Erin Potts Invitational 2011 ~ Never Give Up!

Carly made some
really great posters for our

Erin Potts Invitational
2011
Volleyball Tournament

This one in particular
is reflective of
one of Erin's
favorite quotes
shown in my blog sidebar.

Sound advice for all...


We had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people for the first time this weekend, and on behalf of my family I again want to express deep gratitude for your participation in the tournament. In case you weren't in the gym when I spoke, I want you to know that Erin was a 2005 graduate of St Cletus School, and the youngest of Dave's and my four children. She began playing volleyball competitively at the age of nine and it immediately became her passion. She played for St. Cletus, Lions/1st Alliance Volleyball Club and also LTHS.

Erin was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone cancer, at the age of fifteen in December of 2006. Her playing career ended due to the hip/femur replacement surgery necessary to remove the primary tumor from her right leg. She then became a coach because it afforded her the opportunity to remain involved in the sport she loved so much.

Erin passed away on December 18, 2009 at the age of eighteen.

In February of 2010, the St Cletus Community hosted the first Invitational Tournament in Erin's memory, a fitting tribute recognizing her passion for the sport. Due to its overwhelming success we decided to make it an annual event. Our intention is to raise funds that will directly support pediatric cancer patients and families who are currently living the life we became quite acquainted with over the course of our three year involvement.

All proceeds from this year's event will be given to

The Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation in Chicago.

As of today, our total is nearly $6500, with donations still coming in.

~ SINCERE THANKS TO ALL ~

Your generosity will assist many families.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This year's Tournament began with

the Alumni Games on Friday night.

One thoughtful graduate baked some very special sunflower cupcakes.

Thank goodness - we all needed a little boost after we played!

Sarah's group came out in force

with a couple of them even sporting their jerseys from back in the day.

This group of high school seniors showed real TEAM spirit

and wore their St Cletus gym uniforms.

Love the socks girls!

These recent grads kindly asked me to play on their team.

I'll be better next year! I promise!

Those of us who played on Friday night all had a blast.

Thanks so much to all who participated. 

And thanks to those parents who stopped in the gym

to say hi and cheer for those of us who

took the court in the spirit of the Good Old Days!

It was SO great to see everyone again.

(clicking on all pictures will enlarge them)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Junior High portion of the tournament 
began early Saturday morning.

Check out the impressive front of the concession stand.
You girls rock!

We're grateful to ALL St Cletus families who donated beverages and food (including Via Bella and Little Joe's), and thanks to ALL who donated their time to work the concession stand, sell T-shirts (Spirit Products, Inc supplied them at cost), and take admission money while greeting players and spectators at the door.  Thanks also to the local high schools, volleyball clubs and Flying High Gymnastics Club for their donations of raffle prizes.

The 8th graders played first, with eight teams competing in double-elimination matches. I was once again struck by the spirit and athleticism of each and every player who stepped onto the court and the enthusiastic cheers that erupted from proud parents in the stands, all filling the gym with the competitive energy that fueled Erin's passion for this sport. She loved a good head-to-head, battle-for-the-last-point game, and we certainly saw that over and over again all weekend.

THE FIRST PLACE WINNER IN THE 8TH GRADE DIVISION WAS

VISITATION SCHOOL FROM ELMHURST

SECOND PLACE WINNER

ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL FROM LA GRANGE

~ OTHER FINE ATHLETES COMPETING ~

ST JANE DE CHANTEL FROM CHICAGO

OUR OWN ST CLETUS SCHOOL

ST JOHN OF THE CROSS FROM WESTERN SPRINGS

McCLURE JUNIOR HIGH FROM WESTERN SPRINGS

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION FROM ELMHURST

GEORGE WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL FROM LYONS

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Each participant in the tournament was awarded a medal

donated courtesy of Palos Sports

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sunday's competition involved five 7th grade teams

who also played double-elimination matches.

THE FIRST PLACE WINNER WAS

ST CLETUS SCHOOL

SECOND PLACE WINNER

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION FROM ELMHURST

OTHER TALENTED 7th GRADE PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED

VISITATION SCHOOL

GEORGE WASHINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL

McCLURE JUNIOR HIGH

~ CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL ATHLETES ~

Everyone's favorite ref
donated her talented services
both Saturday and Sunday.

We love you, Joanie!



We're grateful to all scorekeepers for the many hours spent at the table on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, and to St Cletus Athletic Director Lukasz Majewski for his time and help. I remember those long days!!

Finally, a very special thank you to Katie, Sue and Tina -

gracious and humble tournament directors extraordinaire!

These three ladies initiated and ran last year's Invitational. It was held just seven weeks after Erin had died, and now looking back I know I just sat in numbed attendance, a mere spectator of the generosity that flowed from the hands of the surrounding community. This year it felt good to be involved, in my old stomping ground ~ my former home away from home.

Katie, Sue and Tina were just as wonderful this year, as they did the organizing and pre-weekend legwork so that everything was in place and ready to go, and then they rolled up their sleeves and worked all weekend to ensure everything ran smoothly. You're the best.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE SHUTTERFLY PAGE

Katie created to share more pictures from the weekend.

Password is "snowflake".
~ ~ ~

Carly, I hope with all my heart that one day we will be able to SPIKE OUT CANCER for good.  I would give anything to be the one pounding THAT ball!


Until then, we champion that goal by encouraging donations toward promising research and by assisting current patients and their families who face head on into a life that is not one of their choosing.

~ ~ ~

With deep gratitude for your support of the

cause that's closest to our hearts.

~ The Potts Family ~

Mary and Dave

Chris, Sarah & Matt

in memory of our beloved Erin