Video by Marissa Roberto
Dr. Joseph Romano has been a part of the Cabrini community for 57 years. His passion for philosophy and teaching has inspired many and he has touched the brains and hearts of many of his students over the years.
A few years ago, Romano and three other faculty were asked to be a part of a panel discussion hosted by the Philosophy Club on “Children in Sports” and what it was like for children to play in organized sports.
He was a bit uncertain on what he wanted to share with the Cabrini community on this subject. Should he be factual? Should he just give a talk?
Romano wanted to be different. He wanted to make a strong impression and decided to write a story.
It was about five young boys growing up in a small town who formed their own baseball team. He explained how they worked different jobs to save money to buy bats and balls. He told funny stories and explained how these young men formed their own league.
The story he shared at the panel led many members of the audience to ask him questions. It touched them and it touched him to receive such a positive response.
Romano based the story on his life, on his childhood experiences, on his friends. He told mostly all true stories to the crowd that day.
In 2013, he retired and wanted to expand onto the story he told and the panel discussion.
He ended up following these five boys through their lives. He wrote more about their childhood, progressed to adulthood, until their lives came full circle and they watched their grandchildren play the sport they all loved so much.
The title of the story is “Reds.”
