Two former Parksville Royals standouts have moved on to become valued members of the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.
Shane Rogers and Adam McKillican, who are both graduates of the Royals baseball program, are being recognized for their outstanding performances on the diamond and also for their academic achievements. Both are receiving scholarship money from the B.C. Premier Baseball Association.
Rogers is the recipient of the Rud Haar Memorial Scholarship, worth $1,500. Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, Rogers was named to the B.C. Premier Baseball League All-Conference team for his outstanding 2017 regular and post-season performance on the field, and carried a 4.2 GPA off the field. He is attending his first year at UBC.
McKillican, a Royals grad in 2016, is in his sophomore season at UBC. The Courtenay player is a former recipient of the Rud Haar Memorial Scholarship in 2016. This time, he will receive a $500 scholarship from the PBL to continue pitching for the Thunderbirds in the tough NAIA West Conference.
The Royals, said general manager Mike Parlow, applaud these players for being student athletes and maintaining their focus on academics while playing baseball.
“Our job is to help the players attain the highest level of baseball they aspire to,” said Parlow. “Shane and Adam continue to strive for both their academic and baseball goals and deserve all the credit in the world. When all is said and done, it is the players’ determination and work ethic that dictate their success.”
Parlow also pointed out that, under founder Dave Wallace’s guidance, the Royals have sent two dozen players to the elite UBC program over the years. UBC recruits student athletes from across the country and even with that level of competition, Parlow said, Royals’ purple has been well represented.
“We are very proud of that accomplishment and look to continue placing our athletes in a position to succeed in the pros or at college,” he said.
— NEWS Staff