Baseball leads by example for 'honorary team member' Austin Webb, who helps Crusaders reflect on important matters in life

IRVING, Texas - The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation was started in March 2004, and inspired by Jaclyn Murphy, who was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor, when she was nine-years-old.

The Foundation's goal is for Jaclyn to be able to continue to touch people with her smile, her kind heart, her hope and faith that some day there will be a cure.

It is through Jaclyn's example that the Foundation aims to improve the lives of other children and families dealing with pediatric cancer, by matching a child in need of love, support and friendship with a college or high school sports team based on geographic basis.

Via the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, the University of Dallas baseball team continues in building their friendship with Austin Webb, who has served as an 'honorary team member' on the 2010-2011 baseball season for the Crusaders.

A soon-to-be 13 year old, Austin has an inoperable tumor on his brain stem, which has led to several developmental difficulties, especially with his eye sight. Though not out of the woods quite yet, he is currently in substantial health as the tumor is in a dormant state.

Despite his misfortunes, Austin has found solace and joy in the form of the UD baseball team. He has thrown out the first pitch at several Dallas home games, including, most recently, prior to the team's 'Senior Day' victory over then No. 13 Trinity University on Saturday, Apr. 16, at Crusader Field.

In his interactions with the team, Austin has developed great friendships with his coaches and teammates, whom have shared with him the importance of trying his best, in addition to reinforcing other important life lessons.

For a recent school assignment, Austin thoughtfully wrote a paper -- with the aforementioned ideals in mind -- about "peer pressure" and why it's important to surround himself with people who care about him, such as members of the Dallas baseball team.

"Peer pressure can be a positive or a negative thing in your life," Austin said, "and it has to do with the people who you hang out with. That is why I keep people around me who care about me."

In being adopted by the University of Dallas baseball team, Austin has built a cordial relationship with his teammates and coaches.

"I have my own official jersey and baseball cap," Austin said. "Head coach Fraser Holmes and coach Kyle Kilgo, along with the entire team, had a pizza party just to meet me."

Though Austin has unquestionably grown fond of those associated with the UD Baseball program and hopes to stay friends with all of them, he has taken a particular liking to certain teammates with whom he shares common interests.

"There is Phil, who is their great pitcher, who likes telescopes like me, and also brought me cookies the first time we met," Austin said. "There is Alex, who wears my favorite number, which is 26. Then, there is Varea, Trevor, and Chris from Alaska. Varea plays catcher like Chanin Naudin. Chanin is my great friend who is going to the University of Kansas on a softball scholarship. There is David, who gave me his homerun ball, and signed it. Devin is from McKinney, which is close to where I live. I could talk all day about the guys who are my teammates, but I don't have enough paper." 

Austin said he feels entrenched as part of the team, despite not being in the dugout or on the field during games.

"These guys show me how to be better and teach me the importance of trying my best," Austin said. "I cheer them -- up from the stands -- and always meet them after the games. I get high-fives and hugs and lots of support. The team is always glad to see me, and I love to see them."

To conclude his paper about "peer pressure," Austin shared just how great the Crusader baseball team is at exemplifying positive peer pressure.

"They teach me no matter how different people are, they can still be friends."

Austin's support of the Dallas Baseball program and his courageous attitude have not gone unnoticed by head coach Fraser Holmes.

"It has been an honor for the UD Baseball team to be a part of Austin's life," Holmes said. "He has incredible strength and outlook on life that has forced us all to keep things in perspective -- a strikeout or an error or a loss on the field isn't such a big deal when you glance into the stands and see Austin in his UD jersey cheering and smiling and supporting the team. As much of an impact as we've had on his life, he has had on ours, and I'm proud to know him and his great family."

About the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation:

"The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children with pediatric brain tumors and their families formed in 2005.

FOJ matches a child in need of love, support and friendship with a college or high school sports team based on geographic basis. Through a due diligence process, the foundation screens for the best match based on the child and family's needs and the team, coach and athletic director's commitment to our foundation's goals.

After the adoption is completed, the child becomes an extension of the team where a unique bond is formed between the team members, the child and the family. The benefit to all is a personal loving support network that creates a unique bond. The result of the FOJ adoption is the child feels involved and each individual team member gains insight into the value of helping others. Additionally, FOJ has seen this relationship forges a closer bond among team members magnifying the importance of a team operating as a single unit.

Through the adoption relationship, the child is involved in the team through text messaging, emails, phone calls, facebook and twitter postings. Through the wide reaching press coverage, FOJ has helped improve the awareness of pediatric brain tumors.

FOJ has completed over 230 adoptions in over 20 different sports. We currently have over 1,000 schools on a waiting list as FOJ grows from a small organization into a larger one."

For more on the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, please visit http://www.friendsofjaclyn.org/.