The scoreboard says it all. Legendary coaches Lou Prato and Dennis Wierzal were honored by having the Reavis athletic field named after them. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Area Sports Roundup: Put it on the board — Reavis honors former coaches Wierzal and Prato
By Jeff Vorva
Staff writer
This year is the 40th anniversary of the Reavis football team’s Class 6A championship, and the Rams’ administration celebrated big-time.
The Rams finished runner-up in 1980 and 1981, and those two along with the 1982 state champs were honored with shirts and rings before its Sept. 24 game against Evergreen Park in Burbank.
Two legendary coaches during that era — head coach Dennis Wierzal and defensive coach Lou Prato — were also honored by having the Rams’ field named after them.
“Forever this field will be named after Lou Prato and Dennis Wierzal,” Rams Athletic Director Robert Morack said.
During the ceremony, a statement by former player Ray Cook was read about Weirzal, who won 87 games in 12 years and led the team to five playoff appearances before heading to Moraine Valley Community College to head that since-discontinued program.
“He would always tell us, ‘Good thing happen to good people,’’’ Cook said. “We tried to be good every day in practice and in the games. He had a calmness to his approach and always tried to remain positive. He was a great leader.”
Former player Tim Debow had a statement read about Prato, who started coaching at the Burbank school in 1969 and was head coach from 1983 to 1988. The Rams finished third in state under his leadership.
“He always found a way to get our team fired up and ready to play,” Debow said. “We had one of the best defenses around. We were able to get better and better because of Prato’s drive and determination. During the state playoffs, coach Prato developed several innovative game plans to shut down explosive offenses, leading us to the unreal run of the 1982 state championship.”
Perfection
Sandburg’s tennis team got ready for the postseason by dominating the SouthWest Suburban Conference Blue tournament.
Not only did the Eagles win the tournament with a perfect 42 points, none of their athletes dropped a set.
Josie Canellis won the first singles title which made her the first girls tennis player in Sandburg history to win four conference titles. She won first singles as a freshman and first doubles her sophomore and junior seasons.
Hall of Famers
Sandburg announced its 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame class. Athletes will be honored Nov. 11 in the Eagles gym.
Lance Roberts, Allen Bulow, Duane Erickson, Tom Toth, Stephanie Allison (Brandys), Lukas Verzbicas, Marcia Faustin, Gina Ugo-Neff, Joann Holverson, Mike Polz and the 2001-02 boys soccer team will be honored.
Hoopfest pairings
The 2023 Dick’s/Coach Kipp Hoopfest has released its pairings. The event at Montini will feature a rivalry battle between Marist and Mother McAuley on Jan. 14. Sandburg will face Sycamore in another matchup.
May day
Former Sandburg volleyball setter Bianca May, who is playing at Illinois, has signed an NIL deal with NextName, a company that supports athletes to purchase digital collectables bearing their NIL.
Dig it
Former Sandburg volleyball star and current DePaul standout Rachel Krasowski racked up her 1,000th career dig in her 57th match.
Local News
Primrose here, spring on its way
Spread the loveBy Karen Sala Your correspondent in Gage Park (773) 471-1429 • karen.sala@hotmail.com January, on average, is the coldest month of the year. I sure hope it doesn’t get any colder than it has been, although I would rather have cold than snow. I bought a yellow Primrose the other day. You know what I…
Argo Wrestling busy over winter break
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan While many students enjoyed time off during the school’s winter break, Argo wrestlers were hard at work competing in an all level tri meet. They beat both DeLaSalle High School and Riverside-Brookfield teams and it came down to the last match to decide the winner. The Argonauts battled to the…
Argo Alumni Night returns
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The tradition of Alumni Night at Argo Community High School returns on Friday, January 14. The Alumni Dinner, at which the school provides a free buffet dinner to alumni, will take place from 5-8 p.m. in the Bulow Auditorium. Many of all ages have gathered in the past for great…
Palos 118 hosting Community Feedback Forums Monday, Tuesday
Spread the lovePalos School District 118 will host a series of community forums for the public on Monday and Tuesday, January 10 and 11, as part of its first phase of strategic planning. The Palos 118 school board is engaging the entire school community in discussions that will lead to identifying the attributes and skills…
Bobby Rush to retire after 15 terms
Spread the loveFrom staff reports U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, the state’s longest serving member of Congress, announced Tuesday he would not seek re-election this year, stepping down after almost 30 years of representing Chicago’s South Side and southwest suburbs. Rush, 75, formally announced that he will not run for a 16th term in Congress, but…
Stagg health team earns fourth straight Blue Ribbon award
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva District 230 Supt. Robert Nolting likened the Stagg Health Education department to the New England Patriots. For the fourth straight year, Stagg won the Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in Education from the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Staff members said Stagg was the first school…
Boys Basketball: Highs and lows for Oak Lawn
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent During a week that Oak Lawn coach Jason Rhodes knew would present a huge challenge for his team, the Spartans started with a big win over a top South Suburban Conference contender. Then the league’s greatest perennial power provided proof that Oak Lawn still has a lot of work…
Neighbors
Lyons Mental Health Commission pulls LeaderShop funding
Spread the loveExecutive director accused of harassment From staff reports The local nonprofit service community was jolted when nearly $300,000 in mental health funds was withdrawn by a Lyons Township agency from the Western Springs LeaderShop, a social service agency that has provided youth programs for nearly 40 years. The Lyons Township Mental Health Commission…
Mount Carmel, Marist and Oak Lawn among 84 teams at Riverside-Brookfield shootout
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent High school boys basketball does not stop in March and pick back up in late autumn. For many players, playing hoops is a year-round commitment. AAU ball is a big reason for, that there are summer camps, shootouts or other events at most schools during the summer. The…
Dog lovers to celebrate ‘Fur of July’
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . I’m starting out with some fun news. The West Lawn Dog Park Advisory Council will be hosting a Fur of July Pet Parade on Saturday, June 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at West Lawn…
Fourth of July not happy for everyone
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Happy Fourth of July. Cannot believe I am already saying that, time sure goes. Hope it is safe and quiet for everyone and especially all of our house pets. For us its shutting…
St. Rita’s transformation is worth a look
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . St. Rita of Cascia Church, 63rd and Fairfield, continues to undergo its transformation from the sunflowery/harvest golds and browns of the 1960s and 1970s to the calming pastels of the 2000s. Since the basilica-style church…
Loss to Courage brings Red Stars’ winless streak to five games
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Chicago Red Stars historic start to the season is all but forgotten. In the last five matches, the Red Stars have failed to win, with the latest setback being a 3-1 loss on the road to North Carolina on June 23 in an NWSL battle. The Red Stars…
Summer League Basketball | Illinois powers compete at Riverside-Brookfield Shootout
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent School’s out for the summer, but high school athletes across Illinois are remaining active during the summer sports season. This includes basketball players, who can be found at camps, open gyms, camps and even weekend tournaments. Among the more high profile hoops action in the area was the Riverside-Brookfield…
Dana Rettke and Ryan Murphy heading to Paris Summer Games
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Area fans of the Summer Olympics will have extra reasons to cheer athletes from the United States in the upcoming Paris Games. Dana Rettke of Riverside is a member of the U.S. women’s volleyball team and Palos Heights native Ryan Murphy will represent the country in swimming. Rettke, a…
Hope Church feeds the hungry at Marquette Park
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Last week on the way to our CAPS meeting at the Marquette Park Fieldhouse, I stopped in at the Tuesday Community Dinner hosted by Hope Church every week in the auditorium. Pastors Ben and Jordyn…
Palos Heights tax preparer convicted of Covid-relief fraud
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Palos Heights tax preparer who operates a business in Bridgeview has been convicted on federal charges for fraudulently assisting customers in obtaining loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago on June 10 convicted Hadi Isbaih, 42, on all…