Features

By Steve Raymond

The News Report

Is there anything COVID-19 is not affecting?

And as the many differing “expert” opinions continue to be spewed, knowing exactly how concerned we should be or how we should move forward continues to be difficult to ascertain.

Among the lengthy list of things being affected is certainly sports – at every level.

The pro leagues are moving forward, but protective “bubbles” are required for some, massive medical attention is provided and there is no fan participation. But even with all the precautions in place, there have been issues. Just look at Major League Baseball’s Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals. Because the virus spread through both dugouts, those teams were forced to cancel numerous games.

And there’s been no consistency whatsoever when it comes to the NCAA, especially college football. Some conferences, like the Big 10 and PAC-12, have already cancelled their fall season with hopes of playing in the spring. Others – SEC, ACC and Big 12 – are moving forward with a fall campaign.

Unlike the pros and college programs, high schools don’t have the finances to provide “bubbles” and that additional medical attention. But despite the challenges, high school sports are moving ahead. There will now be four sports seasons this next year, but coaches and athletes are planning and hopeful of competing in their favorite sports.

For now.

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

Major League baseball season should be underway.

But due to COVID-19, the stadiums sit empty.

There has been talk about the season possibly getting underway in May or June and playing without fans in attendance, but no decisions have been finalized.

Even though there has been no action on the diamond, that doesn’t mean players aren’t working out and preparing for the season.

Or in the case of Nick Gardewine, continuing a rehabilitation process.

Nick is the 26-year old son of Amy Donaldson and Ted Gardewine. He is a 2012 graduate of Effingham High School and was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the seventh round of the 2013 MLB draft.

He has progressed through the Rangers system, from Rookie League to trips to “The Show” in both 2017 and 2018.

Unfortunately, early last season, Nick tore his latissimus dorsi (lat) muscle and missed most of the year, appearing in just four games. He tried to come back once, but re-injured the lat and was shut down for the remainder of the season.

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

I am a sports nut.

I have been for a long, long time.

My parents knew that just a few years after my birth.

My wife knew it after our first date.

Many of my best friends are fellow sports nuts.

And we’re all sharing one thing in common right now – sports withdrawal. No matter what TV channel we flip to, there are no live sports.

We need NCAA tournament basketball games and the opening of the baseball season. Oh, for a PGA golf tournament or a NASCAR race – and I’m not even a car race guy. I’d even take a tennis tournament or a pro bowling event or a horse race or a soccer match or an XFL game.

Heck, I’d even pop a batch of popcorn, pour a Diet Pepsi and turn on a curling match. What could be more exciting than watching what is basically shuffleboard on ice, waiting for something that looks like a Rumba as it slowly makes its way toward a target?

That’s the affect this is all having on me. I’m losing control.

Yes, I’m desperate for a sports fix.

But there are no sports on the horizon.

How can I go on?

I’ve been trying to keep up with the daily sports shows, but even the most avid sports fans have to be screaming – “Please, not another Tom Brady story!!!”

Last week, I went to the Big 10 Network and clicked on an Illini Classic. It was the 2005 regional championship game between the Fighting Illini and Arizona. Illinois fans will never forget the last four minutes of that game when the Illini rallied from a 15-point deficit to post a 90-89 overtime victory that earned a berth in the Final Four.

Watching that game not only sparked a great memory, it also gave me an idea.

Obviously, there aren’t any sports to report on right now, but why not write a sports column and share some of my favorite memories? And why not put it on both the ET Sports Report website (www.etsportsreport.com) and our Facebook page? And ask our followers and readers to share their favorite sports memories as well?

I’m hoping you will respond. Either reply on Facebook or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. That sounds like fun, doesn’t it? I know it’s a stretch, but maybe that can serve as an actual sports event?

Where do I begin?

By Steve Raymond

ET Sports Report

Carsyn Fearday is used to winning and receiving post-season accolades.

She helped her Effingham Junior High School basketball team to 46 wins in two seasons, including a state championship her eighth grade year.

Then Carsyn, along with a talented group of Effingham Lady Hearts, racked up 104 victories in four years of high school, including a school-record 31 wins her junior season.

She was named to various all-tournament teams, plus selected All-Apollo Conference and received mention as an all-state performer throughout her high school career.

But playing winning basketball and being recognized for her talent didn’t stop when she graduated from EHS.

Carsyn took her skills and passion for the game to Lake Land College and that success followed her.

The Lakers recently completed their best-ever season, finishing with a 30-3 mark. That included a Region 24 championship and a No. 4 seed in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III National Tournament.

And when the post-season honors were announced, Carsyn was an NJCAA First Team All-American.

By Steve Raymond

The News Report

(Editor’s Note: This is the third of 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 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.