Young readers hear athletes' stories

NBC wasn't the only place where you could watch elite athletes Saturday.

Elgin's Gail Borden Public Library and the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame hosted seven athletes at the culmination of the library's summer reading program.

This summer was the most successful year yet for the program, with more than 6,000 children, teens and adults enrolled - more than ever before.

"Every year, we're getting more readers," said Miriam Lytle, program coordinator at the library.

The athletes, riffing on the summer reading theme of "Get in the Game," talked about the influence of sports and education on their lives in front of about three dozen people, including many small children.

Derrick Mayes, who was an Elgin High School basketball standout and an Illinois State University starter in the '70s, said it became clear to him later in life that education was more important than sports.

"The ball stops bouncing one day," said Mayes, a member of the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame. "But the education - no one can ever take that away from you."

Yosef Tewolde, an Elgin High School graduate and a runner at Illinois State, said education allowed him to pursue sports.

"If I wasn't doing the right things in the classroom, then I wouldn't be able to compete," said Tewolde, who runs the 400-meter, the 800-meter and the mile.

Tewolde earned a laugh responding to a question about what motivates him to compete.

"I never really enjoyed running," he confessed. "When I ran the races and beat the other kids, I thought, 'ooh, I like this.'"

Katy Potts, who once hit .471 for the season at Larkin High School, said learning was a lifelong process for her.

"Reading and learning and education has not stopped for me since kindergarten," said Potts, who now trains officers at the Elgin Police Department.

Judson University softball player Debra Leganski encouraged kids to share their talents with others.

"If you're passionate about something and you love to do it, share it with others," Leganski said.

The Elgin Sports Hall of Fame has inducted 128 members, awarded more than $200,000 in college scholarships and recognized many achievements of Elgin athletes since its founding in 1980.