Thinking of his father, WSSU's Wilhelmi emotional after victory

SALISBURY — Coach James Wilhelmi of Winston-Salem State kept apologizing for the tears.

After the Rams beat the Livingstone Blue Bears, the two-time defending CIAA champions, 81-79 in overtime, emotions got the best of Wilhelmi.

During a tearful post-game interview Wilhelmi talked about his dying father in Madison, Wisc., who has about 48 hours left to live. Jeff Wilhelmi, 67, has been fighting the late stages of stomach cancer, but that fight is almost over.

“He’s got two days to live so I have to fly up there,” Wilhelmi said just outside the Rams’ locker room at New Trent Gym. “Before the game I just told the guys that I was dedicating this game to him.”

Wilhelmi said he’s checked flights to the Midwest and could fly home Sunday to be with his
family. It’s likely he will miss Monday’s home game against Virginia Union.

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