Parents’ Generous Gifts Raise
the Curtain on Triton Baseball Field

May 9, 2008

By Jade Berggren

From left, Jennifer and Jim Cantele with Gigi and Shale Imeson showing support for their sons’ team at a recent Triton baseball game.

Triton baseball team members Matt Cantele, ’09, a Computer Science major, and Garrett Imeson, ’09, who majors in Bioengineering, have more in common other than their love for “America’s favorite pastime”—both student-athletes have dedicated parents who share the impressive commitment of attending nearly every game.

“We are big baseball fans,” said Shale Imeson, M.D., of himself and wife Gigi. “And our son is our favorite player, so we try to make every game.  We miss once in a while, but we are almost always in attendance.”

Likewise, Jim Cantele, estimates that he and his wife, Jennifer could probably count the games they’ve missed on one hand.  “Your child is only in college once, so we want to make the most of it while we still can,” added Jim.

While touring with the team up and down the state of California and into surrounding states, the Imesons and the Canteles, both from Northern California, noticed something … they could view their sons on the playing field more easily at most of the host schools than at home games.  The Tritons needed a new backstop that did not block the view of spectators.

“We mentioned the idea of replacing the outdated Triton backstop to Coach Dan O’Brien,” said Shale.  “He told us that it was a great idea and that he had already looked into upgrading it.  But the project cost much more than the team had to spend.”

It was after that conversation that the Imesons, Canteles and several other Triton baseball parents including John Clement, and his wife Cheryl Kilmer, rallied together to raise the funds—$32,000 in total—to give the team a new backstop.  The former backstop, which consisted of a chain link fence with 16 poles, was removed and a brand new top-of-the-line net was hung in its place.  The players weren’t the only ones who raved about the improvement.

“Now, you can sit anywhere and have a great view,” said Gigi Imeson. “We believe that we can make upgrades to the Triton baseball facilities one step at a time and still make a great difference.”

“It was almost as if we opened the curtain on what was once hidden,” added Shale.  “The backstop screen is suspended in thin air—it’s almost like a work of art.  It is certainly the best screen compared to all the other schools we’ve visited.”

The new backstop offers a clear view of the game for spectators.

Jim Cantele noted that he has seen an exponential growth in the number of spectators at each of the home games over the past three years, meaning that more fans will have the opportunity to watch their winning team without obstruction.

“The gift was not only for the team, but also for the facilities and spectators,” said Jim. “Programs and facilities cannot make a go of it alone—they need our support.  For that reason, we’ve invested in our sons’ team and UC San Diego Athletics. As a result, we now feel an even stronger connection to the Tritons at each game.”

And yes, you will see the Canteles and the Imesons rooting loudly from the sidelines at every one of those games.

To learn more about how you can help upgrade the Triton baseball facilities—including a special initiative to raise $200,000 before June 30 to bring electrical lines to the baseball field for the future installation of lights—call (858) 534-3540 or email dphilippi@ucsd.edu.  You can also give now by clicking here to access our secure online giving page.

Media Contact: Jade Berggren, 858-822-5309