Dawgs for JT Boosting Taylor's Rehab

A new nonprofit group is holding a fundraiser Saturday night for , the alumnus who was paralyzed in a freak collision while playing baseball for the University of Georgia last year.

The Dawgs for JT event will be at the at 8 p.m. It will feature entertainment from the Kurt Thomas Band and DJ Jobe, an open bar from 8 to 9, and a cash bar from 9 to 11.

Donations and corporate sponsorships raised by the host committee will cover all costs Saturday night, so every cent of the $25 admission charge will go to benefit Taylor’s recovery.

Taylor, who grew up in Acworth, plans to attend the party with his family.

He was an outfielder and the Bulldogs’ leadoff hitter when he collided with teammate Zach Cone trying to make a catch March 6 last season in Athens. He fractured two vertebrae in his spine and was left paralyzed, unable to use his arms or legs.

But he has made progress through continued rehab at the in Buckhead, regaining use of his arms and playing video games.

The Texas Rangers, who drafted Cone last spring, also .

“JT” is back in school at UGA, working toward a degree in consumer electronics with a goal of becoming a financial planner for athletes, the NCAA reported in a feature article this week.

He does part of his rehab work at the baseball complex, so he gets to see his former teammates every day.

His Diamond Dawg connections also led to the formation of Dawgs for JT and Saturday night’s fundraiser.

Chris Stowers, who played outfield for UGA from 1993 to 1996, had never met Taylor before his accident but contacted him through assistant coaches and met with him and mom Tandra last summer, the NCAA said.

Stowers and Taylor had another link on the baseball diamond: Both played with before college.

So Stowers and about 20 others with UGA ties formed the nonprofit Dawgs for JT.

You can make donations at the website as well as register for the event. Tickets also are available from Stowers at 404-966-1717 and at the door.