Former Eisenhower athlete, coach won't forget impact of Decatur broadcaster Scott Busboom

He was one of the first people I did interviews with and, of course, you mess up during those interviews," Sassano said.

"I'd be so embarrassed for small things, grammar or whatever.

He was like, 'No, you are being authentically yourself.

That's what you need to remember.' That was a big one.

Busboom, who died on Feb.

26 at the age of 62, had that kind of impact on a large portion of Decatur athletes during his time at WZUS-FM (100.9), where he called local high school and Millikin games.

He was always promoting Decatur athletes and coaches.

He was an Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and Decatur Public Schools Athletics Hall of Famer, but the impact he had on local athletes stood out most and still remains.

He just wanted Decatur athletics to be looked upon in a positive manner, no matter what was going on, former Eisenhower and MacArthur girls basketball coach Sean Flaherty said.

He was always extremely supportive to me and women's sports in general, Sassano said.

Flaherty was a successful coach at both Eisenhower and MacArthur and managed the second-most wins in Decatur history during his tenure.

He constantly felt and saw the presence of Busboom as a media member and a supporter.

Busboom provided consistent coverage for girls sports at area high schools no matter their performance.

It meant a huge deal for our girls, Flaherty said.

Because girls basketball in Decatur's always had a good tradition, a high tradition.

When I was at Eisenhower in the early 2010s, we had a great run.

And he covered that just as strongly as he covered it when we were young and struggled a little bit at the end of the run.

"And then, when I helped out at MacArthur and then when I took over at MacArthur, he did the same thing.

No matter how the teams were, he wanted Decatur to be a positive light.

And the girls really appreciated that he put the same effort in for us as he did for the boys programs.

He covered multiple high-level athletes like Sassano and wanted to put an emphasis on all of their accomplishments on and off the court.

He highlighted when athletes succeeded in the classroom as well as on the court.

We were a pretty great team with a lot of phenomenal athletes, some who have gone to play in college, Sassano said.

I think he kind of brought a little bit of attention to that.

And that was the first time, for me in particular, getting attention through sports was a pretty big change.

"I think it was a good way for people to get to know Decatur public school sports as well.

I think there was a little bit of a negative connotation around Eisenhower and MacArthur athletes in Decatur.

He was bringing to light how hardworking we were and how good we were playing.

It was definitely a big jump forward for us and me personally getting that type of attention.

That coverage and a positive attitude endeared him to those he covered and interacted with.

(Hed) always have a smile, Flaherty said.

He'd go out of his way to say 'Hi' to you.

He'd always make eye contact with you walking in the gym or I'd be walking in the gym.

Sassano went on to play rugby at Dartmouth where she won three national titles after getting over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds for the Panthers.

Her confidence has transcended the court and the pitch, with her moving to Capitol Hill after she graduated.

Shes now a legislative correspondent for North Dakota Senator John Hoeven after being a Staff Assistant in the House of Representatives.

I genuinely believe I am where I am because of him, Sassano said.

He instilled confidence in me first and foremost, being a 15-year-old girl learning, I was at a new school.

I was learning a different type of basketball and he was in my corner cheering me on even in moments where it felt like I didn't have a lot of people in the community cheering me on..

This article has been shared from the original article on herald_review, here is the link to the original article.