Scott Wehnes

Individuals like Scott Wehnes are hard to come by nowadays.  Hard-working, generous, selfless, considerate, yet tough, strong, and determined:  Wehnes ticked all of those boxes.

As a pre-teen,  Wehnes mowed lawns, and by the ripe old age of 13, he saved enough to purchase his first car, a 1966 black Mustang.  Scott did not stop.  In fact, he continued mowing lawns throughout high school, working at Amoco and moonlighting at his dad's business, Wehnes Trucking.   These endeavors helped him purchase two more vehicles.

Scott's work ethic was also seen on the football field and in the weight room.  Coach John Venturi called Wehnes "one of the best inside linebackers we've ever had."  He also played offensive line, and during his three-year varsity career, rarely left the field.  He ended his career as a three-time all-conference selection, two-time Journal Star all-area-selection, and an all-state linebacker as a senior.

Upon graduation,  Wehnes attended Illinois Valley Community College and  Rock Valley Junior College, earning a degree in automotive technology.  He then transferred to Charleston Southern University to earn his Bachelor's Degree.  He played football at all three stops.

On November 2, 1998, Wehnes suddenly collapsed on the field at football practice in Charleston.  He did not regain consciousness.  Scott died the next morning from a massive stroke caused by an aneurysm that was unrelated to football.  His final service to his fellow man was that of an organ donor.  The family later received a letter from the Red Cross saying Wehnes' donation affected more than 400 lives.  

News of Scott's death shook Washington.  Venturi later stated that: "Wehnes was admired, respected, and idolized here. To be idolized by the young kids is one thing, but to be idolized by your peers and the adults in our family here in Washington is amazing."

Wehnes' visitation was held at Washington High School on November 6 with hundreds of people filing through the gym to pay their respects.

An excerpt from the Journal Star describes, in part, the letters received by the Wehnes family thus providing further insight into the heart of Scott Wehnes. 

Several had been helped when Wehnes fixed their cars at the Amoco station in Washington.  Others were protected by Wehnes from bullies at school.  Bench-warmers remembered the way he made every player feel like a key member of the team.  Some simply remembered silly nicknames he had given them.

For years following Scott's death,  friends and family contributed to the Journal Star Christmas Fund in his name, and in at least the first three years, those donations totaled over $1,000 per year.

Aptly,  Scott Wehnes' football #51 was retired at WCHS. He was elected into the WCHS Hall of Fame, and his 1966 black Mustang remained unforgotten and was highlighted on the cover of the 2022 WCHS Football Press Guide.