I had Joey in class his senior year. While Joey may not have always been "into the classroom" in high school, he was a good student in my classroom. Joey was someone I enjoyed having in class, and someone who was always respectful to me in the classroom and in the hallway.
Joey's son, JJ is the same age as my son Allen. They have played on youth basketball teams together since 4th grade, and were on the freshmen team together this year. I have both JJ and Allen in my advocacy class this year. I have had many opportunities to watch Joey as a father. I wondered how Joey would be as a "basketball parent." The answer is he is a great "basketball parent." For all the times we have stood together during a game, interacted before or after a game-- I have never heard Joey say anything negative about other players, the coaches, or his son.
This winter after a game in which JJ played only about 8 minutes, when JJ came over to where Joey was standing, Joey gave JJ a hug and the first words out of Joey's mouth were, "Way to play hard on defense." It has been clear Joey is just a supportive dad.
When I read the article in the Register-Mail describing Joey's selection into the Hall of Fame, Joey's comments seemed so in character of Joey as a husband and father. I hope you will read this article, and as you read it-- pay close attention to the quotes where Joey talks about his wife and his daughter. In the article it is very clear Joey is personally very, very appreciative about his selection. But what is clear, his real joy was seeing how happy it made his wife. And he is as much focused on the day being his daughter's special day- her birthday.
Today when we hear negatives about athletes, this is a positive story to read.
The following is an article by Matthew Wheaton of the Galesburg Register-Mail.
GALESBURG —
Former Galesburg High School basketball stars Joey Range, and Lawrence “Bumpy” Nixon, along with former Galva High School player Rich Falk will be inducted into the newly created Illinois High School Basketball Hall of Fame and Museum in Pinckneyville.
Nixon and Falk go in as members of the pre-1960s era class, while Range goes in as a member of the post-1960s era.
Induction ceremonies are planned for Nov. 3 in Champaign.
“I was completely overwhelmed,” said Range, a 1998 GHS graduate, who learned of the honor Wednesday. “With the rich history of basketball in Illinois, it is an awesome honor just to be recognized.
“It was already a great day with my daughter’s birthday and that put the cherry on top for me,” he added.
Range, a two-time all-stater who averaged 21.2 points his senior season, 1997-98, led the Silver Streaks to a No. 3 state ranking, a 30-3 record and a second-place finish at state.
The 1997-98 team was elected into the Galesburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.
Range sits atop the GHS record book in a number of categories. He holds the school record for career points with 2,390, most field goals in a career (961), most free throws in a career (443), most points in a game (55), most field goals in a game (20), and most free throws in a game (23). He also had over 1,500 career rebounds.
Range received numerous phone calls, Facebook messages and text messages after the news broke, so many in fact that he lost count.
One of the calls was from his former head coach, Mike Miller.
“He was just super excited for me,” Range said. “We have always had a great relationship and to still have contact with your coach who isn’t in the community speaks for itself.”
When Range’s wife, Sharla, got out of one of her classes at Carl Sandburg College, she found out the news. “She was super excited,” Joey said. “She was there back in those days seeing all the hard work I did. It was great hearing her so happy about it.”
Fourteen-year-old J.J. Range found out from his parents and his sister about his dad’s achievement after he got out of freshman baseball practice and as a family, the Range’s celebrated 11-year-old Daija Range’s birthday at Sully’s, as well as Joey’s induction, and went shopping around town.
“It was my daughter’s day, but it was a great family day,” Joey said. “Nothing can replace the birthday of my daughter.”
Range and Nixon are regarded as two of the best players in GHS history.
“First and foremost, its a major accomplishment for the Galesburg community,” said Range of he and Nixon being inducted. “The community should be honored to have two people from Galesburg inducted at the same time.
“Growing up, you always heard about Dale Kelley, Byron Thierry and Bumpy Nixon,” he added. “If you go along the lines of those guys then you did something great.”
Galesburg advanced to the state tournament in 1959 and 1960, which happen to be the only two seasons Nixon, a transfer from Quincy who was among the most talked-about high school players in the state at the time, played.
Falk was one of the most prolific scorers in state history. A guard at Galva, he averaged 29.8 points per game as a senior. He ranks second in state history for scoring more than 50 points in five games with a high of 57.
The other members of the pre-1960s era Hall of Fame class are: Red Kerr, Lynch Conway, Joe Ruklick, Rod Fletcher, Jake Fendlay, Homer Thurman, Bob Owens and Tom Cole.
Joining Range in the post-1960s class are: Jack Sikma, Lloyd Batts, Darius Miles, Michael Payne, Steve Kuberski, Russell Cross, Quentin Richardson, Sergio McClain and Greg Starrick.
Five females will also be inducted. They are: Cappie Pondexter, Marie Christian, Diana Vines, Natasha Pointer and Alicia Ratay.
Nixon and Falk go in as members of the pre-1960s era class, while Range goes in as a member of the post-1960s era.
Induction ceremonies are planned for Nov. 3 in Champaign.
“I was completely overwhelmed,” said Range, a 1998 GHS graduate, who learned of the honor Wednesday. “With the rich history of basketball in Illinois, it is an awesome honor just to be recognized.
“It was already a great day with my daughter’s birthday and that put the cherry on top for me,” he added.
Range, a two-time all-stater who averaged 21.2 points his senior season, 1997-98, led the Silver Streaks to a No. 3 state ranking, a 30-3 record and a second-place finish at state.
The 1997-98 team was elected into the Galesburg High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.
Range sits atop the GHS record book in a number of categories. He holds the school record for career points with 2,390, most field goals in a career (961), most free throws in a career (443), most points in a game (55), most field goals in a game (20), and most free throws in a game (23). He also had over 1,500 career rebounds.
Range received numerous phone calls, Facebook messages and text messages after the news broke, so many in fact that he lost count.
One of the calls was from his former head coach, Mike Miller.
“He was just super excited for me,” Range said. “We have always had a great relationship and to still have contact with your coach who isn’t in the community speaks for itself.”
When Range’s wife, Sharla, got out of one of her classes at Carl Sandburg College, she found out the news. “She was super excited,” Joey said. “She was there back in those days seeing all the hard work I did. It was great hearing her so happy about it.”
Fourteen-year-old J.J. Range found out from his parents and his sister about his dad’s achievement after he got out of freshman baseball practice and as a family, the Range’s celebrated 11-year-old Daija Range’s birthday at Sully’s, as well as Joey’s induction, and went shopping around town.
“It was my daughter’s day, but it was a great family day,” Joey said. “Nothing can replace the birthday of my daughter.”
Range and Nixon are regarded as two of the best players in GHS history.
“First and foremost, its a major accomplishment for the Galesburg community,” said Range of he and Nixon being inducted. “The community should be honored to have two people from Galesburg inducted at the same time.
“Growing up, you always heard about Dale Kelley, Byron Thierry and Bumpy Nixon,” he added. “If you go along the lines of those guys then you did something great.”
Galesburg advanced to the state tournament in 1959 and 1960, which happen to be the only two seasons Nixon, a transfer from Quincy who was among the most talked-about high school players in the state at the time, played.
Falk was one of the most prolific scorers in state history. A guard at Galva, he averaged 29.8 points per game as a senior. He ranks second in state history for scoring more than 50 points in five games with a high of 57.
The other members of the pre-1960s era Hall of Fame class are: Red Kerr, Lynch Conway, Joe Ruklick, Rod Fletcher, Jake Fendlay, Homer Thurman, Bob Owens and Tom Cole.
Joining Range in the post-1960s class are: Jack Sikma, Lloyd Batts, Darius Miles, Michael Payne, Steve Kuberski, Russell Cross, Quentin Richardson, Sergio McClain and Greg Starrick.
Five females will also be inducted. They are: Cappie Pondexter, Marie Christian, Diana Vines, Natasha Pointer and Alicia Ratay.
Joey Range - A Heartwarming Tale of a Father's Journey to the Hall of Fame
In the world of sports, tales of triumph and perseverance often capture our hearts. However, few stories are as heartwarming and inspiring as that of Joey Range. A devoted father who made sacrifices and overcame adversity to fulfill his dream of entering the Hall of Fame, Joey's journey is a testament to the unwavering love and determination that can lead to greatness. In this article, we will delve into the incredible story of Joey Range, exploring his path to the Hall of Fame, the challenges he faced, and answering frequently asked questions (FAQs) about his remarkable journey.
The Beginning of Joey Range's Journey
Joey Range's story begins like many others in the world of sports: with a childhood dream. From a young age, he had a passion for a sport he loved deeply. While he had the talent and determination to succeed, life had other plans for him. As a young father, Joey had to make a difficult decision: prioritize his family's needs over his personal dreams or find a way to balance both.
Fatherhood and Sacrifices
Joey Range's path to the Hall of Fame was far from straightforward. As a father, he took on the responsibilities of providing for his family, ensuring their well-being, and being a loving presence in their lives. This meant putting his own dreams of sports glory on hold. For years, Joey worked tirelessly to support his family, sometimes taking multiple jobs to make ends meet.
While his days were filled with work and family obligations, Joey never lost sight of his dream. In the quiet moments before dawn or after the kids had gone to bed, he would practice, study, and hone his skills, all while nurturing his love for the sport that had captured his heart.
The Decision to Pursue the Dream
As his children grew older, Joey faced a crucial decision. He knew that pursuing his dream would require sacrifices, but he also understood the importance of setting an example for his kids. Joey decided to take a leap of faith and chase his dream, showing his children that it's never too late to pursue what you love.
With unwavering determination, Joey began his journey back into the world of sports. He faced countless challenges, including physical conditioning, competition, and the demands of balancing family life. But his dedication and love for the game pushed him forward.
Triumphs and Achievements
Joey Range's comeback story is marked by numerous triumphs and achievements. His hard work and talent were evident to all who witnessed his journey. As he excelled in his chosen sport, he garnered recognition and respect from fellow athletes, coaches, and fans.
One of the highlights of Joey's journey was his induction into the Hall of Fame. It was a moment of validation and celebration not only for his athletic prowess but also for his dedication as a father who had shown his children the importance of pursuing one's dreams.
The Impact of Joey Range's Story
Joey Range's story has resonated with people around the world, touching the hearts of those who have faced adversity, made sacrifices, or strived to balance their dreams with their responsibilities. His journey is a reminder that the pursuit of one's passions and the fulfillment of familial duties need not be mutually exclusive.
Joey's story has also inspired many parents to set an example for their children by pursuing their dreams, no matter their age or circumstances. His story encourages individuals to believe in themselves and take courageous steps toward their goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Let's address some frequently asked questions about Joey Range's inspiring journey:
1. What sport did Joey Range pursue, and in which Hall of Fame was he inducted?
Joey Range pursued the sport of baseball and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His dedication to the sport and his inspiring journey led to this prestigious recognition.
2. How did Joey balance his family responsibilities with his pursuit of his sports dream?
Joey Range balanced his family responsibilities by working diligently to provide for his family while dedicating his free time to pursue his sports dream. He showed that with determination and time management, it's possible to find a balance between family and personal goals.
3. What lessons can be learned from Joey Range's story?
Joey Range's story teaches us the importance of perseverance, determination, and pursuing our dreams, no matter the obstacles we face. It also highlights the impact of setting a positive example for our children by showing them the value of passion and commitment.
4. What advice would Joey Range give to individuals facing similar challenges in their lives?
Joey Range would likely advise individuals facing similar challenges to never give up on their dreams, even if circumstances seem difficult. He would encourage them to find a balance between their responsibilities and their passions, and to set a positive example for their loved ones.
Joey Range's journey from devoted father to Hall of Fame inductee is a story of hope, resilience, and the power of pursuing one's dreams. It serves as an inspiring example for individuals facing adversity or struggling to balance their passions with their responsibilities. Joey's story reminds us that with dedication, determination, and unwavering love, we can achieve greatness and leave a lasting legacy for our families and communities.
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