Getting into the holiday spirit all year 'round

Those watching Hinsdale Central play in the Class 8A state championship football game may have noticed a spunky, square-jawed young guy gyrating on the Red Devils sidelines in shorts despite it being 39 degrees in Champaign.

That was special teams and linebackers coach Nick Gebhart. He goes with shorts from start to finish each fall, practiced in self-induced hypothermia as an assistant at Driscoll before getting a teaching job at Hinsdale Central.

Seeing "Gebby" in summer clothes while others wore parkas, one might think he's off his nut. To him it's mind over matter.

He's got a sister, Rachel, who has Down syndrome. She has an underdeveloped heart, Gebby says, and combined with the hole in her lungs nowadays any physical exertion causes a loss of consciousness.

Rachel used to participate in Special Olympics, so when notice came of a chance to help coach a Special Olympics basketball team at Hinsdale Central, Gebby made dang sure he was the one to assist head coach Skip Begley, one of the top proponents of community service in a school brimming with them.

"I had a strong desire," Gebby said. To shake his hand once is to know that if he has a strong desire to do something, it will be done.

Now, this piece isn't all about Nick Gebhart. It's about people like him and Begley, like Joy Pierson-Nebergall at Neuqua Valley and the Special Olympics basketball coaches in their league from Willowbrook and Glenbard South, Addison Trail, Hinsdale South and Waubonsie Valley, from SEASPAR - South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation - in Downers Grove.

There are many, many more in these parts who celebrate the true meaning of Christmas year-round with their own unique gifts.

A search pulled up a recent story about members of the Marquette men's basketball team visiting Hinsdale Central's Special Olympics team. To paraphrase, one of the Marquette players said when the balls were rolled out it wasn't college athletes and special-needs students. It was basketball players.

"They're just excited to be part of something and to just know that they are recognized," Gebhart said. "Just to play around, just to have fun, just to be part of the school."

Gebhart is "thrilled," he said, to help them do it. Seeing him in those shorts on that sideline, it's hard to doubt his conviction.

"I love being around them," Gebby said of the basketball players, "because they don't have an ounce of hate in them."

All the icing... and boarding

Christmastime recalls cherished memories of skating on a quaint frozen pond amid lightly falling snowflakes.

Or, knocking your buddy on his pants, stealing the puck and wristing it through the five-hole.

Glory days will be revisited as the Waubonsie Valley Hockey Club presents its fourth annual alumni game Dec. 29 at All Seasons Ice Rink in Naperville.

The club's Craig Moynihan reports that teams are decided by players throwing their sticks near the faceoff circle, where a coach divides them. Most of the players are from the program's last nine years with a smattering of current players - "just to show the old guys up," Moynihan said.

"It's a great opportunity for college-age players to get together while they're home for the holidays," he said. "Older players can reconnect with their school and their former teammates as well as meet the 'newer' generation. For all it's a chance to show their Warrior pride."

Moynihan noted it may be the only hockey they play all year.

Pass the Icy Hot, Chelli.

Perfect stocking stuffer

Only six shopping days left till Christmas.

For us procrastinators, what's another month?

Neuqua Valley baseball will hold its 12th annual "Opportunity Through Baseball" fundraiser Sunday, Feb. 8, to benefit the Aurora Neighborhood Boys Baseball League, Aurora Neighborhood Kids Club, Dave Dravecky's Outreach of Hope and the Neuqua baseball program.

Here's where the shopping comes in: This year's main guest speaker is Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins, who will be signing autographs.

Choreographed each year by Neuqua Valley baseball coach Robin Renner, "Opportunity Through Baseball" is a dinner auction that always features dynamite items of sports memorabilia, art, entertainment and sports tickets, plus yummy vittles at Walter Payton's Roundhouse in Aurora.

Last year's event, the fourth sellout in a row in a series that's raised nearly $250,000, featured Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson as guest speaker.

This year Jenkins will be joined by Neuqua baseball alumnus Geoffrey Rowan, a pitcher and catcher at Northwestern University and part of the Wildcats' 2007 state championship team.

Cost for dinner and the auction is $45; an autograph by Fergie adds $20 to the tab.

For info, including donating auction items, call Renner at (630) 428-6850.

doberhelman@dailyherald.com