By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – Hundreds came to mourn girls basketball superfan Charlie Crabtree, but also celebrated the sport of which the 72-year old man from Normal was most passionate.
Normal West fans came close to filling the high school gym for the varsity team’s game against Peoria Richwoods.
The Wildcats decided to play the game only 23 hours after the junior varsity team’s bus crashed head-on with a wrong-way semi driver on Interstate 74 on the way home from a game in Champaign.
Unit 5 Superintendent Mark Daniel said it was miraculous that all eight team members escaped serious injury, but Crabtree — a team volunteer — was killed, along with the 34-year old Iowa trucker. JV Coach Steve Price suffered multiple broken bones and the bus driver was critically hurt.
Thursday night, public address announcer Mike Sondgeroth asked for a moment of silence to remember Crabtree.
“His infectious smile, easy laugh, calming demeanor, and the treats he brought to games and practices will forge memories that will not be forgotten,” Sondergroth said.
“We are sure he is looking down on us, cheering, ‘Go Wildcats!'”
After spending all day at the school, Unit 5’s certified trauma practitioner Hillary Tanner was at the gym handing out information packets for parents to help kids deal with their grief. Tanner said the healing process is different for everyone.
“A traumatic experience is perception. Trauma is all about perception, and so it’s going to be challenging for every single individual in a unique way,” she said.
Tanner offered families relaxation techniques and other stress-reduction methods, in addition to contact information should students need help over the weekend.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
