Erin Potts Invitational

On the weekend of February 6/7, St. Cletus School hosted the First Annual Erin Potts Invitational Volleyball Tournament.

Over $10,000! was raised and donated to the Sarcoma Alliance in Erin's name.

Approximately 175 junior high athletes, including the St. Cletus 7th and 8th grade teams, and girls from four other Suburban Parochial League schools competed in the two-day tournament.


There was a split-the-pot, a concession stand stocked with donated food, beverages & home baked goodies, and sportswear contributed for auction from local high schools.
A serve-a-thon had been held prior to the event.



Erin's spirit and light shone brightly as athletes, spectators and volunteers sported the custom-made lime green T-shirts.
Her favorite color!



Those of you who are members of the school community most likely received our letter of gratitude copied below. If you were unable to attend the event, or are from out of town, please look at the photographs above and click on the link HERE to read this fine article published in The Catholic New World.

Close your eyes and try to envision the experience. It was truly magnificent!

Erin loved volleyball. She was hooked when she first toddled onto the gym floor and picked up a ball, began playing competitively at the age of nine, and never looked back. She played with athleticism, passion, purpose and utter joy each time she set foot on the court, loving the feeling of being part of a TEAM while staring down her opponent on the opposite side of the net.

Little did we know those qualities would fuel her as she stared down her biggest competitor - cancer. And stare down that rival she did, never letting it get the upper hand in her mind or in her heart. Erin moved on, the victor.

We were honored and humbled this past weekend as we witnessed the generosity of volunteers, donors, spectators, coaches and athletes. There were so many individuals involved, making it incredibly challenging to thank each of you, the TEAM now behind Erin supporting her memory. I was reminded of the African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child". This village, the able hands of this community working side by side to host and partake in this event, accomplished a multitude. Funds were raised through the generosity of donors that will support the research to better understand and fight sarcomas. Young athletes played volleyball with enthusiasm, in recognition of a girl most had never even met. And all who entered bestowed the gift of time upon our family; time typically absorbed by hectic schedules, time chosen instead to be spent, present in the St. Cletus gym celebrating Erin’s love for volleyball.

Thank you for this most fitting tribute.


The Potts Family
Mary, Dave, Chris, Sarah and Matt

There's been some talk about alumni games as part of the tournament next year. Yikes! I've started training already!

A very special thank you to Sue, Tina, Katie and Angela for imagining this event and then bringing it to life.


Blessings are abundant in our little community.