Mardi Ford

Staff Writer

ELGIN Sports and travel are an appealing combination for two young athletes from Elgin who have answered the call from the Sports Ambassadors program.

At 14, James Hardy, son of Gene and Pam Hardy, has played point guard for four years in basketball. Nominated by the Amateur Athletic Union for the Sports Ambassadors program, Hardy will travel to Sydney, Australia, on Friday as a member of an international basketball team.

Bailey Wilhelm, 13, daughter of Hoby and Cyndi Wilhelm, has been playing soccer for at least eight years in the defender position. Wilhelm was nominated to the Sports Ambassadors Program by the Youth Soccer League. Her trip to Holland begins July 22.

After nomination, both athletes had to submit letters of reference from three coaches and two other adults. Besides their athletic abilities, Pam Hardy says Sports Ambassadors are chosen based on other criteria like attitude, character and a solid reputation in the community.

"They’re looking for all-round good kids," she says.

The Sports Ambassadors Program sprang from an organization known as People to People International which was started almost 50 years ago by then President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

On Sept. 11, 1956, President Eisenhower launched the private-sector program to bring people from different countries face to face in the belief that future generations would be less likely to make war against someone they’d sat across from at the dinner table or challenged to a friendly game one on one.

Today, the People to People International has chapters located in 135 countries with more than 80,000 families and individuals actively participating in programs for youth and adults in addition to programs for Sports Ambasadors, Student Ambassadors and more.

Both Wilhelm and Hardy are excited by the opportunity to travel outside of the U.S. and play sports in an Olympic format complete with opening ceremonies, competitions and awards.

"I’m just excited about getting to go to another country," says Wilhelm.

"I’m hoping some scout will see me play," Hardy says, then adds, "but I feel pretty much the same as Bailey."

In order to raise the almost $5,000 to participate, both athletes did odd jobs and chores and held fundraisers.

Hardy conducted a mini-tournament for three-on-three basketball at Elgin’s recent Riverfest. Wilhelm will hold her final fundraiser with a concession stand at the Elgin Stampede this week.