Kingman Academy of Learning (KAOL) graduates Tarik and Jessica Skubal, along with their
two-year-old and six-month-old children speak with principal Trudi Bradley during a Feb. 2
student assembly at the KAOL primary school. Both Skubals attended the school years before
Tarik became a major league baseball superstar, winning back to back American League Cy
Young awards while pitching for the Detroit Tigers. Dave Hawkins
KINGMAN — Major League baseball superstar Tarik Skubal and his wife Jessica returned to their “home field” Monday, visiting the Kingman Academy of Learning (KAOL) Primary and Intermediate schools that they attended as kids. They brought their six month and two-year old children with them as they helped school officials present Skubal Award certificates and autographed baseballs to deserving students and teachers.
During the Primary school student assembly, Principal Trudi Bradley asked Jessica what’s it like watching her husband take the mound for the Detroit Tigers. She said she loves taking their two year-old son down to the bullpen before the game so he can throw a baseball with his father.
“He’s a really good dad and he’s always trying to do his best,” Jessica said.
Bradley interviewed Tarik in a relaxed atmosphere before scores of 4-7-year-old students, some parents and teachers and the KAOL High School baseball team. She asked about lessons learned in his athletic endeavors.
“The best thing that sports teaches you is that it takes a team to win,” Skubal said. “It’s not an individual thing. It teaches you how to get along, and chemistry and also how to respond to adversity.”
Bradley noted that those affiliated with the KAOL Tigers are joyful that Tarik remains a Tiger, in a Detroit uniform. Her crafty questions elicited responses about various things the big leaguer likes.
the grip he uses to throw his 100 mile per hour-plus fastball during a Feb. 2
student assembly at the KAOL primary school he attended years ago. Dave Hawkins
Favorite school stuff:
Skubal said math was his favorite subject and that he always enjoyed lunch. Scores of children shrieked gleefully when he shared that he really liked recess!
Favorite food:
“Probably pizza, you just can’t go wrong with pizza,” Skubal said, drawing audible support from children supporting his play choice as well.
Favorite major league ballpark:
Fenway Park. “Probably Boston because it’s been around for like a hundred and whatever years. It’s really old.”
Favorite major league player:
New York Slugger Aaron Judge.
“The way he plays the game, Captain of the Yankees, I think he does everything the right way,” Skubal said, noting he’s looking forward to being teammates with Judge when Team USA competes in the World Baseball Classic in March. “I get to play with him on Team USA and I’m really excited about that.”
Skubal played basketball and football years ago, but is happy he picked baseball to pursue as a career. “My favorite thing is I get to play a kids game with a lot of my really good friends and enjoy it and have fun everyday.”
Dave Hawkins
Tarik Skubal address a Feb. 2 student assembly at the KAOL primary school. Skubal played baseball for the KAOL Tigers long before winning back-to-back American League Cy Young awards as a superstar starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. Dave Hawkins
