We love celebrating athletes returning to school and graduating during or after their professional careers. Today we honor former Cubs’ star Dexter Fowler, who graduated this past weekend from Penn State.
Dexter Fowler has graduated from Penn State with a bachelor of science degree in Organizational and Professional Communication ???? pic.twitter.com/ea87oznI4K
— MLB (@MLB) May 6, 2024
Fowler’s path to graduating is probably the most unique as it includes a contractual agreement for college tuition.
Originally accepted by the University of Miami to play baseball, Fowler was drafted by the Colorado Rookies in the 14th round of the 2004 MLB June Amateur Draft.
When signing his contract, Fowler promised his parents he would return to college and get his degree. Fowler’s father ensured he adhered to his promise and included a clause in his deal that stated his four years of tuition would be fully paid for when he enrolled.
“My dad negotiated into my contract that I would get four years of school paid for,” said Fowler.
He made his pro debut with the team in 2008 and played in Colorado for six seasons before moving to the Houston Astros in 2014.
A year later, he headed to Chicago for two seasons, winning a World Series title in 2016. Most significant was that Fowler, starting in Center Field in Game 1 of the World Series against the then Cleveland Indians, became the first Black Cubs player to play in a World Series game. He also became the first player to hit a Game 7 lead-off home run in World Series history.
Those are feats Cubs legends like Ernie Banks and Andre Dawson can’t claim.
Joining him in securing a World Series title that year were outfielder Jason Heyward and infielder Addison Russell, meaning that three Black players won a World Series title on a team that hadn’t won a championship since Jackie Robinson broke MLB’s color barrier in 1947.
Fowler played for five more years in the Big Leagues, four with the Cardinals and one with the Dodgers before retiring.
