“He would come here to Therra. In fact, he came to Therra and chose some of the kids for minor leagues, to try out for minor league. So today’s would be,” Lucas said. “He would be extremely proud. If I know him well, he would have a tear in his eye and would be saying, thank you, God.”
APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson said the new diamonds at the high school were an investment in the future of Atlanta children.
“We’re so grateful for Miss Aaron, the Atlanta Braves Foundation, their investment in our school district, their investment and children. It means so much,” Johnson said.
The Atlanta Brave are building or upgrading 16 fields across Atlanta Public Schools through the Hank Aaron Diamonds Initiative.
The team said they are excited to play on the brand new turn.
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