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LaRussa Awarded Honorary Doctorate

"Tony LaRussa, manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at College of Education Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, December 15, 2007. This important honor was bestowed upon Mr. LaRussa for his work as Founder with his wife, Elaine, of the Animal Rescue Foundation. The citation as read by Dean Schmitz follows."

Tony LaRussa Introduction
University of Missouri in St. Louis Commencement
December 15, 2007
By Dr. Charles D. Schmitz, Dean, College of Education

I grew up a Cardinals fan. In fact, my father used to tell me that he would put the Cardinals game on the radio by my crib to entertain me as a baby! I had a very smart father!

Going to Cardinals games with him and my grandma are among the highlights of my life, and I miss them both. Grandma Schmitz loved the Cardinals with all her heart and soul - almost as much as she loved her work at the St. Louis Altenheim and the Good Samaritan Home on South Broadway, where she worked for 47 years. I can still remember those rides with my Grandma on the Grand Trolley to old Sportsman's Park on North Grand to watch the Cardinals play.

Frankly, nearly all of my lifetime I have been a Cardinals fan - a fan through thick and thin! If you could see my house you would be impressed with the Cardinals memorabilia I have accumulated over the years! Marty Hendon of the Cardinals would be envious! I treasure my Cardinals collection. While of little monetary value, each item has a personal and heartfelt meaning to me. My collection is my own personal Field of Dreams.

And during the Cardinals season, I manage a Cardinals Fans listserv where I share tidbits of information about the Cardinals, photos of the games, and nostalgic ruminations about the Redbirds.

Liz, my bride of 41 years, and I are Cardinals Season Ticket holders. And I knew I loved her some 42 years ago when I asked her - this Southern California surfer girl - who her favorite baseball team was. When she said, "The Cardinals," I knew our first date was made in heaven! How could I not love her!

But the origin of my nomination of Tony LaRussa for this prestigious award today has little to do with his stature as manager of our beloved St. Louis Cardinals. Rather, my nomination is about the man. The man who cares about animals, like my wonderful dog and companion, Jake, my friend of 11 years -- Jake, the 11th dog in my life -- Jake, the Wonder Dog! Jake lights up my life every day. It is hard to imagine life without him.

Tony LaRussa is well known as a highly successful baseball manager. In fact, he is only one of two managers to win a World Series in two different leagues. With the Cardinals winning their 10th World Series Championship last year, Tony LaRussa has laid claim to being one of the best baseball managers of all time. However, his most important contribution to the world has nothing to do with baseball! His greatest contribution to the world is, without a doubt, the founding of and leadership for, the Animal Rescue Foundation, or ARF as it is called, some 16 years ago.

ARF has one major purpose - the recognition that animals are our friends and companions and should be treated respectfully and humanely. It's Mission is "ARF saves dogs and cats who have run out of time at public shelters and brings people and animals together to enrich each other's lives. ARF strives to create a world where every loving dog and cat has a home, where every lonely person has a companion animal, and where children learn to care."

Recently, I saw a movie entitled "Eight Below." The movie is about going to all extremes to save eight dogs stranded on the Continent of Antarctica. In the end, most of the dogs are saved. Man and animal are united, as it is supposed to be.

In reality, that is what Tony LaRussa and the Animal Rescue Foundation do - they help us all understand the important bond between animals and humans, and why it is important that we shelter them and protect them.

I respectfully present to you, Chancellor George, Mr. Tony LaRussa for an honorary doctorate of humane letters. His work in protecting animals is awe-inspiring. He represents the best in all great educators - he reminds us of our humanity and our inherent goodness as human beings. And as my mother used to say, "You can tell a lot about a man's character about how he treats his dog." If that is the measure of a man, Tony LaRussa measures up!

Thank you Chancellor George for accepting this nomination of Mr. LaRussa for his honorary degree. He is most deserving.

On behalf of Dean Sabastian, Dr. Roberta Lee, and myself, I present him to you for the awarding of his honorary degree.