Husker Catcher Relishes Rare Eye-Opening Experience

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Randy York N-Sider

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Sixteen years ago, John Grose III(pictured above on last month's Nebraska Athletics service trip to the Dominican Republic) may have made the best decision of his life. A Henderson, Nev., native, Grose spent one year as a junior college catcher in Arizona before accepting a baseball scholarship at Nebraska.

That decision paved the road for Grose to spend three years as a Husker starter and two years as a team captain. He made the Big 12 Conference All-Tournament Team and earned a similar honor in an NCAA Regional in Lincoln. Grose also experienced the ultimate dream – the opportunity to compete in the College World Series in Omaha.

Those accomplishments are still dear to John Grose. But a bigger, broader experience burns in his heart, mind and soul. Following in the 2015 footsteps of Nebraska football wide receiver Frosty Anderson and women's tennis All-American/Academic All-American/NCAA Top 10 honoree Mary Weatherholt, Grose became Nebraska’s senior letter winner on last month’s service trip abroad to the Dominican Republic. Anderson and Weatherholt joined Husker student-athletes on the inaugural service trip to Guatelama.

“The trip to the Dominican Republic was an eye-opening experience and one I will not soon forget,” Grose said. “During the week, I couldn’t help but reflect on the decision I made 16 years ago to become a Husker. That decision profoundly changed the direction of my life and continues to be a positive influence. I’m so thankful for this incredible opportunity.”

The Nebraska Life Skills trip abroad team also visited the Kansas City Royals training facility in Guerra, located outside Santo Domingo.

Three-Year Letter Winner and Two-Year Captain Prioritized His Lifelong Goals

Grose lettered at Nebraska in 2002, ’03 and ’04 and had enough balance in his life to excel academically as well as athletically. Having a grandfather who was a coach in the San Diego Padres organization, Grose inherently understood the odds of playing major league baseball and felt blessed just to be drafted by the Atlanta Braves after high school and by the Chicago White Sox after his first year in junior college. Building an academic foundation, however, was simply a higher priority.

Now vice president and managing director of a commercial bank in Omaha, Grose has a powerful grip on why he selected Nebraska’s baseball scholarship over Florida, Nevada-Reno and Loyola Marymount. “Nebraska goes beyond baseball and enables its student-athletes to succeed academically and in life every bit as much as succeed athletically,” said Grose, whose wisdom is woven into the overall experience.

“My fondest memory was our final work day in Las Pajas," Grose said. "The entire community – men and women, young and old – came out to lend a hand to see their sport court get finished. It was especially moving to see mothers and daughters grab shovels and wheelbarrows and work alongside the men. We were told by our guides that this is not traditionally accepted in the Dominican Republic. Through hard work and compassion, our student-athletes became role models for the community. Their leadership helped draw the locals off their decks and out of their homes so they could take part in the construction process. I was so impressed by the work-ethic, mental fortitude and empathy that our student-athletes demonstrated throughout a difficult week under challenging conditions.”

Read on for remembrances from four more Nebraska Athletics employees who made the trip:

Stacey Burling, Life Skills Coordinator

“It’s difficult to aptly summarize what the group experienced while in the Dominican Republic. You can go into a trip like this thinking you’ve prepared yourself for things outside of your comfort zone, but it’s not until you’re there – contending with the unfamiliarity – that you realize it’s now your reality. This group of exceptional student-athletes handled the less-than-ideal living conditions, unrelenting heat and spotty electricity, with such acceptance. When complaining could have been at a high, they continued to do the work they were there to do and never stopped serving passionately alongside the community, which welcomed them as their own.

“The thing that I love most about traveling, and traveling with others, is to see what’s gained from the overall experience. Whether it’s learning more about who they are as a person, seeing things with a new perspective, creating meaningful relationships or expanding their awareness, it’s different for each individual. That’s what the NoFilter program seeks to accomplish – to open their minds to the world’s complexities. To change their views so they can reach the insight that as different as appearances, food, music and cultures may be in other countries, such as the Dominican Republic and Guatemala, people are the same across the globe. Bottom line, the program encourages student-athletes to leave their mark and ensure they leave the country better than the way it was when they arrived.”

Bridget Nelson, Video Production Specialist

“While capturing and documenting each day of this year’s ‘No Filter’ trip, it was hard to select just one memorable moment. There is, however, one aspect that I will forever remember in each moment. It was the simple smile that was shared among the Las Pajas children and adults when we smiled at them. Those happy faces will hold a special spot in my heart because they showed me that no matter how rough life gets, there’s always a reason to be grateful and blessed. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to capture those numerous smiles shared among Las Pajas and the “No Filter” group.”

Jordan Wilson, Life Skills Coordinator

“The NoFilter experience is more than just a service trip abroad. It's a way for Nebraska student-athletes to grow as individuals and see the world in a new light. This program challenges the participants to become global citizens in an ever-changing world and to gain cultural competence. As we've seen from last year’s trip to Guatemala and this year’s trip to the Dominican Republic, each and every member walks away with a newfound respect for others and an experience of a lifetime filled with invaluable lessons. Beginning the minute we arrive in our host country, the athletes are quickly forced to adapt to their new and unfamiliar surroundings. From bucket bathing and close living quarters to language barriers and lack of air conditioning and electricity, each handled every challenging situation thrown their way with strength, grace and humility.

“The most memorable aspect of the trip has to be the connections the group made with both the community members and their peers in just one week. Twenty-one athletes from 13 different teams formed a bond that never could have happened without this program. I'm thankful the Athletics Department believed in our NoFilter dream and allowed it to come to fruition. There is no better feeling than leading these student-athletes abroad and witnessing how their lives change and their eyes open. The work they did and the lives they touched reflect the character and the culture we have at Nebraska."

Keith Zimmer (above) Senior Associate Athletic Director/Life Skills and N Club

“There were many memorable moments on the service trip to the Dominican Republic. The one word that best captures my emotions and overall experience of the trip is pride. I have a tremendous amount of respect for what our student-athletes do in Lincoln, striving for excellence in athletics, academics and life. Daily, our student-athletes put in long days while exhibiting a tireless work-ethic, teamwork, accountability, leadership, determination, perseverance and commitment to excellence.

“My admiration and respect for our student-athletes grew to an even higher level as I watched with great pride as our 21 Huskers (seven who have already graduated) represented Nebraska in challenging conditions in a first-class manner that no doubt would have made all of Husker Nation very proud. Our student-athletes worked incredibly hard throughout the trip. They immersed themselves in the culture and rarely complained. They were incredibly kind, genuine and caring to the local children and adults, establishing special connections in just five days.

Zimmer Praises Passion to Work Hard, Complete Projects, Make a Difference

“These Huskers displayed great passion throughout the trip…a passion to work hard and strive to complete projects…a passion to make a difference in the lives of others and a passion and willingness to expand their horizons and build new friendships. I was very proud and appreciative of the leadership our Life Skills coordinators’ showed. Stacey Burling and Jordan Wilson spend months to plan and execute this annual trip.

“They help select the participants and plan pre-trip meetings and much more to make this a life-changing experience for all student-athletes. I’m thrilled I was able to witness first-hand the impact of our annual service abroad trip. It reinforced to me that Nebraska is providing our student-athletes with life-altering opportunities that will distinguish us and our participants from the competition. Ultimately, this trip is designed to prepare everyone who signs up for life after Nebraska Athletics. That’s our No. 1 goal.”

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N-Sider Archives

Editor’s Note: This is the fifth and last in a 5-part series chronicling 21 Nebraska student-athletes and four others who visited the Dominican Republic on a trip abroad in May.

Blog 1 of 5: Williams, Cockrell Open Minds and Share Views

Blog 2 of 5: Experience Humbles Globetrotter Briana Holman

Blog 3 of 5: Flynn Blazes National and International Trails

Blog 4 of 5: Wood Says Husker Trip Abroad Life-Changing

Blog 5 of 5: Husker Catcher Relishes Eye-Opening Experience