Former Athletes Get Back in the Game

Over four years as a second baseman for the Fighting Bees baseball team, Matt Tranowski '06 bonded with teammates who became friends for life. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance that positioned him for his current work with Northern Trust Bank in his native south suburban Chicago.

Recently, Tranowski re-teamed with his alma mater, accepting invitations to serve as an Alumni Ambassador and a voluntary Team Captain for the baseball team. This summer, he hosted a Bee Happy Hour for Chicago's South Side.

He also committed to funding support for the baseball team and the Building Our Future campaign - joining a growing group of former Fighting Bees athletes who are giving back financially to St. Ambrose.

The percentage of former Fighting Bees athletes who made gifts to their alma mater grew to 42 percent in the past year, an increase of 12 percent over the previous year.

Tranowski and other athletic alumni cite the creation of a liaison's position between the advancement and athletics offices as one reason for the growing support. Another, of course, is the commitment to athletics the University demonstrated by making the new Wellness and Recreation Center the campaign's focus.

"It's nice they didn't do a small addition," said John Pavelka '98, a former football linebacker. "They really committed to a long-term process, and included the student-athlete in their thinking."

Volunteering for St. Ambrose isn't new for Pavelka. As a broker for Wells Fargo Advisors in Davenport, he has supported the Fighting Bee Golf Classic for years.

When the University approached him about a potential major gift, Pavelka said he reflected on the scholarship he received to play football and the special grant he received to complete his studies once his playing career was over. He also remembered the one-on-one faculty focus that helped him succeed in the classroom.

"When I was struggling in classes, having conversations with professors went a long way," he said.

For Tranowski, it was memories of his days on the diamond and the bonds he formed that resonated most.

"I wanted to help another kid have the experience I did, the lifelong dream of playing college baseball," he said. "It's something I'll remember and talk about the rest of my life."

—By Dustin Renwick '10

Tranowski and other athletic alumni cite the creation of a liaison's position between the advancement and athletics offices as one reason for the growing support. Another, of course, is the commitment to athletics the University demonstrated by making the new Wellness and Recreation Center the campaign's focus.

"It's nice they didn't do a small addition," said John Pavelka '98, a former football linebacker. "They really committed to a long-term process, and included the student-athlete in their thinking."

Volunteering for St. Ambrose isn't new for Pavelka. As a broker for Merrill Lynch in Bettendorf, he has supported the Fighting Bee Golf Classic for years.

When the University approached him about a potential major gift, Pavelka said he reflected on the scholarship he received to play football and the special grant he received to complete his studies once his playing career was over. He also remembered the one-on-one faculty focus that helped him succeed in the classroom.

"When I was struggling in classes, having conversations with professors went a long way," he said.

For Tranowski, it was memories of his days on the diamond and the bonds he formed that resonated most.

"I wanted to help another kid have the experience I did, the lifelong dream of playing college baseball," he said "It's something I'll remember and talk about the rest of my life."