×

‘Tragedy to Triumph’ golf scramble planned

A Wheeling family is trying to make the most of a devastating situation.

Jerry and Catherine Jacovetty lost their youngest son, Tyler, way too early when he passed away on April 19 from some type of cerebral event. He was just 26.

“This was a guy who played in 2011 OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game at 255 pounds. Within 2 years, he was down to 200-205, worked out 7 days a week and ate right probably 90 percent of the time,” his father said, still shaking his head in disbelief.

To keep Tyler’s memory alive, the couple are staging a golf tournament “Tragedy to Triumph” on Friday, Aug. 30 at Crispin Golf Course in Oglebay Park. Registration will take place at 10 a.m. with the event slated to begin at noon with a shotgun start. Entry is $100 per golfer and includes 18 holes of golf, a cart and a steak dinner following their round. For non-golfers, a steak fry will be held at 6 p.m. at Haller Shelter, also in Oglebay Park. The cost is $30 per person and $50 per couple.

“What we are trying to do in his memory is start a tuition foundation in his name at Wheeling Central to assist people in being able to get a Wheeling Central education,” Jerry Jacovetty explained. “We’re doing this because I think Wheeling Central helped me achieve the things I have achieved in life, and it helped Tyler become the man he was.

“Since his death, we’ve found out that he was one helluva a guy. He did things for people that we never thought or knew he would do,” he added. “He touched people’s lives that we never dreamed that he would even know, let alone touch.

“We’re hoping we can get enough to give $500-$1,000 tuition assistance to keep his name alive well after we’re gone. Everybody has tragedy in their lives. We’re just trying to pick ourselves up and make the most out of this tragedy. “

More information on the golf tournament can be found by emailing tajgolfscramble@gmail.

Jacovetty said his family has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support it has received.

“A group of friends have been unbelievable. He had a core of about 10-12 really good friends. They came to my wife’s birthday and they also came on Mother’s Day. They have been great to us and we really appreciate it.”

The younger Jacovetty was a member of two state championship football teams during his days as a Maroon Knight. They came in his freshman and senior seasons. It was his final season in Maroon-and-Gold that he was named to the first-team all-state squad, but, according to his father, he could’ve cared less about his individual accomplishments

“He didn’t play as a freshman but he was a two-way tackle as a senior,” his father recalled. “He also threw the shot put his senior year. Even though he had never thrown it before and had no technique, he was still able to place in state meet. When he put his mind to something, he did it.”

According to his obituary, being a football player for Wheeling Central was the vehicle through which he became the man he was. Playing football put life in perspective for him; he participated in many tremendous victories and got through many agonizing defeats; and he never allowed either situation have much effect on the balance of his life. He never saw himself as the center of any situation in which he was ever involved. He was a man of few words. His riveting smile said it all. He was never a talker, he was a doer. He loved life and enjoyed a good time.

He was a highly regarded employee of Best Buy.

“The people at Best Buy have been tremendous to us,” his mother noted. “They have been really supportive.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today