The list of Dewey Evert’s accomplishments is unparalleled.  He is often referred to as "the father of Rockford softball," and he has truly seen it all.  Through the years, he has been a mentor and friend to many on the Illinois USSSA softball scene.  Much of the good present today in Illinois USSSA softball is directly or indirectly attributable to Dewey Everts' vision, effort and guidance, and his philosophy of assuring "a fair playing field" for all teams and players.  

He has been a player, a softball complex administrator, a team sponsor, has assisted with numerous state tournaments and was Illinois' first USSSA state director.  

Dewey ran the Rockford’s first real softball complex, the Ace of Diamonds, during the 1970s, during which time he sponsored numerous teams.  Everts convinced many teams to join USSSA sanctioned leagues and play in qualifiers back when the USSSA was unproven, and the entry fees were higher than they are now.  He also persuaded umpires to switch to USSSA and bear the burden of double registrations -both ASA and USSSA.  

He helped the Rockford Park District’s Bob Papich with the many details of sanctioning a flood of new USSSA teams.  Those teams brought with them an expansion of state and regional tournaments to the Rockford area.  Everts was also one of the people primarily responsible for bringing Brenda Paulson into the USSSA.   

"The first few years I was women’s director, I’d call Dewey up and we'd talk for hours," she recalls. "He was always there for me."  

Ken Franzen, who Everts brought to Forest Hills Diamonds in 1978, offers similar praise, saying, "He was the best thing that ever happened to Illinois USSSA softball.  He worked hard at the Ace, and was always looking out for others.  He ran the USSSA the same way."  

Though retired from active USSSA participation, he remains a valued friend to all those who have been touched by his remarkable combination of competence and kindness.