An Unforgettable Moment at JALC’s Sports Cards & Collectibles Show

Published on December 13, 2024

This past weekend, John A. Logan College’s Sports Cards & Collectibles Show brought excitement and unforgettable memories—especially for one young collector who had the thrill of a lifetime.

Reid Endres, a passionate sports fan from Murphysboro, recently celebrated his 11th birthday and was eager to spend some of his birthday money. After finishing Saturday morning baseball practice, he and his mom, Erika, made their way to John A. Logan College for the show. This was Reid’s second time attending, having joined his dad, Cory, at the August event where he scored a Caitlin Clark college card.

This time, Reid’s luck soared to extraordinary heights. Spotting a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) card box that caught his attention from across the room, he decided to purchase it. At the table where he made the buy, Reid ripped open the box and pulled the card of a lifetime: a Caitlin Clark autographed rookie card, numbered 10 out of 10.

The moment was electric. “He was so excited, and everyone around us was freaking out,” Erika shared. “He never imagined something like this would happen to him.”

Caitlin Clark, recently named Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year, is a standout in the WNBA and one of the most sought-after names in sports card collecting. A similar 1/1 version of her card recently sold for $234,000 at auction, and Reid’s card is estimated to be worth between $10,000 and $30,000, depending on its condition.

For Reid, who has been collecting cards for several years, it was a dream come true. “I’m still on cloud nine,” Reid said. “I can’t believe it.” He plans to hold onto the card for now and eventually have it graded.

The show, organized by JALC Logan Fitness, has quickly become a favorite community event. This was the fourth Sports Cards & Collectibles Show hosted at JALC, with 120 vendor tables and a lively atmosphere that drew hundreds of attendees. For one lucky young collector, it was a day he—and the crowd around him—will never forget. Contact hilary.holdinghausen@jalc.edu for more information.