Don Beebe made a name for himself in the sports world more than 20 years ago. It’s heartening to see Beebe help today’s young athletes do the same.

While it is a long shot that any of Beebe’s Aurora Christian football players will follow in his NFL footsteps, the Kaneland graduate has still helped many of the Eagles make their own marks in football. Last weekend, Aurora Christian successfully defended its IHSA Class 3A state championship with a 42-12 win against Tolono Unity, notching the program’s second straight state triumph.

The back-to-back state titles had to be especially sweet for Beebe considering his son, Chad, was a standout receiver for the Eagles. Local football fans will be able to watch Chad Beebe and two of his teammates – fellow Eagles standouts Brandon Mayes and Joel Bouagnon of Batavia – compete collegiately at Northern Illinois University.