Sachem East’s Nick Tedesco, an incoming senior and varsity baseball player, is a finalist for the New Balance Game Changer contest.
Last month, Tedesco entered the contest, a scholarship program to recognize student athletes who bring a unique level of excellence to the game of baseball and their community. He submitted a written essay detailing how he changes the game of baseball on and off the field.
He was selected as one of four finalists by New Balance and the New Balance judges Nick Swisher, CJ Wilson, and Dustin Pedroia.
As a finalist, Tedesco then documented his accomplishments with a video camera. The public is able to vote for the winner, a true Game Changer, through Aug. 5. You can vote once per day during the voting period.
The winner will be announced at the New Balance Area Code Games on Aug. 7 in Long Beach, Calif., a baseball tournament for the top players from across the country. The winner not only gets a scholarship, but New Balance will also donate $2,500 in New Balance product to a charity of their choice. Tedesco has chosen the Long Island Miracle League because he believes that everyone should have a chance to play baseball. He is also very involved with volunteer work with the Miracle League.
From New Balance: New Balance has set out to change the game of baseball by sponsoring only those athletes who share our philosophy that doing good off the field is just as important as doing well on the field.
“We are proud to associate our brand with athletes who share our values, believe in our brand, and are committed to giving back to their communities,” said Mark Cavanaugh, general manager of sports marketing for New Balance, in a statement. “New Balance values strength of character as much as we value accolades on the field.”
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro