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07/12/2018 12:00 AMJason Cordon played a critical role in the resurgence of the Westbrook baseball team this spring. However, Jason’s impact at the high school went beyond what he did on the ballfield. Jason also made a big difference in the community by volunteering in Westbrook’s Unified Sports program.
Jason posted a .270 batting average as a senior captain shortstop for Westbrook, helping the Knights progress from winning five games last year to collecting 10 victories this season, including a big one against Shoreline Conference champion Cromwell in the Class S State Tournament.
Outside of baseball, Jason took part in a class with the Unified Sports program at Westbrook High School, where he connected with special education students and then partnered with them to play sports. By virtue of his contributions, Jason received the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) Michael’s Cup alongside Unified Sports partner Stephen Farrell.
“The class helps the students play sports, and I felt that fit my athletic background. This honor was huge to my list of achievements, and getting to know the kids was great,” says Jason. “Stephen is actually my neighbor, and it was a great experience to have. I’m actually looking to study special education in college.”
Jason feels that his participation in Unified Sports at Westbrook proved a mutually beneficial situation for everyone involved. Jason enjoyed giving his partners an emotional boost, but he says they also provided him with plenty of positive memories that will last a lifetime.
“You get to have fun with the class. Being greeted by the kids when you walk in was awesome,” Jason says. “We would have popcorn days, where we would make popcorn for the teachers, and we did sports like flag football, basketball, soccer, and track. We also did a field trip to a trampoline park, which was a blast. You feel like a different person when you enter that classroom. It was more than a class. It was a community.”
Jason wasn’t too focused on his individual statistics while helping the Knights make strides on the diamond this year. Most importantly, Jason wanted to serve as a consummate teammate who brought a professional attitude to the squad. Jason and his fellow seniors were driven by their desire to go out on a high note and make Westbrook a contender in 2018.
“Jack Hayes and I were the captains, and we tried to drive everyone to bet better with positive attitudes. Jake Marciniec also came back this year after an injury, so we had three seniors with big hearts,” says Jason, who also played basketball for the Knights. “I think I showed my defensive strengths well and, if I went 1-for-3 in a game, I was happy.”
Westbrook Head Coach Derek Hanssen says that Jason brought a selfless attitude to his club. One of the ways Jason displayed that demeanor was by moving from third base to shortstop to help shore up the Knights’ infield defense.
“Jason is a very caring individual who wears his heart on his sleeve. He is willing to do anything for his team,” Hanssen says. “He switched positions midseason without hesitation, because it gave us a better chance to win.”
Jason felt privileged to hold the role of captain for the Knights during his final campaign with the team. Jason and fellow captain Hayes have been playing together for quite some time, and it means a lot to him that they helped Westbrook turn things around by doubling last year’s win total this season.
“I grew to be 6-foot-2, so that helped me become a better player and have a quicker swing, but I always wanted to be a captain and serve as a role model,” says Jason. “Jack and I were actually pitcher and catcher in Little League and won a championship together, so we wanted to blow other team’s minds this year. Second round of states was a great note to end on. I can easily call this team a family, and being captain was a great experience.”