The sports world, inhibited by the COVID-19 more than we want, nonetheless chugs along best way possible. Best examples are on the one hand games are postponed and canceled by infectious COVID-19, which has reached more than 335,000 deaths, and on the other hand the National Football League, other professional sports, and major college sports do the best they can, which includes keeping participants in bubbles and away from fan distractions, and family settings. Many teams stayed together through Christmas breaks and celebrations, rather than go home and be exposed to the virus. Healing is required.
Through keeping our head down and doing our jobs important information can be missed. Adding to the death of retired East Aurora High School head football and honored biology teach Del Dufrain, see The Voice, December 24 issue, we missed the passing of another successful and beloved high school coach, Ron Johnson of St. Charles High School, later St. Charles East High. When the COVID-19 was being recognized as a national threat, Ron Johnson, of Elburn, passed at age 87 Sunday, Feb. 23. It always comes too soon, especially for those who receive and have earned respect both as successful coaches and for the persons they are and the influence they bring to their players as examples and teachers. Only earlier this week did his passing reach my view, regrettably.
Ron Johnson was 87 years old. He was the first head coach at Kaneland High School in the 1960s, head coach to his younger brother, Ken, and played under his father, Mel at Geneva High School. He was born in Aurora in 1932. He played at Bradley University in Peoria and was a longtime high school head coach. Images include coach Johnson, when head coach at Kaneland High leaning back in his chair at the end of the Geneva High School gym watching his father’s successful 1964 team in countdown tournament game on its way to the school’s first single-class State Tournament. Another recollection is as head coach in 1971-1972, when Mark Vitali was a force or St. Charles High School’s basketball team who could shoot from outside and at 6-5 run the floor extremely well. He was the school’s successful football quarterback. Possibly because his father, Leo Vitali, was the high school head football coach, Mark chose to attend and start at quarterback for Purdue in the Big Ten Conference. Ron Johnson continually maintained Mark Vitali was talented enough to play big-time college basketball. The coach retired more than 20 years ago from coaching and teaching, however, he could be seen at various games on occasion in the background in enjoyment of the sport and the high school atmosphere.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Judy Johnson. It is a reminder, even in these COVID-19 days that life is ephemeral, fragile, and, to be lived with as much joy as possible. Old acquittances should not be forgotten, however, cherished, and remembered.
Sports notes in view:
• The Chicago Blackhawks will begin the season January 13, 2021 and, because of COVID-19 in one of four divisions, Central with eight teams. Each of East, West, and North has eight teams and the North is composed of the eight Canadian teams segregated because of COVID-19 implications.
• Northwestern University men’s basketball team started Big Ten play with a 3-0 record to match the three victories of last season. The ‘Cats game as host to the University of Illinois Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, will be interesting, revealing, and worth watching.