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For the last four years, Maine South offensive coordinator Charlie Bliss has conducted a free instructional camp that has tutored hundreds of high school football players from throughout the Chicago area.
No longer.
The Illinois High School Association has ruled that Bliss most close his event because (1) it has received five complaints charging that Bliss is running illegal practices, (2) he is showing favoritism to Maine South players and (3) he has allowed more than three players from some schools to participate in the workouts, a violation of IHSA rules.
At a meeting at Maine South on Sunday night, Bliss informed 80 players about the IHSA's decision. From January until May, he hosts an invitation-only, once-a-week workout for more than 100 quarterbacks, 150 receivers and 50 linemen designed to improve their skills and to gain exposure to college coaches.
"I've been working with kids for 15 years and I never showed any favoritism," Bliss said. "Our goal is to leave no quarterback behind."
Bliss said he has invited the IHSA to observe his camp but no state officials have responded. To his knowledge, the IHSA has never investigated his camp.
But Bliss said he was ordered by Maine South athletic director Steve Adams to "shut down" the camp because he was afraid there could be sanctions against Bliss and Maine South.
Upon hearing the news, the reaction among players was disappointment.
"It was been great coming here," said Evanston quarterback George Sorensen. "Coach Bliss has shown me tremendous instruction. I never saw any favoritism at all. If feel it is ridiculous. We play against Maine South and they are willing to help us."
Mount Carmel wide receiver Jack Sherlock said "the best thing about coming here was the opportunity to catch balls from quarterbacks from all over the state. Now I won't be able to get any of that work done at all."
Bliss' camp is the only one of its kind in Illinois. Before the NCAA ruled a year ago that no college coaches could attend such events, 145 coaches from 90 colleges, including Illinois' Ron Zook and Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald, showed up for the 2007 workout.
"In Texas and California and the southern states, colleges go to recruit and watch spring football practices. But Illinois doesn't have spring football," Bliss said. "We wanted to give the kids more exposure to college coaches. It was one-stop shopping for quarterbacks, receivers and linemen. This (decision) is unfair to the kids in Illinois."
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It seems like the IHSA shut down Coach Bliss' camp based on innuendo and not much else. Five complaints about illegal practices? From the teams that Maine South beat in the playoffs? Please. The IHSA is invited to investigate/visit the camp and doesn't? Yet they close the camp?
Players from all over the Chicago area attend this program. It enables the players to get high level instruction and compete with other, similarly talented players. The players gained exposure to college coaches. College coaches who may give them a scholarship to play football. Feels like the IHSA missed the boat here. Especially when I see similar style camps opening up this spring in other areas.
Long gone are the days when winning an 8 team Regional propelled your entire school and community from out of the woods and into a March Madness frenzy. It appears the Illinois tournament today is so watered down that winning a class title is not much more of a statement than winning a big holiday tournament. I attended the last Class A tournament finals in 2007 and traveled all the way from the state of Maine to witness it. Entire towns showed at the quarter finals.
Will attendance slowly decline till the Illinois version of "March Madness" is no better than Maine's version? Did all this die just so you could give out 30 additional championship rings in Peoria?
I was lucky to have experienced being a carried off on my classmates shoulders to cut down the nets after winning a Regional..... when it meant something.
I have a hard time believing that a lot of the schools Maine South played last year reported them. Every team that Maine South played in the regular season sent at least one player to the camp on a weekly basis and I know that playoff opponents Stevenson, Loyola, and Barrington all sent players to the camp for sure as well.
The Complaints? I say again its the downstate schools crying again (although many kids would drive multiple hours on Sunday nights to come work out at the camp at Maine South)
Who is the IHSA punishing with this decision? The kids. It is just another example of adults making a decision without taking into account the best interests of the kids who were participating in the camp. Five complaints? I think these families need to get over the fact that their kids may not play in the NFL. Bliss and Maine South High School and the Maine South Community should get an award for donating their time and their facilities for the benefit of these kids, but instead the IHSA makes them feel that they have done something wrong. When is the IHSA going to start thinking about how they can help the kids instead of always finding fault. The message is that if you can afford to pay for personal trainers, that's fine, but if you can't and someone wants to donate their time and resources to help, at no charge, that's wrong.
As always, all you have to do is follow the money! Oh, there is none? Coach Bliss is doing this for free? Perhaps the complaints are from the profiteers. While I have a son, who lost to Maine South regularly and did not attend the camp. I see no reason to shut down a clinic that is a benefit to so many young people. Free? He gives his time for the betterment of others? Shut him down so we are all losers. IHSA, something is wrong with your thought process!
Taylor another great story. Thanks and keep them coming. I really think the IHSA needs to leave these coaches and kids alone. Also, shame on any coach who would report Coach Bliss. I feel that the other coaches in the state don't want to put the time in with these kids as Coach Bliss does, and this is their way to make sure they don't have to do anything more than the minimum acceptable. Most of these coaches are not in it for the kids, but rather for the money, which is pathetic. Lastly, don't we have enough crime on our streets today? Why not let these kids stay off the streets, and in the gyms with an honorable person as Coach Bliss? The IHSA really needs to take a better look at this and see the BIGGER picture. Again thanks for the article and keep em coming.
My son attended the Maine South camp on a pretty regular basis after his sophomore year. He was a running back wanting to improve his pass catching skills. I saw absolutely no favoritism toward any one player or team by the coaching staff. They were professional and helpful. If anything, there were too many kids there, which limited the individual instruction.
The instruction the QBs received was top notch.
It is a great loss for the kids. Thanks a lot IHSA.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE PUTS SOMETHING ON YOU
TUBE, COACH BLISS CAN FIX THIS, ALL HE HAS TO DO IS
MEET WITH THE IHSA, AND GET HIS CAMP SANCTIONED UNDER
THEIR GUIDELINES!
CONGRATS TO COACH BLISS FOR HELPING THE YOUTH OF AMERICA!
ALOT OF YOUNG MEN RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS BASED ON HIS
CAMP!
What I find ironic is that soccer, baseball, and basketball can play on a summer team together and compete against other schools while the football players cannot spend a few hours on a Sunday during their off season to get better. These types of local camps are great ways for players to be seen by a number of college coaches. Now these players have to completely rely on their high school coach do actually work and promote his players. As we all know there are only a handful of coaches that actually do this. There is a reason why northern colleges have recruiters spend weeks in Texas, California, Florida - to see kids play. Just think if Illinois had Spring Ball - would this cut down on a University's expenses? Maybe - maybe not. Illinois football is so far behind in the skilled positions it really is disheartening. Colleges in California, Idaho, Montana, Washington don't even bother recruiting the midwest for skilled position football players. Boy wouldn't it be nice if there was a 4 - 6 week period ending in a spring tournament or competition (7v7, lineman challenge?) that brought high schools together and recruiters would be invited to observe a large number of kids with one visit - go to a soccer or AAU basketball tournement and see the list of recruiters in attendance.
How many bowling teams are out there that roll a few games together on the weekend (more than 2 players) and receive some instruction?
Mediocrity in the Midwest!
LET'S CALL A SPADE A SPADE - WE ALL KNOW WHO SHUT THE CAMP DOWN. HIS NAME IS JEFF CHRISTENSEN. DOESN'T CHRISTENSEN RUN A CAMP THAT CHARGES A LOT OF $$$$$?
SO LET'S GET THIS STRAIGHT - IF YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY JC - IT'S OK WITH THE IHSA - HOWEVER, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO PAY JC AND YOU GO TO BLISS' CAMP - THAT IS NOT OK WITH THE IHSA!!!!
THAT'S RIGHT, LET'S NOT THINK AT ALL ABOUT THE KIDS - IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ADULTS!!!
Since the IHSA closed down charlie bliss' camp is there any way we can possibly form a 40 and over quarterback fantasy camp still living the dream and have bliss and the other coaches help us live out this dream. I am 40 5'8 with a great attitude and some experience who thinks he still has a chance. Thank you for continuing my dream.
I hope charlie goes thru with the 40 and over camp I AM IN
Interesting discussion. Especially throwing other names into the mix. Whether you pay money or do not pay money IHSA is doing a real dis-service to the student athletes of Illinois. It sounds like a few tweaks in the way the camp is put together and it could be up and running again. Very simple do not allow more than 2 kids from the same team to be in attendance. Kids can alternate weeks they go etc. Whatever happened to kids getting better on their own?
The IHSA needs to spend more time policing the endless high school transfers who leave schools solely for athletic reasons to transfer to the next school that is going to take them to the promised land (see whitney young etc) Keep your hands off people like charlie bliss who really does do it for the kids. This whole thing smacks of a witch hunt because maine south has done so well the last decade
It was too good to be true...get the top kids from schools all over the Chicagoland area, let them hone their skills, hang out with some guys who have the same goals..even with rivals..all brought together by a love for the game of football. There was never any favoritism, no one was turned away... Coach Bliss is passionate about the game and truely cares for those kids...a loss for everyone who breathes football all year round and an loss in general for the sport in Illinois. Thanks Coach Bliss
Is our society so jaded that we can no longer understand or accept when we are given something for free? "If it's free there must be something wrong with it right"? This is the menatlity that I see at work here and the only harm that's being done is to the kids. You would think given our current econimic climate that we as adults would do everything possible to give our kids a fighting chance. Most of the kids who attended Bliss' camp do not have the means for private instruction. What lesson are we teaching them by shutting down their camp; that in order to succeed you need money? Bliss has given of himself selflessly for many years to help kids who may otherwise have been overlooked. I'll give you this, there is probably no one who is more passionate about the game of football but his real passion doesn't lie in football, it is in giving of himself to help others. And we wonder why our world is the way it is today...sad
Ridiculous! If the IHSA would have taken the time to come to Maine South on any Sunday night, they would have witnessed IL High School Footballs' biggest rivalries working side by side to become better football players. Montini-Driscoll, Evanston-New Trier, Maine South-G.B.S., MOUNT CARMEL-ST.RITA, etc. were one team on Sunday Nights.
Shame on you Charlie Bliss for working with the G.B.S. quaterback and recievers, your toughest opponent, the last two years. Your time and dedication made them better in every facet of the game. The IHSA needs to rethink this decision and put the kids first.
Five anonymous complaints doesn't justify this punishment. Do you think we'd be having this discussion if Maine South went 2-7 last year?
Shame on the IHSA and Jeff "I make Marv Marnovich look like father of the Year" Christensen. I wasn't aware there was a rule helping a student-athlete improve their respective skills and enhance their skills, because that is what Coach Bliss was doing out of the kindness of his heart.
Jeff, why don't you explain to the IHSA how your son went to repeat 8th grade not in your hometown of Orland Park but Coal City, IL ane then enrolled him in Lockport which was out of district.....no, don't explain it to the IHSA, explain it to yourself.
If you cheat, you pay. I's against the rules to coach your own players in the off season. Bliss has done it for years and he knew the rules.
As far as Jeff Christensen. He is one of the finest people I've met in this lifetime! Three years ago he spent $4,500 out of his pocket to run a college coach combine for high school athletes in the Ditka Dome in Bolingbrook. A college coach told me at the camp, "This is what we want to see, much better than Maine South"! Glenn Kozlowski worked with the receivers! By the way, JC did it for FREE also! Correction, I mean -$4,500 out of pocket!
This is where I first met JC. He was and has been harassed by Bliss and company for doing an additional combine with some of the same QB's who go to QB1. How? By a vicious rumor spreading witch hunt! Why? Charlie Bliss's ego and being threatened by JC knowledge! Because of this harrassment JC said the combine he ran just wasn't worth the aggravation! So he didn't do another one, yet still sends his QB's to QB1.
JC offered to help Bliss teach the kids proper skills when his son was a senior! If Bliss cared so much, then he would have welcomed NFL knowledge in his world for the kids. Instead he said NO! The Bliss cult has made JC out to be a bad person for years! JC has sent well over 50 QB's he works with to QB1, and they continue to be the top talent in the room every year! Again he has the top 4 kids there this year. When JC ask Charlie to share those other names with him Charlie said, NO! So, how much does Charlie really care!
JC has helped hundreds of kids, treat him with some respect! I repeat $4,500 out of his pocket, I saw him write the check! Every parent and QB you talk with who goes to him, loves him! I have watched it up close and personal.
Furthermore, I remember him specifically not letting kids on the field from Thornton High School because they had 4 who attended! He only allowed two, and told them it was the rule, he didn't want to get them in trouble with the IHSA!
This Sunday he has an NFL scout going to his camp to grade the QB and receivers! So, he too, is helping kids! Any QB or receiver who doesn't seek JC's help needs a head examination! Parents and players - he is a great guy and a great teacher! Ask Glenn Kozlowski!
To allow this personal attack on JC is very unprofessional to say the least! Yet, JC was and is the only professional (NFL) in the conversation!
Jeff Christensen worked with my son for 4 years.
He professsional, great with the kids, gets great results, respected by college coaches for his knowledge, prepares QB's like no one else, treats the boys great, treat them all the same- like men, and my son loves and respects him. I trust and respect every word he says.
My son is 5 times better now that he attends Throwitdeep Academy with Jeff. His grades are better. He is more respectful to his mother. He can't wait to get to Jeff everytime he has a session. He is a better son because of Jeff.
Jeff teaches the kids all of those lessons as he works with kids.
It is hard to believe how mis-informed people are because of rumors that are not true.
Grew up on a farm in central Illinois, yet he made it to the NFL. Do you think he might be somewhat of an expert when it comes to QB play? Yet people talk poorly about him, when he has helped so many.
As for Maine South. They know the rules!
Sincerely
One very satisfied father. Like all 200 other parents who give Jeff our kids!
One amazing story. Jeff took a kid from Mundelein who started 2 games in high school. After two years with Jeff he started for 2 and a half years at Valpariso College. Amazing results.
Being a head coach, I love opportunities for my kids to get better. I will not speak about Coach Bliss, because I have never been to his camp or seen what he teaches. I have seen Jeff Christensen though. He has thrown out all of the "old school" thoughts of quarterbacking and developed a new innovative style. To the best of my knowledge, It is illegal (by IHSA bylaws) to provide instruction to your own athlete. Where is the argument? It simply cannot be done. The only "legal" solution is to take the private lessons. If Jeff Christensen charges, so what? Over the years, we have all paid for some type of private lesson or tutoring. I admire Charlie Bliss and his offensive knowledge, but would have to agree with the IHSA about letting him coach his own. The only thing I will tell people about Jeff Christensen is get to know him before you judge him. I too had heard several slanderous comments/remarks about him. I decided to take the time to talk to him and watch him instruct (Ditka Dome last year). Trust me, he too is in this for the kids.
John Ivlow - Head Coach Bolingbrook H.S.
P.S. How do other head coaches feel. I would like them to come forward...
With all due respect to the Coach from Bollingbrook and all of the others who seem to be finding fault with Coach Bliss because he didn't play in the NFL and because he is only trying to help, the question here is not whether one coach is better than another or who has turned out better players or whether college or pro scouts think one camp is better than the other, but whether the kids who attended the Maine South Camp benefited from the camp. Based on everything I have heard, the overwhelming answer is yes. It does not matter if the coach who is being referred to above who holds his private camp is the greatest coach in the world or whether he turns out Division 1 or NFL prospects by the boatload, if a player can't go to his camp because of the cost or location or any other reason, for that particular kid, none of these great benefits matter. On the other hand, the Maine South Camp is free and players seem to benefit so why can't we for once think of the kids. The Maine South Camp has been going on for some time. If there were any real problems, the IHSA would have shut it down a long time ago. Nevertheless, for whatever reason, it is over and those who oppose helping kids have won. Before either side starts deifying either of these men, we are talking about football coaches. Save your passion for something a little more serious and a little more worthwhile.
No fault with Charlie from me. He is a great coach. I just have to side with the IHSA--You CANNOT coach your own.
The reason jc had to pay 4,500 out of his own pocket for his brutal combine 3 years ago was because he charged the kids 50 dollars to be in it. I repeat that he charged the kids...charged the kids. Nobody attended, and he had one coaching staff show up, Iowa, because his son played there. I think jc needs to give all of his NFL experience to his son because the last I heard he was transfering. Jc was asked to leave the Maine South camp due to his negative comments and pompous attitude. jc and "blow it deep" should go coach in the NFL. I left my full name on purpose, so you can now come after me. So in your next response leave your name and man up. Eminem said it best, "Please stand up. Please stand up."
"Steve, or shall I say Jeff"! It is more than obvious that you have written this comment about yourself. Koudos to you for being your number one fan! Please do not insult our intelligence by pretending to be something you are not, and that's a man of integrity. If you are as gifted as you say that you are; if you are "the only professional in the conversation"; if you are a "great teacher"; then why did your son fail so misserably at Iowa? The fact is that you have been the one doing the harassing and you have been doing it for years. So my question to you is...are you trying to convince us or yourself what a standup guy you are? Oh and by the way, what personal attack are you referring to? The attack is not on you but on the IHSA. You really should stick to something you know...self adoration.
First, We must say this whole situation is very sad. Everyone sounds like a bunch of kids fighting over what???? The personal attacks needs to stop!!! On all sides! Here is what we know.....1. Our son has thrown with Jeff since he was going into 8th grade and continues to throw with Jeff today as a college QB.. WE HAVE NEVER HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE WITH THROW IT DEEP QB ACADEMY OR JEFF PERSONALLY. 2. Our son did attend the QB1 Camp with Charlie Bliss and really enjoyed getting together with the other players and made some wonderful friends in the process. Jeff told him to go! As his parents, we did not see any further skill development but it was a great place to be on a Sunday night to throw the ball. The combine was the added bonus. Won't get into the IHSA issue. 3. In reference to the combine that Healy mentioned (whoever you are....) about Jeff at the Ditka Dome.....Your are blatently mistaken! We were there!. It was my responsiblity to check all the coaches and staff from the colleges in,and to make sure there was no contact with the players. I was the hostess you could say! I don't remember all of the coaches there, but here are a few... Indiana, North Dakota State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Western Il, Arizona State, Stanford, Iowa and the list goes on..... Many of the coaches I had conversations with were highly impressed with the whole scene. Skills and drills were shown that you would see at the college level. 4. If Jeffs students didn't enjoy working with him, why do all the college players still return - year after year and why is his camp growing by leaps and bounds? 5. Many years ago we decided to give Jeff the responsibility of training our son to be the best QB he could be. He never promised a DI scholarship! He only promised to make him the best he could be and would do everything he could to get him to play at the next level. (Keep in mind the kid needs to want it too!) He did that! Our son found the right school and the right fit - athletically and academically. Jeff had nothing but great things to say about the college, the football staff and the football program where our son attends. 6. Jeff is highly regarded in the football industry for his knowledge and expertise. 11 yrs old to high school, to college, to consultations with current NFL QB's..., camps, combines, etc. he does it all. In closing this is really two parents writting this. If you have any questions or comments... forlouann@comcast.net is where you can find us. We truly believe you can't go wrong with putting your QB in Jeff's hands. Your son will have the time of his life learning from one of the best QB coaches out there! Your son will have a smile on his face with the skills to back it up! We confidently endorse Jeff Christensen, personally and professionally.
Mr Cox: Obviously, you were on point. It did not take long!
Mr Cox: """This is where I first met JC. He was and has been harassed by Bliss and company for doing an additional combine with some of the same QB's who go to QB1. How? By a vicious rumor spreading witch hunt! Why? Charlie Bliss's ego and being threatened by JC knowledge! Because of this harassment JC said the combine he ran just wasn't worth the aggravation!"""
By Ryan Healy: By Chris:( I will not copy and paste such cowardliness )
Ryan Healy - Chris just proved in less than 24 hours the "harassment and witch hunt" is a fact! Attacking a persons son. What kind of terrible human being would say such harmful things about a great young man! I hope
every parent and player in Chicago land now sees the kind of people that exist in this group of "leaders of young men". What a terrible thing to say! The parents of all the athletes at Maine South need to evaluate who they
allow in their sons lives!
Define coward. A person who speaks poorly about a mans family when in a dispute!
Simple logic. Who of sane mind, would think amateurs can instruct QBs more effectively than a man who played QB in the NFL? Jeff@Throwitdeep.com if you desire great instruction!
Thanks again Jeff for all you do. Never give in to these kind of people. Continue to champion young men, as you have done for so long.
Alan
Why is it that JC keeps making up new FAKE names, just so he can be the only one that thinks so highly of himself. JC is a complete JagBag who completely road up until this season the line, my son's the Iowa starting QB. Well not anymore. So now what's he going to preach about, being the ultimate scab in the NFL. I truly feel bad for JC's/Jake mommy because she now has two scrubs at home. way to go Jeff! Who else do Jeff train that so great, because I know of many college QB's that have trained with Charlie Bliss and Ryan Healy. So lets hear Jeff's big guns.
As a football coach and a parent,...we tell our students to dream big and work hard to acheive their goals.... and the IHSA pulls the rug out from underneath the kids who are taking the time to put down "playstation" and "X-Box" and actually chase their dreams. Someone at the IHSA has to understand this at some point.