Tag Archives: Teacher Athletes

Chicago Cubs player Victor Aldredge also known as the “Hoosier Schoolmaster”

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Hoosier Schoolmaster Victor Aldredge taught in Indiana schools before becoming a pro baseball player with the Chicago Cubs. Photo credit: Times Mail.

There are many examples of capable educators who have also established themselves as talented athletes. One of these is teacher Victor Aldridge, who was also an accomplished pitcher for Major League Baseball.

Vic was born on October 25, 1893, in the small town of Crane, Indiana. He attended Tempy Primary School, just a short walk from his home. In high school, the teenaged Vic attended nearby Trinity Springs, and following his graduation, the young athlete enrolled in Central Normal College in Danville, Indiana.

From 1914-1915, Vic taught school at the Pea Ridge School in Trinity Springs, Indiana. He also taught in Miami County, Indiana.

Dubbed the “Hoosier Schoolmaster,” Vic was drafted in 1916 as a right-handed pitcher by the Chicago Cubs. Before his career was over, he also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the New York Giants, and the Los Angeles Angels. Vic earned a reputation for a sharp, breaking curve ball, one of the three best pitches on any diamond in his day.  In 1918, the former educator played only three games, pitching a total of only twelve innings, before joining the US Navy during the final year of World War I. After returning from the war, Vic played for the Los Angeles Angels, an affiliate of the Cubs, then returned to the Cubs for the 1922 season. He played the next three years for Chicago, delivering consistent performances. But his most notable performances occurred during the 1925 World Series, when Vic pitched and won games two and five, only to pitch a disastrous first inning in the seventh game. He played his last game on August 29, 1928.

After he retired from baseball, Vic attended law school at the Voorhees School of Law. He also served in the Indiana State Senate from 1937 to 1948. He was first elected on November 4, 1936, on the Democratic ticket.

This distinguished educator and talented athlete passed away in Terre Haute, Indiana, on April 17, 1973, at the age of 79, and is buried in the New Trinity Springs Cemetery. For his work in baseball, he was inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame on January 19, 2007, as its 131st member.

The amazing Tidye Pickett: Olympian and teacher

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Many fine educators have also distinguished themselves in the field of sports. This is true of Tidye Pickett, an Olympic athlete from Illinois who taught school in East Chicago Heights. Photo credit: Alchetron.

There are many examples throughout American history of talented educators who have also distinguished themselves in the field of sports. One such example is the remarkable Tidye Pickett.

Theodora Anne Pickett was born on November 13, 1914, in Chicago, Illinois. Known by everyone as Tidye, she was the second of two children born to Louis and Sarah Pickett. Her father was a foundry foreman, and her mother was a factory clerk.

As a teenager, Tidye took up running. She quickly established a reputation as a high school track star at her alma mater, Englewood High School in Chicago. She was one of two African American women selected to represent the United States women’s track team in the 1932 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles. She was scheduled to serve as part of an eight-woman relay team and as an alternate sprinter in the 80-meter hurdles, the broad jump, and the 100-meter sprint, but did not actually compete in those games. When the 1936 games rolled around, Tidye was again selected to represent the United States. Unfortunately, a foot injury prevented Tidye from medaling in those games; however, she did earn the distinction of being the first African American woman to compete in an Olympic Games.

Tidye earned her Bachelor’s degree from Pestalozzi Froebel Teachers College in Chicago and her Master’s degree in Education from Northern Illlinois University in August, 1956. Following her college graduation, Tidye accepted a position as a teacher at Cottage Grove Elementary in East Chicago Heights. She taught there for just one year, and then the talented educator was promoted to the position of principal of Woodlawn School in the same district. She remained in that position for 23 years until her retirement in 1980. In recognition for her many years of distinguished service, the district renamed her school Tidy A. Pickett School.

This amazing Chalkboard Champion passed away on November 17, 1986, at the age of 72.

Former athlete, teacher, and basketball coach Bethany LaSeur

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Former New York athlete Bethany LaSeur now enjoys success as a teacher and basketball coach. Photo credit: liHerald.

Many fine educators have also enjoyed success as an athlete. One of these is Bethany LaSeur, high school teacher and coach from New York who also earned a reputation as an excellent women’s basketball player.

Bethany was born on January 6, 1983. As a youngster, she attended Garden City High School in Long Island, New York. While there, she excelled at several sports, including basketball, lacrosse, and soccer. She led the team to three Long Island Championships Twice she was named Gatorade Player of the Year for New York (2000, 2001). She also garnered the title of Miss New York Basketball in 2001. She was recognized as a Street & Smith All-American, a USA Today All-American, and once she also started in the Nike-WBCA All America Game. As if all that were not enough, she was also a member of the National Honor Society/Merit Scholar.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and her Master’s degree from Hofstra University. While there, she served as the team captain. She garnered many accolades, including Defensive Player of the Year and the Patricia E. Corace Hustle Award. Bethany was in the top ten in steals in the Big East in both her junior and senior years of college.

Today, Bethany teaches Business Education at East Meadow High School She also coaches the girls varsity basketball team. In addition, she is the Head Female Trainer for Pro Hoops, Inc., and she serves as the Directory of Female Programs for the Rising Stars Organization.

To read  more about this Chalkboard Athlete, see this interview of her published by Patch.com.

Florida’s Linda Gancitano: PE teacher and soccer player

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Florida physical education teacher Linda Gancitano is also a former US Women’s Soccer team player. Photo credit: Sports Industry Conference.

There are many fine educators who have also made a name for themselves as excellent athletes. One of these is Linda Gancitano, a former US Soccer Team player who now teaches in Florida.

Linda was born on Jan. 24, 1962, in Coral Springs, Florida. As a youngster, she discovered her talent for soccer, and did so well she was placed on the boys’ soccer team. In fact, she was the first girl to play on a high school boys’ soccer team in Florida.

Once she graduated from high school, Linda enrolled at the University of Central Florida, where she played college soccer from 1981 to 1985. In fact, in 1982, the talented athlete was selected to play in the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament. In that tournament, she garnered the honor of Defensive MVP. She won other honors in college, too. She was chosen as one of the team’s most valuable players in 1981, and she earned the Coaches’ Award in 1984. And, as if all that were not enough, Linda was selected to be a member of the first-ever US Women’s National Soccer team in 1985. She played for three years, until a sports injury in 1986 forced her to leave the team.

Today, Linda teaches Physical Education at Driftwood Middle School (DMS) Academy of Health and Wellness in Florida. There she also coaches the volleyball team and advises the school’s peer counseling class.

In 2008, Linda established the Green Team at her school to encourage students to reduce their energy and water use. She created a school-based environmental challenge called “How Low Can You Go?” The challenge gets students involved by serving as energy auditors for classrooms. The school was named a Green Ribbon School by the US Department of Education in 2013. Over time, this program has been expanded districtwide through a partnership with the professional basketball team Miami Heat.

So far, Linda’s career as an educator has spanned 32 years. For her work in the classroom, Linda has received many accolades. She was named a White House Champion of Change for Climate Education and Literacy; a SHAPE Florida Teacher of the Year; and Florida Green School Teacher of the Year.

To read more about Linda Gancitano, see her profile in Linked In.

Keisha Bell Sowell: AVID Coordinator and national soccer player

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Keisha Bell Sowell, a former award-winning American soccer player, now works as an AVID Coordinator in Houston, Texas. Photo credit: Keisha Bell Sowell.

Many excellent classroom teachers have also earned acclaim as fine athletes. One of these is Keisha Bell Sowell, a former award-winning American soccer player who now teaches in Houston, Texas.

Keisha was born on December 20, 1979, in Spring, Texas. As a young girl, she attended Klein Oak High School in her home town. While in high school, she played soccer, playing both outside midfielder and defender. She earned All-District honors in 1996.

Once she graduated from high school, Keisha enrolled at University of Florida, where she majored in Sociology. She was a freshman when she became part of the University of Florida team that garnered the 1998 NCAA Championship. Her position was defender. That year, she served on the NCAA Championships All-Tournament Team. In 2001, she was a member of the United States National Team at the Algarve Cup competition, which was held in Portugal. By 2003, she was serving the University of Florida team as a volunteer coach.

Today, Keisha serves as the AVID Coordinator for Woodcreek Middle School in Houston, Texas. She teaches sixth, seventh, and eighth grade there. “My passion and joy is investing in kids, especially tweens and young teens,” expresses Keisha. “I embrace each day with a clean slate and hope that just a small piece of what I teach can be instilled in them and impact them for rest of their lives,” she continues.

To learn more about Keisha’s illustrious career as a college soccer player, see this information published by the University of Florida.