Softball presents donation to umpire affected by tragedy

SEWARD, Neb. – Following Wednesday’s home regular-season finale, the Concordia University softball team presented a cash donation of $560 to local umpire Tom Morgan, whose wife recently died after a battle with cancer. The free-will donations were collected from fans in attendance and then given to Morgan. The softball program, with the support of head coach Todd LaVelle, wife Mindy and other local Seward businesses and individuals, supplied free hot dogs and chips in return for the donations.

A longtime high school softball coach (most recently at Lincoln North Star), LaVelle has known Tom as an umpire for 15 years. The death of Tom’s wife, who was diagnosed with cancer in January, forced him to quit umpiring so he could tend to his daughter, Sage, 14, a special needs child. Bulldog players gave Sage a team visor, shirt and autographed softball during the special postgame ceremony.

“Softball is a very tight group and the umpires are an extension of our family,” LaVelle said. “So when I heard that Tom could use a little extra help, it was an easy decision to do what we could here at Concordia. Talking with our team, we decided to place a jar for a free will donation in conjunction with our annual free hot dog feed. As you might have expected, the generosity of our campus and community of Seward once again supported someone in need. Our team captains wanted to give his daughter something special as well. After the presentation of the money and gifts, I overheard a CU fan say, ‘this is what softball is all about.’ I couldn’t agree more!”