Todd Schriber is sitting in the Philadelphia Phillies clubhouse, and is much too excited to talk. Sitting right in front of him is his favorite major leaguer, Randy Wolf, who is answering questions from high-school students participating in the Philadelphia Futures program.
Following the talk, the Furness High junior presents Wolf with a T-shirt that reads, "Randy Wolf, Philadelphia Futures’ Number-One All-Star."
Schriber then met his mentor, and received an autographed visor and picture.
Wolf also made a $7,500 donation, with $6,000 going toward Schriber’s college-related expenses. The other $1,500 is for expenses related to the Philadelphia Futures program.
"I always wanted to go to college," said Schriber, who has hopes of being an architect someday. "This is definitely going to help me."
Philadelphia Futures is a Center City-based nonprofit organization designed to close the educational and economic gaps between low-income high-school youths and their peers. Students enroll in the program as high-school freshmen and stay with it for a minimum of eight years.
In his two-plus years with the program, Schriber, 15, has made a lasting impression with Philadelphia Futures executive director Joan Mazzotti.
"Todd has been a great kid," she said. "He has done everything he needs to do to go to college and we have great hopes for him over the next six years."
Schriber wouldn’t mind some of his success extending to his favorite sport. He was a member of the Furness baseball team as a sophomore, and hopes to earn a starting spot in March. This week, though, his focus is to cheer on the Phils in their wild-card chase.
"It’s definitely more exciting," said Schriber, of Third and Porter streets. "In the past, the Phillies didn’t do too good in the beginning of the season. When it was too late, they would start doing good."
Unfortunately, though, the Phillies’ hopes were looking dim at press time, with the team two games behind the Marlins in the wild-card race.
Off the field, Wolf’s community service efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. He was named the 2003 winner of the third annual Phillies Community Service Award and the club’s recipient of Major League Baseball’s Roberto Clemente Award. Wolf, catcher Mike Lieberthal and former Phillies center fielder Doug Glanville have helped raise money for Philadelphia Futures by hosting a celebrity billiards tournament that has brought in more than $150,000 combined over the last three years.
In January, Schriber and fellow students in Philadelphia Futures will take SAT prep courses, followed by a program that deals with the college selection process. Students also have access to a computer lab and help with college applications and essays.
Schriber said no matter where he ends up attending school, he’ll always remember the big-league baseball player who helped send him there.
"I would like to thank Randy Wolf for being my sponsor, and the Philadelphia Futures for giving me a chance," said the junior — who is asking for a Wolf jersey for Christmas.
Ninth-grade students interested in signing up for the Philadelphia Futures program can call 215-790-1666.
