September 2007 Archives

Off to Florida with some friends for the weekend. Going to catch the Florida/Auburn game in Gainesville on Saturday night, which will be live on ESPN. Back on Sunday night, and I'm sure I'll have a couple interesting blogs to follow after a couple hours on Southwest. (Hey, I own Southwest stock - have to support the best airline in the business.)

I'm willing to bet my first blog next week will be about high school administrators throughout Illinois. I'll bet 9 out of 10 administrators don't know the rules of soccer like they do baseball and football. If I put a basic soccer skills test in front of them, you would be stunned.

It's been an interesting couple of weeks. The Chicago Magic, Sockers F.C. and Fire Academy are jockeying for position with their new year-round academies. The IHSA is ticked at the Chicago Fire, while the Magic and Sockers are trying to figure out how they can compete for the best players against a professional franchise with top-notch facilities.

I'm glad I didn't go to Vegas with my pick. But I should've known better - you never pick against a champion.

Finally - the end is near. Since Sept. 4, teams from throughout the Chicagoland area have been battling to get to this point - Toyota Park. Wheaton Warrenville South and Lincoln-Way Central will battle for the title of the largest tournament in the Midwest - the Pepsi Showdown - at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at Toyota Park.

Ray Navarro had been a fixture along the Stagg soccer sidelines for years. But now when you bring up his name around District 230, it's dead silence. Rumors are flying.

Stories, stories, stories.

1. Lyons knocks off Hinsdale Central, who beat New Trier on Saturday. Oak Park and others are rising.

2. Morton has eight players kicked off its team.

3. Gage Park and Foreman brawl last week in Public League action. Police and ambulance called to the scene. Gage Park had problems in the postseason last year, and according to Public League coaches - the Public League offices kept things covered up and quiet.

4. Pepsi Showdown final set for Sunday at Toyota Park.

So much for a lovely relationship between the IHSA and Chicago Fire.

From Naperville Central coach Jay Konrad:
"This kid, Joe Sawa, deserves some spotlight. He is underrated. And he is an awesome kid, not to mention smart. 35 ACT!"

First, let me give Calvin Davis a hand. (I'm clapping...and now I've stopped.)

As Public League sports director, Davis has made sure the media has known his every move helping the Public League gain more exposure and improve in certain areas. Nice job, Calvin. It's always good to be friends with the media when dealing with a major organization such as the Public League - the largest conference in the state.

But when it comes to Public League soccer, Davis has played the role of "Casper the Ghost" perfectly. Unless it's the Public League title game, where Davis makes an annual appearance just like a seasoned politician, Davis has been a non-factor.

At the end of the day, it is better than nothing I guess.

The IHSA adjusted a couple sectionals, moving the Downers and Hinsdales of the world to a new sectional this fall. But the south suburban sectionals, a place near and dear to my heart, are now some of the worst sectionals in the state.

When it comes to the Class A and AA state finals, the IHSA has the same approach as AYSO - it doesn't care who receives a trophy, just as long as someone does.