When it comes to small town sports the role of the volunteer has become even more and more important. Whether it be coaching, selling concessions, organizing fundraisers, doing fieldwork, officiating, or running the scoreboard, those who volunteer their time to support youth athletics have become both integral and crucial in the realm of sports today.

Over the years a long list of Prescott residents, both past and present, who have donated countless hours of their own time to youth sports with no expectation of receiving anything in return. This week’s column is dedicated to all those unsung volunteers who willingly and enthusiastically, give up their most precious resource – their own time. What I am about to write I do so with great trepidation. It is a foreboding task to recognize people publicly. Why? Well, it’s risky to identify the names of people for fear of failing to mention others who also deserve recognition. Therefore, I sincerely apologize to all those who feel slighted and I hope you will forgive my journalistic transgressions.

Here’s to these volunteers….

Butch Schulte. The longtime Prescott resident has been an outstanding volunteer. A jack of all of trades, Schulte has done an enormous amount of work behind the scenes for various programs. From construction projects to welding work, Schulte has been a volunteer champion for quite some time.

Greg Harris. Another long time Prescott resident, Harris’ construction skills have been crucial to multiple projects at Firehall Field. A former Prescott CAB Company Friend of Baseball Winner, Harris has donated countless hours of his own time for years in order to help youth sports in Prescott.

Debbie Eggers. The comments come like clockwork every year. “Who is the person who does the garden?” “Wow, those flowers are beautiful.” The brainchild of Debbie Eggers the Firehall Field flower garden has received accolades galore from home, and visiting fans alike. But Eggers contribution extends past a green thumb. For years Eggers kept the scorebook, ran the score board, and was an important and crucial cog behind the Prescott baseball scene.

Dennis Gagnier. A former CAB Company “Friend of Baseball Award” winner, the ageless Gagnier has become a volunteer fixture at Firehall Field over the last several years. There is not a rake at Firehall Field that Gagnier hasn’t used nor a tarp he hasn’t unrolled. It was Gagnier along with the likes of Dave Pattridge and Rich Matzek and others that built the dugouts at Firehall Field.

Ed Lucas. A former teacher, coach, athletic director, and administrator, Lucas continues to be the consummate volunteer. Few Cardinal football fans will forget how Lucas “dressed up” Laney Field for Friday night games. A person of many talents, Lucas donated countless hours of his own time for youth sports in Prescott and continues to volunteer in the community.

Randy Hansen. A Prescott alumnus and the school’s first 1,000 point scorer in basketball, Hansen has donated a great deal of time and energy into maintaining the infield at Firehall Field. Hansen’s diligence and meticulous attention to detail has helped make the infield grass among the best in Western Wisconsin. Players and fans from visiting teams have lauded the work of Hansen again and again.

Tracey Budworth. A teacher and coach. Budworth has a volunteer resume that includes seemingly every boys’ and girls’ sport. Basketball she volunteers. Baseball she volunteers. Football she volunteers. American Legion Baseball, she volunteers. Bravo on a job well done.