COLLEGE BASEBALL Schutz caps Cincinnati career as a champion volunteer

The Bearcats' standout from Canfield won a March of Dimes award.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Brad Schutz of Canfield has climaxed his four-year baseball career with the University of Cincinnati by being ranked among the top 20 players in six career statistical categories -- hits, runs, home runs, doubles, at-bats and games played.
He also has earned his bachelor's degree in accounting while achieving a 3.45 grade-point average, and will begin work towards a master's degree in his field this year at Cincinnati.
But one of Schutz's biggest honors was his recent selection to the Cincinnati-area March of Dimes chapter's March of Champions, in reward for his community involvement, as well as for his athletic accomplishments.
Schutz was picked to the March of Champions along with another Cincinnati student-athlete, Angie Kist, a four-year cross country and track and field standout from Colerain High.
The two Bearcats were recognized, along with other Cincinnati community benefactors, at a ceremony held July 20 at Cincinnati Gardens.
Volunteer with C.P.A.W.S.
Schutz, who ranks third in school history in single-season hits (88) as a junior when he made the All-Conference USA First Team, served as a volunteer with Cincinnati's Committee to Promote Athlete Welfare and Success.
"It's a group for athletes where they go around and get involved in the community," said Schutz, who this year led the team in walks (30), was second in stolen bases (11) and tied for third in RBIs (24).
He worked with Habitat for Humanity to help poor people build homes and also served as a volunteer reader for disadvantaged inner-city elementary students.
Schutz went with a group of about eight baseball players to work on the houses and read to students.
"I loved helping someone to build a home. The best part about it was they [the owners] have to put in a certain amount of work," said Schutz, who batted .236 as a senior with seven doubles and three homers, and scored 27 runs while also serving as a team captain.
"I was doing roofing and walls. They have a main builder there and he just delegates work," he said. "We would go on the weekends and put in 2-4-6 hours every weekend, mainly during the baseball off-season."
Loves to see reactions
Schutz said he loved to see the people's reaction to their new home.
"Seeing the expression on the faces, just helping someone out to enjoy a home, a big family that [otherwise] couldn't afford [one]. They [the family] would be there every day," he said.
As a volunteer reader for inner-city elementary students, Schutz visited the schools on weekdays during baseball season.
"Normally they were inner-city kids that didn't have a strong family and don't have anyone," he said, noting that wearing his baseball uniform helped.
"They never had anyone to look up to, and seeing us put a smile on their face."
Willing to help
"It [volunteerism] just showed me that there are times in your life when you will have to help people, because you may need to have help in the future. I am always open to helping anyone who needs it," said Schutz, the son of Lisbeth and Ron Schutz.
His career objective: "I want to work for a big accounting firm right off the bat to gain some knowledge and experience, and eventually I want to start my own accounting firm," he said.
But, "I probably will continue my volunteerism in my career, maybe not in the same ways as in college, but in some other ways."
kovach@vindy.com