Thank You Alums!

Dear Central Alum/Baseball supporter,                                                                                                                                                                                               June 25, 2025

                Greetings! I hope all is well with you and your family. Your kind donations in the past have been crucial in helping us continue our efforts to improve the program. The 2025 baseball Maroons had another successful season compiling a 26-13-1 record. The Varsity hosted and won its 30th Regional Championship by blanking Urbana and Lincoln. It's our 8th regional plaque in the last eleven seasons. Central went on to win the Lincoln Sectional Championship game in dramatic fashion. After defeating Mt. Zion 5-2 in the semifinal, Luke McClure hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning to propel the Maroons to a 1-0 victory over rival Mahomet. It’s our 3rd sectional plaque in the past eight seasons. Although the Maroons were blanked by Triad in the Super Section tilt, it finished the season strong winning 15 of its last 17 games. Thanks again for your financial support. We couldn't have accomplished great things on the diamond without you! Your generosity is an essential part of our program's success. We appreciate your continued support of Champaign Central baseball.

         Because of the financial help of our alumni and supporters, new baseball sweats were purchased for all the players in the program. Your donations were also used to fund a Spring Break trip for the Varsity and JV teams to Edwardsville, IL.  Monies were used to rent an indoor facility for winter workouts as well as purchasing needed equipment to help our players prepare for the season. We are proud of 2025 seniors Carter Bleakney (SWIC), Patrick Kennedy (Lake Land JC) and Luke McClure (Wright State) who will continue their careers playing college baseball in the fall. We wish them all the best as they pursue their love for the game at the next level!

         The 2026 season is set to begin March 2nd.  Our Unit 4 budget for the program this season is only $1,000. This alone will not cover the cost of baseballs needed for each of our three teams during the season. With your continued support, we would like to purchase a new set of uniforms, practice sweats, t-shirt and short for every player in the program.  Monies will fund the purchase of equipment and training aids for our players. Revenue was also be used to send our coaching staff to the IHSBCA Clinic in Chicago in January. We would also like to add lighting to our bullpen areas on our game field.  These are a few of the projects we would like to complete in the near future.

         Our student-athletes will be working hard to raise money for the program through our annual leaf-raking venture in the fall, selling raffle tickets during the winter months in advance of our Triple Play Auction fundraiser just prior to the start of the season. We streamed the auction event live on our Facebook page and we thank those who bid on auction items. Please follow us on our social media platforms for updates. Congrats to the 8th annual Central Baseball Euchre Tournament winners Sarah and Jack Tufte! This fun event will once again be hosted by The City Center in January, 2026. 

         Shout out to Jake Beesley ('17) on his recent induction to the C-Club Hall of Fame! It was fun to catch up with Jake and his teammates as they were honored by the C-Club at Central's Commons Area on October 5th. Former Maroon great Phil Swartz spoke at our First-Pitch Banquet on March 9. The life of former Maroon Drew Adams ('20) was again celebrated with a moment of silence prior to our game against Centennial on April 28. Banner sponsors were recognized prior to our May 9 home game against Big 12 rival Bloomington, a dramatic walk off win in 9 innings! In May, we finished 3rd place in the 34th annual Charlie Due Wood Bat Tournament, which was again expanded to an 8-team format. We look forward to the 35th Due tourney in May of 2026 at Spalding Park where we plan to recognize any alum who attends our games.

         With your continued financial support, we can better provide our players with the things they need to make their baseball experience here at CHS a rewarding one. If you are able, please think of us again this year. Whether you contact us to rake your yard, buy a raffle ticket, bid on auction items, purchase a fence banner, or simply donate to the program, we greatly appreciate your support of Champaign Central Baseball! Take care and GO MAROONS! 

Sincerely,

John R. Staab - Social Studies Dept. Chair and Head Baseball Coach (217.840.6077)