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Favorite Von Baseball Memories: 
Winning conference my Sophomore year
 
Awards or achievements while at Von, including participation in other sports: 
Conference Player of the Year and All City Team - 2012

Favorite teacher/mentor at Von: 
Mr Trinter! He was always looking out and made me a great writer

What did you take from Baseball that helped you in life? 
Teamwork makes the dream work. Made some life long friends!

What did you do after graduation? 
Attended university of Wisconsin Parkside on a baseball scholarship where I played 5 years! Now currently a Chicago police officer!

Awards or Achievements after Von. What are you most proud of? 
Obtaining my bachelors degree in criminal justice. Having one of the lowest era’s on the conference my sophomore of college.

Current occupation: 
Chicago police officer

What Advice would you give to current Von players? 
School first! Make sure you have your school work straightened out before anything. If you can handle your business off the field, then you have nothing to worry about on the field. Also stay away from the ladies! They are trouble and college will fill that void!

Family: 
Mary Plaud (mother) Joe Plaud (father) Jessica, Justin, Jasmine, Sofia Plaud all siblings. My dogs rocky and Jax!

Favorite Von Baseball Memories: 
1. Making Varsity as a Freshmen. It was a cold March day at River Park and Coach Hutson (Varsity coach at the time) came over to the JV practice and just said, "Porter is with us now."
2. Hitting a grand slam vs. Lincoln Park HS, we were down three late in the game, bases loaded, and I crushed a curveball to deep center. This was at River Park with no fence, so I had to hustle my big butt around the bases to score. It was close play at the plate and I remember sliding at home and immediately getting up and roaring directly at the Lincoln Park bench, probably not my most sportsmanlike moment.
3. My junior year we were on the road vs. Sullivan HS. I was catching that day and early in the game there was a play at the plate. Our 2nd baseman, Jake Sparlin threw a perfect strike to me and I was just waiting for this baserunner to get to the plate, and the baserunner completely barreled me over. I held on to the ball, got up, and pushed the baserunner over and a scuffle began. The Sullivan runner started coming at me with their dugout en route as well and next thing I know, my entire team was right behind me. There ended up being nothing but shoving and yelling but it was a cool moment that really captured my teammates and how we supported each other.
 

Awards or achievements while at Von, including participation in other sports: 
I was on the swim team my freshmen and sophomore year.

Favorite teacher/mentor at Von: 
Johnny Hutson, Craig Pinley, and Dave Rivera. All baseball coaches I had throughout my time at Von. Coach Hutson taught me how to play hard and be a good teammate; Coach Pinley taught me the little things in baseball and how to have fun within the game; Coach Rivera taught me how to be a man and be accountable. I keep in touch with all three men to this day.

What did you take from Baseball that helped you in life? 
Be accountable, have a good work ethic, enjoy the little things, and be grateful for what you have.

What did you do after graduation? 
After my time at Von Steuben, I went to Elmhurst College, played baseball and graduated from there.

Awards or Achievements after Von. What are you most proud of? 
Being voted a Captain for the Elmhurst College baseball team. I always knew I could be a leader but being elected a captain made it real and is still my greatest honor.
 
Current occupation: 
CRM Specialist at Elmhurst College

Do you do any volunteer or community work?
Special Olympics Volunteer

What Advice would you give to current Von players? 
Use any slight or criticism as motivation. At the time, a former Von Administrator told me and my parents that no one from our Von team would play college baseball. I was hurt by this at first, but I never stopped reaching for my goals, and guess what, I played four years of college baseball. Furthermore, after college, I coached collegiate baseball. You're the only one that can bring you down.

Family: 
No family yet, but I'm getting married June 23, 2018 to a beautiful former softball player that loves baseball. I'm a lucky guy.

Favorite Von Baseball Memories: 
Beating Whitney Young to advance to final four in 2011
 
Awards or achievements while at Von, including participation in other sports: 
-Named team captain Jr and Sr year (2010-2011)
-All-City Team Selection 2011
-Iron Panther (Most Off-season Workouts made - 2011)

Favorite teacher/mentor at Von:  
Coach Cott. Without his drive and determination to get us better I’m not sure we would’ve accomplished what we did while I was at Von.

What did you take from Baseball that helped you in life? 
Never listen to outside voices. Put in the hard work and you will see the fruits of your labor. 

What did you do after graduation?
Played college baseball at Oakton Community college then went to University of Wisconsin-Parkside where I finished my playing career and graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice

Awards or Achievements after Von. What are you most proud of? 
Being able to play collegiate baseball and graduating college.  
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Current occupation:  
Logistics and Volunteer Assistant Coach for Von Steuben Sophomore Team

What Advice would you give to current Von players? 
Work as hard in the class room as you do on the field.

Favorite Von Baseball Memories: 
-Morning hitting practice inside the gym with Jonathan Porter and Mike Mason.
-Preparing for games alongside co-captains Anthony Jackson and Cameron Hodgkinson.
-Watching Luis Diaz hit a home run so far that it landed in a CTA bus.
-A 2005 winning season that promoted Von to the Jackie Robinson league.
-Pitching a complete game in defeating Clemente 2-1.
 
Awards or achievements while at Von, including participation in other sports: 
Playing varsity baseball all 4 years was a great achievement. I was nominated to the CPS All-Star team where we played against the Catholic League All-Star team at U.S. Cellular Field. Academic achievements that enabled my successes in life.


Favorite teacher/mentor at Von: Without question, coach Dave Rivera was a true mentor for me in high school. Dave provided structure, instilled moral values, and pushed each player to be a better version of himself both on and off the field.

What did you take from Baseball that helped you in life? Baseball taught me to deal with adversity - especially during the formative years of life. I learned what it means to work hard toward a goal and to persevere when things are tough.

What did you do after graduation? Attended University of Illinois for my Bachelors in Science and DePaul University for my MBA in Finance.

Awards or Achievements after Von. What are you most proud of? I am most proud of my academic and career achievements that have provided me and my wife a path toward comfort and happiness.
 
Current occupation:  Strategic Accounts Sales Manager (medical device industry) 

What Advice would you give to current Von players? Practice like you play - this applies not only to baseball. Whether it's preparing for a big game, an exam, or a presentation, you should always give 100% effort.

Family: My wife, Mary, and our dog, Charlie

Favorite Von Baseball Memories: 
Meeting the upper classmen and competing against childhood friends from different high schools.

Favorite teacher/mentor at Von: 
Coach Cott was alright!

What did you take from Baseball that helped you in life? 
Playing baseball gave me the opportunity to surround myself/blend in with different personalities. I am now able to do the same off the field. You become personable and you learn how to lead and/or take instruction.


What did you do after graduation? 
Associates degree, United States Air Force, Cook County Sheriff Department, Owner of West Loop Furniture

Current occupation: 
Business Owner - West Loop Furniture  

What Advice would you give to current Von players? 
Hustle your butt off when it comes to high school baseball. You can really separate yourself as a great player from an average player during your high school years. But you have to put in the work. If you want to stand out, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! (Even after team practice) REPETITION, REPETITION, REPETITION! If you think you are good, then work on being great!

Family: 
Wife Maricar Zamarron and daughter Anabelle Zamarron

  
Favorite Von Baseball Memories:
Laying down a perfect bunt against Lane Tech with two outs my sophomore year. Playing that first game after we renovated Northeastern's field, after playing at River Parks terrible fields.  

Awards or achievements while at Von, including participation in other sports: 
I honestly can't remember, so I have no idea if I did. I think I got a coaches award one year for Soccer, but I played baseball 4 years, soccer for 2, and 16" softball for 2

Favorite teacher/mentor at Von: 
Dave Kaplan was probably my favorite mentor. I wouldn't say teacher as I hated Science, but he taught me how to be a good human and person.

What did you take from Baseball that helped you in life? 
Coach Rivera showed me the importance of hard work and dedication, which I didn't like back in high school, but it really gave me a foot up on some people entering college.

What did you do after graduation? 
I went to school at North Park University, where I played 1 year of baseball before joining the Ultimate Frisbee team. I currently work as a Real Estate Broker and Property Manager, and work on the side doing production for a Live Streaming company

Awards or Achievements after Von. What are you most proud of? 
 It's only been ten years since I graduated, so not much time to rack up any awards. I volunteer with Gigi's Playhouse. It's a great organization that gives resources to kids with Down Syndrome

Current occupation:   
Real Estate Broker/ Property Manager

What Advice would you give to current Von players? 
Gut it out. Those 5:30 winter workouts, or staying late for practices may suck now, but if you stay committed you will see results on the field, as well as be better set for life after High School

Family:
Single and ready to mingle!

Favorite Von Baseball Memory:  Last at bat in my last game, I hit a ball over the trees in left field over Foster Ave. One of the longest home runs ever hit at River Park 

Awards or achievements while at Von, including participation in other sports: Played basketball. Started on the varsity team during my sophomore, junior and senior years. Led the city in scoring in 1963. Made all section every year. Made the city Christmas Tournament first team in 1963. Made the all Northern Illinois team in 1963. Averaged 28 points a game in 1963 with out a 3 point line.

Favorite teacher/mentor at Von: Played under 4 basketball coaches and the last one, Bob Hansen, was my favorite. Carried over many coaching skills from him when I coached basketball.

What did you take from Baseball that helped you in life? Being part of a team, and when you made an error to keep your head up and keep going. Do not let it effect your play.

What did you do after graduation? Attended Bradley University. I wanted to play pro baseball, but in 1964 the Vietnam war gave me no choice but to go to college. I then become a teacher.

Awards or Achievements after Von. What are you most proud of? My biggest achievement was starting the Von Steuben Alumni Association where the organization gave scholarship money to seniors to help them continue their education. The VSAA began in 1994 and to this date has awarded over $600,000 to deserving students. I became the Von Steuben athletic director in 1997. The IHSA awarded me the Athletic Director of the year in 2004. Inducted into the Chicago Public League Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.
 
Current occupation:  I am a retired teacher, who works part time as a sub at Von. 

What Advice would you give to current Von players? Always give 100% effort. Always remember you play as you practice.

Family: Wife Mary, Daughter Amber, and Son Chad. Grandchildren Mac, Charlton, Kaya, and Greyson.

 
What are your favorite Von Steuben Baseball memories?
Perfect game against Prosser high school

Who was your favorite teacher/mentor at Von?
Julie Brown - English Teacher

What did you take from Baseball that helped you in life?
To always strive to be better, whether in school or on the field.

What did you do after graduation? college, military, work?
I was selected in the Major League Baseball draft where I played 11 years of professional ball, including parts of two years at big league level with Kansas City Royals.

Awards or Achievements after Von. What are you most proud of? 
1) Pitching a No Hitter against the Fort Lauderdale Yankees in the single-A level championship finals game in 1985, winning 2-0. 
2) Working as hard as I possibly could to finally make it to the major-league level in 1988.

Current occupation? 
Union 727 Teamster truck Driver for the show Chicago fire

Do you do any volunteer or community work?
Coach baseball at Niles North High School in Skokie, Illinois, Where all three of my kids went to school. 

What advice would you give to current Von players? 
Remember, if you're a good athlete to always work hard in the classroom. It will pay off in the long run.

Family
Wife Angela, and three children Natalie, Brittany, and Anthony

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