Season recap

Spring 2018 

Baseball Coaching Exchange

In April of 2018, the Collegiate School in Richmond, VA hosted Waleed, a coach from Because Baseball’s Egypt Youth League and PE teacher at New Generation International School.

For nearly every American student, teacher and administrator in the Richmond, Virginia host school, Waleed was the first Middle Easterner they had met. He became an integral part of their classrooms, lunch tables and playing fields.

Thanks to the committed efforts of a wide array of administrators, teachers and coaches, Waleed found himself fully immersed in the Collegiate School community as he visited classes of all grade levels, spoke at school clubs, taught PE and even learned under the school’s athletic director.

After school hours, Waleed was treated to true southern hospitality, hosted by members of the Collegiate community.  He dined in homes current families and alumni, experienced local restaurants and cultural attractions.

On the baseball field he trained and coached under Collegiate Varsity Head Coach Andrew Slater, helping out with a local youth program in addition to the high school boys’ team. And on Jackie Robinson Day, he threw out a historic ceremonial first pitch for the Richmond Flying Squirrels game.

As the final baseball game of Walleed’s exchange drew to a close, the Collegiate varsity team surround the Egyptian coach, and the captain called for a group hug. One-by-one the students embraced their coach and friend. One of these players later said, “I don’t remember what baseball was like before Waleed got here – and I can’t imagine baseball without him.”

That is the power of baseball to build bridges of friendship.

“This has been such a unique opportunity to do something different and provide a unique experience to our community. Waleed has made a huge impact on all areas of our campus and we hope we get opportunities like this again in the future. We love you Waleed!"

— Alumni Office, Collegiate School