Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Toburen, Wildish, Bowe, Schoonover, Schultz
----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Clark Co., Wis.) 11 Apr 1940
Toburen, Karen (Delivers Message - MAR 1988)
Greenwood - When Karen Toburen graduated from Greenwood High School in 1963, girl's athletics were not yet offered there.
She found her way into the athletic scene anyway, and, in fact, found her way so well that today her resume reads like a Who's Who in American amateur athletics.
A member of the USOC Sport Medicine Staff for the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, a highly successful basketball and field hockey coach, and one who has traveled the world to pursue her love for athletics. Toburen returned to her alma mater Tuesday evening to honor 15 girls and 15 boys who had a chance to do something she never did.
Toburen spoke at the Cloverbelt Conference scholar/athlete banquet held at Greenwood High to pairs of academically talented athletes from each of the conference's 15 schools, delivering praise while urging the youths to appreciate those who have helped them attain success.
"The recognition you have gained this evening just didn't happen haphazardly," she said.
"Somewhere, sometime, someone positively encouraged you."
Be it parents, coaches or friends, she said, "Think what it meant to you when they offered you encouragement.
"Think of those people... let them know how much you appreciate them."
Appreciate especially the family, Toburen streesed, for "Your family has made many sacrifices.
"Recall the warm meals that were saved for you," when practices ran late, and the conflicting transportation schedules that made "mom's taxi" so crucial to your chances to attaining your goals, she told the honored students.
And remember even strangers, those in attendance at athletic contests and those who organize honorary banquets, "People you don't even know or don't care about," she said.
They too have contributed a form of encouragement, as have community groups, which "game after game, season after season, year after year" support young athletes both in spirit and financially.
School teachers and administrators need also be recognized for their help, as do coasches who often help young scholar/athletes despite the lack of sizable monetary rewards.
Lastly, Toburen commented, note the contribution of the media, because "Those individuals tell our story."
After identifying those who have aided their chances to be honored as the top student athletes, "What lies ahead?" Toburen asked.
"We ultimately focus on the responsibility each of us has to society," she said.
"one of our goals should be to attempt to return more than what was given to us."
As respected students and athletes, even though young, "At your age you can already influence those around you," she told the 30 students, but "Don't wait. It won't cost you anything to show your appreciation," said Toburen.
Commenting on the relation between academics and athletics, the distinguished Greenwood alumnus said that there "is no reason for conflict to occur" between the two.
"The institution of sports is unique," she continued, and offers a chance to participate in "activities unrelated to careers, family life and friends" in which "success depends more on ability to cooperate that to compete.
"We know at the end of a contest how well we've done," Toburen added, and can point to values such as hard work and sacrifice as reasons for success.
"Many of those values are often mentioned in sports lingo," she said, but should be included in academic language as well.
Toburen ended by commending the Cloverbelt's top scholar/athletes.
"I sincerely applaud each of you," she said.
"I'd like to emphasize how much each of you has to look forward to. Life keep getting better.
"Reflect on what you had to do to achieve this," she reminded.
"You have set a distinguished standard."
Greenwood scholar/athletes (above) Cindy Wildish and Scot Bowe are pitcture with Greenwood alumnus Karen Toburen. Below are Loyal's scholar/athletes Vicki Schoonover and Robert Schultz)
