Streaks Alumni Profile- John Shay & Lori (Hudgel) Shay 1969

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features John and Lori Shay from the GHS Class of 1969. 

John was a great high school and college baseball players at GHS and ISU. Lori missed girls sports by just 4 years, but she was active in Girls Athletic Association, Cheerleading and Girls Service League. They are GHS sweethearts, who married in 1971 and have been together over 50 years!!

It could be argued that the Shays are Galesburg’s “first family of the sports world.” John and Lori have three strong, disciplined sons. Jason, Zach, and Beau were all successful in athletics at GHS in multiple sports and also were able to be successful playing at a D1 level. 

The boys’ success in athletics and in their careers is no accident. They were raised in a family that valued a strong work ethic, valued competition, and expected accountability. 

It is exciting to see those same values being passed down to their grandchildren!

Sports/Activities at GHS

John played football, basketball, and baseball. Since sports weren’t offered to girls at the time, I was a cheerleader and a member of the Girls Athletic Association (GAA).

Favorite Teachers /Classes 

John remembers Mrs. Hegg (Latin) and Gretchen Gates (Trigonometry). My favorite was Mr. Beck for Rhetoric, as I loved the research involved. I also enjoyed Mr. Maurizi’s homeroom.

Favorite GHS Memories

John enjoyed the Homecoming bonfires, dances, and working on floats. I loved my entire high school experience, especially cheering, the dances, and dating John.

First Date

Our first date was at Marty’s Pizza and the Orpheum Theater.

John pitching for ISU. 

Post Graduation

John attended ISU on a baseball scholarship, and I attended the Elkhart Institute of Technology for dental assisting. We married in 1971. John worked for Caterpillar in Peoria before we bought the Galesburg Bowl in 1978, which we operated until a fire in 1985. John then worked in sales until retiring in 2017, and I retired from Carl Sandburg College as an Administrative Assistant in 2013.

Retirement Activities

We enjoy attending our grandchildren's games and activities, following Jason’s and Joah’s teams, attending games at Bettendorf High School (where Zach is the AD), and cheering for our beloved Iowa Hawkeyes and Clemson Tigers.

Views on Youth Sports

We value attention to detail and focusing on one sport at a time. While our grandchildren play AAU and club sports, we personally feel these programs can be over-commercialized and believe that college coaches will find talented athletes regardless.

Advice for Parents

Support your children and let them fail occasionally to help them grow. Be realistic about their abilities and never berate their performance. It is important to leave the game on the field rather than rehashing it at home.