UW-Stout duo are familiar new Packers
Published 12:00 am Saturday, April 8, 2000
Tate Cummins could have gone to Europe this summer.
Saturday, April 08, 2000
Tate Cummins could have gone to Europe this summer.
But before he begins his new job in the Twin Cities in June, Cummins will stay in Austin and play for the Packers.
"This might be the last time I’ll be able play so many games," said Cummins, who left the University of Wisconsin-Stout as its career leader in steals.
At Stout, Cummins remained teamates with fellow Austin graduates Matt Juncker and Ryan Hanson.
The three former Packers are looking forward to their new turn as Austin’s boys of summer.
"A lot of us have been playing together for years," said Juncker, a pitcher/catcher. "It’s exciting."
Juncker and Cummins had been staples on the Austin Greyhounds throughout the late 1990s. They both played on Austin’s two most recent state teams.
But they won’t miss the Greyhounds’ position as stepchild to the defunct Southern Minny Stars.
"We just got overlooked," Cummins said. "Last year, we could have beat those guys."
A major difference between the Greyhounds and the upcoming Packers, said Juncker, is support.
"There are responsible people in charge," Juncker said, referring to managers Mike Cummins and Joe Serratore, and Packers marketer Ron Plath. "It used to be a bunch of 21-year-olds were doing the work.
"But they’ve taken over and given the Packers a chance to grow."