Deen Award Recipient: Connor Longley
On March 2, 2023 (his sophomore year) he was warming up for pitching in his high school, South Meck’s, baseball game and felt a “tweak” in his left pitching arm but still felt he could play.That night after he pitched, his left arm was numb and he could not flex his left bicep at all. […]
Deen Award Recipient: David “DP” Krise
During the spring of David’s sophomore high school baseball season, he experienced discomfort in his throwing shoulder. As a two-way player, he attempted to manage the pain by focusing solely on being a position player and participating in physical therapy. After two weeks of this plan, and resting as much as possible, there was no […]
Deen Award Recipient: Bryson Austin
In the fall of 2021, while practicing, Bryson suffered a double jawbone fracture that required two surgeries. Bryson endured weeks of no solid food, constant face pain, endless medication, and no physical activity. He was mentally tested in a way he’d never imagined and had to find the courage to carry on and be an […]
Deen Award Recipient: Lamar Briggs
Lamar Briggs spent his high school years (2011-2014) playing at Davidson Day School and On Deck Academy. At Davidson Day, he was an All-State and All-Conference player every year in baseball and football. Lamar was also a very important member of the 2014 On Deck O’s who originally accepted a baseball scholarship to attend Temple […]
Deen Award Recipient: Delaney Powell
Delaney came to On Deck Academy during the fall of his junior year after playing several seasons of American Legion and Metro League through his high school. His first weekend with 2022 On Deck O’s, coached by Jason Hill, was attended by Coach Bresnahan of UNC Asheville and culminated with a campus visit and an […]
Deen Award Recipient: Eli Shenise
In May of 2014, at the age of 12, Eli Shenise was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma, a type of blood-born cancer. Eli spent the summer undergoing 4 rounds of chemotherapy, a few surgeries, and several minor procedures. Shortly after completion of his final round of chemotherapy, the doctors discovered he had developed a blood clot […]
Deen Award Recipient: John Demas
John Demas was a talented standout in both baseball and football during his amatuer sports career. Unfortunately, he was sidelined several times during his middle school and high school years due to injuries. In 2012, John underwent ulnar nerve transposition on his throwing arm. In 2013, he had to have a procedure to remove scar […]
Deen Award Recipient: Thomas Umphlett
During his sophomore year at South Mecklenburg High School, Thomas experienced discomfort in his right shoulder. He attempted to play through it as best he could and in hopes it was not anything too serious. However, early in the summer season, while playing for the 2019 On Deck O’s, an MRI discovered a SLAP tear […]
Deen Award Recipient: Carson Jones
In the fall of 2016, while playing for the 2019 O’s, Carson began to feel some discomfort in his lower back. Thinking it was just sore, he continued to play and finished out the fall season. After taking some time off he began to prepare for his sophomore season at Fort Mill High School. During […]
Deen Award Recipient: Matthew Helms
After experiencing some discomfort in his throwing arm, Matthew Helms went to the doctor in September 2015 and discovered he needed Tommy John Surgery. On September 30, 2015 he had the infamous surgery to repair /reconstruct the UCL and remove a bone chip. Matthew’s surgery was performed by Dr. James E. Fleischli at OrthoCarolina. The […]
