December 2007 Archives

Over the past 12 years working in the newspaper business, I have come across a lot of great people on and off the field and inside and outside of the office. From my days at Star Newspapers/Daily Southtown to the Sun-Times, it really is amazing to think of the number of outstanding people I have come in contact over the past decade.

One of those stars is David Banks, now a photographer for the Chicago Tribune. I've known Banks since I started in the business. Like so many other photographers, he has an eye for that great shot - one that makes a so-so story jump out on the page. But the difference between Banks and numerous other photographers is his people-first skills.

Despite having won numerous Associated Press Awards, Illinois Press Photographers Awards and Suburban Newspapers of America Awards, he's treated the average high school athlete as if they were the most famous professional athlete around. Banks' work has been featured in such publications as the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Sports Illustrated. Not only that, but he also teaches photography classes on the side at my old stomping grounds - Columbia College.

So gift No. 7 of Cornerkicks' 12 gifts is a toast to one of the best I have ever met.

I’ve known Mike Matkovich for a little over 10 years now, and I’ve listened to thousands – yes thousands – of college and high school coaches, players and parents praise “Matko” during that time. His honesty is a breath of fresh air in today’s politically correct, stuffy world – even when he’s disagreed with me.

But over the years, I’ve listened, learned and grown to admire Matkovich. His competitive drive to be the best has filtered through to countless players and coaches involved in the game today.

Gift No. 6 of Cornerkicks’ 12 gifts goes to the former Naperville North all-state star, Lewis University forward (that obtained two bachelor degrees - business and physical education), former Bolingbrook High School coach, former Lewis University coach, former Chicago Power coach, former Chicago Fire Premier coach, U.S. Men's National staff coach, Chicago Magic director and current Toronto FC (MLS) assistant coach.

The gift is a coaching position with the Chicago Fire, an organization that needs to put the ego aside and realize the positive impact a hire like this would send through the Chicagoland soccer community.

It's easy to talk the talk.

While many do that throughout the year by promising to do things, the holiday season is a time when one should follow through on their promises.

Gift No. 5 of Cornerkicks' 12 gifts - an actual $100 check to the IYSA Inner City Program - is another step in the continued commitment to help soccer at all levels in the city. Whether it's through checks or publicity, there are children and programs in our own backyard that could use some help.

It's easy to assume someone else is going to help, but why not be that person this year to actually follow through and give back.

Former Young star Willy Lara and Warren's Oskar Gasecki‏ will be trying to step their games up a notch in 2008.

Cornerkicks provides this duo with gift No. 4 - a handshake for good luck.

According to Young coach Ian McCarthy, Lara will attend the under-20 U.S. Men's National Team Camp in February. Warren coach Jim McNamara has passed along the news that Gasecki will travel to Poland in March in hopes of earning a spot with the under-18 Poland National Team.

And guess what?

It is the holiday season, and everyone deserves a gift – even IHSA executive director Marty Hickman.

Cornerkicks has always been a fan of gift cards, long before they became the popular gifts they are today. Some may say gift cards are impersonal, but so be it.

So for gift No. 3 of Cornerkicks' 12 gifts this holiday season, Hickman has been presented a Chicago Tribune gift card with a zero balance.

Now, it’s not because Cornerkicks is cheap as much as it doesn’t want to support the competitor that will soon be raising the price of its daily paper to 75 cents. Along with the gift card, Hickman also received a free lifetime pass to this blog and this link from today’s Chicago Tribune:

On the second day of Cornerkicks gifts, Cornerkicks will be handing out a couple different gifts today...so check back often.

The first stop is in Oak Park, which is home to Oak Park-River Forest High School. The school has been trying for years to add lights to its stadium field - something most schools throughout the country have had since the start of the 21st century. Yes, the 21st century.

Don’t get me wrong, I respect the neighbors around schools and stress to others to do the same. Five years ago, I respected the birds and bees, too, in Palos Hills when a group of old, grumpy bird watchers were upset that Stagg High School was going to cut down some trees to build athletic fields for kids.

Life is tough, but I don’t get upset when I go to McDonalds and can’t get the senior discount. That’s life, right? In the case of Stagg vs. Birds, some retirees were picking birds over kids. To this day, I hope the birds take care of their business on the retirees' cars because that’s essentially what they did to the kids.

With each passing day and everything I read, it seems like we another sad issue like this in Oak Park. Some neighbors don’t like to see light or people at night. So we’re going to present them two gifts in one box: a Casper “The Friendly” Ghost costume and a one-way Metra ticket to get out of town.

On the first day Cornerkicks gifts, the board game CLUE was presented to the Lincoln-Way East High School administration.

As a proud alumnus of the ever-growing school district, there are times when I shake my head in disbelief.

But this one just blows my mind.

When I drove by Lincoln-Way Central back in October after covering the Providence/Bloom Township regional title game in New Lenox, the signage in front of the school read, “Congrats boys soccer coach Dan Radz on win No. 200.”

Did you know District 210 has never honored Brian Papa for his milestones? I found that pretty sad this holiday season when former high-ranking officials from District 210 confirmed this.

So come on everybody, let’s play CLUE.

Growing up, my Dad always brought home the Sun-Times. He also always had the Cubs on Ch. 9 (and little did I know how much pain that would cause my heart in the years to come.)

But one thing I never missed in the Sun-Times was Eddie Gold's annual Christmas Poem. In honor of the late great, Cornerkicks will jump start the 12 Cornerkicks gifts with its own Holiday Poem.

And beginning Thursday, we'll all find out who has been naughty or nice.

Until then, here's the Cornerkicks Holiday Poem:

It’s an event that started out as a small holiday tournament, and one that has blossomed into a major recruiting tournament with hundreds of college coaches in attendance.

The Disney Soccer Showcase has grown from one 80-team tournament to a series of three top-level national events with more than 600 teams on display. Held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex on Dec. 27-Jan.2, countless local boys and girls players will be in attendance hoping to make a name for themselves.

This is just one of the major blue chip recruiting tournaments of the year, but as many college coaches told me last year – this is their favorite. It’s warm, and it’s during the perfect time of the year with the college season over and school on break.

Longtime St. Ignatius boys soccer Jim Luzzi is recovering after being hit by a car last week while shoveling his driveway. According to St. Ignatius girls soccer coach Aaron Carpenter, Luzzi was shoveling when a driver lost control of his car and drove onto Luzzi’s property and hit him.

“He was unconscious for a while,” Carpenter said. “Jim was bruised up pretty good and diagnosed with a concussion.

“His memory is back in order, and he is feeling much better. He may be back in school (Monday). It was a big scare for all of us.”