“Baseball sets you up for the game of life,” Todd Helton said in his speech at Saturday evening’s Fun & Friendraiser event. “Baseball’s a game of failure, and who can deal with that failure the best, just like in the game of life. It’s about picking yourself up, knocking the dust off and pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. And knowing in your heart you’re going to get on the next time.”
More than 275 Trinidad State supporters and Helton fans attended the Trinidad State Educational Foundation Fun & Friendraiser event. With a reception, dinner and silent auction, the highlight of the event was a talk by Helton, former Colorado Rockies baseball player.
“As you all know I retired last year, and as anyone in my shoes, you try to figure out what you’re going to do, what your next step in life is going to be,” Helton said about life as a retired baseball player. “So far, I basically have been a dad, coaching for both of my daughters. I’ve also tried to do what I call the perfect days, trying to combine and get a full day of things that I love to do. Colorado’s a great place to do this.” Some of the things Helton said he enjoys are quail hunting, skiing and golfing.
He went on to share stories about his Major League Baseball career. “I had a lot of good teammates in the 17 years,” Helton said, “The best teammate I ever played with was Juan Pierre. When he came to the big leagues, all he could do was run. And he couldn’t do anything else, but the guy was there. He was the first guy in the club house and the last one to leave.”
Helton concluded by honoring his father, his “first and best coach.” Following the speech, guests lined up to get an autograph from Helton.
Nearly $40,000 was raised from ticket sales and the silent auction at the Fun & Friendraiser. Among several items in the silent auction, the highlights included a Navajo-crafted silver necklace and turquoise pendant and an autographed bat Helton had once used in a Rockies game. The proceeds from the event benefit the Trinidad State Educational Foundation in its mission to promote the growth and development of Trinidad State College.
“Because of you and the support you provide, we are an exceptional institution,” Trinidad State President Carmen Simone said in a welcome address at the event. “Last year, we graduated 596 students. Each one of those graduates has benefited from your encouragement, and your generosity. This semester we are serving 1,764 students. I can’t thank you enough for the impact you’ve had on each of these students. After all, that is what it’s all about. It’s about changing those students’ lives for the better every day.”
The Trinidad State Educational Foundation is a private, non-profit corporation founded in 1968 to raise and manage private gifts for Trinidad State.