Reds honor student-athletes, award scholarships in RBI program

Cheers erupted from inside the P&G Cincinnati MLB Youth Academy on Tuesday night, except it wasn’t because a game was going on. Rectangular tables adorned with tablecloths surrounded a podium on Harold C. Schott Foundation Field for the Reds Nike RBI program’s annual banquet and regional send-off.

More than 500 student-athletes, coaches, family members, Reds Community Fund (RCF) board members and staff got together for one of the largest Academy events of the year. Together, they celebrated an exciting year of accomplishments on and off the field for each of the teams, looked ahead to the upcoming MLB Nike RBI East Regional tournament later this week and set the bar even higher for the 2024-25 season.

Coach Jordan Girdler, an alumnus of the Nike RBI program, believes that the celebration is beneficial for the athletes because it sheds light on every Reds Nike RBI team.

“It’s awesome to be able to celebrate everybody that’s put in the hard work all year long, not just our regional teams, but all of our teams in general,” Girdler said.

Guests snacked on Chick-fil-A sandwiches as RCF executive director Charley Frank announced the 2024 RCF scholars. The RCF scholars program offers a $1,500 scholarship to senior student-athletes who complete the educational, service and athletic requirements of the program in a positive manner. Twenty seniors were honored on Tuesday.

One of the scholars, senior softball player Lanise Pates, received a second scholarship at the end of the evening. Pates was recognized as a 2024 MLB Nike RBI for RBI Scholarship winner, one of the criteria for being added to the Academy’s "Matteucci Family Player Progress Wall," which serves as a Hall of Fame for Reds Nike RBI.

“When I was filling out the scholarship, I just knew how many other people had the opportunity to fill it out -- I didn't know if I was going to win,” Pates said. “When they said my name, I really didn't know what's going on. Then, when I realized that I won, it was just amazing.”

Another RCF scholar, senior baseball player Avery Battle, was honored as the 2024 Youth Academy Member of the Year for his many accomplishments both on and off the field. This also includes a spot on the "Matteucci Family Player Progress Wall," as well as a trip to MLB's World Series later this year.

The Reds Nike RBI program aims to build major league citizens, encouraging student-athletes to engage in their communities beyond sport. Honors were also given to Reds Nike RBI athletes with the most community service hours and the most seminars attended, as well as the top overall upperclassmen and underclassmen major league citizens. Collectively, the group averaged a 3.13 GPA during the 2023-24 school year.

Addysen Griffin, a Reds Nike RBI softball student-athlete who participated in the college preparatory "Home Base" program, among others offered by the Academy, spoke highly of her first year with the team.

“[My favorite memory] was getting to bond with the girls a lot," Griffin said. "This is my first year on RBI, and it’s a pretty nice experience because I also went to Texas. I really love the Academy."

Griffin is about to embark on her first MLB Regional Tournament experience, alongside teammate Alli Fowler. The two are nervous but excited for the opportunity to play for a spot in the Nike RBI World Series.

Senior baseball player Cameron Rosel and junior baseball player Deion Oatis are also experiencing the pre-Regional jitters. The two are ready to show the competition what their teams are capable of, but first, they wanted to enjoy their send-off.

“This is definitely the most people I've seen in the Academy at one time, and I think it's great to get more than the usual around the community," Rosel said. "More people are starting to come out."

With a trip to Vero Beach, Fla., for the Nike RBI World Series on the line, Rosel and his teammates are looking to come out strong at the East Regional Tournament, which kicks off on Thursday in Pittsburgh. Reds Nike RBI senior baseball has made it to the World Series in three of the past four years, while Reds Nike RBI softball is seeking to qualify for the sixth consecutive season.

“This is one of our most important events of the year,” Frank said. “It’s important to celebrate everyone that contributes to a successful year -- from the kids, families, coaches, sponsors and staff. It’s also an opportunity to build community and to set even higher expectations for the years ahead.”