The late Marie Wilkinson was sometimes said to be the “matriarch of Aurora.” She was an inspiration to at least two generations of Aurorans as an activist and advocate of equal rights for everyone.
She became synonymous with Aurora, and Angela Richardson began to learn more about her from reading newspaper stories in the 1990s.
Knowing that the East Aurora—West Aurora athletic rivalry had also become synonymous with Aurora for many people, Richardson had a “light bulb” moment in 1997. She wondered if she could connect the two “Aurora stories” in a meaningful way.
I interviewed her for a Beacon-News story in 2015, and discovered that she loved Aurora and its diversity. I referenced her as a “proud daughter” of the city as I learned of her dedication and service. And it began with basketball.
“Mrs. Wilkinson is amazing and is always doing something for someone,” Richardson said in 2015. “I thought it would be cool if I could do just something. I thought about having an alumni game for former East and West basketball players, and then donating the money to the Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center.”
The Wilkinson Center offers social, emotional and educational support services for low-income children and families. Richardson felt a special calling to help the center as her mom had been a single mother.
With the help of many community leaders and volunteers, the first alumni game was played in 1997 with more than 1,800 fans in attendance. Thousands of dollars were raised for the Wilkinson Center that night.
The alumni game has become a tradition, and a ladies’ alumni game was added to the program as the years progressed.
I have attended many of the games during its 28-year run, and have been impressed by the sportsmanship and community shown by the players and by everyone involved. The basketball rivalry is and always will be intense, but everyone has always seemed to have fun and to display friendship with former rivals.
A wonderful memory occurred one year when Marie Wilkinson herself attended the game, and players (some a foot taller than she was) lined up to give her a hug as a tribute and a sign of their gratitude.
This year’s edition of the East-West Alumni Basketball Game was played on April 11 with another enthusiastic and spirited crowd in attendance. Among them was a smiling Sherri Penson, who for 17 years has been executive director of the Marie Wilkinson Child Development Center.
“This game has been a tremendous help in providing adequate care for our kids, and has generated between $5,000 and $10,000 a year,” Penson said. “It has helped at least 70 children per year to be with us during the summer, and we were also able to purchase a van to help transport our children.”
I made it a point to speak with the four alumni who were the “senior” players on each team — those whose graduations occurred long ago. I was impressed that they had lost almost none of their school spirit, but more impressed at their willingness to participate with the goal of giving back to their common community.
They gave brief thoughts on their night of coming back and giving back:
“I have close friends who have worked for the Marie Wilkinson Center, and I have nieces and nephews who have received before- and after-school care. It means a lot to me,” said Andre Newson, West Aurora class of 1998.
“I loved coming to school every day and looking forward to playing basketball, and the East-West game was always the highlight of our year,” said Sky Joiner, West Aurora class of 2005.
“The East-West game was the competition that we looked forward to every year. I’m glad that we’ve stayed healthy and that we’re still playing, especially that this game is for charity,” said Yessenia Cabadas, East Aurora class of 2008.
“I’m glad to be part of giving back to the community. I’ve lived in Kansas as well, and giving back is something I’ve taken across the country with me — giving back and sharing what I can,” said Terry Jeffries, East Aurora class of 2004.
The evening was ultimately about basketball, and the games did not disappoint. Both the women’s and men’s games were close and very competitive and exciting. The alumni played as hard and with as much spirit as they had played in their student days.
The West Aurora ladies defeated East Aurora 60-58, and were led by the scoring and rebounding of Kina Miller.
And in a game reminiscent of the glory days of the East-West rivalry, the West Aurora men defeated East Aurora 103-101 in double overtime. Hezekiah Salter dropped in the winning basket on a drive into the lane during the sudden-death second overtime.
To paraphrase the famous Aurora cheer from both sides of the river: “East is East and West is West, but in Aurora … community pride, sportsmanship, friendship and giving back are best.”
Tom Strong is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
