OUR MISSION
A tribute to the spirit and values of legendary University of Southern California Baseball Coach Rod Dedeaux, the Rod Dedeaux Foundation (RDF) strives to carry out his legacy by funding scholarships, programs, and services for youth in underserved areas of Los Angeles using baseball as a platform to cultivate success beyond the final out.
Our mission is to impact every step of a ballplayer’s journey, from the dugout to the final out. We collaborate with groundbreaking beneficiaries to create equal opportunities for our city’s at-risk youth to excel on the diamond, in the classroom, and in the game of life. Embodying Rod’s fervent optimism for the communities he served, RDF is steadfast in rewriting the narrative of baseball and softball in urban America.
Here’s how we accomplish our mission:
We award annual college scholarships and grants to qualified candidates based on financial need and academic merits including GPA and community service. To date, RDF has awarded over $400,000 to deserving students through scholarship funds.
Offering professional coaching and mentoring experiences for 300+ Compton Unified School District middle school kids participating in our annual Youth Softball & Baseball Clinics and 1,000+ elementary kids in our annual Tee Ball Clinic, through our partnership with Educational Sports Institute (ESI). Over 25 coaches (former MLB stars & current collegiate and high school players) volunteer their time to ensure each participant has the most impactful experience possible by providing valuable instruction, breakfast, lunch, exciting giveaways, and memories to last a lifetime!
We provide urban youth with access to valuable resources including sports equipment, coaching support, and athletic facilities, which will allow them to play in year-round baseball and softball leagues.
We raise funds and awareness of community needs through networking, grants, and annual fundraisers, such as our annual Legends on the Links Golf Tournament .