A Game to Remember

Originally published in the April 17 issue of the Graylsake Journal
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A game to remember

By DAN MORRIS

GRAYSLAKE – In an epic showdown April 12 at Grayslake Central High School, David slew Goliath as the Grayslake Police Department beat the Grayslake Fire Department 64-53 in an annual Basketball Showdown game to benefit the Hero’s Fund.

For the first time in the game’s four-year history, the mighty Grayslake firefighters fell to the city’s police officers, despite having an eight-player advantage.

Breaking out to a quick lead with 10 unanswered points, the Grayslake police officer never lost the lead.

“It’s the first time, but we’ll see about next year,” said Capt. Jon Cokefair of the fire department.

Fun seemed to be had by all, and the atmosphere was one of friendly competition.

Before the game, kids shot baskets with the teams, and plenty of good-natured ribbing went back and forth between players. After tip-off, fans in the stands blew horns, had silly-string fights and cheered.

Signs in the crowd declared, “No. 31 is our block captain!” and “Cokefair For President.”

Master of Ceremonies Greg Koeppen of Medleys In Motion DJ Service provided play-by-play for the game and kept the crowd riled up, calling out raffle winners and occasionally taunting players through the PA system.

Koeppen and Medleys In Motion have been involved with the showdown since its inception.

“My dad was a firefighter, and as a company, Medleys In Motion has always tried to support the community,” Koeppen said. “We’ve been around for 11 years, and the community’s always been good to us, so we like to give back.”

A crowd of more than 200 reached into their pockets, and between admissions, the 50/50 drawing and raffle tickets for prizes donated from several local businesses, more than $2,500 was raised. Grayslake High School Boosters also raised $275 to plant a tree in honor of former firefighter Mike Dertz, who died in 2004 from cancer.

“The first game, four years ago, was dedicated to [Dertz], and we raised money for his kids,” Cokefair said.

The original showdown provided scholarships for their education funds.

Today, the Hero’s Fund goes toward providing scholarships to students from Grayslake Central, Grayslake North and Warren high schools. Money raised at last year’s game was enough to provide five $500 scholarships this year.

Roughly 20 students from each school applied for scholarships, each of whom submitted an essay describing how an emergency-services professional has influenced them.

In a ceremony at half time, Cokefair awarded this year’s recipients with their certificates. The recipients were Andrew Trahan and Sarah Wimmer (Grayslake North), Chelsea Dertz and Chelsey Wagner (Grayslake Central) and Rebecca Lutz (Warren).

This year’s showdown provides scholarships for the class of 2009. Funds beyond the scholarships are donated to families of police officers or firefighters who have suffered catastrophic injuries.

When all was said and done, Cokefair mopped his brow and said, “It’s fun! We enjoy doing it. People come out and have a good time, and we help out some kids.”

It seems a safe bet that next year, Grayslake’s bravest and finest will bring their A game.