Streaks Alumni Profile Vicki (Wardell) Legge 1990

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Vicki (Wardell) Legge from the GHS class of 1990.

Vicki was active as an athlete at Lombard and at GHS. She has always had an enthusiasm for the Silver Streaks- first as a student and now as an adult. 

For me it was special having coached Vicki in girls basketball, and then being able to coach her daughter, Kelsi. After playing, Kelsi became an assistant in Streaks basketball so Vicki has been an enthusiastic supporter of Streaks basketball for decades. 

Vicki played an important role in getting Lombard’s Gym named in honor of Phil Erickson. Her leadership was very impressive!!

Activities/Sports at GHS

                  Basketball, G-Club, Spanish Club, FCA

Favorite Teachers/Classes

                  Social Studies-Hawes, Devore, Purcell, White, Sward

                  English-Hinman, Diemer, Roehlk

                  PE-Murdock, Clay

Best Memories from Galesburg and GHS

I grew up on East Losey St, near ON Custer Park, we spent a lot of time riding bikes, playing tag or hide and seek, playing sports, watching sports, and swimming at the park in the summer. 

Luckily, as we entered Junior High, athletics were reintroduced, and I have fond memories of Lombard/Churchill games.  The Zephyr girls’ Basketball team went undefeated as 8th graders (beating Churchill twice). 

The High School years were full of cheering on the Silver Streaks whatever the season was, then hurrying to Pizza Hut or Happy Joes when the games were over and perhaps a trip from McDonalds to McDonalds (IYKYK). 

I was fortunate to have been teammates with some amazingly talented athletes. My Sophomore year saw the beginning of the Galesburg Summer League. The basketball teams my Junior and Senior year had 20-win seasons and Regional Championships. My Senior year, we beat Moline to be Western Big 6 Champs and were ranked #19.  I have great memories of Michigan Team Camps and Manual Christmas Tournaments.

Education after GHS

I earned an Associates degree from Carl Sandburg and played basketball and softball for the Chargers. I graduated from Illinois State with a BS in History.

Career

I have worked for the State of Illinois for over 25 years, beginning with the Department of Agriculture at the Galesburg Animal Disease Lab. When that facility was closed, I transitioned to the Department of Corrections, working at Illinois River CC in Canton. I am currently the Executive Secretary to the Assistant Warden of Operations at Hill CC.

Today

My husband Keith (class of ’85) and I have two children. Our son Drake (’17) works for the USPS and lives in town with his partner Taylor (’19). Our daughter Kelsi (’19) was married last summer to her husband Chad (’11). We have 3 grandcritters, Oliver, Duncan & Kalli. 

Our kids were involved in lots of activities (swimming, band, theater, basketball, volleyball, and track), while they were in Junior High, High School & College, so we spent many years supporting them at the pool, in gyms, on fields, at plays and band performances. 

We continue to enjoy being Silver Streaks fans. Kelsi spent 3 years as an Assistant Coach for Girl’s Basketball and is currently the Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Knox College. Chad is also on the Knox Men’s Coaching staff, so we spent this last season cheering on the Prairie Fire as well. 

I recently took my first cruise to the Western Caribbean this past Spring, and Keith and I are planning an Alaskan cruise for our 30th Wedding Anniversary next year.

Advice to Today’s Students/Athletes

My advice to today’s students/athletes would be to never let someone else’s definition of success diminish the enjoyment or passion you have for an activity, sport, class, group or cause. Stay involved with the things that you love and that bring you joy.