Beyond the Competition: Tony Castonguay

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Baseball legend Jackie Robinson once noted, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." One of UNC Asheville's current baseball players, Tony Castonguay, is living this statement while also playing the game he loves as a Bulldog.

Castonguay is a rising senior from Severance, Colorado, studying Health and Wellness. He fell in love with the game of baseball at an early age. In fact, the very first word Tony ever spoke was "baseball". He grew up playing travel ball and enjoyed the "rush" the sport gave him, which has lasted ever since.

Castonguay joined UNC Asheville after playing his first two seasons at the University of Kansas. In his first season at Asheville, Castonguay started in 42 games rotating between catcher and designated hitter. He had a .257 batting average with nine doubles and two home runs, totaling 25 runs batted in and 22 runs scored. From behind the plate, he also threw out an impressive seven potential base-stealers.

Castonguay not only makes an incredible impact on the field, but he makes one off it as well. Back in 2019, he started a foundation, the 'We Are One Movement'. Tony founded 'We Are One Movement' with the goal of providing financial assistance to adults and children with special needs to help provide them with the education and life they deserve.

Castonguay grew up working with individuals with special needs, but became inspired to make an even bigger impact after befriending his high school teammate's sister who has autism. 'We Are One Movement' works to function similar to an athletic team, with everyone chipping in to do their part and make a difference.

"The sole purpose behind the foundation is to bring people together and reduce the stigma associated with special needs, and create lifelong friendships and opportunities for everyone," said Castonguay.

Through sharing the mission of his foundation on social media, Tony has expanded 'We Are One Movement' to others outside of his immediate community. One of the standout scholarship recipients from this foundation is a girl named Isabell. Isabell used the money from the 'We Are One Movement' scholarship she received to compete in the National Special Olympics in Florida for her cheerleading team. Additional beneficiaries of the foundation's scholarships have used their proceeds to gain employment, seek transitional therapy, and help lay the foundation for a successful life.

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Along with raising scholarship dollars, 'We Are One Movement' also works with select communities to distribute donations to underserved individuals with special needs on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. Some of the donated items distributed include coats, blankets, food, and other necessities that help them endure the winter season. A recap of the impact made this last December from this event can be found here.

"Going downtown on Christmas Eve is one of the greatest highlights of each year," said Castonguay. "To be able to make an impact not only on the community, but on individuals' lives and situation is truly a blessing and I hope to continue doing it every year."

Castonguay's goal is to expand 'We Are One Movement' to as many cities as possible to increase its impact. The foundation will continue to accomplish its mission through scholarships, but it is also working towards destigmatizing special needs outside of the school environment, workplace, and sports teams. For more information on 'We Are One Movement' please visit the foundation's website here.

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When you support the Bulldog Athletic Association student-athlete scholarship fund at UNC Asheville, you are changing the lives of student-athletes like Tony. You also allow them the opportunity to pay it forward and change the lives of others. If you would like to help support our Bulldog student-athletes, please click here.

If you would also like to play in our upcoming Bulldog Athletics Association Golf Classic that supports the student-athlete scholarship fund, click here for more details. The golf tournament is sponsored by Harrah's and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and is held at the Country Club of Asheville on August 21-22.

This story is the first in a short series highlighting the impact our student-athletes make thanks to your scholarship support, sponsored by First Bank.

"The most important thing we do is Good. Bank on Good with First Bank."