On November 11, 2022, Jake Sonderman and Team White arrived at the field in Sonderman’s white Lexus, with Kodak Black blasting through the speakers and the bass shaking the car. Minutes later, John Beetham and Team Black pulled up to face Team White for their annual half-day football game at Winstrom Park. As Team Black stepped onto the freshly cut grass, Team White’s captain, Matt Harrison, and Team Black’s captain, John Beetham, met at the 50-yard line for a handshake before the long, competitive game.

   The Winstrom Sports League (WSL) was founded by West Ottawa alumni Tyler Berens, Andrew Spillotro, John Beetham, Desmond Chapa, Nick Catton, Danny Siterlet, Grant Honeycutt, Demarus Chapa, Cam Sanders, Matt Harrison, Carson Witvoet, Noah Alvarez, Eli Armstrong, Ricky De La Cruz, Jake Sonderman, and Charlie Racelis. “We all loved playing pickup sports, whether it was basketball, wiffle ball, or football. One day in Mrs. Vaara’s math class, Noah Alvarez, Carson Witvoet, and I came up with the idea to organize a competitive football game among our friends,” Harrison recalled. Excited about the new initiative, Charlie Racelis took on the role of commissioner, setting up events, forming teams, and promoting them through the WSL Instagram, providing details about when and where the games would take place.

   WSL quickly gained popularity, attracting many participants. “Our first-ever football game drew a crowd of about 20 people, which was exciting for us at the time,” Racelis said. Harrison appreciated WSL as a way to bond and create lasting memories with his closest friends before they headed off to college. The athletes involved saw it as a great opportunity to exercise, have fun, and prepare for their upcoming school sports seasons.

   WSL formed many unforgettable memories for its participants. One standout moment for Matt Harrison was during the first-ever Winstrom football game in 2022. “It was 3rd and long, and I ran a post route from the left side of the field when Demarcus Chapa lofted the ball my way. Sprinting toward it, I caught it for the first-ever WSL touchdown.” Memories like these have become even more cherished than those from school sports, as WSL allowed them to play when they wanted, choose their sports, and enjoy the company of their closest friends.

   Another lasting aspect of WSL is the bonds forged and memories created. “My favorite moment was winning the first WSL football game during the inaugural year of the league. A ton of people came to watch, and Team White won by five touchdowns—it was fantastic!” Witvoet, a member of Team White, clearly expressed his excitement about the victory.

   After the first annual football game in November, Racelis began brainstorming new games. “The following spring, I came up with the idea of wiffle ball. Matt Harrison built the strike zone, and we played avidly for a few weeks. During winter, with snow covering the ground, it was tough to play outside, but Racelis found a way around it. The ‘Racelis Wingstop Arena’ became the go-to place for mini hoop basketball events and even hosted some wiffle ball games. Both wiffle ball and basketball became favorites among players and fans alike.

   Now that the boys are in college across the country, the fun and joy of WSL have gradually come to a halt, but the memories will remain in their hearts forever.