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Now, 31 years later, things have changed dramatically.
Wetherington says more than 40 athletes will work with about 2,000 children in sports ranging from baseball to golf during the event, which begins today. And the camps won't be limited to just Hilton Head. The festivities have expanded to Beaufort, Bluffton and into Jasper County.
"No, I didn't think it would be like it is today," Wetherington said. "But it's like a steamroller building up steam -- it's gotten bigger and bigger every year."
The Week of Champions is a non-profit volunteer organization that provides sports camps for children free of charge. The camps are conducted by professional Christian athletes with the theme of teaching them to be champions in life.
"It shows that even during a tough economy, good work can be done," Wetherington said. "And everyone gets more and more excited about it every year."
In addition to the camps, one of the week's highlights is the annual Week of Champions Sports Banquet. This year's dinner will be held Tuesday in the Crown Plaza Ballroom at Shipyard Plantation on Hilton Head Island. The keynote speaker will be
record-holding runner Jim Ryan. A member of the USATF Hall of Fame,
Ryan participated in three Olympics and was named Sports Illustrated's
Sportsman of the Year as well as ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of
the Year in 1966. It was during that year when, at the age of 19, he
set world records in the mile- and half-mile runs.
"It's an opportunity for kids to see some professional athletes in
person who are real role models," Wetherington said. "It's more than
just what they see on TV."
Tickets for the banquet, which are sold in advance, and additional
information on the Week of Champions can be obtained at 757-2150 or
www.weekofchampions.com.
