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As I sit here and write this from New Trier, where the Trevians are moments from taking on upstart Glenbrook South, I just thought about why I love coming to New Trier.
It's all about the Diary Queen right off the Edens Expressway on Lake St. There's nothing like a large chocolate blizzard before watching a game on the premier grass field in Illinois. (Well, it is a little rough in spots this spring I must admit.)
But the trip also reminds me to how messed up things are in Illinois. Here are this week's Ckicks...
New Trier's facilities are unbelievable when compared to those of Public League teams. The space and the practice facilities are great, and it's not New Trier's fault.
I look at New Trier's situation like that of someone who makes a lot of money. If they work and earn it, more power to them. I hate when people nail others for having or making more. My issue is that every year I come here and watch a game, I ask myself the same question - what has the Public League done to improve its facilities situation?
And the answer remains the same - nothing. It's easy to say, "Trost, stop writing about that, I'm tired of reading about the same thing." Don't you think I'm tired of writing about the same thing?
Folks, when is it going to get better? Where is the change? What has been done?
Nothing.
And all the Public League does each and every year is shrug its shoulders and say we don't have this and we don't have that. Stop making excuses and do something. That's what leaders do. If not, get out of the Public League office so someone can use some creativity to improve the situation.
WELCOME HOME: Love him or hate him, you had to smile for former Chicago Magic director Mike Matkovich last Sunday.
The former Naperville North star and Bolingbrook High School coach has climbed the ranks and is now an assistant coach for the Chicago Fire. When Matkovich took the field before the Fire's home opener against the N.Y. Red Bulls, opposing players and officials went out of their way to give Matkovich a hug.
SAY WHAT? I always get a kick out of watching Glenbrook South's Seong Ha coach. It's always interesting to see how long before Ha, who is one of the better licensed officials in the state, disagrees with a call.
On Thursday night, it was less than three minute into the game before Ha said, "Son of a gun."
What Ha should have been saying is why do we keep getting beat on the far side? In the supersectional last May, St. Ignatius burned the Titans three times. The Trevians did the same thing less than eight minutes in Thursday night.
SAY WHAT PART II: Some soccer officials need to relax.
With less than six minutes remaining in the first half of Thursday's game, New Trier earned a corner kick at the far end of the field. The entire New Trier bench stood to encourage their teammates.
The first thing the linesman did was tell the girls to sit down and keep 10 yards off the field. Minutes later, he was barking at New Trier coach Jim Burnside, who was just standing there.
The play wasn't anywhere near the sideline on either occasion. Ever been to a football game when 55 players are standing on the sidelines - come on. As many coaches will tell you, I'm the first to defend officials - it's the hardest job around. I understand the purpose for the rule, but there is a time and place.
On this occasion, if I was Burnside I would've said, "Here's your $60 or $70 bucks to be here for 90 minutes and walk (key word) back and forth on the sideline. Take it and get out of here. We'll play with two officials."
All I'm saying is there has to be some common sense. You want kids to be excited for their teammates and enjoy the experience - especially the kids on the bench. That's all.
ST. LOUIS BOUND: I'll be in St. Louis Friday and Saturday covering Neuqua Valley and Lake Zurich at the annual College Showcase. I love the setup of the tournament and site.
But it might be my last trip, as the Bears will not return and it's unclear whether Neuqua will be back in 2010. With that in mind, I've always wondered why there isn't an annual St. Louis-Chicago Showdown each spring and fall.
One day, all teams at one site - one trophy for the boarder war. That would be a big hit with college coaches from all over.
Creativity and effort. High school soccer needs more of it.
TRIP PART II: Next weekend, I will be in Brazil watching Wheaton Academy's Leah Fortune train with the Brazil Women's National Team or sitting down with former Providence standout Brad Guzan after Villa's Premier League game overseas.
For all those who believe high school keeps you from playing at the highest level, feel free to join me on the weekend trip.
FROM THE CORNER: Lake Zurich forward Tim Kreutz has given a verbal commitment to Michigan State.
- Joe Trost
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Interesting comments. I don't know the Public League that well but from what I remember of my playing days in the city, city schools don't have a lot of control over who plays in the parks they use. I don't think you're going to see a pickup game on a Sunday morning on New Trier's stadium field - or any of their other fields for that matter.
As far as your comment regarding what Jim Burnside should have said to the official - that would have earned him a yellow card in my book and would be a poor example to set for his players. And while I recognize that some officials "walk", most of us do not and in fact, bust our butts to stay with the play to be able to make the right call.
As far as the players on the sideline, if the ball comes out quickly and I have to sprint down the sideline, I don't want to worry about colliding with a player or coach. There is no good outcome on that collision.
All that being said, there are a lot of different ways to say the same thing and yes, some officials could work on their communication skills.
Oh, Joe....please, you REALLY like going to the New Trier not because of Blizzards but because of the fau gras , caviar, and champaign that they serve you while watching the game, probably by one of the 24 soccer coaches that that they have on staff there. Come on Joe….. is it nice facilities and staff at New Trier …; Or is it really just the hubris of it all that you admire?