Ken Williams, Chicago White Sox senior vice president/general manager, made a surprise visit to Lisle when he visited the Chicago Bulls/Chicago White Sox Training Academy. He stopped in Feb. 12 to meet with young athletes and talk some baseball.
The young players are striving to play at the next level, depending on their ages—high school, college or someday in the professional ranks. Williams spoke to the youngsters and their parents about growing up in California, his playing days at Stanford and with the White Sox as well as his background in the sports business. Williams also talked about the importance of getting an education. He stressed that student athletes need to develop their minds just as much as they need to develop their bodies for sports by putting an equal amount of time, if not more, into the classroom.
“These people here [at the Bulls/Sox Academy], they know what they’re doing. And it’s tied in to what the White Sox are doing. It is tied into what we are doing as far as our training and our conditioning and all the things that [the team is] doing,” Williams said. “You guys are getting some top notch treatment but you have got to commit to it. All of you are so fortunate to have a place like this to work out and hang out. I’m glad you guys are taking advantage of it.”
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The Chicago Bulls/Sox Training Academy opened in 2001 in Lisle, and runs extensive, fun youth training programs for boys and girls ages five to 18 in baseball, basketball, fast-pitch softball and sports performance. There are four additional satellite academies including Glen Ellyn and La Grange. For more information or to register for a program, go to www.BullsSoxAcademy.com or call 630-324-8221.
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