Paul nervously approached the plate. His stony gaze fixed squarely in the direction of the pitcher. A lot was riding on this. His swing wasn’t as good as Tyrell’s. Tyrell hadn’t struck out all season.
With cleats dug firmly in the ground, Paul adjusted his stance, and pulled the bat over this shoulder.
Focus. Steady. Just like in practice…CRACK!
Paul’s teammates leapt off the bleachers cheering. The Hawks were still in the game. His Coach, Joseph Corson, remembers the game like it was yesterday:
“We were locked in a tight battle with the Tyburn Crusaders, matching them inning for inning. Then came a moment that could have broken us — a tough inning that tested our resolve and spirit. It was the kind of moment that defines not just a game, but a team’s character. And in that moment, these young men made a choice. They chose not to fold. They chose not to dwell in the setback. Instead, they rose — determined, united, and relentless. With grit, heart, and unwavering belief in one another, they mounted a comeback and secured a hard-fought victory by a single run. But the true victory wasn’t just in the score. It was in the resilience, the teamwork, and the refusal to give up — lessons we’ve worked to instill all season long.”
The Hawks represent the George Junior Republic (GJR), a Special Act School District affiliated with The William George Agency (WGA). GJR provides academic instruction for the adolescent youth, like Paul, receiving out-of-home specialized services on WGA’s Freeville campus. GJR also offers a day school for CSE-referred students living at home in surrounding communities.
Coach Corson has been with the GJR Union Free School District for more than 15 years, teaching math, science and career development and serving as head baseball coach since 2023. He started his career studying Physical Education at nearby Cortland State University.
“My coach from high school instilled in me many of the qualities that I try to impart to our athletes and students,” says Corson. “He inspired me to become a teacher and saw something in us we didn’t even see. I wanted to pay that forward to our student-athletes who may not have had a chance to get it anywhere else. They deserve the experiences and support that a team, that a family can give. They all deserve a second chance, and the chance to show the greatness they may not know they have.”
Every season, Corson guides his student-athletes to improve both their ball play as well as their chances for a brighter future by teaching them three concepts that will benefit them throughout their life.
The first is to strive to be better every day – on and off the field – no matter the situation or outcome. The second is to recognize that they’re part of something bigger – the Hawks family – and that being part of a group requires them to step-up for the good of the whole, not just for their own personal achievement. The third is that they realize there will always be ups and downs – in a game as in life – and what really matters is how they choose to learn and grow from the experience.
Corson says Paul* and Tyrell* were the most improved student-athletes of the 2025 season.
“[They] came to practice every day with the thought I’m going to give my all and learn something new every day. They were sponges and became better on the field skill wise and better humans off the field.”
Paul says he learned how to improve his swing during the season but his proudest moment was when he “made it to home and scored a point for the team. I felt good when we won a game, but I also felt good when we lost because, at least we still got to play. And when we get to play, it doesn’t matter what happens because we are having fun.”
Teaching youth how to adopt healthier attitudes and behaviors toward self and others doesn’t just happen on the baseball field. It’s an integral part of all daily activities at WGA.
“We can’t change a young person’s past or what brought them to us, but we will help them develop skills and a perspective that can improve their current and future circumstances,” says Helen M. Hulings, Executive Director of the William George Agency. “All activities on our campus are learning opportunities for young people to discover their strengths and hidden talents in a supportive environment.”
*names changed to protect privacy.