Childers makes majors

On April 1‚ former Kennesaw State pitcher Jason Childers had his childhood dream come true as he made the roster of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after pursuing his passion over a ten−year minor league career.

Georgia (Apr 7, 2006) — On April 1‚ former Kennesaw State pitcher Jason Childers had his childhood dream come true as he made the roster of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays after pursuing his passion over a ten−year minor league career.

Childers‚ who played for Kennesaw State in the national championship season of 1996 and in 1997‚ had a spring training that dazzled the Devil Rays coaches. He finished the spring with a 0.00 earned run average in 12 2/3 innings of work over 10 games and now joins the Devil Rays staff as a relief pitcher.

"It means everything‚" Childers said in an interview with the St. Petersburg Times. "This is what I wanted to do my whole life. The odds are against every kid trying to make it in the major leagues. Today‚ I beat those odds."

Childers was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1997 and has been with four different organizations during his minor league career. Last season he played for the Richmond Braves before being acquired by the Devil Rays over the winter. At 31‚ Childers became the second oldest rookie player ever to make the Tampa Bay team. Jim Morris was 35 when he made the Devil Rays in 1999.

"My foot is in the door‚" Childers added in the interview with the Times. "The hard part is to stay. I'm going to put forth every effort I can and do everything I can to get an advantage and try to stay here."

The right−hander pitcher‚ who was an All−American in 1996‚ becomes the fourth Kennesaw State player to make it to the major leagues‚ joining Willie Harris (Baltimore Orioles/Chicago White Sox)‚ Jason Jones (Texas Rangers) and Brian Mallette (Milwaukee Brewers).

“I am so happy for Jason‚” said Kennesaw State head coach Mike Sansing. “He is a terrific talent and a great person‚ a tribute to hard work and character. You have to admire him for the dedication he has put forth towards making it to the majors. I’m very happy that it all came together for him and I know he’ll be successful.”

The Devil Rays began the season‚ and Childers his career‚ on April 3 in Baltimore against the Orioles.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its approximately 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status, and one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.