John Zussman Baseball and Softball Scholarships Awarded to Milwaukee City Conference Athletes
Reagan baseball and softball standouts honored
Photo courtesy of the Milwaukee City Conference.
The John Zussman Baseball and Softball Scholarships have been awarded to two outstanding Milwaukee City Conference (MCC) student-athletes, recognizing their achievements both athletically and academically during the 2026 spring season.
This year’s recipients are:
- Brandon Silva-Tripoli (Reagan), Baseball
- Tessa Balestrieri-Michalski (Reagan), Softball
Silva-Tripoli and Balestrieri-Michalski both graduated this spring after leading Reagan to respective baseball and softball championships. Silva-Tripoli earned First Team All-Conference honors, while Balestrieri-Michalski was named to the Second Team All-Conference.
The scholarships honor the legacy of John Zussman, founder of the Knothole Club, which for decades gave local youth the opportunity to attend Milwaukee Braves games. Since 1975, proceeds from the Knothole Club have funded scholarships for baseball and softball student-athletes, a tradition carried forward today by Zussman’s daughter, Ann Lederman.
Both Silva-Tripoli and Balestrieri-Michalski exemplify the values the scholarship was created to celebrate: dedication to their sport, leadership among their teammates, and commitment to their education. The recipients were honored on-field at a Milwaukee Brewers game in late July for their accomplishments.
Milwaukee Public Schools is committed to accelerating student achievement, building positive relationships between youth and adults, and cultivating leadership at all levels. Eighth-grade students and families are invited to learn about programs and apply to an MPS high school for the current school year. With nearly 30 high school options in the district, MPS has an ideal learning situation for every student’s needs and future career goals. To find a high school that best fits your needs, visit milwaukeepublicschools.org/enrollment. You can find open house events at high schools, browse specialty schools and access the online enrollment form there. Enrolling now offers you the best opportunity for a chance at your first-choice school; some schools fill up quickly.
Learn more about MPS by visiting milwaukeepublicschools.org. More news is available at milwaukeepublicschools.org/about/news.
For more information, contact Claire McHugh (claire@mkerec.net) at (414) 475-8634.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
