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.

After looking at his web site portfolio - http://www.davidbanksphoto.com - it doesn't take long to realize just how good he is.

- Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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.

What does it say when a hometown organization can't see the talent right down the street, but an MLS organization in a different country can?

- Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 02:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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.

From the IYSA:

This Holiday Season, Donate To Illinois Youth Soccer's Inner City Programs

For the past 13 years, Illinois Youth Soccer has contributed over $1 Million to soccer programs for at-risk children living in the most economically disadvantaged communities in Chicago. Through its partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), the Chicago Park District, the Y and community centers, Illinois Youth Soccer has been able to bring soccer activities to inner city communities. Over 400 children ranging in ages 4-18 participate in the Illinois Youth Soccer Chicago Pride, Chicago Girls Soccer League and the Kiddie Kickers pre-school programs.

Shoes & Shinguards Needed!

New soccer shoes in children’s sizes 13 to 4.5, women’s sizes 5.5 to 10, and men’s sizes 5.5 to 12.
Shinguards – youth sizes 12
Passenger Van Needed!

Since the CHA van is no longer available to transport children to soccer activities, we need a new or used 12-passenger van or donations for the purchase of a van to transport the Chicago Pride kids to weekly soccer games, practices and events.

Please send/deliver your donations to the Illinois Youth Soccer office, 1655 S. Arlington Heights Road, Suite 201, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.If you have any questions, please call the Illinois Youth Soccer office at 847-290-1577.

- Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 09:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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?

They both played high school.

- Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 06:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-1217edit2dec17,0,5009280.story?coll=cs-highschool-headlines

Remember, as Hickman said - it's a business, it's a product.

Best wishes in 2008, IHSA.

- Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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.

Here’s a piece of an article that ran in the Oak Park Wednesday Journal:

“But at last week's meeting, toward the end of the long session, neighbors and others offered public comments to the board, including objections and reasons for not installing lights, which they've made loudly and passionately to the school many times before in the six years since this idea was first proposed. They don't mind living next to the high school, and though they have concerns about Saturday afternoon games, they've learned to live with it. But they're drawing the line and won't sacrifice their Friday nights.

"It's as different as day and night," said neighbor Terry Lieber.

(Complete story: http://wednesdayjournalonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=9768)

They have concerns about Saturday afternoon games, but they’ve learned to live with it?

Are you kidding me?

As different as day and night? How would they know?

The high school, its programs and children are apart of the community. If some people don’t like it, it’s time to move.

And after reading that story, the holiday spirit has overtaken me. So guess what? Call me - I’ll help you load the truck.

- Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 10:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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.

Which boys soccer coach ranks third all-time for most wins in Illinois with more than 400?

Here’s your second CLUE:

Which girls soccer coach is closing in on win No. 300, which will make him the first soccer coach in Illinois history to win more than 300 games as a boys and girls coach?

Here’s your third CLUE:

Which soccer coach in Illinois history has the most combined wins of any other soccer coach?

Here’s your fourth CLUE:

Who was the first coach to lead a south suburban soccer program to state title, in a sport where programs from the south side battle for respect?

Here’s your fifth CLUE:

Which soccer coach in the south suburbs has appeared in more state championship games than any other coach in the area’s history?

Answer: Brian Papa.

Please join us next time for another common sense version of CLUE.

Coming up next, GET A CLUE starring the Lincoln-Way East High School administration.

- Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 04:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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:

The holiday season is soon upon Cornerkicks,
Let's lift our pop cans and take a few final….kicks.
To Steib’s Broncos and Bergstorm’s Warriors, blazing a trail to state glory,
Leaving the critics in the rearview mirror with nothing to worry.
To soccer academies, either bullies or heroes,
No one surely knows, but will the bill show $$$ or nothing but zeroes?
To the woeful IHSA, which seldom does the right soccer thing,
Is Marty Hickman working on his next version of IHSA-YSO for this spring?
To Eclipse’s Dames and Magic’s Matkovich, two of the best,
Training countless soccer players and separating them from the rest.
To Gibault’s Corsi, soon to join the IHSSCA Hall of Fame ring,
Proved his kids could play with ring No. 3.
To Barry Jacobson, Mr. 399,
Here’s to No. 400 and many more.
To St. Viator’s Jon Harris, one of the best at his craft,
An undersized goalie that showed he didn’t deserve the shaft.
To Lynn and Scott Magnesen, Kim Levitt, Renee Nutt, Veva Doogan and Marybeth McDonald, some of the best people in town,
Always bringing smiles to faces to help them up when they are down.
To Vanessa DiBernardo, whose state-title hat trick was stellar,
Never forget the high school crowd cheering you for being No. 1.
To Public League coaches, whose fields are woe,
Let’s hope the 2008 CPS Sports Administration office isn’t run by Curly, Larry and Moe.
To Chip Huber, what can we say,
You deserve much more than anyone could ever pay.
And to the readers, I offer this cheer,
Let the 12 days of Cornerkicks begin, so we can cap off this year.

- Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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.

Eclipse Select, Chicago Magic, Sockers, Campton United, Chicago Fire Juniors, ELA and the Cosmos will represent Illinois in the showcase. As was the case was the past three years, I will be in attendance to see which of the rising stars are catching the attention of major Division I coaches.

The question is – who do you consider to be some of the rising stars in the freshman and sophomore classes?

- Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)