York Alum’s Face Hawks Augustana College on North Avenue Billboard

When Erik Westerburg came back home to Elmhurst from Augustana College recently, the junior football star and York Community High School alumnus discovered he’d been there all along. His face is promoting Augustana on a gigantic North Avenue billboard.

According to The Suburban Life, the 6-3, 210-pound middle linebacker (who wears no. 41) is team captain for the Vikings, as well as a two-time Academic All-American as a math major—apparently, a fitting image for the Rock Island school to broadcast in his hometown. 

Erik has decided to become a high school math teacher, York Principal Diana Smith said in an email to York staff last month. 

"Apparently his experience (at York) motivated him to try to inspire other kids to love math as much as he does," she said.

Westerberg visited York on Feb. 28 to observe a few math classes.

"I know he will be a great role model for our kids and for his future students," Smith said.

Westerberg told Suburban Life the whole billboard experience has been "unique."

"I'm just humbled by it. My family, my teachers and coaches and friends helped me get up there for sure," he said.

Read the full story at the Suburban Life website.