HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — Student-athlete baseball players from Richmond and Norfolk got a front-row seat to their future during Futures Day at Tuckahoe Sports Inc.
The event connected young athletes directly with industry professionals, offering career advice, mentorship and real-world insight into the many paths available in sports, both on and off the field.
Professional pitcher and Godwin High School graduate Aaron McGarity said the event focused on sharing what's possible for young athletes. McGarity played at Virginia Tech until 2017, was drafted by the Yankees and played professionally until 2023, then with the White Sox in 2024. He currently plays for the Charros de Jalisco in Mexico.
"The appeal of professional sports is really captivating for young athletes, and they want it to be the end all be all," McGarity said. "They want to be that guy on the TV, but as you get older and as you get into high school like these kids are here today, you start to realize that there's other jobs around the industry."
McGarity emphasized careers in marketing, broadcasting and journalism that touch professional sports.
"So many other jobs that touch the world of professional sports, and I think being able to spread that information to them today is going to open their eyes a little bit about what the possibilities might be," McGarity said.
FULL INTERVIEW: Professional pitcher Aaron McGarity talks careers in sports
McGarity shared his own story of discovering his potential later than most athletes.
"I didn't know I wanted to even play college athletics until I was 16 years old, until a coach really brings me aside and believes in me and says, 'Hey, Aaron, you can play college baseball if you put the work in,'" McGarity said.
He said inner-city youth especially benefit from mentorship programs like Futures Day.
"A lot of youth athletes, all they need is that helping hand, that initial push in a certain direction... that little bit of push is all they need," McGarity said.
Kids on First, a community-based nonprofit committed to making baseball accessible for inner-city youth, hosted the event.
Featured industry professionals included CBS 6's GeNienne Samuels, ESPN analyst Lake Lewis Jr., Richmond Times-Dispatch's Matt Kiewiet, Richmond Flying Squirrels executive program representatives, umpire Cliff, professional pitcher Aaron McGarity and Chosen 1 Foundation's Brandon Ashe.
Other attendees included NFL insider Lake Lewis, Richmond Times-Dispatch editor Matt Kiewiet, Flying Squirrels employees, umpires and coaches.
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