Athletic Booster Club Sportsperson of the Month: January 2020
The Saint Viator Boosters Club January 2020 Sportsperson of the Month is awarded to RJ Gamble '23, a member of the Saint Viator freshman basketball team.
The entire boys’ basketball program participates in a Vs. Cancer campaign each winter to raise money for pediatric brain cancer research, and after raising close to $5,000 last year, the competitive nature of the boys ramped it up this season, especially RJ Gamble '23. The boys raised just under $11,000 this year, and RJ raised over $1,500 on his own.
We asked RJ how he accomplished this achievement and he said, “my plan was to reach out to family, friends, elementary school faculty, former classmates, former teammates, and their parents, and my AAU/Travel/Club basketball families. I wanted to see what I could do on my own, without any assistance from my parents while still seeking their input on how to carry out my plan. Part of my plan included sending a personal thank-you e-mail to everyone who donated through my fundraising page. I really wasn't sure just how much money I would be able to raise, so I set a personal goal of $500. I am happy to say I was able to more than triple that goal!"
This campaign was also personal to RJ. “My paternal grandfather, whom I never had the chance to meet, lost his battle with cancer in 1995, nine years before I was born. And although I never got to know him personally, the stories my parents have shared with me about his love for family, passion for ballroom (and other forms of) dancing, patience in teaching dancing to young adults and those thought to be "unteachable," helped me to know the man who many respected. I visit my grandfather's gravesite several times each year with my dad, and when we visit, I get a sense of closeness to him. I only wish I would’ve had the chance to meet him. I just wanted to do my part with this campaign in helping to find a cure for cancer.”
Vs. Cancer empowers sports teams, athletes, and communities to help kids with cancer. You can help make an impact on kids fighting cancer nationwide: www.vs-cancer.org.
Saint Viator High School
Located in Arlington Heights, IL, Saint Viator High School is a private, co-ed, Catholic school for grades 9-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.