Q-and-A with Taylor Schroeder, Lincoln-Way Central softball
April 30, 2012 6:44PM
Taylor Schroeder, of Lincoln-Way East
Updated: June 2, 2012 8:11AM
Schroeder, a senior shortstop, enjoys coaching cheerleading and working with children.
You’re involved with an organization called Gift of Hope. What is that?
It’s an organ and tissue donor network. I talk about what a difference it can make and how it completely changed my life. In my junior season I had an ACL transplant and that included a bone graft from a tissue donor. I came back three months later and was able to play. I know my life wouldn’t have been the same without that.
The Lincoln-Way Central family lost a special person when Tom Schuman passed away suddenly March 31. How did the softball team cope with that?
We all knew him really well and when we found out, on the bus ride to the Jacobs quad in Algonquin, we were all really silent. We all felt like we weren’t in our bodies, but we decided to play for him.
You won both games that day by big margins (13-0 over Hoffman Estates and 11-1 against Jacobs, both in five innings). Was there a special moment that day?
The last time I saw Tommy was the Thursday before and he said, “Tay, are you going to hit a home run for me this weekend.” I hadn’t hit a home run all season, but hit a grand slam there. It was pretty overwhelming.
Any pregame rituals?
Yes, I’m always dancing. I’ve got to laugh and move to get the nerves out. Then when I come up to bat I’m usually singing a song in my head. Sometimes I sing it out loud too. Also, I always pray before a game.
If you could take any celebrity to prom, who would it be and why?
Derrick Rose. He’s a great man and he’s good looking.
As told to Randy Whalen
