Hughes News

Builder, White Sox hit home runs for school
Chicago Sun Times, November 11, 2005

A suburban home building company recently presented a $20,000 check to an Aurora college prep school - capping the 2005 White Sox Home Run Call, a promotion with ESPN radio(1000 AM).

Every time a White Sox player smacked a home run during the 2005 campaign, John Rooney and Ed Farmer, the Sox broadcasters on EPSN Radio, announced that Wiseman-Hughes Enterprises was pledging $100 to Marmion Academy. During the regular season, the South Side Hit Men walloped an amazing 200 homers.

On a Sunday afternoon in August at U.S. Cellular Field, the Sox faced Yankees pitcher Randy Johnson, a future Hall of Famer. Johnson was breezing along -- until the Sox walloped a record four home runs in just one inning!

During that wild inning, Rooney and Farmer would just finish making the Wiseman-Hughes donation announcement when it was time to make another, and another -- and another. Up in the scoreboard, the operators had to scramble quickly to load up the fireworks for each homer, a staple at Sox games since 1960.

This is the second consecutive year that Wiseman-Hughes has participated in the Home Run Call. The builder upped the ante over last year. This year's donation will be used in similar fashion as 2004. Last year, 10 students received financial aid grants.

Jim Hughes Jr., executive vice president of Wiseman-Hughes, recently attended a ceremony to present the check to the school.

"We're grateful to Jim and his company for their contributions to Marmion," the Rev. Charles Rechenbacher, Marmion's director of development, said at the recent school assembly. "Of course, we are also grateful for the success of the Chicago White Sox," he said as the nattily attired students cheered for the World Series champions.

Rechenbacher couldn't resist poking a little good-natured humor at Hughes, a 1971 Marmion graduate. "We actually were relieved when Jim did graduate, thinking that's probably, and hopefully, the last we will see of him," Rechenbacher said as the students roared with laughter.

"Well, we spoke too soon -- and we're glad," he said. "Jim continues to support the school that groomed him toward being a successful businessman. Next year, his oldest son will be attending here as well. So, we'll continue to reap the benefits Jim Hughes brings."

Hughes then presented the oversized check to headmaster John Milroy.

"What started as a way to give a little back has actually grown into something pleasantly unexpected," Hughes said. "Coming back here brings back fond memories and a renewed sense of what it means to graduate from such a highly regarded prep school. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to be a part of an academy that influences young men at such an important time of their lives."

About 20 percent of Marmion's 480 students receive financial aid. The donation from Wheaton-based Wiseman-Hughes will be used toward scholarships and other financial assistance.

"This year, Marmion is faced with a pleasant challenge -- our largest freshman class in more than 40 years," Milroy said. Marmion Academy was founded in 1933.

Since 1958, Wiseman-Hughes has constructed more than 15,000 homes. The builder currently has eight developments in Chicago suburbs.