Neighbors

Area friends prepare for tough mountain bike race

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Sports Editor

They first came together years ago over a glass of their favorite beer at Casual Pint Ocotillo in Chandler.

The more that Frank Gavin, Chad Eby and James Welsh spoke, they realized they all shared a common love for biking. Whether on the road or on one of Arizona’s several mountain trails, the three men continued to bond over a sport they all fell in love with at different times in their lives.

On Aug. 16, they will take not only their friendship but their love for the sport to a whole new level when they compete in the Leadville 100 in Leadville, CO.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this race,” Gavin said. “It’s kind of a double-edged sword. I’m excited to compete but I wish it came earlier. But overall, I feel privileged to race and to do it with them.”

One of the most well-known cross-country mountain bike races in the United States, the Leadville 100 is a 100-mile race that will start and finish in the central Colorado city that is home to just under 3,000 people. It is often thought of as one of the most challenging races in the world, as riders climb more than 2,000 feet on the course.

The first Leadville 100 race took place in 1984 to attract tourism to the small city. Since then, it has attracted some of the most experienced riders from across the country.

Due to the pandemic, the number of racers was limited to just 2,000 people. Hopeful participants must apply and be accepted to race. Often, riders wait several years before they are finally able to compete at an official capacity. That was the case for Gavin.

The 73-year-old Chandler resident has ridden bikes for 45 years. He began on a road bike before taking on mountain trails. Even now after a bout with cancer that has limited his performance, he trains five days a week – four days on the street or mountains and one day in his local gym doing core work.

Gavin applied to compete in the Leadville 100 several times but was never accepted. But this year, after convincing Eby and Welsh to apply as a two-man team, all three men received the notice they would be able to race.

“All three of us got accepted and I don’t know how that happened,” Gavin said. “I’m 73 and they are in their mid40s. I have one son who is in his mid40s. Both these guys are young enough to be my sons.

“The conversations we have, the rides we go on, it keeps me young. The only thing that frustrates me is I can’t keep up with them.”

Having the opportunity to race in the Leadville 100 after just one application was a bit of a surprise for Eby. He and Welsh had to quickly make plans to take time off work to head to Leadville early to train. Luckily, both still work from home due to the pandemic. Welsh, who in year’s past traveled out of the country on several occasions for Intel, hasn’t traveled for work since the coronavirus first took hold of the country last year.

As the owner of The Pint Ocotillo, Eby, a Chandler resident, also had to move back his five-year anniversary party at the pub. It will now take place on Saturday, Aug. 21.

Eby has ridden bikes for most of his

From left: Chad Eby, Frank Gavin and James Welsh are preparing to compete in one of the toughest mountain bike races in the world, the Leadville 100 in Colorado on Aug. 16.

(Pablo Robles/Staff)

See BIKING on page 30

Sun Lakes Rotarians reflect on busy year

SANTAN SUN NEWS

The 2020-21 session of the Rotary Club of Sun Lakes was a busy one despite the curbs imposed on some activities by the pandemic, Club President Jon Lyons told members recently.

Throughout the year, club members devoted time and close to $90,000 to local, domestic and international community service organizations as well as East Valley schools, teachers and students.

Its work included Classy Closets projects at Anderson Junior High, Humphrey Elementary and Chandler Traditional Academy; the Arizona Patriot Guard – Sun Lakes Help the Homefront Drive; A World in Motion mentoring efforts and on-site support at Chandler’s Auxier Elementary School and Strong Foundations Academy.

The club also supported AZCEND, Chandler Boys/Girls Club, Chandler Cares Center, the Chandler–Fry’s gift cards to families in need and Chandler YMCA.

The club also distributed 3,200 dictionaries to Chandler Unified School District third graders; facilitated the delivery of 1,744 children’s books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library; and participated in FANS Across America, Harvest Compassion, Matthew Crossing Food Bank, Neighbors Who Care, One Small Step that provided a sweatshirt and pair of socks to every student at San Marcos Elementary School, the “Drive-by Veterans Celebration/Parade at Auxier Elementary School; Positive Paths scholarships to women, Project Healing Waters’ Recovering Veterans Support.

Sun Lakes Rotarians also supported a number of Rotary International programs like its Navajo Water, Mexico/USA Friendship Exchange, PolioPlus Day, International Peacebuilder Club Program.

The Rotary Club of Sun Lakes also thanked its corporate and local sponsors: Earnhardt Automotive, New Horizon Farms, Good Sound Audiology, State Farm Insurance Agency, Built By Referral Realty, DC Steakhouse, Hornecek Golf, and Renaissance Luxury Senior Living.

Other sponsors included Moors & Cabot Investments, Hon-Dah Resort & Casino, Home Instead, Robson Adult Communities, Sir Speedy, Harrah’s AK-CHIN Dental Associates, Saba & Romanin Dental Associates, Young Home Team, Ameriprise Financial Services, Ocotillo Foot & Ankle Center, Santa Roger, McCleery & Cole Families, Trust Bank, Swagel Wootton Eye Institute, Debbie Wiltse State Farm, Rob Romanin Sun Lakes Dentistry and Classy Closets.

Rotarian of the Month awards went Elaine Ralls, Phyllis Carr, Terrie Sanders, Judi Edmonds, Maureen Alger, Scott Faver, Bill and Val Crump, Don Robins, Margie Wright, Stephen Phair, Camille Casteel, and Howard Rudge.

Service Above Self awards went to Don Robins, Terrie Sanders and Judi Edmonds while the John K. McCain Good Guy/Gal Trophy went to Maureen Alger and Rotarians of the Year were Bill and Val Crump.

Teacher of the Month awards went to Donna Gustafson, San Tan Junior High; Lisette Bingold and Cassie Itsell, Navarrete Elementary; Katherine Barton, Basha Elementary; Lisa King, Weinberg Gifted Academy; Jamie Cordova, Casteel High; Allison Lewis, Sanborn Elementary; Kristin Tollefson, CTA Liberty; and Rosie Marie Bogue, Galveston Elementary. Rotary Club of Sun Lakes Sandy Lundberg Educator of the Year Award was Rajani Rastogi.

Service Above Self Scholarships were awarded to Lily Steenhard, Casteel High, and Aris Shi, Hamilton, while a vocational scholarship went to Adrianna Camachio of Chandler High. The STEM Programs Award went to Joe Greene, Perry High and the 4-way Test Speech Contest winner was Navaneeth Unnikrishnan, Hamilton High. The club continued to meet via Zoom after its initial meeting of the year in July 2020 and moved into a hybrid format in April, with in-person sessions at Sun Lakes Palo Verde restaurant. The club continues to hold a combination of weekly morning and late afternoon meetings and details are available at sunlakesrotary.com.

During the year, the club welcomed new members Kim Rector, Kandi Skrabala, Don Peterson, Dan Halloran, and Dr. Honora Norton with the following sponsors: Marge Wright, Chuck Hawkins, Dick Thomas and Gary Whiting.

Sun Lakes Rotary Vice President Stephen Phair presented a thank you gavel plaque to club President Jon Lyons during the club’s annual report meeting at Cottonwood Palo Verde Country Club.

(Dr. Honora Norton/Special to STSN)

D-backs exec taking over Baseball Hall of Fame

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI

Staff Writer

Josh Rawitch was in his last week as an executive with the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was the All-Star week and he was just leaving a meeting about the Suns Road Game Rally at Chase Field.

Rawitch sounded confi dent but sentimental about the decade he has spent with the D-backs, most recently as senior vice president, content and communications.

On Sept. 9, the 44-year-old Scottsdale resident will begin his tenure as the eighth president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York. He, his wife, Erin, and their children, Emily and Braden, will move east on Aug. 6.

His last day with the D-backs was July 16 – nearly 10 years to the day when he joined the team.

“It’s hard to put into words how cool of a position this is,” Rawitch said about the presidency. “We’ve gone through the process and were able to visit Cooperstown several more times. We’re really, really excited. We loved our decade here, though, and so did the family.”

Jane Forbes Clark, chair of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, is looking forward to working with Rawitch as well.

“On behalf of our board of directors, I am delighted to welcome Josh as the Hall of Fame’s next president, and to welcome him and his family to Cooperstown,” Clark said in a statement.

“Josh brings to the Hall of Fame a wealth of expertise from his many years representing the game as a respected baseball executive. We are very much looking forward to his presidency at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.”

A graduate of Indiana University, Rawitch has spent 27 seasons working in baseball. In his most recent role with the D-backs, Rawitch helmed player and media relations, corporate communications, broadcasting, content production, social media, creative services, in-game entertainment, Spring Training business operations, team archives, alumni relations, publications and photography.

So few businesses, he explained, have an outcome almost daily that can impact an offi ce — happy or sad — at the end of the day.

“Derrick (Hall, CEO) has created such a special place to come to work every day, to the extent is I’m going to share that with Cooperstown.

“From the fi rst day, Ken Kendrick has blown me away with the way he genuinely cares about the organization and this city and see what this franchise has become.”

The D-backs’ managing general partner, Kendrick is on the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Board of Directors. Rawitch has been grateful for this time with Kendrick, Hall and Cullen Maxey, executive vice president, business operations and chief revenue offi cer.

He joined the Diamondbacks after 15 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers’ front offi ce.

A native of Los Angeles, Rawitch joined the Dodgers’ staff in 1995 and spent parts of fi ve seasons in the team’s marketing department before shifting to public relations. He left the organization to serve as a beat reporter for Ma-

Josh Rawitch and his family are picking up and moving to Cooperstown, New York, where he will become the eighth president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and

Museum. (Special to STSN)

See BASEBALL on page 30

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BIKING from page 28

life. Like Gavin and Welsh, he fi nds solace while on the road or a trail around the Valley. But he also enjoys mixing his love for biking with his love for brews. On several occasions he has taken part in “Bikes and Brews” events in Arizona, biking from bar to bar.

Just like he does during those events, he enjoys spending time with those who share the same passion. Especially if they become some of his best friends. That, alone, makes the trip to Leadville special.

“It is very cool and we both blame Frank, it was him that convinced us over a couple of beers to do it,” said Eby, who sponsored the team with special race jerseys. “James and I thought it would take a couple of years to get in. I was surprised when we got in.

“I put Frank on my team, so he is a part of our group.”

Eby and Welsh departed for Leadville on Saturday, July 24, three weeks before the start of the race. The two spent the fi rst week enjoying the city while still working. The two weeks leading up to the race will be spent on the course, familiarizing themselves.

There are plenty of factors that go into the Leadville 100 all three men had to consider aside from the elevation. It’s an unfamiliar trail with various parts that may be hazardous. While daytime temperatures hover in the mid-70s this time of year, overnight lows could potentially dip into the low 30s.

They will be well acclimatized, however, as both men will camp rather than stay in a hotel or AirBNB. Though, Eby admits his camper is more of a “mobile hotel room.” Welsh on the other hand, will be “roughing it,” which will allow him to become accustomed to the elements, altitude included.

“The altitude is the unknown for us,” said Welsh, who grew up in Scotland and now lives in Gilbert and works for Intel. “I grew up at sea level. And when I came here, it was the same. So, the more time we spend there before the race the more accustomed to it we will be.”

All three men have diff erent expectations for the race. They are excited but know it will be one of the most diffi cult ventures they’ve ever had on bikes.

But all in all, they’re look forward to the point when they all meet at the fi nish line to celebrate.

“This race would be a very diffi cult thing to do on your own,” Welsh said. “But to have the motivation, we all drive each other. It will be special when we get to the starting line together and the fi nish line together.”

BASEBALL from page 29

jor League Baseball Advanced Media from 2001-02, after which he returned to the Dodgers, eventually rising to the position of vice president of communications.

With decades in baseball, Rawitch is clearly passionate about the sport. It’s a longtime love, as he scored an internship with the Dodgers after his freshman year of college.

“The world was very diff erent,” he said. “The fi eld was not nearly as competitive. After my internship, I returned for three summers. I was hired full time the week after I graduated. I was there for 15 years.”

He left for two years, spending one year covering the Dodgers and another for the San Francisco Giants for MLB.com.

“There’s just something about this sport,” Rawitch said. “It’s intoxicating. With the daily grind of it, you have to love the sport to work in the sport. I grew up loving it as a kid.”

He almost transferred to baseball operations with the Dodgers because he’s such a student of the game. Rawitch loves the atmosphere, the game and the business of it. He enjoys creating content, social media and sharing story ideas with editors.

“Everything about it is so much fun for me,” Rawitch said. “To get the chance to work in the mecca of the baseball world is so unreal.”

Rawitch heard about the open position from Hall of Fame Interim President Jeff Idelson.

“He thought I’d be a really good fi t for this,” he said. “It’s such an interesting position. It had to be someone within the baseball community, given

the relationships you had to have. There was a list of people who might be a good fi t. I’m very grateful that I came out on the top.” That’s not to say he hasn’t had a series of highlights with the D-backs. “The 2017 Wild Card and that entire season is unmatched,” Rawitch said. “It was so much fun. That’s at the top of the list. “Several of the trips we took to CLIPPER MAGAZINE Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico Proof Release and the Dominican Republic were highApprove By: 07/19/21 lights. For someone who loves to travel, ontact your Account Service Coordinator: Chad Wilt-Stephanie Reddinger-John Hopkins it was a highlight to travel while doing

Team: phone: 4J 717-509-9497 my job and raising the international email: 4J@cmag.com fax: 717-358-2615 profi le of the organization.” This ad is the property of CLIPPER MAGAZINE and may not be reproduced. Please review your proof carefully. CLIPPER MAGAZINE is not His coworkers, players and execuresponsible for any error not marked. COUPON PLACEMENT MAY CHANGE PRIOR TO PUBLICATION. tives made an impact on Rawitch — and will continue. “My wife and kids feel the same way,” Rawitch said. “Arizona is a second home for us. Living life in Arizona was

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Rawitch is also impressed with the strong and dedicated fans who have stuck with the D-backs during its rough 2021 season.

“That’s a true sports town,” he said. “I think it’s because this organization is so engrained in the community. People do realize it’s more than just a baseball team on the fi eld. It’s a civic entity trying to help fans.”

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