2022 Director: Teena Mackey

Teena Mackey, Joliet, IL

Teena Mackey’s induction into the IL USSSA Hall of Fame is long overdue! Teena and MJ (Mary Jane) Ehrsam’s involvement with the USSSA began in the late 1970s before Inwood Sports Complex was built. At that time, league games were played throughout the city and managing those leagues must have been time consuming for this young, energetic woman. And rainouts must have been a nightmare.

Softball diamonds were very limited in the Joliet area, and most were held at multiple locations. Stone City VFW was the premier field for the most competitive Men’s League in the area and Crowther Field just into Romeoville had been closed for a few years and needed some major repairs.

Teena’s involvement with the Joliet Park District as the Athletics Coordinator early in her career chose to step away from the “other” organization and allow the IL USSSA to monitor her 300+ softball teams. Of course, this was before Inwood, so she had to find a facility to host leagues and IL USSSA tournaments.

Teena and MJ and a few very good friends turned Crowther Field into their tournament site. It took much labor, but they had 2 diamonds ready for tournaments and league play.

With the help of the IL USSSA, Teena was able to establish a classification system that allowed the teams to be a legitimate competitive league every night of the week.

This new affiliation also needed some qualified umpires for leagues and tournaments. “Working with USSSA State Umpire clinicians, we brought training and accountability to the umpire staff to further enhance the competitive nature of the game”, Teena stated.

In 1980, Teena was promoted to Superintendent of Recreation and held that position until 1989. She took on more responsibility, but it was important to her to build on the program she created. In 1982, she traveled to the USSSA National Convention and attended the National Umpire’s Clinics in Nashville, TN. Again in 1985 she attended these clinics, and she also attended the Director’s Training Seminars.

Teena wrote the grant and supervised the construction of the complex, but unfortunately didn’t reap the benefits of her years of perseverance since she left the Joliet Park District the week Inwood Sports Complex opened for more challenges in recreation. She has been working the past few years in a new career path as a Supervisor of the Behavioral Health Division in Kankakee.

Thank you Teena Mackey and MJ Ehrsam, for all of your dedication helping promote the IL USSSA in the Joliet area. Due to your diligence, IL USSSA was able to expand into the neighboring communities and eventually surpass the Rockford Park District in total team registrations. In addition, they laid the groundwork to host numerous qualifying State, National, NIT, Divisional, and World Tournaments at such a beautiful facility. Job well done !!