NEWSLETTER
A cool story from ESPN’s Courtney Cronin this morning detailed Chicago Bears owner George McCaskey’s side gig, or gigs, which range from baseball umpire to just about every other youth sports officiating position in his hometown of Sycamore, Illinois. If you’re unfamiliar with Sycamore, it’s about an hour west of Chicago and the home of the Sycamore Speedway, a fun family evening everyone should experience at least once.
Anyway, back to the story. Cronin explains that McCaskey has been officiating youth sports since his time as a football player at Notre Dame College Prep in Niles. He started by refereeing Pop Warner football games. Eventually, he dipped his toes in the waters of baseball, basketball, and soccer in his hometown while his son was growing up and playing sports in Sycamore.
Bears Owner George McCaskey Doubles as a Youth Sports Official
Sycamore High School athletic director Chauncey Carrick spent April 27 updating McCaskey on what the Bears were doing on day three of the NFL Draft as he worked home plate at a Sycamore High School baseball game. Carrick broke the news to McCaskey that the Bears drafted Iowa punter Tory Taylor and traded back into day three to select Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker.
“I go, ‘Hey, you guys are drafting in four picks,'” Carrick said to McCaskey from behind the backstop. “Want me to stick around and let you know who you get?'” McCaskey was surprised to learn from Carrick that the Bears were making a second selection on day three since they went into the weekend with only four picks. “He goes, ‘Not us, we’re out of picks,'” Carrick said. “I was like, ‘Well, you just traded back in.’ He immediately wanted to know who they got.”
Say what you will about McCaskey and his doings as the Bears owner, but his reasons for spending decades involved in youth sports are righteous and something I can get behind. McCaskey started and continues to be involved to ensure enough officials are working for kids’ games to be played.
Check out the full story, here!
