Meet one dedicated Saint

Mary Beth Nolan/mnolan@dailyherald.com

St. Charles East receiver Jake Krzeczowski wears 16 on his jersey to honor family friend Tim Breslin, a Chicago Wolves hockey player who died in 2005. He also wears the initials of family friend Ken Bieschke who has a brain tumor.

A few days after Ken Bieschke's house flooded in late August, St. Charles East football player Jake Krzeczowski and a few friends went over to Bieschke's house to help him tear out soaked carpeting.

Krzeczowski wasn't asked to do this for Bieschke, a friend of the family. The senior wide receiver thought of it on his own.

"It was amazing," Bieschke said. "What 17-year-old would want to do that?"

Krzeczowski apparently did. This wasn't the first time he's done something nice for Bieschke this year.

Bieschke, a native of St. Charles, was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor in February 2007. He doesn't know how long he has to live.

In honor of Bieschke, Krzeczowski dedicated his final season with the Saints to him by engraving his initials on his orange and black shoes.

The dedications don't stop there. Krzeczowski has also dedicated this season to another family friend, Tim Breslin, who was a former Chicago Wolves hockey player. Breslin died tragically in February of 2005.

Krzeczowski's tribute to Breslin is that he has worn jersey No. 16 since his sophomore year. The number is also stitched on the tongue of his shoes, along with "TBKB" (Tim Breslin, Ken Bieschke) on the side of his shoes. He also wears a black wristband with the No. 16 and Breslin's initials in orange letters stitched in.

"It's just something I thought would be nice for the both of them, especially for their families," Krzeczowski said. "I figured I can't do bad with (Breslin) looking down on me."

Breslin's story

Tim Breslin was a left wing for the Wolves for five seasons between 1994-1999. He coached Krzeczowski in hockey when he was a pre-teen with the Geneva Cyclones. He became a close friend of the Krzeczowskis and a role model for Jake.

Krzeczowski made friends with two of Breslin's nephews, Brian McMahon, now a senior on St. Francis' soccer team, and Kevin McNally, who also attends St. Francis.

At the age of 37 and in Krzeczowski's sophomore year, Breslin died after a short battle with what was later determined as colon cancer. His No. 16 was retired at a Wolves game in December 2005.

Krzeczowski, who is also the sports editor at the X-Ray, St. Charles East's student newspaper, wrote a story about Breslin in his column, "Krez Sez," in last May's edition.

"He was one of my biggest heroes, and was a big part of my life," Krzeczowski said. "It was like he was one of my uncles.

"Mr. Breslin was the one who taught me how to persevere through hard stuff. He went through a lot of ups and downs."

McMahon was impressed with Krzeczowski when he found out what he was doing for Breslin.

"I appreciate it," McMahon said of Krzeczowski dedicating the season to his uncle. "I think it's a really nice thing for him to do."

Bieschke's battle

Bieschke is another friend of the Krzeczowski family. The families were neighbors in Bartlett before moving to St. Charles. The Krzeczowskis moved first, and a few years later, the Bieschkes followed.

In January of 2007, Bieschke started to have bad headaches. He said he was, "eating Tylenol like it was candy." His wife urged him to see a doctor in early February, and the worst was confirmed -- he had a brain tumor that was terminal.

The Krzeczowskis were there with Bieschke as he had surgery a week after he was diagnosed. He's been in positive spirits ever since.

"He's been fighting through it really well," Krzeczowski said. "He's trying really hard to stay around for everybody."

Bieschke, who has two kids at St. Charles East, Caren, a junior, and Tyler, a freshman, has his good weeks and his bad weeks. He tries to make it to as many of Jake's football games as possible.

"We didn't know if Ken was going to be able to see Jake's first game (this year)," said Dave Krzeczowski, Jake's father.

Jake's season

Perhaps dedicating his senior season to Breslin and Bieschke was one of the best things Krzeczowski could have done for himself. In 3 weeks of play, he's helped the Saints go 2-1. He's made 13 catches for 116 yards.

"He's getting better all the time," St. Charles East coach Ted Monken said. "He's continuing to grow as a football player. He has a great desire to be a great wide receiver."

Krzeczowski scored one touchdown this year, and it was a big one.

In the Upstate Eight Conference opener at Waubonsie Valley in Aurora last Friday, Krzeczowski caught Sam Gunther's 6-yard slant pass with 7:40 left in the game.

The touchdown, along with David Winn's extra-point kick, turned out to the game-winner, as the Saints beat the Warriors, 14-13.

After the game, Krzeczowski planted a huge hug on one of his biggest fans -- Bieschke.

"(Krzeczowski) said to me, 'That touchdown was for you,'" Bieschke said.

Krzeczowski said things at practice and during the games can seem challenging at times, but he always has Breslin and Bieschke on his mind.

"When things get hard, it's times like that when I look down at the wristband or my shoes and think how it could be worse," Krzeczowski said. "I know I have to keep pushing for these guys."