Extra Effort: senior Dominic Kouri has a big heart for Notre Dame High School

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Dominic Kouri might be small in stature but he has a big heart.

When he was in youth sports, he used to attend Notre Dame High School’s sports camps. But for the past couple years, he’s been the one serving at the Irish camps to help out.

“I’ve tried to help out at school doing baseball and basketball camps. Tried to help at school the best I can,” said Kouri. “It’s so special to go out and teach younger kids how to play the game.”

The senior is a multi-sport athlete at Notre Dame. You can find him with the golf team in the fall, with the baseball team in the spring.

But he still finds time to volunteer at the Midwest Food Bank.

“Everyone is so nice there, so welcoming,” said Kouri.

He also plays on a team with the Peoria Youth Hockey Association. In fact, he suffered a shoulder injury in hockey this winter that nearly kept him off the Irish baseball team this year.

He considered surgery but knew that would take him off the baseball diamond this spring. He decided to play ball and wait until after the season to address any potential surgery.

“We didn’t know if he was going to throw a baseball this year,” said PND baseball coach Jon Lowry. “He’s fought through it the entire year. Now he has it all on the line for what, one, two, three games? Who knows how many games he has left in that arm? He wants to play and he’ll fight through it for his teammates.”

Kouri is the starting thirdbaseman for the Irish who bring an 18-10 record into a class 2A regional they host this week.

“It’s been a hard decision to (think about) surgery. I had to work on my arm,” Kouri said. “I wanted to play because it’s my senior season. I had to do arm care every day. I worked hard and I feel confident out there right now.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com.