October 2007 Archives

All eyes will be on the New Trier boys soccer team once again when it enters the North Central College parking lot in Naperville on Friday.

The last time the Trevians pulled out of this lot, they did so with a Class AA state trophy in hand. Can this squad duplicate that feat and run the table again this weekend?

Will Neuqua Valley finish its season undefeated against teams in Illinois? If Barrington avoids shootouts, which is where it has suffered its only two losses this year, the Broncos are ready.

And don't forget about Hinsdale Central, which beat New Trier 2-0 earlier this season. The Red Devils ride into the rematch on a 12-game winning streak and has allowed only three goals during that stretch. But it also hasn’t scored more than two goals in any game since a five-goal outburst on Sept. 12.

So......

I happened to be looking back at some of our newspaper clippings tonight. Right now, I'm looking at a story from Sunday, Sept. 2, 2001 titled, "Common Courtesy."

We used a pullout quote from current Lincoln-Way Central coach Dan Radz that read, "I remember when I was at Marian Catholic in the early 1990s, and we were getting drilled 6-0 in one game. It doesn't do any good to kick someone's butt like that. Coaches need to stay humble, and it's great when the kids are, too."

Have to say, it was a good story with great quotes from a lot of coaches. Oak Lawn coach Kevin Stow said, "Some games can get out of hand quickly, but you have to have some respect for the opposing team."

There's that word again - respect. I hear it a lot from coaches and players, but I wonder if it's just a word to some?

I'm asking myself again when is enough ENOUGH after reading this: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/highschool/news/story?id=3087983

With each passing year, the number of coaches in attendance for the fall roundtable meeting with IHSA assistant executive director Beth Sauser grows smaller. Honestly, it’s basically the same coaches that meet with Sauser every year, turning the roundtable meeting into a mini reunion.

Some coaches have said it’s a waste of their time to hear the same answers from Sauser year-after-year, while others have said nothing has really changed since the meetings started.

But let’s give credit where credit is due.

Coaches complained for years that the IHSA hadn’t meet with them since the days when Dave Fry was executive director. While it’s only a “one-hour maximum” meeting, Sauser has hosted an open-door meeting for all coaches at each state quarterfinal for at least three or four years now.

That’s a start, right?

I’m a big believer in telling it the way it is. Rubs a lot of people the wrong way, but so be it.

So here we go:

Let’s say the IHSA allowed high school players to play club during the high school season, do you think the clubs and Fire Academy would allow the players to do both next season?

While the IHSA is one of the few states that doesn’t allow players to do both during the same season, it’s only a matter of time before someone sues the organization like a parent in Texas did to gain access to both. But would the clubs and Chicago Fire work with the high schools, so the players could play for their community?

If I’m a betting man, I say the answer is no - no matter what they say. There is no way they would work fairly with the high school programs.

My dad once told me you don’t start to feel old until you see professional players you watched growing up going into the Hall of Fame. When a new player goes into the Hall of Fame, I always find it hard to believe. But then when I see they’ve been retired for a couple years, I always think back to my dad’s comment.

So there's my Hall of Fame moment.

And here's another thought: Gibault coach Jim Corsi deserves a spot in the IHSSCA Hall of Fame.

No one is surprised that Neuqua Valley is good.

But no matter what they do this weekend, the Wildcats deserve a lot of credit for what they've done this year.

From the Best of the West title to the postseason competition it has faced just to get to this point, should Neuqua Valley be No. 1 in the final Sun-Times Top 10 rankings no matter how it does this weekend in Naperville?

Even if they lose in the quarterfinals, semifinals or title game, there isn't another team in the final eight that has played the schedule coach Jim Johns' squad has faced this season.

After returning from Arizona yesterday, I sat on the phone with a number of coaches and asked a basic question: "Does today's high school player really appreciate All-State, All-Area or All-America honors the way high school athletes used to?"

I think you can make a case based on each player. Over the past 10 years, I have worked with some great parents and players. But in the era we live in, I think it's safe to say overall high school players don't appreciate the awards.

Why?

Years ago and even decades ago for some, it used to be an honor for a player to make the varsity team. Now, most parents and players believe it's their right, because they go to the school and pay tax dollars. I've heard that before, and I always shake my head. Folks, that's why park districts were created.

On Monday night, eight teams will be handed keys to start a state-bound bus for the Class AA boys soccer state finals in Naperville. Cornerkicks is here to provide you a look at who those eight teams will be, while also providing some bulletin board material for eight other teams heading into Super Monday.

The way this year's postseason has shaped up, it wouldn't surprise me if one of these bus will be hijacked. As you read in the Sun-Times preseason preview, it looked as though this was going to be a very balanced year throughout the area.

And it's proved to be just that.

Anyone who knows me well will tell you I am not a big fan of message boards and blogs.

But this is the new society we live in.

When used correctly, message boards and blogs can bring an issue to the forefront and hopefully spark some change - at least some conversation. But more times than not, we have people hiding behind their computers with fake names or no names at all. One word for that - gutless.

When I wrote a blog earlier this week regarding an issue of a coach letting his program down with the media, everyone knew who penned the blog - Joe Trost. People can email, people can call, people can approach me about the blog subject. Why? Because they knew who wrote it.

It bothered me from the start when I saw some of the responses to the blog. No names, fake names, people being gutless nailing this coach. That wasn't the purpose of the blog, and that was why at first I didn't want to post any responses. But I was told I should, and I did.

But this morning, from Arizona, I have decide this is not right. It's not right to allow someone to hide behind a fake name or no name and say things.

I asked someone yesterday if I had common sense. Luckily, she said yes.

Whew, just wanted to make sure.

Here is your latest update as to how the IHSA-YSO runs a sport without having anyone on staff with a background in soccer.

Trust me, if you have common sense - this one will blow your mind.

I'm off to Arizona with some friends for the ASU/Cal game this weekend, but I can't say I won't be thinking about what's going on here.

There are some good Class AA sectional final matchups tonight, some boring ones. The Class A state finals take place this weekend in Naperville, where Francis Parker and Gibault are the two interesting storylines. Coach Neil Curran has a solid Francis Parker team, while coach Jim Corsi is trying to lead Gibault to its third consecutive state crown.

This will be the first state finals weekend I'm missing since 1995.

Do you ever take a second to step back and look around? I do.

Not as much as I should, but I do. I look at competition. I look at the coverage. I look at the stories.

From north to south, east and west, I read every newspaper around. The new Sun-Times News Group (STNG) high school sports web site has made it easier for me, but I still do a lot of searching on my own.

From the Illinois Times, Kankakee Journal to every paper in Lake Country and out in Rockford, I read every story, every day. When I take recruiting trips to see teams in the surrounding Midwest states, I always try to read the major publications there, too, for the national recruiting and rankings I do for Rivals – http://www.studentsportssoccer.com

But you know what I’ve realized? Three of the best high school soccer writers in the Midwest are right here in our backyard - Dave Surico (Tribune), Mike Garofola and Gary Larson (Daily Herald).

All-State - best in Illinois?

Hmmm, what exactly does All-State mean these days? Look at each sport throughout Illinois and odds are All-State is decided differently.

For years, soccer coaches have told me they look at the major newspapers as the true All-State team. I would disagree, as our team is a coverage-area team – not an All-State. (Sun-Times All-Area Team to be announced Nov. 2 – shameless plug).

The Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association All-State meeting was held this past Sunday in Naperville. I’ve agreed and disagreed with the association in the past, but at the end of the day it provides a great amount of time and effort for a sport that needs it.

Nevertheless, every year when I see the list of All-State players I wonder this: Should there be a limit on how many players are honored as All-State?

It was hard to figure out who was more excited following Francis Parker's 4-1 victory over Morgan Park Academy Monday evening in Chicago.

As the Francis Parker players danced around the middle of the field in excitement after earning their first state berth in school history, the student body rushed the field to join in. But some were wondering if the student body was energized because of the win or the chance of missing school on Friday?

I still remember the first time I met Dan Radz.

The former Marian Catholic coach had just taken a teaching position in the math department at Lincoln-Way, and he joined Brian Papa's staff. Radz was always joking, laid back and really a good guy to be around. I would run into him, his wife and two kids all the time early in my career. He always had some great stories.

But when Lincoln-Way split into two, four-year schools, Radz changed.

And I'm not the only one to say that.

Over the past three weeks, I have received countless phone calls and emails from people in the city and suburbs telling me to keep looking into the Public League’s facility problems. It’s great to hear from people in the city, but when suburban administrators, coaches and parents are telling me that I’m hitting on something, you know the interest is there for change.

The one question I wondered Sunday as I was driving and didn’t know the answer to was this: Everyone knows the Public League has a facilities problem. They have for years. But does the Public League have a plan to fix and improve it or is it just going to stay status quo year-after-year?

Michael Scott (CPS Board President), Arne Duncan and Calvin Davis are the leaders. Do you think they have the answers?

Call me crazy, call me nuts - call me a moron (many have) - but looking at Tuesday's Class AA sectional semifinals has me thinking - the Neuqua Valley Sectional isn't the toughest this year.

Yes, it has top-ranked Neuqua Valley, Naperville Central and Naperville North. The wild card is Benet, which was one of the best teams in area in 2006. Under the leadership of Henry Wind, the Redwings are always dangerous. But this isn't one of their best teams ever.

Now let's look at the Wheaton Academy Sectional - St. Charles North, Wheaton-Warrenville South, Geneva and Wheaton Academy.

Top-to-bottom, I think that's the toughest.

I swear, every game I attend - it goes to overtime.

This year in the Pepsi Showdown, we scheduled six games at Montrose Field to bring exposure to the city and try to give the city programs an opportunity to host a tournament game. Of the six games, five of them went to overtime.

So fast-forward to Saturday in New Lenox, and what did I receive - the longest game in IHSA history. Bloom, which is now 21-0, beat Providence 1-0 in a shootout. Mind you the shootout went three rounds and the Blazing Trojans won on their 12th shooter.

Seriously, I've seen more than enough overtimes for the rest of my life - especially in the state tournament.

The Public League Sports Adminstration office always has a lot on its plate. But as I was once told as a young journalist, the heat comes with the territory...and that's true in everything. (Trust me, I know).

Over the past couple of years and more recently, many have wondered whether Public League Sports Director Calvin Davis has soccer on his plate? Saying he does is one thing (http://www.suntimes.com/sports/tucker/598740,CST-SPT-tuck12.article), but actually taking action and showing the Public League coaches, parents, players and the entire soccer community is another.

As I continue to work on a story regarding the lack of soccer facilities for Public League programs, I want to provide a few more interesting pieces of information. Yesterday, you heard from U.S. Soccer. Today, you hear a little from the Chicago Fire.

It's time for someone to be held accountable.

For years, I've said it to IHSA assistant executive director Beth Sauser, coaches, athletic directors, ball boys, water boys and anyone else that will listen to me - the IHSA-YSO sectional seeding hurts the sport.

In today's day and age, why are the sectionals seeded one month in advance? Seriously, come on folks - we can seed the state football playoffs one week before but we have to seed the soccer state playoffs in the middle of September?

Are you kidding me?

As I continue to work on a story regarding the lack of soccer facilities for Public League programs, I thought it would be good to post a couple interesting pieces of information. Some critics say this shows the Public League Sports Adminstration office hasn't taken advantage of numerous opportunities to help improve facilties within the Public League for city soccer programs.

At the same time, however, you'll also see a number of local major organizations that haven't stepped up to the plate in future blogs.

It's time for someone to be held accountable.

It's official - New Trier beat Chicago Academy 17-0 in the Class AA regional semifinals last night.

And with that, my phone has been ringing off the hook and emails have been coming in asking if the result was a typo? I have not received a single phone call or email of support from a coach for the New Trier coaching staff.

First thoughts from area coaches and fans:

The IHSA ScoreZone, which is actually a great resource (see I praise the IHSA, too), is reporting New Trier defeated Chicago Academy 17-0 tonight.

Please, someone - anyone - tell me that is a typo.

If it isn't, I encourage you to stop back here tomorrow.

Another thought - why do Barrington and St. Viator seem to struggle in the postseason?

And finally - surprise, surprise - four Public League teams played one another in the Class AA regional semifinals at Clemente today. Guess what? No scores posted. Blame it on the coaches, blame it on the school. At the end of the day, this is another basic, basic thing the Public League Sports Adminstration office should be following through on.

It's time for someone to be held accountable.

Luckily for Public League programs, there are suburban programs. Thankfully would actually be a better word.

If it wasn't for suburban programs, Public League teams would be stuck playing on poor fields year round. Many suburban programs have extended their hands to help coaches and players in the city by offering to put them on schedule and host them on adequate soccer fields.

The Public League isn't home to the state's best soccer, as it hasn't advanced a team to the state quaterfinals since the automatic bid was eliminated. Keep in mind, the Public League still has at least one free pass to the supersectional each year. Don't believe me? Just look at this year's Class AA St. Ignatius Sectional.

Why isn't anyone else willing to help Public League soccer out? Each year, IHSA assistant executive director Beth Sauser asks me if I know of any fields in the city the IHSA could use for the state playoffs.

Why haven't Arne Duncan and Calvin Davis stepped up to the plate? Why hasn't the Public League taken advantage of U.S. Soccer Federation grants to build a couple fields? Suburban programs and the Illinois Youth Soccer Association have found a way to take advantage of those grants.

It's time for someone to be held accountable.

Since I first started writing for the Chicago Sun-Times in Oct. 2000, I’ve had coaches from all over the Public League tell me how the sports administration office continues to drop the ball with soccer.

The first name brought up time and time again is Public League soccer coordinator Juan Espinoza. From Young coach Ian McCarthy, Lane coach Andrew Ricks, Amundsen coach Rich Straka, Kelly athletic director Stan Mietus, soccer business leaders and countless other coaches, I hear it all the time.

It seems as though a change has been long overdue.

As I stated last week, Arne Duncan and Calvin Davis talk about accountability throughout the Chicago Public Schools system.

It’s time for change - Andrew Mayer should be the new Public League soccer coordinator.

Has there been a year recently when more teams had a chance to win the Class AA state crown than this year? Some will say it's due to the rise of the average player and average program, while others will point to the fall of the premier programs losing premier players.

I think it's a little bit of both.

It wouldn't be a true postseason if Cornerkicks didn't provide some entertaining postseason thoughts, which should fit perfectly on a bulletin board...all right, maybe a few bulletin boards. We'll be handing out the keys to start the state-bound buses on Monday.

Until then, here's this week's Class AA Top 10 and Class A Top 5:

How many people actually thought Naperville Central was going to win the DuPage Valley conference crown after Naperville North pounded - no wait, embarrassed is probably more accurate - the Redhawks a few weeks back? I actually joked with an area coach last week that the Huskies are still scoring on the Naperville Central defense.

But that was just one game, and one game doesn't make a season. But it can turn around a season and wake someone up. Did Naperville North coach Jim Konrad do Naperville Central coach Jay Konrad - yes, folks, they are brothers - a favor?

Maybe.

The Redhawks claimed their first conference title in eight years with a big 3-2 road win over Wheaton Warrenville South on Tuesday. Behind the play of Tim Zimmer, Naperville Central not only found the back of the net, but it held the Tigers' offensive attack led by Eric Shrigley in check. The Tigers, who entered the game riding a 16-game unbeaten streak, hadn't lost since the Barrington Tournament.

So what does this mean?

Some many times in life, people will complain about things behind the scenes. But when the moment comes to step up to the plate and tell people how it really is, too many people throughout the education system are scared to speak up.

Why? One word - backlash.

Kelly coach Raul Magdaleno stood up to the plate on Monday night and said what so many Public League coaches have said all year - http://highschoolsports.suntimes.com/boys_soccer/594290,100807kellybsc.article.

At the end of the day, it's about the kids. The Public League needs to step up to the plate for countless student-athletes playing soccer throughout the city. The coaches and parents know the Public League adminstration has done a poor job to this point. If you don't believe the coaches and parents, go over and talk to the folks at St. Ignatius High School. They have plenty of stories about the Public League mess. I've heard them.

I hear all the time from Arne Duncan and Calvin Davis about accountability. It's time for them to be held accountable.

And guess what?

I received this letter from a Public League coach, and it makes me realize one thing - Arne Duncan and Calvin Davis better find some time this winter to address a major concern with Public League soccer before someone with some money files a lawsuit against the Chicago Public Schools for placing their child on inadequate and dangerous playing fields.

Here is the positive portion of the letter:

IHSA assistant executive director Beth Sauser will meet with area coaches on Monday at Downers South to talk about the three-class system the IHSA plans to launch next season. After I met with a handful of coaches on Sunday, I know there will be more than just the three-class system discussed between Sauser and Co.

Neuqua Valley sits atop the rankings for another week, but how long will its stay be when the postseason rolls around? Barrington has to be glad its at No. 2, because history has shown the Broncos don't fair well in the postseason when they are No. 1.

The alleged incident happened on a road trip last weekend, when the team played in a tournament in Quincy, Ill. One of the team members apparently obtained marijuana there, then was joined by the others involved. They smoked the drug in a hotel room Saturday night before their return home the next day. A hotel maid found marijuana residue and other evidence in the room and notified the parent who reserved the room.

I’ve always had a lot of respect for Barrington coach Scott Steib. He’s a good guy, who cares about his kids, isn’t afraid to speak up like many and is fair. He plays the game still, coaches and officiates. How many coaches can say that?

Like a number of coaches, I’ve rubbed Steib the wrong way at times with what I've written. But at the end of the day, I’ve always believed our respect for one another would see through those disagreements. And to this point, I think that’s held true.

Steib and I talked this morning and he noted that I didn’t have anyone from his area listed in my Player of the Year blog (http://blogs.suntimes.com/cornerkicks/2007/10/2007_boys_soccer_player_of_the.html#more).

He was correct, I didn’t.

When the IHSA split soccer into Class A and AA, many throughout the soccer community gave the IHSA a high-five...including me. (No really, I did.)

But the IHSA-YSO made a horrible move by switching the enrollment cutoff for Class A and AA. Instead of splitting it down the middle and keeping both classes competitive and interesting, it turned Class AA into a powerhouse again and Class A into a AYSO gym class.

Trust me - I've had to watch it the past two years. And next year, the IHSA-YSO is going to three classes.

HELP!

With the start of the state playoffs only days away, it's time to start focusing on possible Player of the Year candidates.

From Wheaton South's Eric Shrigley, Dundee Crown's Christian Meza, Hinsdale Central's David Tiemstra, Mount Carmel's David Martinez, St. Viator's Jon Harris, Plainfield Central's Al Palar and Lincoln-Way Central's Phil Galounis, it's safe to say it's a wide-open race.

And guess what, I haven't even named a player from the Napervilles or New Trier yet.

When it comes to athletic programs in the city, Lane is one of the most respected. It wins on AND off the field with winning teams and classy coaches and players.

But when it comes to its new turf field, Lane and the Public League forgot about soccer.

Don't believe me? Go visit for yourself, and you'll be doing the same thing others and I did after seeing it for the first time - shaking your head in disbelief.

Every year, I hear the same complaint from coaches: “My athletic director or principal has no idea about soccer.”

Every year, I listen to IHSA assistant executive director Beth Sauser tell coaches they need to help educate their athletic director or principal.

I’ll be the first to say, athletic directors and principals have a ton on their plates – we all realize that.

But I’m tired of hearing excuses.

If you are looking for a clear cut No. 1, you are looking in the wrong place. Nevertheless, here is this week's Sun-Times Top 10: