Author Archives: Pirate Network

Lady Pirate Laney Hawkins Signs with Olney Central

ARSS, Girls Basketball

Front Row L to R: Lisa Hawkins (Laney’s mother), Laney, Jason Hawkins (Laney’s father) Back Row L to R: Jerry Doyle (Cross Country Coach), Caleb Hawkins (Laney’s brother), Scott Matthews (CHS Head Girls Basketball Coach), John Orr (JV Girls Basketball Coach), Rick Myers (Assistant Girls Basketball Coach), and Ashley Diaz (Assistant Girls Basketball Coach)

Charlestown senior Laney Hawkins was recently joined by family, coaches, teammates, and friends to sign her celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play basketball at Olney Central College in the fall.

Olney Central College is a two-year public community college in Olney, Illinois that offers a variety of educational opportunities with transfer degrees and technical programs that prepare students for careers in today’s competitive job market. OCC continuously receives recognition for its completion and graduation rates, earning it rankings as the No. 1 Community College in Illinois and one of the Top 150 Community Colleges in the nation.

OCC supports four sports at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I level. The men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball teams are extremely competitive in the Great Rivers Athletic Conference and region.

When asked about her choice to attend school and play basketball at Olney Central College with the Blue Knights, Hawkins replied, “I chose Olney Central College to continue my academic and athletic career because of the effort the coaching staff has made to get to know me. I really like the style of play at Olney and how the players and coaches encourage and uplift each other. OCC is a small college with small class sizes with the opportunity to get to know instructors well. I’m very grateful and excited about this decision.” Hawkins will major in radiology technology.

Charlestown Lady Pirates basketball coach Scott Matthews had this to say: “Congratulations to Laney with her signing to Olney Central. We are excited to follow her basketball journey after high school and wish her the best of luck. Go Knights!”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Laney and wishes her a healthy and prosperous future as an Olney Central College Blue Knights.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Aiden Stewart.

Lady Pirates’ McFarland Signs with Olivet Nazarene University

ARSS, Girls Basketball

Front Row (L to R) Calvin McFarland (Tatum’s father), Tatum, Evan Johnson (ONU Coach), and Treasure McFarland
Back Row (L to R): Chance McFarland (Tatum’s brother), Kipton McFarland (Chance McFarland), and Scott Matthews (Charlestown Basketball Coach)

Charlestown senior Tatum McFarland was recently joined by family, coaches, teammates, and friends to sign her celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play basketball at Olivet Nazarene University next year.

Nestled in the Village of Bourbonnais, just 45 miles from Chicago, is the 275-acre main campus of Olivet Nazarene University. The setting includes park-like landscaping surrounding historic and state-of-the art facilities. With 3,500 students, it’s large enough to offer a world-class education, and small enough to know fellow schoolmates.

ONU competes at the NAIA level in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, which includes fourteen member schools from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Olivet Nazarene is home to twenty-one varsity sports for both men and women.

When asked about her choice to attend school and play basketball at ONU with the Tigers, McFarland replied, “The reason I chose Olivet Nazarene University to continue my academic and athletic career is because of how welcoming the girls and the coaches were when I went to Olivet back in August for a camp. Olivet felt like a home away from home. The girls are really uplifting and push one another to do better in every aspect in life. ONU checked off every box on my list that I wanted in my future college and I couldn’t be happier to make this commitment to Olivet. ”

Charlestown Lady Pirates basketball coach Scott Matthews had this to say: “Congratulations to Tatum with her signing to Olivet Nazarene. We are excited to follow her basketball journey after high school and wish her the best of luck. Go Tigers!”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Tatum and wishes her a healthy and prosperous future as an Olivet Nazarene University Tiger.

 

Photo provided by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Kassie Propes. Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Aiden Stewart.

Ottersbach Signs with Sycamores of Indiana State University for Track and Field

Uncategorized

Seated (L to R) Robbie Ottersbach (Jake’s father), Jake, Pam Ottersbach (Jake’s mother) Back Row (L to R) David Daniel (CHS Track & Field Coach), and Peyton Ottersbach (Jake’s sister and ISU softball alumn)

Recently while surrounded by family, friends, and coaches, Charlestown senior Jake Ottersbach signed his national letter of intent to attend school and participate in track and field at Indiana State University in the fall of 2023.

Indiana State University is a is a public university in Terre Haute, Indiana. It was founded in 1865 and offers over 100 undergraduate majors and more than 75 graduate and professional programs. The athletics teams at Indiana State University are known as the Sycamores. They participate in the NCAA Division I and in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). Also the Sycamores offer in 13 varsity sports for the men and women of their university.

Ottersbach, who plays wide receiver on the football team and a forward on the basketball team for the Pirates, has shined as a tracklete for Charlestown. Last spring he repeated as the Bloomington Regional champion in the 110M high hurdles and advanced to compete in three events at the state track and field meet where he finished in 5th place in the 110M high hurdles and earned All-State honors. Ottersbach holds the school record in the 110 Hurdles with a time of 14.48. 

Ottersbach will major in aviation at ISU. When asked about his choice to attend school and participate in track and field with the Sycamores, he replied, “Choosing Indiana State University was the best option for me not only for athletics but also to continue my academic career. Indiana State’s track team has won numerous Missouri Valley Conference titles and had multiple athletes go to nationals. I am beyond excited to be a part of this team and contribute to their success. Without my Coaches and team supporting me along the way I don’t believe that I could be where I am today.”

Charlestown track and field coach David Daniel told said, “The CHS Pirate Track & Field staff and I are extremely proud of Jake and excited that he has earned this opportunity to continue his academic and athletic career at Indiana State University.  ISU is getting a well rounded and quality student athlete in Jake. He has always represented his family, school and community well. We wish him all the best and look forward to following his college career next fall.  What Jake has accomplished in two seasons is simply amazing (lost his freshman season due to covid shutdown). He is already a 2-time conference, sectional and regional champion in multiple events and an All-State performer with a 5th place finish in the 110HH this past spring.”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Jake and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future as an Indiana State University Sycamore.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network.

 

Pirates Chisman and Ottersbach Named School Winners for the Heisman High School Scholarship

Uncategorized

 

Congratulations to Tara Chisman and Jake Ottersbach for being named Charlestown High School’s 2022 Heisman High School Scholarship winners.

The Heisman Memorial Trophy is renowned for symbolizing the pursuit of excellence with integrity. The Heisman High School Scholarship, presented by Acceptance Insurance, extends the Heisman prestige to our nation’s most esteemed male and female high school seniors by recognizing and rewarding outstanding scholar-athletes who understand that the most important victories not only happen on the field, but in their schools and communities. These remarkable young leaders set the example and make a game-changing difference every day, paving the way to greatness for everyone around them.

Chisman is a member of the Lady Pirate volleyball and track and field teams; Ottersbach is a member of the Pirate football, basketball, and track and field teams. Both have advanced to the state round where those winners will be announced later.

https://heismanscholarship.com/

50 Years of Charlestown Pirate Football Celebration to Be Held Tomorrow Evening

ARSS, Football

 

Charlestown High School Athletic Department is pleased to announce the celebration of 50 Years of Pirate Football tomorrow evening, October 14, 2022. 

 

The current 8-0* Pirate team will host Mid Southern Conference opponent Eastern (Pekin) for a 7:00 tip off on their senior night. A public recognition of former players, coaches, and managers from the past 50 years is planned and the school’s WPMQ Sports Broadcasting team will provide a special history exhibit to help take you back down memory lane. Long-time Coach John Mastin will be your grand marshal for the evening. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to relish in a special time in Charlestown history!

 

Here is the timeline of events: 

6:00 P.M. – Pirate alumni players meet in the gym to browse the tables of football artifacts and the WPMQ history exhibit. (Coach Mastin will be there as early as 5:00 for anyone who wishes to arrive early and view the upgrades in the school.)

6:10 – Brian Keith will speak about the players he has seen over the years as a kid, a player, and as a broadcaster as well as what it meant to be a Pirate football player for him and his family.

6:15 – Coach Hawkins will speak on what it was like to play against Charlestown, what it feels like to coach the Pirates, and give everyone an update on the current team and  facilities.

6:20 – Coach Mastin’s will reflect on football from the early years to now, what it takes to run a program, relationships over the years, and what it meant to be the long-time coach of the Pirates. 

6:25 – Tony Hall will speak on what it meant to be a player and coach and athletic director at Charlestown.

6:30 – Open Mic for any players or coaches to share their memoirs, practice, best games, and/or best season.

6:45 – Pirate Alumni enter through the pass gate. Family members need to enter through the gate and pay to enter the game. Gather in the high jump area at the east end zone on the field to visit and enjoy the game. Some seating will be available. Senior night recognitions for our Class of 2023 fall athletes and activities will begin at that time as well. (See separate social media post for the details on senior night.)

7:00 – Kickoff

Between Q1 & Q2: Members of 13 MSC Championship teams will be introduced and walk to the midfield. 

Halftime: The Marching Band of Pirates will perform for the first ten minutes. Following the band, all alumni players, coaches, support staff in attendance will be introduced and walk to  midfield.

Between Q3 & Q4:  Members of the four Sectional and one regional Championship teams will walk to the 50 yard line.

 

We look forward to a great night of fellowship and reminiscing and a big Pirate win!  Go Big Blue!

Ben Phillips Selects Indiana University to Continue School and Wrestling

ARSS, Wrestling

 

Recently, Charlestown’s 2022 graduate Ben Phillips was joined by family, teammates, and coaches to sign his letter of intent to attend school and wrestle at Indiana University. At the time of his celebratory signing, Phillips had already begun classes in Bloomington, working toward a degree in Exercise Science. But, as always, it was a pleasure to have him back in Charlestown for the evening.

Most know that Phillips was a very decorated athlete at Charlestown as a two-time state medalist, conference, sectional, and regional champion, record holder, and more who had received multiple offers from colleges and universities. When asked about his decision to go to Indiana University, Phillips said: “I really love the coaches, the team, and the training environment. They have so many resources to help me become the best I can be! Bloomington is also closer to home than most of my other options, so that helped in the decision making process. I am super excited for my future at Indiana, and I am thankful for everyone who has helped me get to this point. Go Hoosiers!” Phillips is one of twelve incoming freshmen or transfers to the team.

Charlestown wrestling coach Adam Doherty shared the following sentiments on Phillips: “Ben has been amazing to coach over the last four years.  He broke multiple school records, including the only CHS wrestler to place twice in the State tournament and tied the highest finish of 4th.  Ben always put in the work and constantly pushed himself to be better.  He was a great teammate that wanted to see everyone succeed as much as he did himself.  I am so excited to see his hard work pay, and can’t wait to see him do big things at Indiana University.”

Founded in 1820, Indiana University Bloomington is the flagship campus of IU’s seven campuses and two regional centers statewide. Innovation, creativity, and academic freedom are hallmarks of our world-class contributions in research and the arts. As a public ivy league institution, Indiana University Bloomington was ranked in the top 40 public national universities, tied for 36th, and was tied for 89th among all colleges and universities in the 2019 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings.

Indiana University competes in the Big 10 Athletic Conference in 13 NCAA Division I sports including baseball, basketball, cross country, field hockey, football, golf, rowing, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, water polo, and wrestling.

The Charlestown High School athletic department and WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulate Ben and wish him a healthy and prosperous future as an Indiana Hoosier.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network’s Aiden Stewart.

CHS to Celebrate 50 Years of Football; Alumni Please RSVP for the EVENT

ARSS, Athletic Department, Football

On behalf of the Charlestown High School Athletic Department, I have the honor of inviting you back to CHS for a once-in-a-lifetime event. On October 14th, 2022 we will celebrate 50 years of Pirate Football and we’d love for you to be there!

The current 3-0 Pirate team will host Mid Southern Conference opponent Eastern (Pekin) for a 7:00 tip off on their senior night. Mr. Gilbert and the Athletic Department are planning a public recognition of former players, coaches, and managers from the past 50 years and the school’s WPMQ Sports Broadcasting team is working on some special memorabilia to help take you back down memory lane. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to relish in a special time in your life.

More details for this event are set to come but if you can attend, we ask that you please complete the form linked below as your RSVP by October 7th. By doing so, you will be granted admission to the game courtesy of CHS Athletics. Should you need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact my colleague Chad Gilbert at cgilbert@gcccschools or (812) 256-3328, Coach John David Mastin via the alumni Facebook page, or me – Melissa Stewart – mstewart@gccschools.com.

We look forward to seeing you on October 14th!

https://bit.ly/50FBRSVP

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