By Bobby Narang Two-plus months after the end of the high school girls basketball season, Jason Nichols made a surprise decision that sent shock waves in the Chicago area scene. Nichols announced last week that he was stepping down from his position as head girls basketball coach at Montini Catholic
By Woodrow Carroll One of the great mysteries in the history of Major League Baseball might be the rise and fall of the Milwaukee Braves, and, not just about the product on the field. The fans ceased to support the Club. The 1952 Boston Braves pulled up stakes and left
Sports plans must continue. Uncertainty reigns. Still, even with the knowledge that schedules may be changed, that teams do not know when they will play next, and continuity easily can be a casualty, plans are a certainty. Football in the Fall, whether college, high school, or National Football League, remains
By Bobby Narang Nazareth Academy High School quarterback J.J. McCarthy made a big splash Monday. After leading the Roadrunners to a Class 7A State championship and two State second-place finish in his first three seasons, McCarthy changed course and announced Monday he was transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.,
By Woodrow Carroll It is hard to argue over the interest generated by the recent Michael Jordan-centered Netflix series “The Last Dance” for television in 10 one-hour segments on ESPN/ESPN2. Many viewers were in quarantine confinement and enjoyed the epic. Stories and articles centering around Jordan and his accomplishments then
Experience and longevity on the one hand. Youth and energy on the other hand. Don Davidson, athletic director at Parkview Christian in Yorkville and a fixture in high school basketball in the Fox Valley area for 50 years, made the decision to give up coaching duties and retain duties as
Death always arrives too soon for individuals who are bigger than life and sometimes it is stunning. Both were in evidence Tuesday this week with the discovery of the untimely death of former West Aurora High School hall of fame basketball player, Ron Hicks. He was a member of both
By Bobby Narang Luke Juriga is not afraid of long odds. He was a two-star prospect coming out of Marmion Academy in Aurora, despite a solid build and National Football League (NFL) lineage. Juriga was named the 2014 Chicago Catholic League co-Offensive Player of the Year, then made redshirt his
By Woodrow Carroll Former Major League Baseball player Eddie Robinson has a distinction that he would like to hold on to for more years. Robinson, born December 15, 1920 in Paris, Texas is MLB’s oldest living former player. Robinson has many distinctions that have come with advanced age. Robinson wore
By Bobby Narang Broc Rutter is set to prove any doubters wrong, again. After a dominating performance in leading North Central College, based in Naperville, to the Division III national championship last Fall, Rutter signed a free agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers last week. “They are such a
Gerardo Alvarez, a 2003 graduate of Marmion Academy in Aurora, this week was named the school’s head varsity soccer coach. Native to Argentina, he grew up with soccer in his blood. It was always more than a sport, it was a lifestyle. In 1991, his family moved to Aurora. He
By Woodrow Carroll College football has produced its share of memorable bowl games. That season-ending gridiron battle usually pits two quality opponents. The 1948 Cotton Bowl was one such game, which matched Southern Methodist University (SMU) against Penn State. SMU was 9-0-1 with a late-season tie against Texas Christian University
Movement on the return to sports competition begins with NASCAR’s decision to hold a race event Sunday, May 17, in a sense. It will be different with no fans in attendance, thankfully. The COVID-19 remains in high gear and fans in attendance only would be asking for trouble. There is
Gary Mallory of Aurora tees off on the 17th hole at Phillips Park in Aurora on the first day of play which was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
By Bobby Narang In a way, Jordan Glasgow’s future was all mapped out for him. After all, when your two older brothers, Graham and Ryan, play standout roles at Marmion Academy in Aurora, then attend the University of Michigan as walk-on players, eventually earn scholarships, and become starters for the
By Woodrow Carroll His rightful name was Alfred Earle Neale. However, to those who knew him, he was called Greasy. He proved to be rough on Chicago’s sports teams! Born in West Virginia in 1891, Neale acquired his sobriquet at an early age after a name-calling session with other youngsters.
Projections and reminiscence. If the game is the thing and we are without live games in sports, it boils down to what might be in the future and what it was previously. • Projection leaves us with the National Football League draft held April 23-25 virtually (online) with no absolute
By Bobby Narang Former Northern Illinois University men’s head basketball coach, Rob Judson, continues to add to an impressive coaching career. Judson completed his third season on the Marquette University staff in Milwaukee. A member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a player at both Zion-Benton
By Woodrow Carroll The college football Insight Bowl Game played Dec. 26, 2003 in Phoenix, Ariz. was a classic. It provided yours truly the opportunity to meet three generations of a legendary family, the Tolers. The game was held where Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks play. The venue was called
With the lack of live competition we are dependent on reliving the past and thinking about the future in sports. Changes in all future professional sports are required. See the Sports Lineup below. Cancellations and postponements reign supreme. We can chafe or acknowledge the necessity. The Indycar Series, the Indianapolis
