Money raised will help pay late coach’s medical expenses
By: Lisa Tarriff
One of Hillsborough High School’s most famous alumni is coming home.
Ricky Proehl, the St. Louis Rams’ wide receiver who caught the touchdown pass that put his team in the Super Bowl earlier this year, will by honored by the Rotary Club Saturday, June 17.
“We thought it would be a good community event to honor Ricky for what he’s done,” said Vince Lipani, a friend of the Proehl family. Mr. Lipani said that Mr. Proehl, who at six feet tall and 190 pounds is not considered a large player, exemplifies what determination and desire can accomplish.
“We want to show kids in town what you can achieve,” Mr. Lipani said.
Mr. Proehl, who was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 1990 NFL draft, graduated from Hillsborough High School in 1986 and played college ball at Wake Forrest.
He played with the Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals before signing with the Rams in 1998 as a free agent. The Rams beat the Tennessee Oilers in Super Bowl XXXIV.
On Friday, June 16, Mr. Proehl will attend the high school’s senior banquet, during which the student athletes will receive their varsity letters.
On June 17, from 2 to 4 p.m., he will sign autographs at the high school. An autograph fee of $5 will be collected to help offset the medical expenses of Otto Gsell. Mr. Gsell, Mr. Proehl’s high school football coach, died of cancer earlier this year.
Photographs of Mr. Proehl’s game-winning catch in the NFC Conference Finals will be sold for $5, but Mr. Lipani said, “people can bring whatever they want signed.”
After the autograph session, at 7 p.m., family, friends and college teammates will gather at St. Mary’s Parish Center on Brooks Boulevard for a dinner. Dick Vermeil, head coach of the Rams, and Hillsborough Mayor Joe Tricarico will attend.
New York Jets Coach Al Groh, Mr. Proehl’s coach at Wake Forrest, will be out of the country, but has put together a video to be shown during the dinner, Mr. Lipani said.
Tickets for the dinner can by purchased for $40 by calling Mr. Lipani at 359-4652; Helen Mason at 874-5948, or Tom Crivello at 874-7797.
Tickets also are available at Sports Cards Plus, in the Towne Center shopping center on Route 206. Reservations must be made by June 14.