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A Jaw-Breaking Chain of Events for SUNY Sullivan's

Jose Castellanos

 

Jose Castellanos might have grown up on the asphalt streets of the Bronx, but his heart was always on the baseball field where he excelled not only in the field but in the batter's box as well. When he graduated from Samuel Gompers High School in 2010 he looked forward to playing for the SUNY Sullivan Generals. But his road from the Bronx to Loch Sheldrake was neither easy nor smooth.

"His high school academic record was far from stellar," said Chris Depew, SUNY Sullivan's director of athletics said. "In fact he had to appeal our original decision to deny his acceptance at the college. In Jose's case it worked for him and the college. We gave him a chance to prove himself in the classroom, and he proved to us that he was a star on the ball field. He was not only a great centerfielder; he was also a star at bat with a .350 average. He was also a the team captain"

Jose's story was the perfect Horatio Alger story. But then the unexpected happened. During a mid-season game in 2011, Jose moved in to snag a fly ball hit to shallow centerfield. And so did the Generals' shortstop. The next thing you know, Jose was down on the grass. His jaw was badly broken.

When Jose, a sports management major, was released from the hospital his jaw was wired shut. His season on the ball field was over. And from what the doctor's said, so was his academic career because Jose couldn't eat solid food, and how was he to survive on food prepared by the college's food service?

That's when the college stepped up to the plate and went to bat for Jose. Largely due to the efforts of Betsy Conaty, assistant professor in the health, social and behavioral sciences division; Georgia Lyons, the athletics division secretary; and with the support of Chartwells, the college's dining service provider, steps were taken to make sure Jose was going to be able to continue his studies even if he couldn't play ball.

Chartwells made a specially prepared liquid diet of high-energy shakes for Jose and his professors did all they could do to support him in class.

When the 2010-2011 academic year came to a close, Jose was cleared to play ball again. He spent his summer in Florida where he and teammate Kidany Mendoza, played in a college league in Orlando. The 20-game season gave Jose an opportunity to hone his game and sharpen his skills.

Jose is back at SUNY Sullivan and has been playing his heart out in fall ball. He is looking forward to the 2012 season.

"I chose to attend Sullivan," Jose said, "because I knew it was the right place for me. But I never expected such support from so many people. Instead of having to give up on my dream of playing professional ball, Betsy, Georgia and my professors and coaches made it possible for me to take my dream to the next level."

Happy endings. They're part of the SUNY Sullivan story.