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Post by Homer Hawks Site Administrator on Jul 31, 2008 9:50:10 GMT -5
you will be missed DIDI
Posted by Nicole Gervasio on 7/31/2008, 8:57 am
My thoughts and prayers are with the DiGregorio Family. Love, Ng #00
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2008
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Post by coach Lori on Jul 31, 2008 13:13:28 GMT -5
This poem is awesome. It's sad we forget how fragile life is and how quickly it can change. Didi's smile, laughter and even yelling will be missed from across the facility at GenUwin. Thanks for all you did for the sport of girls' softball. You will be missed!
Lori Pych
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Post by Dave Betcher on Aug 4, 2008 12:52:56 GMT -5
Read more in the August 1 Moline article, below
Coaches come and go, but a great coach – one that inspires kids for a lifetime with more than sports knowledge, but life-long lessons – is rare. For over 14 years, the Lemont Rockers softball teams were led by a man with more passion, drive, commitment and dedication than anyone in the world of softball.
Late Wednesday afternoon the sports of softball and wrestling lost a great leader when Jim “Didi” DiGregorio suffered a heart attack and passed away on the softball field during the Lemont Rockers game at the ASA Nationals Tournament in Moline, Ill.
“Didi was one of my best friends. He was the true definition of the word coach,” said Bill Sokolis, owner of the Chicago Bandits, co-founder of the Lemont Rockers and long-time friend of DiGregorio. “He coached kids to make their way in life through hard work. He coached people around him to succeed in the tough situations he faced in life. That was what he knew how to do ‘coach’ and he did it well.”
On the softball field, DiGregorio’s teams were not only known for their talent, but also for their bright florescent and neon uniforms with a batman logo. Flashy uniforms aside, the Lemont Rockers became a staple in the tradition of Illinois Softball. Hundreds of girls played for DiGregorio over the years, and he made it his mission to teach them life lessons along with softball skills.
“Loyalty was a huge thing with him and he was always giving to everyone else if they were loyal to him,” said Denee Menzione, current 12/U Lemont Rockers coach and former player under DiGregorio. “He always taught us to push ourselves harder when we felt like giving up and to keep going strong when we didn’t think we could.”
In 1994, the Rockers were founded by three competitive, softball loving fathers – Jim DiGregorio, Bill Sokolis and Jim Ross – that loved kids and wanted something better than a 12 game recreational softball season. In DiGregorio’s kitchen, with little experience and lots of ambition, the Lemont Rockers were created. Today, the Rockers have developed into a nationally known softball program with many of the members having moved on to college programs with the help of DiGregorio.
DiGregorio’s greatest impact in the game of softball was undoubtedly the path he laid for the future of his players over the years. Over 100 former players have received college scholarships to play for universities across the country.
“He would push any college coach about a player, just to get them to take one look at a girl,” said Menzione. “And Didi was a very good judge of skill. If he sees potential in a player he will go to war with them [college coaches] to get the girl a scholarship and help someone else’s family out.”
Although it was his first love, softball wasn’t the only sport he poured his life lessons and heart into.
In 1971, DiGregorio started coaching wrestling when he founded the Cicero Bobcats (now Vittum Cats), which today, has one of the longest and richest wrestling traditions in Illinois. As a wrestling coach, mentor, vice president and director with the Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation (IKWF) over the years, DiGregorio helped many kids turn into distinguished wrestlers – even high school state champions. With his help, the IKWF has become one of the largest youth wrestling organizations in the nation, always battling California for the number one spot.
“I don’t know if there has been a guy that effected wrestling more than Didi. He was a larger than life figure when it came to wrestling,” said Montini High School Wrestling coach Mike Bukovsky. “He was the type of guy that cared about every guy in the program – no matter if he was the most inexperienced wrestler or the state champion.”
At Montini High School he helped to develop the wrestling team into a nationally known program with success at every level. An ex-marine, DiGregorio continued to preach loyalty, hard work and life lessons to the young men and boys on the mats.
Jim DiGregorio was 59. He is survived by his wife Kathy, his daughters Amy, Krissy and Jenny and son Joey.
“As a man, he influenced so many young men and women,” said Bukovsky. “He’s a once in a lifetime guy and they don’t make them like Jim Didi anymore.”
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Post by Dave Betcher on Aug 4, 2008 14:01:48 GMT -5
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