via Facebook

via Facebook

Transitioning to college certainly causes stress and anxiety for most incoming students. As an athlete, these students face additional hurdles with rigorous schedules lasting all day, full course loads and being away from friends and family. Until they settle into university life, life can be rather trying for any student–much less a student athlete.

For students coming from another country, this transition can be even more trying.

Stephon Marbury

Stephon Marbury

That’s where Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista and the Bautista Family Education Fund (BFEF) come in. Since 2011, Jose and his great organization have helped student baseball players from Jose’s home country, the Dominican Republic, settle into collegiate athletic life in the United States. The BFEF dedicates its efforts to raise awareness and aiding these players by providing access to quality education so they can prepare for success on and off the field. In 2012, the program extended to Jose’s second home in Canada. For a complete look at the athletes the foundation supports, visit here.

This year’s third annual event was held at the Eagles Nest Golf Course in Maple, Ontario. While the weather wasn’t ideal for golfing, the day was still incredible. With a sell out crowd in attendance, the best way to follow all the fun was on social media. If you were following on Twitter, you may have caught a special message from the man himself:

I was proud to be on hand and take part in all the action. It was great to catch up with some great friends and colleagues like the legendary Stephon Marbury (above).

It’s great to see athletes and other prominent figures giving back. Jose has mentioned how the Latin Athletes Education Fund aided him as he adapted to life in the United States. To see him want to aide his fellow Dominican and Canadian athletes is a cause I am proud to support anytime. For more information on how you could submit an athlete for the BFEF, click here for further information.