While regular season AAC Baseball Games don't attract much headlines, UCF's Baseball Family lost a Knight when 17 yr old signee Joe Skinner, died just months after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Skinner was diagnosed with this aggressive form of cancer just 2 weeks after signing with UCF back in November.

USF held a joint moment of silence prior to yesterday's UCF/USF game, which was a class act that certainly brought both teams together and realized how one's young life can be changed in literally a heartbeat away.

https://twitter.com/UCF_Baseball/status/...08/photo/1

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Both teams took a moment of silence in memory of #UCF signee Joe Skinner #SkinnerStrong


USF Head Coach kind words
https://twitter.com/CoachKingUSF/status/...wsrc%5Etfw

Joe Skinner committed to UCF over 3 years ago...as his long-life dream was to play for UCF...which became a reality when he was finally able to sign with UCF back in November:



A quick glimpse of how his very young man was more wise and brave of thse 2-4 times his age...he and his family were life-long Indianapolis Colts Fan, and as one who would easily qualify for Make-A-Wish event, Joe decided to donate over $9,000 that had been raised from #skinnerstrong bracelet and t-shirts sales by many HS Baseball teams across the state back to Make-A-Wish Foundation...so that a young child could benefit from an amazing experience during their time of need.

Once some Indianapolis Colts players heard about what Joe did in donating dollars raised to young child in need, they responded directly back to Joe:

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/col.../81975168/

Here's a feature article in the Orlando Sentinel from just a few weeks ago that tells about the fight Joe was going thru over the past few months:

Joe Skinner keeps spirit high in fight against cancer
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/hi...story.html

Thought this kind act by USF, which also help show the world what an amazing 17 yr old was able to accomplish during his way too young life was a beautiful gesture.

Very sad, class act.

Sorry for the UCF family in their loss of a young man.

Thank you to the USF administration for their thoughtfulness in this time of remembrance.

Very sad to hear such news for such a young person

Tragedy. Thoughts and prayers to this young man, his family and the UCF team. The blood cancers are just awful... when you have the chance, consider donations to the Leukemia Lymphoma society.

(05-01-2016 09:28 AM)Bull Wrote:  Tragedy. Thoughts and prayers to this young man, his family and the UCF team. The blood cancers are just awful... when you have the chance, consider donations to the Leukemia Lymphoma society.

Totally agree. When I had my mustang club all of our car show and 50/50 proceeds went to that organization. They do great things.

Props to the USF family for the thoughtful act. RIP Mr. Skinner.

BTW, cancer sucks