Coming up on Saturday, August 23rd will be the return of the Danville Police vs Fire Department Charity Softball Game at Danville Stadium. As Officer Patrick Carley recently explained to Tommy B on D102’s The Big Show, this game goes back about two decades. But then it was discontinued for a while, due to personnel issues.
AUDIO: About four or five years ago though, the Fire Department got kind of short on young guys that wanted to play the game. I actually played on the Fire Department’s team back in, maybe 2020, I believe. This year, we got together with the Fire Department, and we both agreed on playing the game again. And this year we are doing it for Mike Stephens.
Officer Mike Stephens passed away this past December, after retiring from the Danville Police Department in May of 2024. Ironically, it was Stephens who often came into D102’s studios in past years to promote this charity game. Lieutenant Kyle O’Brien says the Officer Stephens Scholarship has been created for students at a place where his family has a long history; Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin High School.
AUDIO: His family just started this year the Mike Stephens Memorial Scholarship. All seniors that participated in athletics, I believe, and have a passion for furthering their education, after high school, can apply for it. So, all the money raised at the softball game this year is going towards that scholarship.
Action at Danville Stadium on August 23rd will begin with AMBUCS Challenger Baseball starting at 11:30. Gates for the event will open at 3 PM; free admission but donations welcome. Additional attractions will include bounce houses, and fireworks sponsored by Toyota of Danville. They could always use more sponsorships, volunteers, and raffle prizes for this game. So for information on that go to the link on the Danville Police Department Facebook Page:
Also look for the Venmo link, on the Facebook page or event flyer, where you can order a blue police or red fire T-shirt for the event ahead of time.
To hear all of Tommy B’s interview with Officer Carley and Lieutenant O’Brien, please go to https://vermilioncountyfirst.com/big-show-bites-podcast/
