Beyond the Final Score: Hank Parker, EHS baseball and Clemson

The definition of The Outdoor Dream Foundation is: Providing hunting, fishing and other outdoor adventures to children who have been diagnosed with terminal or life-threatening illnesses ages 5 through 21.

It’s a nonprofit organization and is located in Anderson.

Last Saturday, The Outdoor Dream Foundation hosted a full day of fishing at Lake Hartwell. They had a big meal afterwards and trophies were awarded to the winners.

But beyond all of that, fishing icon Hank Parker showed up for the 20th-straight year and he took some time to talk about what The Outdoor Dream Foundation means to him.

“I got involved in this when it first started and I’ve done a lot in years past,” Parker said. “They bring these families together. It is not a one-and-done type of deal. It is not come and go on your outdoor dream trip. You join the family. It goes on and on and on. It is a real ministry. You and I and everyone who has healthy children cannot understand what it is like to have a child with a life-threatening illness.”

Continued Hank, “So when these families get to come together that have a common tie with children that are so sick and go through so much and so many treatments - to be able to come together and fellowship and share stories. They understand each other because they have been there. I have not been there. I have all healthy children. I’ve never gone through the pains and the hurt and the heartbreak that these families go through. The Dream Foundation is a lifetime deal and kids come back year after year after year. We just keep trying to raise funds to never turn a kid away and to bring that family together, and to minister to them. We tell them about Jesus and we tell them about life. If a guy wants to go bear hunting or if a little girl wants to go bear hunting or trout fishing or go to Alaska - they work so hard to raise the funds to accommodate that. It’s an organization like no other organization that I know about or have ever heard of. For me to be a tiny part of it is a true honor.”

Parker won two Bassmaster Classic tournaments (1979 and 1989) - the biggest event in bass fishing. He is one of only four anglers to win the event more than once. He’s also had his own TV show since 1984. He did retire from fishing competitively in 1984.

When asked what advice he would give to a kid starting out in fishing, he said, “Life is hard and sometimes cruel. You have to look for opportunities. If you go around feeling sorry for yourself, you’ll never overcome the pit. Bit if you are determined in your heart and mind, the main thing is to form a relationship with Jesus Christ. You get that attitude that it is what it is and I am what I am, and God loves me … I can do all things through Christ who empowers me and have that attitude.”

Next level: Former Green Wave baseball standout Carter Morgan has recently announced that he’ll be continuing his career next season at Anderson University. Morgan is a right-handed sidearm pitcher and he will be joining EHS standout Kaleb Owens next year on the AU pitching staff.

“I am blessed and excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at Anderson University,” said Morgan, recently on social media. “Most importantly, I would like to thank God. Thank you to all of my friends, family, and coaches who have helped me along with way. Go Trojans!”

Some great Green Wave tradition in baseball!

Weisner lands head coaching job: Former Easley High School baseball standout Trevor Weisner has been named the head baseball coach for the Union County Yellow Jackets baseball program. Congrats!

Easley Baseball notes: The Easley baseball team recently gave out their individual awards, which was voted 100 percent by the players.

Most Valuable Player: Kaleb Owens

Best Pitcher: Walker Cox

Best Offensive Player: Aaron Tolbert

Best Defensive Player: Brayden Bryson

Clemson Hoops: Some great news hit the social media world this week for local fans when Chase Hunter said he’ll be returning for his senior year of basketball at Clemson University and not going the NBA route - quite yet. Sounds like Coach Brad Brownell is loading up that roster! Do you think they can make it to the Elite 8 again?

Countdown is on: For all of the Clemson football fans, it is under 100 days until you are back inside of Death Valley.

Putting up the cleats: Coastal Carolina baseball coach and 2016 College World Series champ Gary Gilmore is retiring after the 2024 season.

Upcoming Event: Robinson Funeral Home in Easley will be hosting a First Responders Appreciation Lunch today (on Wednesday) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.