Limestone coach Eddie Mathews released from hospital after Friday house fire

April 10--Limestone basketball coach Eddie Mathews was hospitalized with smoke inhalation after a house fire late Friday night, according to Rockets baseball coach Derek Renz.

Mathews and his wife, Stephanie, have six sons -- Wilson, 26, Jake, 25, Hank, 23, Luke, 19, Judd, 14, and Charlie, 9. The Mathewses did not have renters insurance, according to Renz, and will stay at their third hotel in four days.

Renz talked with Mathews -- a Brimfield graduate, former Bradley baseball and basketball player, and Triple-A pitcher -- on Saturday morning. While conducting baseball practice, Renz decided to start a GoFundMe donation page that morning to raise money for the Mathews, who assists with the baseball team.

"I think the immediate need is money and gift cards because you're overwhelmed and don't know what you need until you grab it," Renz said.

In two days, the GoFundMe page has exceeded its stated goal of $20,000. Renz is also collecting gift cards to give to the Mathews family. Contact Renz by email at drenz@limestone310.org.

"It's been unbelievable the amount of people that have reached out and want to help, (we're) so thankful," said Hank Mathews, who came home from Columbia College to help with his family. "The communities all over the central Illinois area have come together and helped."

Renz reports that Mathews is in good spirits, even joking that "I don't think I'll make practice today," on Saturday. Mathews was released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon and is spending time with his family.

The family has found a new place to live, but needs help furnishing it. Families from St. Mark Catholic Grade School, where Judd and Charlie are students, has organized a website: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c49a5a923abf49-helping to help furnish the new home.

The American Red Cross provided a debit card to help the family. St. Jude has also assisted, according to a Facebook post by Hank.

Said Renz: "It's like (Eddie) always said, 'God has always provided.'"

Any donations, questions or concerns can be sent to Jake Mathews by email at mathewsfamily8@gmail.com.

Aaron Ferguson can be reached at 686-3207 or aferguson@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Sports_Aaron.

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