Jets raising autism awareness

CONTRIBUTED

By MIKE EASTERLING / For the RECORD

MADISON – Breast Cancer awareness has become synonymous with athletics.

Pink shorts, ribbons, sweat bands, shoe laces and even shoes are seen on fields and arenas from high school through collegiate and professional ranks.

But when James Clemens coach Shane Medlen sought a project for the Jets baseball team, he had to look no further than his family to find a worthwhile cause for another malady.

“I have a nephew with autism,’’ Medlen said, “so when our program was looking for something to put our efforts into this one held great meaning to me. We are going to be doing much like what other teams have done for the Breast Cancer Awareness.’’

The Jets are set to host a doubleheader Tuesday against Madison County to conclude a week-plus of fundraising for the Autism Society of Alabama.

James Clemens is selling puzzle pieces — the symbol for Autism — at school for a dollar. The puzzle pieces are being placed on the wall in the commons area with names of students and teachers who purchased them.

During the baseball doubleheader, Jets players will wear a special digital camouflage hat with the Autism Awareness Ribbon stitched into the back. There will be extra hats on sale at the game and donations will be accepted.

According to Medlen, many insurance companies don’t cover the costs for children diagnosed with some form of autism.

“This is a cause that I am proud the baseball team at James Clemens can get behind,’’ he said.