Harvey Sterkel was regarded as one of the greatest softball pitchers in the game's history and brought worldwide acclaim to the Fox Valley during a legendary era of championship feats. From 1956 to 1969, he posted a remarkable 345-33 record, including 60 no-hitters and 15 perfect games. In 2,599 innings pitched, he struck out 5,212 batters and recorded an ERA of 0.34. During a three-year span from 1965-68, he won 52 consecutive games. A member of the Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame, he led the Aurora Sealmasters to four ASA national fast pitch championships as MVP in 1956 and 1959 and earned All-America honors eight times. Nicknamed "The Horse," he won eight straight games in the 1959 tournament, a national record, including 24 scoreless innings over three games. He also led Aurora to two International Softball Federation world championships, compiling a 7-0 record while striking out 74 batters in 45 innings pitched and earning MVP honors in the 1966 tournament. His accomplishments earned him enshrinement in the ASA, ISF, and National Softball Halls of Fame, and across 31 memorable years he brought fame and recognition to fast pitch and to the community he represented.