Student of the Week Exemplifies Courage

This week's student of the week is Michael Gustafson. Michael is 10 years old and from Woodridge, IL. The Gustafson's have been members of the White Sox Training Academy for several years. I've trained Michael and his older brother Ian for the last three years. When I first started training Michael, baseball was secondary to gymnastics. Michael is extremely athletic, and use to impress bystanders at the Academy by soaring through the air doing a number of back hand springs at the age of 7. Now after success at baseball, it has become his favorite sport.

This past year Michael was diagnosed with an operable brain tumor. Michael and the Gustafson's have had to go through a lot more than any family should have to with children that age. But a testament to their family, is that every time I've seen them, they are smiling and very positive. Michael has been doing very well, and carries the same big smile on his face every time I see him.

This past week, I did a pitching lesson with Michael after he had done four consecutive days of chemotherapy. Not only did Michael show up to the lesson the next day, he excelled. How many of us put into the same circumstances could ever show the courage to do the same? It's funny as adults that we are suppose to guide and nurture our students / children, but how often is it that we can learn lessons from them? Michael Gustafson has shown more courage and determination than any of the 1,000's of athletes I've ever worked with and I feel honored that I can spend just part of my day, making him forget about his. I'm happy that for thirty minutes he can be a kid and have fun doing well at baseball.

Michael and has family have overcome some pretty tough odds. Things like this add perspective to everyone's life. Michael will never realize, that everyone he knows, he has made a better person. He has done this by proving how strong will and courage can overcome any situation. Keep it up Michael! You have been an inspiration to all of us!