By Mike Deak
InkFreeNews

LIGONIER – Saturday’s weather was murky and dreary, and most likely would have canceled every sporting event on the schedule in a normal April weekend setting. But it was a super sunny day in Ligonier and throughout the area sports world as Tom Schermerhorn returned home.

After three weeks of battling COVID-19, Schermerhorn was released from an Allen County rehab facility and returned to Noble County, where he was greeted to a hero’s welcome Saturday afternoon at West Noble High School. Getting a police escort from Kimmell to Ligonier, Schermerhorn was greeted at the high school by dozens of friends and well wishers. The family didn’t stop or offer any comment at the school, but did wave from their vehicle, as Tom, seated on the passenger side, did flash his trademark smile and wave to the onlookers.

Schermerhorn, the longtime athletic director at West Noble, recovered from his battle with coronovirus after falling ill on March 30, where he was admitted to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was tested and later was put on a ventilator starting April 1. After slowly regaining his faculties, Schermerhorn was taken off the ventilator. After moving to a rehab facility last week, Schermerhorn was given one more test, which came back negative for COVID-19. He was then released Saturday.

“So thankful for the thoughts and prayers over the past three weeks,” began Schermerhorn on a Twitter post Saturday night. “I can not understand the hurt and devastation that this virus has brought into our world. The selflessness that our health care workers have attacked this virus is unbelievable. They are the real heroes for all.”

Noble County has had 51 positive cases for COVID-19 as of Friday afternoon.