Day of tribute: Springfield area schools remember Tim Kratochvil, Ray Ramsey
Both Tim Kratochvil and Ray Ramsey were honored at separate ceremonies on Saturday. Here's how they left an indelible mark in the area:
Tim Kratochvil
Tim Kratochvil forged a legacy not just as the superintendent of Pawnee schools but also athletics that extended to other communities in Taylorville and Carbondale.
That prompted Pawnee and Taylorville’s baseball teams to circle around his family for a heartfelt pregame ceremony ahead of their nonconference matchup on Saturday.
Kratochvil served as Taylorville’s baseball coach for 10 years before heading off to Pawnee. He eventually became its superintendent in 2020. He died in September 2023.
“Tim meant quite a bit to a lot of us,” Taylorville coach Brian Sample said during the tribute.
Kratochvil’s dad, Roger, and son, Jack, threw out the first pitch. Both teams came out to shake hands and offer hugs with the entire family near the mound afterward. Other family members on the field included Kratochvil’s youngest son, Luke; daughter, Olivia; and mom, Mary.
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“It’s pretty surreal,” Jack said. “I remember being a little kid in that Taylorville dugout. I was the bat boy, so I was always there on the field. The two communities coming together is really such a beautiful thing. Being able to honor my dad for the legacy he had at both places is wonderful. I know as a family, we just appreciate it so much. It was a wonderful tribute today.”
The SIU baseball team also remembered Kratochvil the previous weekend and presented the family with a signed jersey. He was inducted into the SIU hall of fame in 2019 as one of the school’s all-time best catchers.
The Sangamon County basketball tournament also recognized Kratochvil posthumously as Friend of the County in January.
“He couldn’t go anywhere without finding a friend,” said Jack, who is currently a student himself at SIU. “He knew how to talk to people and I think people really enjoyed him. He could definitely give a hard time here and there, but I think just the legacy he’s had with education and sports, all of the stories I’ve heard, it’s kind of hard to live up to, but all you can do is try.”
Ray Ramsey
The late Ray Ramsey never boasted about his achievements.
But the new track installed at the refurbished Memorial Stadium will evoke them for generations to come.
Springfield School District 186 and Lanphier High School dedicated the track area to the iconic 1940 Lanphier alum on a brisk Saturday morning with family present.
“I just knew his name had to be on it,” said Ramsey’s daughter, Chris Broeker.
Ramsey was inducted into the inaugural Springfield Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 with a résumé that included a professional career in the NFL with the Chicago Cardinals from 1950-1953 and the NBA for two seasons with the Tri-City Blackhawks and the Baltimore Bullets.
“He said he only played two years (in the NBA) because playing two professional sports was a little much,” Broeker quipped during the ceremony.
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Ramsey’s name can be found in other hall of fames, including Bradley University, Greater Peoria and the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.
“I really enjoyed talking about my father today so that future athletes will know there is that type of person that came from right here in their own city and their own high school,” Broeker said. “There’s not very many people who have been two-pro athletes and accomplish what he’s done.
“I think it gives athletes some hope that if they work hard and dedicate time and effort, they can do whatever they want.”
Broeker indeed enumerated a litany of accomplishments in basketball, football and track and field — just about all of which she had to discover on her own.
“He didn’t talk about himself or his accomplishments,” Broeker said. “Every time I read something, I was always like, ‘He did what? Why didn’t we know about this?’”
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Ramsey eventually returned to the North Side and served as a coach and teacher for 30 years.
Broeker said Ramsey was a kind, modest human being. Anita Wieties Hayes, a 1939 Lanphier alum, also attested to Ramsey’s friendly disposition at the unveiling.
“He was such a wonderful kid,” said Hayes, now 102. “He was so caring about everyone and so humble. It’s wonderful.”
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Families of Tim Kratochvil, Ray Ramsey savor special day
