Features

By Steve Raymond

The News Report

(Editor’s Note: This is a three-part story on coach’s wives – Staci Farmer, Jessica Reeder and Nicole Rincker. They are the wives of boys basketball coaches – Effingham’s Obie Farmer, T-Town’s Chet Reeder and St. Anthony’s Cody Rincker. Today’s article is on Jessica Reeder. Tomorrow's article will be on Nicole Rincker.)

One is superstitious.

One is accident prone.

And the other is a jokester.

But Obie Farmer, Chet Reeder and Cody Rincker all have a couple things in common.

Each one is a successful high school basketball coach.

And all three have special ladies in their lives – wives that challenge and push them; yell with them and at them; and always support and love them.

They say that “behind every successful man is a strong woman.” That is especially true for coach’s wives.

These ladies also have to endure the ups and downs of a long season; taking on the role of a single mom for about five months; and learning when to be the cheerleader and when to serve as a psychologist.

Staci Farmer, Jessica Reeder and Nicole Rincker play their roles perfectly. Much of what they do is behind the scenes, but certainly no less important.

They are each extremely proud of their husbands, but not solely for what their teams accomplish on the basketball court. These gals see the kind of men, fathers and role models their spouses have become.

These three women have a perspective nobody else has. They see a side of their husbands the parents, fans and even their players don’t get to see. They share both the thrills and disappointments that go hand-in-hand with being a coach and dealing with all the pressures associated with that position.

The basketball season is now over for Effingham, Teutopolis and St. Anthony.

Staci, Jessica and Nicole were kind enough to allow this reporter the opportunity to interview them. They were willing to share their thoughts about being a coach’s wife and providing an insight as to what all their husbands do besides go to practice and roam the sidelines about 30 nights each season.

Here is a closer look.

By Steve Raymond

The News Report

(Editor’s Note: This is a three-part story on coach’s wives – Staci Farmer, Jessica Reeder and Nicole Rincker. They are the wives of boys basketball coaches – Effingham’s Obie Farmer, T-Town’s Chet Reeder and St. Anthony’s Cody Rincker. Today’s article is on Staci Farmer. Tomorrow's article will be on Jessica Reeder.)

One is superstitious.

One is accident prone.

And the other is a jokester.

But Obie Farmer, Chet Reeder and Cody Rincker all have a couple things in common.

Each one is a successful high school basketball coach.

And all three have special ladies in their lives – wives that challenge and push them; yell with them and at them; and always support and love them.

They say that “behind every successful man is a strong woman.” That is especially true for coach’s wives.

Staci Farmer, Jessica Reeder and Nicole Rincker play their roles perfectly. Much of what they do is behind the scenes, but certainly no less important.

The basketball season is now over for Effingham, Teutopolis and St. Anthony.

Here is a closer look.

By Steve Raymond

The News Report

When asked about the most rewarding time in his coaching career, Rod Wiethop quickly mentioned a letter he received several years ago.

“A kid sent it to me,” Wiethop recalled. “It said ‘Had it not been for you and Larry Micenheimer, I would have killed myself.’ That’s when you know you can have an impact on a kid’s life. God gave us the chance to be there for that kid. It’s the most rewarding moment I’ve ever had as a coach. It’s something neither of us will ever forget.”

When talking to Wiethop about his lengthy coaching career, he doesn’t talk about the wins and losses or the championships he’s been a part of. Instead, it’s about the relationships he developed through the years and the important role teachers and coaches play in the lives of so many young people.

“I always wanted to be a coach,” he admitted. “But it doesn’t take long to realize that while coaching is a great opportunity, it’s also an awesome responsibility. We have to look out for these kids. We can have an impact on them. We can help them become successful in life.”

But Wiethop does have an impressive coaching resume. He’s accumulated more than 400 wins in both baseball and basketball at the junior high level. And you can add another 200+ meet victories in track over his 30-year career.

And as a result, Wiethop will be inducted into this year’s class of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. That ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, at the Redbird Arena on the campus of Illinois State University in Bloomington.

A pair of former Major League baseball players and Effingham High School alumni – Glenn Brummer and Brian Shouse – were honored at the EHS basketball game Friday night.

Brummer, a 1972 graduate of EHS, played college baseball at Lake Land College. He was signed as a free agent by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974. He made his Major League debut with the Redbirds in 1981 and then spent the next four seasons with the ball club.

Brummer was a member of the 1982 World Series championship team and was part of what is arguably the most famous stolen base in St. Louis Cardinals history. With the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the 12th inning on August 22, 1982, Brummer stole home to give the Redbirds a 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants.

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

Chad Green now competes at the highest level in Major League baseball.

And he said he learned how to do that while at Effingham High School.

“Whether it was playing basketball or baseball, I learned how to compete every day while playing here,” the 2010 EHS grad said. “Getting out there and playing, plus learning about the game, learning how to compete and just having fun. I was able to do all of that right here in Effingham.”

Green, now a valuable part of the New York Yankees bullpen, was back in town and honored Thursday night during halftime of the Effingham Hearts basketball game. An autographed jersey of his hangs in the gymnasium corridor.

“It is always great coming back to visit friends and family,” Chad said. “I think it’s exciting to have three guys from Effingham make it to the Big Leagues (also referring to Nick Gardewine and Danny Winkler). I’m proud to be a part of that.”