815-561-8255 Request Line
Watch LIVE High School Sports

Upcoming Events

Friday, Mar 22, 10:00 AM
Saturday, Mar 23, 11:00 AM
Saturday, Mar 23, 6:15 PM
Saturday, Mar 30, 8:00 AM
Saturday, Mar 30, 10:45 AM

Social Media

Find us on Facebook Follow us on X















Jeter helps Rochelle Tornado relief efforts

RTHS Baseball Coaches David Cartwright and Jarrod Reynolds were grinning like kids on Christmas morning when Ted Wilkinson dropped off the HUB Strong T-shirt MLB Standout Derek Jeter autographed to support Rochelle Tornado Relief.
Ted Wilkinson’s son Andy has befriended the famed New York Yankee who turned to the younger Wilkinson when in retirement he decided to improve his golf game.
Andy Wilkinson, RTHS 2009, is a professional golfer and Director of Golf Operations at Westchase Golf Club in Tampa, FL where Jeter owns a home. “Andy called me one day and said ‘Dad, you’re never gonna believe who I met today’. Andy said he looked up and saw Jeter walking towards him. Jeter recently asked Andy for a few pointers and eventually invited Andy to join him for a round,” Ted said.
If you know the Wilkinson penchant for all things athletic, then you can just imagine the joy this brought both father and son.
Because Westchase attracts golfers from all over the country, the employee name tags feature names as well as hometowns. Ted said Andy began fielding inquiries about Rochelle and Fairdale on Friday morning, April 10, about the EF4 tornado tore through northern Illinois. Jeter was among those asking after Andy’s family which was, fortunately, not directly affected.
“When Rochelle High School started the HUB Strong fundraiser, our daughter Stephanie ordered a t-shirt and sent it to Andy,” Ted said. “It was a size too small. That’s when Andy got the kernel of an idea about how he might help from Florida. One day in the pro shop while they were talking about the tornado, Andy asked Jeter if signing the shirt was something he might consider. Pro athletes are cautioned to be careful
about signing things too freely. That can diminish the value of collectibles. Andy said Jeter didn’t hesitate; told him he’s a Midwestern guy too (Kalamazoo, MI), happy to support tornado survivors. He had Andy put the T-shirt on backwards while he autographed it.”
Ted mentioned it to RTHS Board of Education member Jeff Tilton. The two grew up on the Rochelle Country Club Golf Course, learning the game from Ted’s father Bill Wilkinson. Decades later Jeff called on Andy to offer pointers when son Alec Tilton took up the game.
School Supt. Jamie Craven and Jeff Tilton decided the autographed shirt would make a good addition to Rochelle Rotary’s From the Heart auction. “Mr.Craven called Dave Eckhardt and he got excited. Dave has had other sports collectibles framed and knew the importance of having it authenticated, so we did,” Ted said.
The result is a collage including the HUB Strong T-shirt, a photo of Jeter at the plate as well as photo of Jeter with Andy and the authentication. It is on display in the RTHS Athletic Hall through December 22 after which you can see it in the First National Bank lobby and the First State Bank lobby over the holidays. It will return to RTHS for the month of January 2016 leading up to the February 6 event.
From the Heart will be at Abraham’s in the Hickory Grove Civic Center on February 6. There will be silent auction items, but Eckhardt said the Jeter piece will be a separate, live auction. “From the Heart is our (Rotary’s) primary fundraiser, but the Jeter proceeds will go directly into the Tornado Relief fund.”
By the time he stepped away from baseball in 2014 following a historic 20-year career with the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter had established himself as one of the most respected men to have played the game. His reputation is of an unmatched leader on and off the field. His name is synonymous with hard work, dedication and dignity. In retirement Jeter is balancing a variety of successful business ventures while he and Andy work on lowering his handicap.
Footnote: Andy Wilkinson called his dad from Tampa again. During lunch last week, Jeter took Andy’s phone to read in detail the T-shirt story (above). Jeter gave it thumbs up; told Andy he wishes everyone connected with the From the Heart event, as well as those affected by the tornado, great success.
Rochelle Rotary From the Heart 2016
· Saturday, February 6, 2016
· Stillman Room at Hickory Grove Civic Center
· 6 pm cocktails, 7 pm dinner, 8:15 pm live auction
· Tickets: $95 individual, $185 couple, $700 table of 8

 

Comments

Download the App Today!

Download the Apple app today
Download the Google Play app today
Closings and Cancellations
Copyright © 2024 Superhits 93.5. All Rights Reserved.
Public File
FCC Applications
Site by RiverBender.com