Beebe enjoying new role; Catching up with 'K.P.'
Until assigned to cover Aurora Christian football this fall, the first image this writer conjured at the mention of Don Beebe was the little receiver, seen in a football game long ago on television, being upended and landing right on the top of his head. The poor guy bounced off the turf like a toy.
Most people remember Beebe's heroic play in the 1993 Super Bowl, which ranks No. 11 on "ESPN's 100 Greatest Super Bowl Moments." In an eventual lopsided loss to the Dallas Cowboys, the Buffalo Bills receiver used his 4.21 speed to make up 35 yards on the Cowboys' Leon Lett, who had recovered a fumble. Beebe caught Lett at the goal line and knocked the ball out of the grandstanding lineman's hand to deny him a touchdown.
Now, however, this writer's first image of Don Beebe is that of a leader of young men.
The Eagles coach himself, however, might say his faith is what he's all about. Or his family. Some of his high school players, and even NFL types, may vouch for Beebe's work as founder of the House of Speed.
Beebe is obviously a well-rounded individual. That's what could make his Jan. 16 speaking engagement at Judson University so interesting.
A veteran of the banquet circuit, this character guy will address a crowd at Judson's Lindner Fitness Center in a fundraiser for the Elgin college's athletic department.
The event begins with 6 p.m. registration, follows with a 6:30 auction and Beebe's address at 7 p.m. Cost is $20; for info, contact Judson University baseball coach Rich Benjamin, (847) 628-1579 or rbenjamin@judsonu.edu.
Afterward, Beebe will be available for autographs, at which time you may ask, with whom does he share the record for playing in six Super Bowls.
What's upKatie PetrandoA senior at Rosary, Katie Petrando might have competed in basketball and track at St. Viator had her family of six remained in Arlington Heights and not moved to Batavia when "K.P." was in elementary school - though St. Francis was an option, her parents Brian and Joy both alums. Katie, who has three brothers, is a forward on the Beads' 13-4 basketball team, and last spring ran at the Class 2A State Track Meet as a member of three qualifying sprint relay teams. Q: As the only girl among three brothers, what can you tell us about males?A: They're messy, they love sports, they're protective of their only sister, and they can be very nice and very funny, too. Q: Messy, eh? Any other problems?A: They fight a lot and they beat up on me. They're smelly.Q: How's Rosary's basketball season going?A: I think we're doing pretty well. I think we should have only lost one game. Of the games that we did lose, three of the four of them we were either up at one point of the game and we sho-uld have stayed up and won, or we lost by either 2 or 3 points, which was even more of a let down. But I think we're doing great.Q: What's your favorite move on the basketball court?A: My team actually makes fun of me (because) I never shoot a layup. I always do a jump shot. I dribble in really fast and do a jump shot ... the jump-stop, I guess.Q: What's your preferred color of nail polish for games?A: That's tough. I like to change it up a lot, I like to wear different colors. But mainly in the pink shades.Q: What's some good advice you've gotten from your dad?A: My dad always has the same quotes. He says, "People form habits of doing things that unsuccessful people are unwilling to do." He always says, "If you're going to play you may as well win, play your hardest."Q: What's the key to a successful baton exchange in a relay race?A: Practice, definitely practice. Just knowing how your teammate is going to come in, how fast she runs - and that she knows how you take off. But definitely practice overall.Q: Is there a sport you haven't tried but would like to?A: Lacrosse.Q: Do you have any pets? A: A half-labrador, half-golden retriever (Gordy). We also have two cats and two frogs. We've had them for 12 years, and they're aquatic. They just live forever.Q: Frogs are some good eatin'. Now, your basketball number, 31 - is there a story behind that?A: I was going to change it this year. I was handed a jersey in seventh-grade that said 31 and it's been the same ever since.Q: If you could model your life after a celebrity, which one would it be?A: Will Smith, because he can play the serious role and the comedy role, and he has a good family life and he just seems like a good person. And "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" is a great show.'Opportunity Through Baseball'Memorability signed by Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Satchel Paige and Sandy Koufax, skybox tickets to a Blackhawks game and a Disney vacation are among the goodies to bid on at the 13th annual Opportunity Through Baseball event on Jan. 31. Yes, it is presented by Neuqua Valley baseball coach Robin Renner. Yes, his program does indeed recoup some of the proceeds from the event. That may be a hard pill to swallow for folks from future Upstate Eight Batavia and Geneva, particularly when Neuqua has first- and third-place state finishes to its credit. The upshot is that over the past dozen years the large majority of the $340,000 raised by Opportunity Through Baseball has gone to the Aurora Neighborhood Baseball League, the Aurora Neighborhood Kids Club and the Opportunity Through Baseball Camp - all of which benefit underprivileged kids. For most of them attending a Cubs game is beyond their pocketbook, but Renner makes it happen.The event's big draw is always its speakers. This year Renner has lined up the inspiring former big league pitcher Dave Dravecky in a return appearance, as well as the legendary coach Gordie Gillespie. Last spring, the 83-year-old University of St. Francis baseball coach won his 1,800th ballgame, the most in college history. A member of 15 halls of fame, Gillespie also won five state football championships at Joliet Catholic, four straight from 1975-78. Opportunity Through baseball is well worth the $45 admission, which includes dinner. It'll be held from 4-8:30 p.m. at the Roundhouse in Aurora on Sunday, Jan. 31. For info, call Renner at (630) 428-6000, ext. 4864.