Central’s girls varsity softball team is partnering with Grand Canyon University to raise funds for the program.

 

“We’re the only high school team teaming up with a university,” said Central head coach Joseph Gross. “So far we have raised $7,000 that will be going towards improving our girls softball program.”

 

Gross has been a working staff member for the Phoenix Union High School District for years. Starting as an Alhambra girls basketball coach, his team would travel to Arizona State University to sell concessions at the football games.

 

“We made roughly around $40,000 in a span of seven years and I was really able to help fund the program,” said Gross.

 

A few staff members from ASU moved to GCU to help open its new sports arena that opened on on Sept. 1, 2011, and that is where Gross’ partnership with the university started.

 

“I got the call that they wanted to partner with my team and offer us 80 percent of the profit,” said Gross. “I knew this would be a great opportunity for the program and also teach the girls important life skills.”

 

Gross gathers 15 to 20 girls each game and travels to GCU where they sell concessions to the fans in an arena that holds up to 7,000 people.

 

“The working events at GCU is an excellent opportunity for our team to raise funds,” said Central athletic director Gilbert Jones. “It is also a bonding experience for the team as they are working together outside of the softball field for a common purpose.”

 

Gross likes for his girls to represent Central well, so he has them wear Central High T-shirts which leads to customers asking questions about the softball program.

 

The audience has become pretty familiar with the girls and the support system they have got has been nothing short of successful raising a great deal of money in just four months.

 

“I’m really proud of the girls,” said Gross. “They work hard at these events and it teaches them how to work with the community.”

 

Gross has been using the funds his team raised to buy the program new uniforms and equipment. So far he has been able to get them new uniforms, helmets, bats and gloves. One of his goals is to get the field new sand.

 

“It has been a great experience working with GCU,” said Central senior Nataley Martinez. “I learned how to manage money as well as working on my communication skills.”

 

Martinez has been involved with the softball program since she was a freshman. She said that GCU treats the team like family and their partnership has been one of her favorite parts throughout her four years playing softball at Central.

 

“It has helped the program a lot,” said Martinez. “Our equipment wasn’t the best before, but now everything is fitted and we are really excited to play.”

 

Gross wants the team to continue to work with GCU to raise enough funds to take the players on a trip to San Diego where they will visit San Diego State University and watch its softball games, with the idea to them learn from the elite and work on their game.

 

“The goal for the San Diego trip is to expose the young ladies to a college campus outside the state of Arizona by touring the campus and high level collegiate softball by viewing one of San Diego State games,” said Jones. “Also another important event for team bonding through shared experiences.”

 

The program is awaiting the approval from the district.