GUESS WHO ???????????

Hey Spartan Fans...............

As I sit here waiting to watch the Bears hopefully get to 4-0 vs. the New York Giants, I want to reach out to the entire Center Cass "Family" that has stepped up over the past seven days.

As many of Center Cass knows, I had a "repair to my aorta", and that repair has gone very well. Even though I felt very good at the start of the school year, my cartiovascular surgeon advised us that it was time to get this procedure taken care of. My heart is in very good shape, with this repair making me good for hopefully "another 100,ooo miles."

The staff, and it is a huge one, at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood are the most incrdeible people on the face of the earth. This runs top to bottom..............Doctors....Administrators....Nurses....Tech personnel.....Custodial staff......and so on and on and on..........nothing is left to chance!!!!!! I have been in great hands!!!!!!!!!!!

Even the food is pretty good??????? !!!!!!!!

BUT.............. I miss the 66 (and 99) people!!!!! Being gone from my students, players, fellow teachers, and football coaches is killing me. Dr. Tiede and Mr. Windsor did an incredible job securing a replacement at Lakeview (more on Mr. Stahoviak later), with Coach Belskis and Coach LeBlanc stepping up for the Mustangs!! Yesterday (Sat.; Oct. 3rd), the Mustangs played SIX BLOCKS from my current location, with me unable to get to the game. Dr. Schwartz and Julie said "ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!....You are not going to the game!!"

HOPEFULLY, I will be able to go home soon, and continue recovering there. They have a very definite rehab program for me, and to that, I will be dedicated. I know I am very fortunate to be able to continue a normal life, with minimal restrictions. . . . Don't think I will be able to run QB during "Scout Offense" at football practice, but I'll get over that!!

A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to all the family and friends that responded to the CARINGBRIDGE.com page that Mrs. Bell and Julie put together for all to follow my progress last week, and in weeks to come!!!!! THE NUMBER OF HITS WERE UNBELIEVABLE!!

As I mentioned earlier, Mr. Scott Stahoviak has been secured to take my spot at Lakeview. When Mr. Dvorak returned from Mr. Windsor's office during our institute day, he said," Mr. Windsor has a gentleman lined up for your spot, and he spent 9 years with the Minnesota Twins." Having coached and followed baseball, I was 95% sure the gentleman he was speaking of was Scott. Scott is well known in the Chicago area as one of the best ever position players to have played in high school, college, and then professionally. I remembered back to the 1991 MLB draft when Scott was a first round pick, first team All-American at Creighton University, and lead Creighton to an appearance (3rd place) in the College World Series. On my last day at Lakeview, I had the opportunity to have Scott shadow me during the day. TRUST ME ALL, WE HAVE A GREAT REPLACEMENT IN HAND!!! His questions, observations, and calm demeanor will be a perfect fit with our department.......AND..........All you White Sox Fans, Don't worry, he is a Chicagoan and has told Mr. Windsor he is really a Sox fan now.

GOOD LUCK TO MR. STAHOVIAK and see you sometime soon!!!!!

On a final note, I would like to congratulate former Lakeview and D.G.S. student-athlete Zack Bell. As many of you may know, Zack is a Cadet First Class at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, and a member of their football squad. Having been to a bowl game the last three seasons, the Fightin' Falcons are off to a 3-1 start, including a thrilling 14-6 victory over arch-rival Navy yesterday. Army, Navy, and Air Force compete each year for the Commander-In-Chiefs' trophy, with the winner being invited to the White House as the guest of the President. A win during week ten over Army will ensure Zack and opportunity to meet President Obama. GO FALCONS........IGNITING THE FUTURE!!!!!!!!

Have a great week, enjoy this Fall weather, keep in-touch, and................

GO SPARTANS...........PLAY HARD!!!!!!!!!!

Coach Dodd