When Tyler Schmitz’s family home burned February 8, the Maryville (Missouri) pitcher who had been anticipating his senior season had to instead abandon it – picking up two part-time jobs and an internship to help his family get back on their feet financially.

While that may have been the only choice for Schmitz, his teammates had other ideas. Juniors Adam Boyer and Greg Schwartz rallied the entire baseball squad for a fund-raising drive in which team members wore their jerseys to a Saints basketball doubleheader and collected loose change in their batting helmets. They also scoured the campus with helmets in hand and asked the campus community to help a fellow student.

While the team didn’t set a specific dollar goal, the thought of Tyler returning for his senior season was in the back of their minds.

“Our main objective was to help him and his family, and if he did come back, that was a bonus,” Boyer said. “It’s his senior year, and this tragedy basically shut down his career. For our efforts to indirectly help him come back was an added bonus to him and to everybody.”

The team’s efforts raised $1,750, which was enough for Tyler to cut down to just one job during the baseball season. University officials got in on the act, too, agreeing to pay Schmitz’s tuition for the winter semester and his remaining summer classes.

“That took a huge burden off his shoulders,” said Schwartz. “His parents didn’t know about our efforts initially, but we called them when we put the money in the account and they were just ecstatic. Tyler went from working 55-60 hours a week – plus going to school full-time – to one job, which was a big difference.”

Boyer said when the team told Schmitz of the donation, the first thing Schmitz said was that he would pay it back. “We said that wasn’t the point – it’s defeating the purpose if he would have done something for us with that money. We did it because we thought of the opportunity and we knew it would help him and his family,” said Boyer.

“(The team’s) efforts were unbelievable,” said the grateful Schmitz. “Not only did the students help but the faculty and people in student services … I have played high school ball, legion ball, I’ve been to two different junior colleges and I’ve never felt the experience I do here at Maryville. At the other colleges, the baseball team would divide itself into subgroups, but here, we all hang out together.”

Schmitz transferred to Maryville, which is in the process of reclassifying from Division III to Division II, in fall 2008 from Mineral Area Community College, where he also played baseball.

“I came to Maryville last year and we had great leadership, and it’s a small community,” he said. “Everybody is your friend. No matter where you go, it seems there’s always a group of baseball guys there. Not only is baseball important, but they push school, too, which makes it a lot easier on a student because they know how tough classes can be. That was always very impressive from day one when I got here.”

“I had played against him in high school and summer ball,” Schwartz said. “He’s the type of person that it doesn’t matter what you need – he’s willing to do it. He absolutely loves baseball and being around these guys.”

Senior Bo Bunton said Schmitz is a competitor who knows the value of teamwork as well. “He’s always helping us out and loosens everyone up. He’ll act like the (St. Louis) Blues goalie and when we throw him short hops he’ll knock them down and sometimes take them off his chest. When he’s on the mound, though, he wants to win.”

Bunton said when Schmitz found out that he was able to return to the diamond, he asked the coach to check with the team to see it was OK. “He knew he hadn’t been with the team the past couple weeks and he didn’t want to barge in and take someone’s spot who's been working really hard,” Bunton said. “We talked as a team and it was a unanimous vote. He’s that guy that you want around, even when he’s not pitching – he’s always going to be supportive and help us achieve what we want to do.”

Schmitz ended the season 1-1 in 16.2 innings pitched with an ERA of 2.70 and 10 strikeouts. Maryville advanced to the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament final before dropping a 6-5 decision to Fontbonne in the championship game.

“He pitched really well last year and he did well this year, too, so it was good to see him back out there,” said Boyer.

After graduation, Schmitz plans to attend the Police Academy in Farmington, Missouri, after finishing his summer courses. He plans to work for his hometown Festus, Missouri, police department for two years and then apply to the FBI.

As for his fellow baseball seniors, he sees everyone staying in touch. “I really see us staying in contact after our senior baseball season as we’ll all be pretty close geographically,” Schmitz said. “Us seniors are pretty close as it is, which is pretty neat to see. It was a pretty somber day on senior day.”

KatieJo Kuhens is the sports information director at Maryville (Missouri). Click here to watch the news story by the NBC affiliate in St. Louis.