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Hit a home run at one of these 15 minor league, independent baseball teams around Illinois

The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes gear up for their season opener May 27 against the Normal CornBelters, marking the centennial of historic Robin Roberts Stadium.The team, owned by Golden Rule Entertainment’s Capital City Baseball LLC, is part of the Prospect League, a collegiate summer league. There are more than a dozen minor league-affiliated and independent league baseball […]

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Hit a home run at one of these 15 minor league, independent baseball teams around Illinois


The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes gear up for their season opener May 27 against the Normal CornBelters, marking the centennial of historic Robin Roberts Stadium.The team, owned by Golden Rule Entertainment’s Capital City Baseball LLC, is part of the Prospect League, a collegiate summer league.

There are more than a dozen minor league-affiliated and independent league baseball teams around the state.

Here’s where to catch a ballgame this summer.

The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes' home, Robin Roberts Stadium, marks its centennial in 2025. It is the former site of Reservoir Park.

Chicago Dogs (Rosemont)

League: American Association of Independent Professional Baseball

Stadium: Impact Field, 9800 Balmoral Ave., Rosemont (seats 6,300)

Of note: According to its website, the Dogs are named after “Chicago’s favorite and oldest culinary tradition.”…Infielder Zion Pettigrew played at the University of Illinois Springfield, signing with the Washington Nationals as a free agent.

Website: thechicagodogs.com

Kane County Cougars (Geneva)

League: American Association of Independent Professional Baseball

Stadium: Northwestern Medicine Field, 34W002 Cherry Lane, Geneva (seats 10,923)

Of note: The franchise’s immediate descendant is the Wausau Timbers, but the team played for more than 75 seasons as the Decatur Commodores, or Commies…On Aug. 2, the Cougars hold a “No Soup for You” promotion with actor Larry Thomas, “the Soup Nazi” from “Seinfeld.”

Website: kccougars.com

The Decatur Commodores, known as the Commies, was a forerunner of the Kane County Cougars.

Gateway Grizzlies (Sauget)

League: Frontier League

Stadium: Grizzlies Ballpark, 2301 Grizzlie Bear Blvd., Sauget (seats 6,000)

Of note: During an Aug. 21, 2016, game, Grizzlies outfielder Brandon Thomas launched a grand slam home run, which smashed the windshield of his own truck…The Grizzlies sell a burger with a Krispy Kreme doughnut substituting as a bun, topped by melted cheese and bacon and checking in at 1,000 calories.

Website: gatewaygrizzlies.com

Jun 11, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Bill Murray sings "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh inning stretch of a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Joliet Slammers

League: Frontier League

Stadium: Slammers Stadium, 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive, Joliet (seats 6,016)

Of note: The Slammers’ ownership includes Mike Veeck, architect of “Disco Demolition” at Comiskey Park; comedian Bill Murray and Veeck’s son, William “Night Train” Veeck…According to the Joliet News, duck and bacon-filled wantons are among new concession stand offerings.

Website: jolietslammers.com

Schaumburg Boomers

League: Frontier League

Stadium: Wintrust Field, 1999 Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg (seats 8,107)

Of note: The Boomers name honors the Greater Prairie Chicken, which was once prevalent around Schaumburg, but is now on the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board. “Boomer” refers to the loud sound the bird makes as it “dances” to assert its dominance over other male birds during mating season…Wintrust Field has been named Stadium of the Year for the past three seasons.

Website: boomersbaseball.com

Windy City Thunderbolts (Crestwood)

League: Frontier League

Stadium: Ozinga Field, 14011 S. Kenton Ave., Crestwood (seats 4,200)

Of note: Former Chicago White Sox closer and 2005 World Series champion Bobby Jenks is the ‘Bolts field manager…The ‘Bolts were founded as the Cook County Cheetahs.

Website: wcthunderbolts.com

Jaison Andujar finishes his swing against the Jackson Rockabillys at Robin Roberts Stadium on July 20, 2024.

Peoria Chiefs

League: Midwest League

Stadium: Dozer Park, 730 SW Jefferson Ave., Peoria (seats 8,500)

Of note: St. Louis Cardinals great Albert Pujols made his pro debut with the Peoria Chiefs on Apr. 6, 2000…In 2005, the team re-branded its indigenous imagery associated with the Chiefs name, going to a logo of a dalmatian as a fire chief.

Website: milb.com/peoria

Springfield Lucky Horseshoes

League: Prospect League

Stadium: Robin Roberts Stadium at Lanphier Park, 1415 N. Grand Ave. E., (seats 6,000+)

Of Note: The ‘Shoes “Centennial Game,” making the park’s 100th anniversary, will be its opener, May 27 against Normal. Tickets are just $1…The ‘Shoes have gotten into the name, image, likeness (NIL) game, announcing a partnership last fall with NOCAP, which specializes in athlete branding…A Sam Antonacci Bobblehead Night (July 20) will honor the first ‘Shoes’ player to be drafted in the MLB draft.

Website: shoesbaseball.com

Danville Dans

League: Prospect League

Stadium: Danville Stadium, 610 Highland Blvd., Danville (seats 4,000)

Of note: “The Babe” (John Goodman) was filmed at the stadium in 1991… Gil Hodges, Duke Snider, Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese were among the Brooklyn Dodgers to play against its minor league affiliate in Danville in 1947.

Website: danvilledans.org

Peoria Chiefs manager Roberto Espinoza, left, talks with baserunner Miguel Villarroel during a minor league baseball game against Quad City on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Dozer Park.

Normal CornBelters

League: Prospect League

Stadium: The Corn Crib, 1000 W. Raab Road, Normal (seats 7,000)

Of note: The CornBelters share the Corn Crib with a team in the Kernal Collegiate League called the Normal GroundSloths…Former Major Leaguer Hal Lanier, the CornBelters’ manager for their inaugural season in 2010, piloted the Springfield Redbirds to the 1980 championship in the American Association.

Website: cornbeltersbaseball.com

Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp (Peru)

League: Prospect League

Stadium: Schweickert Stadium at Veterans Memorial Park, 2600 Plank Road, Peru (seats 2,200)

Of note: A pistol shrimp uses its snapping claw to emit a powerful sonic blast to stun or kill its prey, including small fish, crabs and other invertebrates. The team’s mascot is Southclaw Sam.

Website: pistolshrimpbaseball.com

Peoria Chiefs starting pitcher Gerardo Salas throws against Quad City in the home opener Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Dozer Park.

Quincy Doggy Paddlers

League: Prospect League

Stadium: QU Stadium, 1800 Sycamore Street, Quincy (seats 2,000)

Of note: Ownership adopted the team name the Doggy Paddlers after receiving over 1,000 name submissions. Its mascot is Barkley the Paddler…QU Stadium is known as “the Rockpile.”

Website: paddlersbaseball.com

Alton River Dragons

League: Prospect League

Stadium: Lloyd Hopkins Field (Gordon Moore Park), 95 Arnold Palmer Rd., Cottage Hills (seats 1,800)

Of note: The team is having a Tall People Celebration at the park on June 12 in honor of Alton native son Robert Wadlow, who stood 8-foot-11-inches…The River Dragon team name comes from the Piasa bird, a mythical monster depicted in a painting on a cliff overlooking the Mississippi River north of Alton.

Website: altonbaseball.com

Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp Brandon Mahler (19) reacts after getting on base during the Prospect League baseball game against the Lafayette Aviators, Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Loeb Stadium in Lafayette, Ind.

Thrillville Thrillbillies (Marion)

League: Prospect League

Stadium: Marion Stadium, 1000 Miners Drive, Marion (seats 7,000)

Of note: The team announced a $20 game ticket that includes unlimited access to ballpark food…The stadium has Sportexe Turf instead of regular grass and dirt.

Website: thrillbillies.com

Rockford Rivets (Loves Park)

League: Northwoods League

Stadium: Rivets Stadium, 4503 Interstate Blvd., Loves Park (seats 3,279)

Of note: The “Rivets” nickname is a nod to Rockford’s once-thriving production of rivets, screws and other fasteners, made by companies like National Lock. Many companies nationwide that employed women became popularized as “Rosie the Riveters” during World War II…The Northwoods League is a summer collegiate league, like the Prospect League.

Website: northwoodsleague.com/rockford-rivets

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

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Mayfield’s Sharnise Worthams reigns at adidas, several locals compete at New Balance

The push in the calendar toward July 4 typically brings with it a glut of outdoor national track and field meets, and 2025 is no exception. Several News-Herald coverage area student-athletes who just completed their high school outdoor campaigns took part in outdoor national competition recently. There are three: An adidas meet in Greensboro, N.C., […]

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The push in the calendar toward July 4 typically brings with it a glut of outdoor national track and field meets, and 2025 is no exception.

Several News-Herald coverage area student-athletes who just completed their high school outdoor campaigns took part in outdoor national competition recently.

There are three: An adidas meet in Greensboro, N.C., a Nike meet in Eugene, Ore. and a New Balance meet in Philadelphia.

At adidas Track Nationals, Mayfield senior-to-be Sharnise Worthams paced the coverage area charge.

2025 News-Herald girls track and field all-stars

Coming off an outdoor campaign for the Wildcats during which she was a Division I 100- and 300-meter hurdles state qualifier and first-team News-Herald girls track and field all-star, Worthams took home gold in 400 hurdles and was 100 hurdles runner-up in adidas’ National Elite division.

Mayfield girls track and field: Sharnise Worthams develops into area hurdles standard bearer

Worthams won 400 hurdles with a meet-record time of 62.84 seconds, .46 ahead of runner-up Shari Jackson. She was second in 100 hurdles in 14.82, behind Kherington Johnson (14.68).

Harvey’s Ethen Eudell was 19th in the Championship 400 hurdles in 57.82.

The bulk of the local contingent competed at New Balance Nationals Outdoor at venerable Franklin Field.

Perry’s Traxton Richards was second in the Freshman pole vault, clearing 14 feet, 7 1/4 inches. The D-II state runner-up for the Pirates earlier this month was second here to a fellow Ohioan, Piqua’s Carson Holtvogt, who went 14-11.

Mentor’s Rapolas Ogorodnikas was 11th in the Freshman 200 (22.13) and 19th in the Freshman 100 (11.03).

Beachwood’s 4×200 quartet of K’Dyn Harris-Tate, Marley Readance, Meena Abdul-Basser and Kyrsten Ginn, coming off winning the D-II state high school title in the event, was 25th in the Championship division with a 1:41.90. The same group of four was 39th in the Championship 4×1 in 48.45.

Abdul-Basser, the 2025 News-Herald girls track and field athlete of the year, was sixth in the Freshman 400 (56.26) and 34th in the Freshman 200 (25.56). Ginn was 17th in the Freshman 200 (25.02) and 24th in the Freshman 100 (12.43).

Chagrin Falls’ Gabby Byrne was 25th in the Freshman mile (5:11.91), and Tommy Mooney was 60th in the Championship 1,500 (3:59.42) and 73rd in the Championship mile (4:17.98).

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin’s Owen Thomas, competing for Cleveland Youth Running Club, was 34th in the Freshman 3,000 (9:22.42) and 35th in the Freshman two-mile (10:02.08).

Euclid’s boys 4×4 of John Jordan, Mario Seats, Malik Hogan and LaJuan Hamelin, fresh off setting the all-time News-Herald coverage area record in the event at the D-I state meet as they took third, was 37th in the Championship division in 3:18.82.

Mayfield’s Antonio Steele was 46th in the Freshman 110 hurdles (16.25) and 82nd in the Freshman 400 (52.37).

University junior-to-be Thomas Lodowski, who had a breakout performance at state by taking third in the D-I 800 final, was 48th in the Championship open 8 here in 1:52.80. US’ Noah Hope competed in the Freshman shot put, placing 25th (40-11 1/2).

2025 News-Herald boys track and field all-stars

The national middle school shot put title for Mentor incoming freshman Ashlyn McKinney at New Balance is profiled in a separate story.

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Twins Minor League Report (6/28)

Twins Video CURRENT W-L RecordsMinnesota Twins: 40-43St. Paul Saints: 36-42Wichita Wind Surge: 40-34Cedar Rapids Kernels: 42-32Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 31-41FCL Twins: 25-13DSL Twins: 5-14 TRANSACTIONSCedar Rapids Kernels activated RHP Logan Whitaker from the 7-day injured list.St. Paul Saints activated C Diego Cartaya.St. Paul Saints placed 2B Ryan Fitzgerald on the 7-day injured list. Right hamstring […]

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Twins Minor League Report (6/28)

Twins Video

CURRENT W-L Records
Minnesota Twins: 40-43
St. Paul Saints: 36-42
Wichita Wind Surge: 40-34
Cedar Rapids Kernels: 42-32
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 31-41
FCL Twins: 25-13
DSL Twins: 5-14

TRANSACTIONS
Cedar Rapids Kernels activated RHP Logan Whitaker from the 7-day injured list.
St. Paul Saints activated C Diego Cartaya.
St. Paul Saints placed 2B Ryan Fitzgerald on the 7-day injured list. Right hamstring strain.

SAINTS SENTINEL
Game 1: St. Paul 3, Louisville 7
Box Score

What looked like a promising afternoon unraveled fast for the Saints in the sixth, undone by a Blake Dunn no-doubt grand slam that punctuated a five-run frame and flipped the script at CHS Field.

Marco Raya looked sharp through five, limiting the Louisville Bats to two runs and giving St. Paul a chance to settle in. But the baton passed to Anthony Misiewicz in the sixth, and the inning went sideways quick: two singles, a sac bunt, a walk, a sac fly, another walk—and then Dunn unloaded on a first-pitch fastball, sending it over the left-field wall and sucking the air out of the ballpark.

Yunior Severino did what he could to keep things close, launching a 450-foot missile to straightaway center for a two-run homer in the bottom half of the inning. He drove in all three of St. Paul’s runs on the night, but the damage had been done.

 

 

 

Peyton Eeles and Jeferson Morales each tallied a pair of hits, while Royce Lewis, continuing his rehab assignment, led off and went 0-for-2 with a walk. Not much to show in the box score, but the timing and health continue to trend in the right direction.

The Saints fall, but Severino’s power show remains a highlight—and a reminder of what could be waiting in the wings.

Game 2: St Paul 5, Louisville 4
Box Score

Anthony Prato, better known for his uncanny ability to wear pitches than to launch them, flipped the script in the nightcap of the Saints’ double-header. The franchise’s resident hit-by-pitch magnet turned enforcer in the sixth, unloading a two-run shot that put St. Paul momentarily in front.

 

https://x.com/StPaulSaints/status/1939136270812242322

 

But the good vibes were short-lived. Jarrett Whorff, called upon to close it down, served up a game-tying two-run homer in the top of the seventh. Of course, baseball being baseball, Whorff would ultimately be rewarded with the win after backup catcher Noah Cardenas—hitting below the Mendoza Line entering the night—turned on a 99 mph fastball and parked it in the bullpen to walk it off.

Pitcher wins? Still irrelevant.

Peyton Eeles stayed hot, tacking on two more singles, while Pierson Ohl gave the Saints four solid innings (3H, 2ER, 6K) and now carries a shiny 1.95 ERA across three levels.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Springfield 12, Wichita 6
Box Score

The bats showed up late for the Wind Surge, and by the time they did, Springfield had already built an 8-0 cushion. Wichita clawed back to 9-5 before the Cardinals tacked on insurance in the 8th, sealing a 12-6 loss.

Kyler Fedko—currently leading the Texas League in slugging—continued his wrecking ball ways, lacing a ground-rule double with the bases loaded. Kaelan Culpepper racked up a three-hit day, and Walker Jenkins launched his first Double-A home run: a 386-foot rocket into the bullpen off a 96 mph heater. Since his promotion, Jenkins has reached safely in 9 of 10 games and continues to look every bit the fast-tracked future piece.

 

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 4, South Bend 5
Box Score

The Kernels held a narrow 4-3 lead into the seventh, powered by a clutch ground-rule double from Kyle Hess that brought home Billy Amick and Misael Urbina. But the edge didn’t last. Jacob Kistling surrendered a two-run homer in the bottom half, and just like that, South Bend flipped the script.

Kyle DeBarge continues to be a one-man wrecking crew. The infielder went 2-for-5, swiped his league-leading 42nd base of the season, and added his 47th RBI for good measure. The stat line keeps stacking, and so does his case as one of the most dynamic players in the Midwest League.

 

MUSSEL MATTERS
Tampa 7, Fort Myers 4
Box Score

The day’s spotlight was on Dasan Hill, the lean, left-handed arm with upside and velocity to match. He navigated traffic through his first two innings before running into trouble in the third, allowing a pair of runs. That frame had everything: Brian Sanchez swiped two bags, there was a wild pitch, a balk, and—just for good measure—a pickoff/caught stealing to end the inning. Hill threw 65 pitches in total, the most of his pro career.

The Mussels got some help from the Tarpons’ infield circus in the fifth. What looked like a routine Dameury Peña grounder turned into two runs after airmail throws from both corners of Tampa’s defense—first from third, then first—and Peña ended up standing on third without needing to flash any wheels.

Caleb McNeely put together a solid day at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a double. But Tampa’s running game ran wild, swiping eight bags against the Fort Myers battery in what became a track meet on dirt.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Twins 6, FCL Red Sox 5
Box Score

Trailing 5-0 and facing win probability odds that screamed “not your day,” the FCL Twins rallied back behind a flurry of timely hits and bullpen dominance.

Rafael Escalante knocked in two with a single in the sixth, while Ricardo Paez’s sac fly in the seventh evened things up. Carlos Silva drove home the eventual winning run in the eighth on a fielder’s choice, completing the comeback.

Teague Conrad tossed three scoreless frames to slam the door and grab the win.

Yes, Daiber De Los Santos struck out three times. Yes, he still leads the league with 57 punchouts. 

DOMINICAN DAILIES
DSL Marlins 6, DSL Twins 3
Box Score

It was a shaky start on the mound for the DSL Twins. Starter Rainer Marin and reliever Aaron Carranza combined to issue eight walks over 4.2 innings, and as is often the case, those freebies came back to bite—four of them eventually came around to score.

Still, there were bright spots. Teilon Serrano stayed locked in at the plate, collecting two hits and crossing home for one of the Twins’ only two runs. Haritzon Castillo continues to be one of the most consistent bats in the DSL, roping an RBI single—his 14th run driven in this season.

Castillo’s line now sits at a scorching .346/.453/.558 through 64 plate appearances, good for second in the league in RBIs. 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day: Pierson Ohl, 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 6 K
Hitter of the Day: Walker Jenkins, 2-for-3, HR, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for more. 

1. Walker Jenkins (Wichita): 2-for-3, HR, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB
4. Kaelen Culpepper (Wichita): 3-for-5, R, RBI
6. Dasan Hill (Fort Myers): 3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K
9. Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids): 0-for-5
10. Kyle DeBarge (Cedar Rapids): 2-for-5, RBI
11. Marco Raya (St. Paul): 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K
12. Billy Amick (Cedar Rapids): 1-for-3, R, BB
19. Danny De Andrade (Cedar Rapids): 0-for-3, BB
20. Payton Eeles (St. Paul): 4-for-6, 3 R

TOMORROW’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul vs. Louisville, 2:07 pm CT: Randy Dobnak
Wichita vs. Springfield, 1:05 pm CT: Christian MacLeod
Cedar Rapids vs. South Bend, 1:05 pm CT: Alejandro Hidalgo
Fort Myers at Tampa, 11:00 am CT: Christian Becerra


Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins’ top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!

View Twins Top Prospects

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Morrison Leads United States to Gold at U19 Pan American Cup – Texas A&M Athletics

ONTARIO, Canada – Texas A&M volleyball head coach Jamie Morrison led the United States women’s U19 national team to a gold-medal winning performance at the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation Pan American Cup after sweeping Mexico in the final Saturday evening.   Morrison secured his fourth-straight international title after his teams’ fourth sweep […]

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ONTARIO, Canada – Texas A&M volleyball head coach Jamie Morrison led the United States women’s U19 national team to a gold-medal winning performance at the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation Pan American Cup after sweeping Mexico in the final Saturday evening.
 
Morrison secured his fourth-straight international title after his teams’ fourth sweep of the tournament versus Mexico in the championship round. His group dominated from start to finish at the Pan-American Cup, finishing with a 397-322 point differential over the five matches to outscore their opponents by 75 points.
 
The United States hit the ground running in the pool play of the championships, going a perfect 3-0 and dropping only one frame. The group swept their opening two fixtures versus Venezuela and Mexico before facing Puerto Rico, where the Red, White and Blue went down 1-0 after the opening frame but responded by winning the next three to sweep their pool and advance to the semifinals.
 
Morrison and his squad carried their momentum into the penultimate round, once again putting on a dominant showing versus the Dominican Republic to capture their third sweep of the tournament. The win advanced the team to the gold-medal match.
 
The group closed the championships with a competitive three-set victory over Mexico for the second time at the tournament. Morrison’s squad played with a lead for the majority of the match, trailing in just nine of the 139 total points played in the fixture.
 
FOLLOW THE AGGIES
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M volleyball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M volleyball team on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter/X by following @AggieVolleyball.





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Honor Roll: The News-Gazette’s All-Area Boys’ Track and Field Coaches of the Year | Sports

Ryan Hornaday of Tuscola wins this honor for the third time YEAR COACH SCHOOL 2025 Ryan Hornaday Tuscola 2024 Ryan Hornaday Tuscola 2023 Phil Surprenant Salt Fork 2022 Phil Surprenant Salt Fork 2021 Forrest Farokhi Urbana 2019 Phil Surprenant Salt Fork 2018 Todd Lafond Mahomet-Seymour 2017 Todd Lafond Mahomet-Seymour 2016 Tim Gateley Unity 2015 Tim […]

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Ryan Hornaday of Tuscola wins this honor for the third time

YEAR COACH SCHOOL

2025 Ryan Hornaday Tuscola

2024 Ryan Hornaday Tuscola

2023 Phil Surprenant Salt Fork

2022 Phil Surprenant Salt Fork

2021 Forrest Farokhi Urbana

2019 Phil Surprenant Salt Fork

2018 Todd Lafond Mahomet-Seymour

2017 Todd Lafond Mahomet-Seymour

2016 Tim Gateley Unity

2015 Tim Gateley Unity

2014 Ryan Hornaday Tuscola

2013 Nic Haab St. Joseph-Ogden

2012 Jeff Butler Monticello





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The Right Time: Why Don Oberhelman chose to step away after 15 Years leading Cal Poly Athletics

Don Oberhelman leaned back in his chair and listed the things he was looking forward to during his retirement: house projects, travel and reading a stack of books “probably 10 feet tall.” Then Oberhelman, who served as Cal Poly’s athletic director for 15 years took a pause.  “There was this other sobering thought that entered my […]

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Don Oberhelman leaned back in his chair and listed the things he was looking forward to during his retirement: house projects, travel and reading a stack of books “probably 10 feet tall.”

Then Oberhelman, who served as Cal Poly’s athletic director for 15 years took a pause. 

“There was this other sobering thought that entered my head,” Oberhelman said.

He realized if he had the same life expectancy as his father, whom he described as “one of the most healthiest and vibrant individuals” he’s been around, Oberhelman would only get to live 15 more years.

“That’s not much time. I want to spend that time with my wife doing the things we love, and that’s going to be reading, traveling, being in our home and seeing our friends,” Oberhelman said. “My father loved his retirement, and I dearly wish he had more years of it.”

Oberhelman announced his retirement on June 9. He will remain in the position until the fall or until his next replacement is hired. 

READ MORE: Cal Poly Director of Athletics Don Oberhelman announces retirement

During his time at Cal Poly, the Mustangs have secured 54 team conference championships, the most of any Big West university over that period. Additionally, the graduation rate amongst student-athletes increased from 71% in 2011 to 93% in 2024, according to Cal Poly Athletics, which is one of his produdest accomplishments.

In recent years, Oberhelman has been adjusting the department to the new changes in college athletics, such as the rise of name, image and likeness (NIL) payments along with increased use of the transfer portal. The recently approved House v. NCAA settlement will usher in an age of direct payment to athletes, roster limits and new financial burdens for institutions. 

He said, however, college athletics’ vastly changing landscape didn’t affect his decision. Yet, the timing of his decision does bring him “greater peace” by stepping down at the right time.

“I’ve held this baton now for 15 years, and I’ve sprinted as fast as I can. I need to hand it to somebody now who’s fresh, who can now sprint us forward, and take us through this next phase of what Division I athletics is going to look like.”

Don Oberhelman

Across the country, many universities have decided to end sports programs. Loyola Marymount University dropped six sports in January 2024. So far in 2025, Grand Canyon discontinued a successful men’s volleyball program and UTEP cut women’s tennis. St. Francis (PA) is moving its athletics program from Division I to Division III.

Cal Poly fell into the same category when it eliminated its swim and dive program in March 2025. All schools, including Cal Poly, cited budgetary reasons and the House settlement as the reasoning for their moves.

LATEST ON SWIM AND DIVE: Uncertain future for Cal Poly swim recruits amid program cut

“It’s going to be the non-revenue Olympic spots that are going to pay the price,” Oberhelman said. “Until we’re able to change the financial structure of what the NCAA is looking like, I don’t see another way for us to do this.”

Following the cuts, the team worked toward reinstatement and put together a fundraising campaign. However, they fell short of the $15 million mark set by the university after raising $9 million. 

Oberhelman said 22 sports is too many for the department.

“We were starting to see sports suffer because we have too many mouths to feed,” he said. “It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do as an athletic director, but I 100% believe it was the right decision for our university, and we did not go into it lightly.” 

He recognizes the pushback he and the athletic department have received. 

“We knew exactly what this is going to look like,” Oberhelman said of the criticism he’s received. “But it doesn’t make it a bad decision. It’s going to benefit the rest of our student body and the rest of our student athletes.”

With the elimination of the swim and dive team and the upcoming roster limits, he estimates there will be around 100 fewer student-athletes. 

“While that is not a great thing at all, it’s a very good thing for how we fund our program,” Oberhelman said. “It’s going to lead to greater success in our sports.”

Out of college, Oberhelman worked at a bank but didn’t enjoy his job. He had a friend who worked in public relations in the NFL and was recommended to pursue a master’s degree to break into the sports industry.

He then enrolled in graduate school at Florida State to get his master’s in athletic administration. His professor at the time offered him an internship, which he turned down.

That night, Oberhelman thought about the opportunity and changed his mind.

“The next day, when he came to his office, I was sitting outside his door, and he looked at me and said ‘I didn’t think I’d see you again,’” Oberhelman said.

From there, he worked his way up in Division I athletics working at Florida State, Texas A&M, Southern Miss and San Diego State with the ultimate goal of becoming a Division I athletic director.

Over his final year at Cal Poly Oberhelman was tasked with adapting to the financial challenges stemming from the House v. NCAA settlement, which was cited as a major factor in the department cutting swim and dive in March 2025. Mark Robinson / Mustang News

Oberhelman loves the excitement of working in college sports.

“I love the energy of our hallway,” Oberhelman said. “There’s a reason there’s a hallway just like this in every athletic department in America.”

His office is located in the upstairs hallway of the Mott Athletic Center. The rest of the coaches for all sports can be found on the first or second floor.

“I love having my door open. I love hearing the student-athletes, hearing their banter and them talk about the school and practices,” Oberhleman said. “It keeps you young.”

He enjoys the opportunity to be a mentor and leader and help equip students with the skills to solve problems. 

Additionally, he said working with the other coaches has made him better.

“We have some of the best leaders and educators I’ve ever been around,” he said. “ I learned something new from one of them every single day.”

Oberhelman has an education-first approach to athletics, but the same can’t necessarily be said for the rest of Division I. He predicts an incoming split at some point between the biggest schools and conferences and everyone else.

“We’ve lost our North Star, which is educating students,” he said. “Now it’s just about compensating students.” 

With the amount of transferring, he’s worried graduation rates will tumble as credits don’t always transfer evenly between colleges. 

While not official, it appears Cal Poly is leaning toward opting into the House settlement. The university won’t necessarily engage in direct revenue sharing, at least initially, but the newly established Players’ Trust will enable programs to provide scholarship supplements to athletes, which will exceed the cost of attendance. 

The goal under the new rules will be to put as many players as they can on scholarship with no more limits on the amount. Regardless of how the university and the next athletic director tackle these problems, Oberhelman says the next person will need to be “a really good planner and change agent.”

“Change is coming at us so fast,” he said. “It’s got to be somebody who can really work through what that change means and get our organization to be able to adjust to that quickly.”

Oberhelman believes he’s built a strong framework to remain competitive. However, as has been demonstrated in recent years, the NCAA is an ever-evolving entity.

“I would say NCAA Division I athletics has been pretty constant for a very long time, and now all of a sudden it’s just all these changes coming at us,” Oberhelman said. “Everybody thinks now we have our structure. I disagree with that completely. We have our structure for today. We might have our structure for next month, but this isn’t the structure for the next year.”

After 15 years, Oberhelman is undecided about whether he has enough energy to continue leading the department through this next change. He wants to enjoy the precious time at home with his family, as he feels his father didn’t get enough of it. 

“Maybe I do. Maybe I don’t, but that doubt is enough to tell me I’m doing this at the right time,” he said. “Here’s the thing: I’d do this anyway. The timing of this is based purely on our family financial situation and what we want to do with our lives.”

But once again, Oberhelman paused and tried to find a way to explain what he meant. It isn’t purely a pursuit of more free time. It’s a move also for the betterment of the institution in his mind.

“With everything going on in the landscape, it’s not going to make me second-guess this in a couple of months, wondering if I did the right thing or not,” he said. “I believe I’m doing the right thing for me, but I also think I’m doing the right thing for this university.”



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Javonte Williams 2025

Javonte Williams is making waves in the NFL as one of the most promising running backs of his generation. The 25-year-old athlete has built a impressive career despite facing significant challenges, including a major knee injury that tested his resilience. In this article, you will know Javonte Williams’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, […]

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Javonte Williams 2025

Javonte Williams is making waves in the NFL as one of the most promising running backs of his generation. The 25-year-old athlete has built a impressive career despite facing significant challenges, including a major knee injury that tested his resilience.

In this article, you will know Javonte Williams’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship status, and more about this dynamic football player who continues to prove his worth on the biggest stage.

 Javonte Williams’ Biography

Category Details
Full Name Javonte Williams
Date of Birth April 25, 2000
Age 25 years old
Education University of North Carolina (Business Administration)
Nationality American
Height 5’10” (178 cm)
Weight 220 lbs (100 kg)
Turned Pro 2021
Net Worth $6-9 million
Salary/Career Earnings $11.87 million
Relationship Status Single
Instagram Profile @javontewilliams
Twitter Profile N/A

Early Career

Javonte Williams’s football journey began in the small town of Wallace, North Carolina, where community and sports went hand in hand. Growing up as the son of Jermaine and Shekemia Williams, young Javonte earned the nickname “Little Pookie” to match his father’s “Big Pookie” moniker.

His mother, Shekemia, made sure he prioritized education alongside athletics, which led to him graduating as valedictorian from Wallace-Rose Hill High School with an impressive 4.6 GPA.

Williams faced a major position change during his senior year that would shape his entire future. Originally playing linebacker and averaging double-digit tackles per game, he helped his team win three consecutive state titles in his first three seasons. When new head coach Kevin Motsinger took over the program, he approached Williams with an unexpected suggestion – switching to running back for his final season.

Though initially uncertain about the change, Williams embraced the challenge and discovered his true calling. The transition proved to be brilliant, as he rushed for 2,271 yards and 27 touchdowns during his senior campaign, earning him his first and only Division I scholarship offer from the University of North Carolina.

Professional Career

Williams’s college career at North Carolina was nothing short of spectacular, despite sharing the backfield with talented teammate Michael Carter. His progression was remarkable – starting with 224 rushing yards as a true freshman in 2018, then exploding for 933 yards in 2019.

His junior season in 2020 was truly special, as he rushed for 1,140 yards and 19 touchdowns while earning recognition as a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate. Williams and Carter made history together against Miami, combining for an NCAA-record 544 rushing yards as a duo in a single game.

The Denver Broncos recognized Williams’s exceptional talent and traded up to select him with the 35th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. His rookie season exceeded expectations, as he rushed for 903 yards and four touchdowns while splitting time with veteran Melvin Gordon.

Williams showcased his versatility by also contributing 43 receptions for 316 yards and three receiving touchdowns, earning a spot on the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie Team. However, his promising career hit a major obstacle early in his second season when he suffered a devastating knee injury against the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, tearing his ACL, LCL, and posterolateral corner.

Javonte Williams Net Worth Details

As of 2025, Javonte Williams’s net worth is estimated between $6 million and $9 million.

Contract

Williams signed a significant one-year, $3 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys in March 2025, marking a fresh start in his career. The deal includes $1 million guaranteed money with a $1 million signing bonus, giving him an opportunity to prove himself in a new system.

This contract represents a strategic move for both Williams and the Cowboys, as he looks to rebuild his value after recovering from his knee injury while Dallas gains a proven running back with upside potential.

The agreement includes performance incentives, including a $250,000 bonus for reaching 1,250 scrimmage yards and another $250,000 for scoring 12 total touchdowns.

Salary

Williams’s current annual salary with the Cowboys is $3 million, making him one of the mid-tier paid running backs in the NFL. His base salary for 2025 is $1.5 million, supplemented by his signing bonus and potential roster bonuses throughout the season.

This represents a significant increase from his previous earnings, as he earned $1.87 million in his final season with Denver. The structure of his contract allows him to earn additional money through per-game roster bonuses of $29,411, rewarding him for staying healthy and contributing to the team’s success.

Career Earnings

Year Team Base Salary Signing Bonus Total Earnings
2021 Denver Broncos $660,000 $3,807,820 $4,467,820
2022 Denver Broncos $1,062,989 $0 $1,062,989
2023 Denver Broncos $1,465,977 $0 $1,465,977
2024 Denver Broncos $1,868,966 $0 $1,868,966
2025 Dallas Cowboys $1,500,000 $1,000,000 $3,000,000
Total $6,557,932 $4,807,820 $11,865,752

Career Statistics

Year Team Games Rush Att Rush Yds Rush TD Receptions Rec Yds Rec TD Total TD
2021 Denver Broncos 17 203 903 4 43 316 3 7
2022 Denver Broncos 4 47 204 0 16 76 0 0
2023 Denver Broncos 16 217 774 3 47 228 2 5
2024 Denver Broncos 17 139 513 4 52 346 0 4
Career 54 606 2,394 11 158 966 5 16

FAQs

1. What is Javonte Williams’s current team?

Williams currently plays for the Dallas Cowboys after signing a one-year contract in March 2025, leaving the Denver Broncos where he spent his first four NFL seasons.

2. How much money has Williams made in his NFL career?

Williams has earned approximately $11.87 million throughout his NFL career, including his rookie contract with Denver and his current deal with Dallas.

3. What injury did Williams suffer?

He suffered a devastating knee injury against the Las Vegas Raiders, tearing his ACL, LCL, and posterolateral corner, which ended his 2022 season after just four games.

4. What is Williams’s involvement in charity work?

Williams founded The Javonte Williams Foundation, which focuses on helping youth in foster care systems by providing essential resources and life-changing experiences, inspired by his family’s experience as foster parents.

5. What college records did Williams set at North Carolina?

Williams set single-season program records with 132 points and 22 total touchdowns, while his 1,140 rushing yards ranked as the 13th most in program history.

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