NeveHarms Clarence Faucett's unselfish and dedicated work with the youth of Peoria was brought to a regretful close when he collapsed and died at the parking lot of a store at University and Forrest Hill on August 17, 1981.
But throughout his lifetime he had done much ... he had accomplished his objective of helping thousands of kids -. black, white, Protestant and Catholic. His heart of gold and his sincere interest in youth caused him to be a father figure to all the kids he coached and helped.
Clarence organized and directed the Sports Club, the Silver Club for youth sports activities. He worked at the Salvation Army, Carver Center and was involved in kid's summer programs. He coached at St. Boniface, Trewyn and St. Philomena grade schools, as well as the Little Leagues and Journal Star baseball program. He was a great influence to the boys at Manual, Woodruff, Central and Spalding and could be seen at these schools' games watching and encouraging "his" boys.
In 1963 Faucett was one of the two people to share the Brotherhood Award, and in 1980 he was honored at a testimonial dinner which was attended by coaches in the area, by children, adults and civic leaders.
Mrs. Germaine Faucett, his wife, will proudly accept his Neve Harms Meritorious Service To Sports Award.
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Neve Harms Award
The Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame Neve Harms Award, formerly the Peoria Advertising and Selling Club's Annual Meritorious Service to Sports Award, was named the Neve Harms Award in 1966 and for a very good reason.
 As Director of Proctor Recreation Center, Harms observed the need for all youths to experience participation in sports activities, and not just the few who excelled. He, therefore, adopted a firm policy which assured that all youths would have an opportunity to play in games of the various sports controlled by Proctor Center. This plan met with much success and certainly with acceptance by parents whose children became more interested in sport activities at Proctor and consequently made good use of their free time. Neve carried through this policy when he was appointed Superintendent of the Peoria City Recreation Department which later became part of the Peoria Park District. In addition, he also developed a system of recognition for all youths so that each young person could feel good about his or her efforts. This kind of interest in all youths regardless of ability came from a most competitive and outstanding athlete. Neve was a four-sport player at Manual High School and a three-sport letter winner at Bradley University. He was a member of the 1929 Manual High School State Championship Basketball team.
Awards prior to 1981 were offered through the Peoria Advertising Club, rather than the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. We don't have biographies for these individuals. If anyone would be able to provide the bios that were written by the club at the time of the awards, we would very much appreciate receiving them for posting. We are also missing the Bruce Saurs' bio that was written in the 1991 Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame Banquet book, and we would like to receive it also. We are specifically interested in the bios written at the time of the awards, not more or less current. Please contact Rick at rkestner@pekinhigh.net. |
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