Hello Bears and Packers Fans (and whoever else is out there) !
What a week this has been at Lakeview Jr. High School....Where do I start ??????
Basketball and Weight Training (and Floor Hockey in 6th grade) are rolling along with much fun being had (hopefully) by all participants. 6th grade will test on their current units tomorrow, and then rotate to their new units on Tuesday. Weekly fitness continues, and I must say, there seem to be a larger than normal number of students who have accumulated missing scores since the trimester began. Students need to see their teachers to make sure these get made up. Missing assignments at the end of the trimester will be converted into zeros, thus lowering that students grade.
On the interscholastic scene, Varsity Basketball has it's first week conclude with fairly good results. On the Ladies' level, Coach Little's squad has once-again gotten off to a great start as they have posted three wins last week. Following wins versus Westmont and Cass, the Ladies defeated perennial power Old Quarry on Friday by the score of 28-15.
On the Boys side, the Spartans got the regular season off to a great start with a come-from-behind win over Westmont by the score of 34-32. Following a horrendous Thursday loss to Cass, the Boys traveled to Old Quarry and battled the Warriors to the end, losing out by the score of 39-32. FREE THROWING SHOOTING has killed the Boys during the pre-season and this past week, including a horrific 3 for 18 at Old Quarry. I must say that the Boys energy level was outstanding at Old Quarry, lending hope that the coming games will end more successfully. As I stated in an earlier blog, one of my goals for our team this season was to improve as the season progressed. Some of our squad members (and very good athletes) did not participate in the J. V. season last year. This week, the BOYS will host Eisenhower on Monday, Old Quarry on Tuesday, and travel to Jefferson (Woodridge) on Friday. All games tipoff at 4 PM..
On the high school front, Lakeview alum Dan Jurgutis (LV '07) has been a stabilizing spot for the Downers South Boys Varsity Basketball squad. Following three years as a member of the St. Joe's program, Dan transferred back to D.G.S., and has been, according to Head Coach Jay Baum, "The missing piece of what the varsity needed to get to the next level." The Mustangs traveled to Proviso East last Friday night and defeated the Pirates in a show-down of top 20 teams. In addition, four members of the Lakeview '09 conference championship team are playing prominent roles for the one-loss sophomore team at South. Robert Mara, Andrew Jovien, Povilas Golokvocius, and Jeff Jelen have all excelled. In addition, John Bonk (also a member of this team) is starting for the varsity Roadrunners at Nazareth Academy.
GOOD LUCK to all our alumni as the seasons head down the stretch!!
AND FINALLY, all the "Good-natured" ribbing that has taken place in the Lakeview P.E. department will come to a halt this afternoon around 4:30, as the Bears and Packers N.F.C. title game will be decided. I must say that Miss Nyhlen is a great fan of her team, having taken "grief" all week from all the Bears' fans at Lakeview. Never once has she wavered in her support of her "Green and Gold", including her Pack outfit at school on Friday!! With Mr. Dvorak being a devout Bears' fan, it's been a long week being in-the-middle.
Have a great week, stop at Lakeview on Monday, Tuesday, or Friday and catch a Varsity Basketball game.....tipoff at 4 PM..........................and..................................
ROLL SPARTANS !!!!!!!!! PLAY HARD !!!!!!!!!!!!
Coach Dodd
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
THIS YEAR IS ROLLING ALONG !!!
Hey Spartan Fans !!
Just a "quickie" this morning, with the hope that the Spartan Nation has gotten off to a great start in 2011 !! I have !!
As most of you know, I had some surgery in late September, and to make a long story short, have been feeling GREAT ever since!! VERY GOOD checkup yesterday, to the point that I asked my cardiologist if they were looking for a "poster child" for aortic replacement ? He said he would "get back to me" regarding my offer!! Should I hold my breathe waiting for that call ??????? Seriously, it is incredible what modern medicine can do in the 21st century !!!
On the Lakeview Basketball front, our Boys Varsity squad has participated in two tournaments thus far, and has done...........OK. Even though we currently stand at 0-4 record-wise, I feel that we are making strides to get better. These four games have given me a chance to evaluate my club, and the individuals on it. I feel we have 16 good athletes on our team, but not necessarily 16 good basketball players. It appears, and this has been substantiated, that quite a few of the players have only started playing basketball in very recent years. Our practices have been good, and the improvement levels are rising........AND THEY NEED TO KEEP RISING!!!!!!! As proof of the "good athlete" statement, one only needs to look at the final results of our recently completed Fall seasons. Many members of our Basketball team were also members of our undefeated Conference Champion Football squad or Conference Champion Cross-Country team. WE WILL KEEP GETTING BETTER, and that is one of my seasons goals!!!
On the Girls side of "hoops", I would like to congratulate Coach Jacob Little, and his squad for their great showing in the last two tourneys since new years! A strong showing in both the Downers Grove Mayors' Classic, as well as at the Westmont Rotary Tourney has once-again gotten the Girls off to a great start!! Twelve months ago, this same scenario took place, with their season ending in a GREAT VICTORY in the conference tourney. This included stunning wins over perennial powers Jefferson and the "Paul Bunyon" group from Old Quarry. I am going out on a limb here, and will mention something that not too many people know. Coach Little and his assistants (Brian Kukulski, Elizabeth Schwenkel, Beth Nyhlen, John Holakovsky, and Heather Wrzesinki) put in COUNTLESS hours with District 66 Girl Basketball players. These hours include extra intramural time, weekend basketball leagues and tournaments, and begin with Girls at not only Lakeview, but also Prairieview. GOOD LUCK LADIES as you start your regular season on Tuesday (January 18th at Westmont..4 PM tipoff).
Even though it's 23 degrees outside, with snow on the ground.......I am eagerly awaiting the start of the 2011 baseball season! Cardinal pitchers and catchers report to Florida in 29 days (Feb. 13), with the regular season starting March 31 vs. San Diego (at Busch)!!!!
Despite the fact that it appears that the Cubs will win the N.L. Central, National League, and the World Series, the "Cardinal Nation" will try to hang in there!! In acquiring Carlos Pena and Matt Garza, as well as having Sportsman-of-the-Year Carlos Zambrano all season, I ask how can the Redbirds match-up with mediocre talent the likes of Matt Holliday, Colby Rasmus, Adam Wainright, Albert Pujols, and Yadier Molina??????? A mediocre pitching staff of Carpenter, Wainright, Westbrook, Garcia, and Lohse will be no match for the power staff of the Cubs (Zambrano, Garza, Wells, Gorzelanny, and Stevens) ........Oh well, let's just look instead to 2012!
Back to basketball....I hope our fans in 66 have a chance to attend some of the 2011 HOME games at Lakeview. They all tipoff at 4 PM, and end at approximately 4:55 to 5:00 PM. Students are allowed to attend, as long as they are in abidance of school rules. IF ANY INDIVIDUAL WOULD LIKE A 2011 BOYS AND GIRLS SCHEDULE, ALONG WITH THE RULES OF ATTENDING, please e-mail me at tdodd@ccsd66.org and I will reply with the schedule, etc.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK........ROLL SPARTANS!!!!!!!.....PLAY HARD!!!!!!!!!
Coach Tom Dodd
Just a "quickie" this morning, with the hope that the Spartan Nation has gotten off to a great start in 2011 !! I have !!
As most of you know, I had some surgery in late September, and to make a long story short, have been feeling GREAT ever since!! VERY GOOD checkup yesterday, to the point that I asked my cardiologist if they were looking for a "poster child" for aortic replacement ? He said he would "get back to me" regarding my offer!! Should I hold my breathe waiting for that call ??????? Seriously, it is incredible what modern medicine can do in the 21st century !!!
On the Lakeview Basketball front, our Boys Varsity squad has participated in two tournaments thus far, and has done...........OK. Even though we currently stand at 0-4 record-wise, I feel that we are making strides to get better. These four games have given me a chance to evaluate my club, and the individuals on it. I feel we have 16 good athletes on our team, but not necessarily 16 good basketball players. It appears, and this has been substantiated, that quite a few of the players have only started playing basketball in very recent years. Our practices have been good, and the improvement levels are rising........AND THEY NEED TO KEEP RISING!!!!!!! As proof of the "good athlete" statement, one only needs to look at the final results of our recently completed Fall seasons. Many members of our Basketball team were also members of our undefeated Conference Champion Football squad or Conference Champion Cross-Country team. WE WILL KEEP GETTING BETTER, and that is one of my seasons goals!!!
On the Girls side of "hoops", I would like to congratulate Coach Jacob Little, and his squad for their great showing in the last two tourneys since new years! A strong showing in both the Downers Grove Mayors' Classic, as well as at the Westmont Rotary Tourney has once-again gotten the Girls off to a great start!! Twelve months ago, this same scenario took place, with their season ending in a GREAT VICTORY in the conference tourney. This included stunning wins over perennial powers Jefferson and the "Paul Bunyon" group from Old Quarry. I am going out on a limb here, and will mention something that not too many people know. Coach Little and his assistants (Brian Kukulski, Elizabeth Schwenkel, Beth Nyhlen, John Holakovsky, and Heather Wrzesinki) put in COUNTLESS hours with District 66 Girl Basketball players. These hours include extra intramural time, weekend basketball leagues and tournaments, and begin with Girls at not only Lakeview, but also Prairieview. GOOD LUCK LADIES as you start your regular season on Tuesday (January 18th at Westmont..4 PM tipoff).
Even though it's 23 degrees outside, with snow on the ground.......I am eagerly awaiting the start of the 2011 baseball season! Cardinal pitchers and catchers report to Florida in 29 days (Feb. 13), with the regular season starting March 31 vs. San Diego (at Busch)!!!!
Despite the fact that it appears that the Cubs will win the N.L. Central, National League, and the World Series, the "Cardinal Nation" will try to hang in there!! In acquiring Carlos Pena and Matt Garza, as well as having Sportsman-of-the-Year Carlos Zambrano all season, I ask how can the Redbirds match-up with mediocre talent the likes of Matt Holliday, Colby Rasmus, Adam Wainright, Albert Pujols, and Yadier Molina??????? A mediocre pitching staff of Carpenter, Wainright, Westbrook, Garcia, and Lohse will be no match for the power staff of the Cubs (Zambrano, Garza, Wells, Gorzelanny, and Stevens) ........Oh well, let's just look instead to 2012!
Back to basketball....I hope our fans in 66 have a chance to attend some of the 2011 HOME games at Lakeview. They all tipoff at 4 PM, and end at approximately 4:55 to 5:00 PM. Students are allowed to attend, as long as they are in abidance of school rules. IF ANY INDIVIDUAL WOULD LIKE A 2011 BOYS AND GIRLS SCHEDULE, ALONG WITH THE RULES OF ATTENDING, please e-mail me at tdodd@ccsd66.org and I will reply with the schedule, etc.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK........ROLL SPARTANS!!!!!!!.....PLAY HARD!!!!!!!!!
Coach Tom Dodd
Monday, January 3, 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR, and believe me.......IT IS A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!
Greetings to the Spartan Nation!!!!
It has been quite a while since I last "dropped in", so I have some things to cover!!
First off, a special "THANKS" goes out to the staff at Lakeview, and in particular my P.E. partners Miss Nyhlen and Mr. Dvorak. In my absence, they did a great job filling my substitutes in on every phase of our P.E. program. It sounds like P.E. rolled along with Mr. Stahoviak, Mrs. Mlyniec, and Mrs. Daly filling in. Mrs. Daly was my sub the day I dropped in to visit before Thanksgiving and my return, so I never had the opportunity to say good bye to Scott. He is currently filling a maternity leave along the north shore.
Bowling has come and gone, as well as the unit ALL the Lakeview students LOVE!!!!!!.......DANCING!!!!!! And once again this year, it was outstanding, culminated by the 8th grade ball-room dance the 17th of December! My special "THANKS" go out to Mrs. Garvey for once again doing an outstanding job as the 8th grade instructor!! As well, to all the parents who donated treats and attended "the gala event"!!!
Rollerblading started today, and it seems like everyone got off to a great start!!!!!! Stay on your feet and don't fall down!!!!!!!
My Freshmen Football Mustangs finished a strong season by going 6-3, with Mr. Zach Tomanovich (DGS '09) taking over my play calling, and winning four straight games. Brian Kukulski (Ide P.E.) assumed much of the Freshmen load in my absence.......Thanks Brian!
I know that a huge group of 66 parents, students, etc. followed my recovery on the CaringBridge. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring from all of these great people!!!!!! This only encouraged me to work hard during my recovery and rehab!!!!
My cardiovascular surgeon would not allow me to return to school until an 8 week period elapsed following my surgery. Sooooooooooooo, I took this time at home to prepare much paperwork for the 2011 football season. I am ready to go!!!!!!!
During the end of the 2010 football season, I had the opportunity to accompany some friends to see some great football. I accompanied Coach Slayden north to the University of Minnesota to see the Golden Gophers upset the Iowa Hawkeyes. Steven Slayden (LV -'04....DGS-'08) was asked to return to the at U of M cheerleading squad after a tragic car accident took the lives of two U of M members!! The Iowa / Minnesota game was a "barnburner" that came down to the last series before a Gopher win!! GOPHERS---27 HAWKEYES---20
The weekend before Thanksgiving, the opportunity came along to attend the Air Force-U.N.L.V. football game. While others went to explore the "fun" this trip allowed, I had the opportunity to visit the coaches at U.N.L.V., as well as catch up on old times with former D.G.S. head varsity coach Tim Mash. What a great day recalling old times, and even his mention of how tough Mr. Dvorak was playing offensive line when he was many times outweighed!! At the game, our traveling party secured pre-game field passes, at which time I had the surprise and distinct pleasure of meeting the United States Air Force THUNDERBIRDS, commanded by Lt. Col. Case Cunningham. This was a photo opp that I will never forget!!!!!!! AFA---35 UNLV---20
Following a GREAT and PEACEFUL Christmas with my family, I had the pleasure of being invited to attend the 2010 INDEPENDENCE BOWL in Shreveport, La.. Former Spartan and Mustang Zack Bell and the United States Air Force Academy Falcons were pitted against the Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech on December 27th. Following a great flight to Dallas, and a leisurely drive while listening to the Bears beat the Jets, I was afforded the opportunity of spending three days in a true football environment with Zack, Mr. and Mrs. Bell, as well as the players and coaches of the Falcons!! WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!! Everything about these guys is FIRST CLASS!!!!! Manners on the elevator, holding the doors for females, pants pulled up with no boxers showing, on-time for meetings, "Yes Sir.....No Sir", and the list goes on and on!!!! Being around these guys make one know that our country is in safe hands.
As a bit of background information, Zack is in the middle of his fourth year at the academy. During his first two seasons, Zack served as the backup placekicker to an All-American, Ryan Harrison. Between his second and third year, Zack was asked to be an instructor at "Jack's Valley", the indoctronation point for all incoming cadets in July. Upon return from this three week period, Zack went immediately to the practice field, at which time he seriously hurt his leg. This wiped out his potential starting spot, and allowed another kicker to step in. It was not until the eleventh game of his senior year that the coaches finally figured out that, even though the regular kicker did well in practice, he just wasn't a "gamer". After going 5/10 in field goals, the coaches gave Zack a chance, and it paid off in the final regular season game and the Independence Bowl. In the regular season finale, Zack hit all six extra points, as well as two 40 yard field goals in Shreveport at the bowl. WHAT A WAY TO END A FOOTBALL CAREER!!!!!! AFA---14 Georgia Tech---7
A "kicker" to all this is the fact that Zack's grades are at a level where he will have the choice of picking what field he would like to be in upon graduation from the academy May 25th!!!!!! I told Zack I expected an F-22 "fly-over" at a Mustang football game in 2017!!!!!!!!!! Zack also has an interest in becoming a History instructor at the academy. Nice choices to have!!!!
WELL....................................Thanks for letting me catchup on my life......It has been quite a run since Sept. 28th!!!!!!!!
Drop me an e-mail and let me know what is happening with you!!!!!!! tdodd@ccsd66.org
ROLL SPARTANS!!!!!!! PLAY HARD!!!!!!!!!!!
Tom Dodd
It has been quite a while since I last "dropped in", so I have some things to cover!!
First off, a special "THANKS" goes out to the staff at Lakeview, and in particular my P.E. partners Miss Nyhlen and Mr. Dvorak. In my absence, they did a great job filling my substitutes in on every phase of our P.E. program. It sounds like P.E. rolled along with Mr. Stahoviak, Mrs. Mlyniec, and Mrs. Daly filling in. Mrs. Daly was my sub the day I dropped in to visit before Thanksgiving and my return, so I never had the opportunity to say good bye to Scott. He is currently filling a maternity leave along the north shore.
Bowling has come and gone, as well as the unit ALL the Lakeview students LOVE!!!!!!.......DANCING!!!!!! And once again this year, it was outstanding, culminated by the 8th grade ball-room dance the 17th of December! My special "THANKS" go out to Mrs. Garvey for once again doing an outstanding job as the 8th grade instructor!! As well, to all the parents who donated treats and attended "the gala event"!!!
Rollerblading started today, and it seems like everyone got off to a great start!!!!!! Stay on your feet and don't fall down!!!!!!!
My Freshmen Football Mustangs finished a strong season by going 6-3, with Mr. Zach Tomanovich (DGS '09) taking over my play calling, and winning four straight games. Brian Kukulski (Ide P.E.) assumed much of the Freshmen load in my absence.......Thanks Brian!
I know that a huge group of 66 parents, students, etc. followed my recovery on the CaringBridge. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring from all of these great people!!!!!! This only encouraged me to work hard during my recovery and rehab!!!!
My cardiovascular surgeon would not allow me to return to school until an 8 week period elapsed following my surgery. Sooooooooooooo, I took this time at home to prepare much paperwork for the 2011 football season. I am ready to go!!!!!!!
During the end of the 2010 football season, I had the opportunity to accompany some friends to see some great football. I accompanied Coach Slayden north to the University of Minnesota to see the Golden Gophers upset the Iowa Hawkeyes. Steven Slayden (LV -'04....DGS-'08) was asked to return to the at U of M cheerleading squad after a tragic car accident took the lives of two U of M members!! The Iowa / Minnesota game was a "barnburner" that came down to the last series before a Gopher win!! GOPHERS---27 HAWKEYES---20
The weekend before Thanksgiving, the opportunity came along to attend the Air Force-U.N.L.V. football game. While others went to explore the "fun" this trip allowed, I had the opportunity to visit the coaches at U.N.L.V., as well as catch up on old times with former D.G.S. head varsity coach Tim Mash. What a great day recalling old times, and even his mention of how tough Mr. Dvorak was playing offensive line when he was many times outweighed!! At the game, our traveling party secured pre-game field passes, at which time I had the surprise and distinct pleasure of meeting the United States Air Force THUNDERBIRDS, commanded by Lt. Col. Case Cunningham. This was a photo opp that I will never forget!!!!!!! AFA---35 UNLV---20
Following a GREAT and PEACEFUL Christmas with my family, I had the pleasure of being invited to attend the 2010 INDEPENDENCE BOWL in Shreveport, La.. Former Spartan and Mustang Zack Bell and the United States Air Force Academy Falcons were pitted against the Ramblin' Wreck from Georgia Tech on December 27th. Following a great flight to Dallas, and a leisurely drive while listening to the Bears beat the Jets, I was afforded the opportunity of spending three days in a true football environment with Zack, Mr. and Mrs. Bell, as well as the players and coaches of the Falcons!! WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!! Everything about these guys is FIRST CLASS!!!!! Manners on the elevator, holding the doors for females, pants pulled up with no boxers showing, on-time for meetings, "Yes Sir.....No Sir", and the list goes on and on!!!! Being around these guys make one know that our country is in safe hands.
As a bit of background information, Zack is in the middle of his fourth year at the academy. During his first two seasons, Zack served as the backup placekicker to an All-American, Ryan Harrison. Between his second and third year, Zack was asked to be an instructor at "Jack's Valley", the indoctronation point for all incoming cadets in July. Upon return from this three week period, Zack went immediately to the practice field, at which time he seriously hurt his leg. This wiped out his potential starting spot, and allowed another kicker to step in. It was not until the eleventh game of his senior year that the coaches finally figured out that, even though the regular kicker did well in practice, he just wasn't a "gamer". After going 5/10 in field goals, the coaches gave Zack a chance, and it paid off in the final regular season game and the Independence Bowl. In the regular season finale, Zack hit all six extra points, as well as two 40 yard field goals in Shreveport at the bowl. WHAT A WAY TO END A FOOTBALL CAREER!!!!!! AFA---14 Georgia Tech---7
A "kicker" to all this is the fact that Zack's grades are at a level where he will have the choice of picking what field he would like to be in upon graduation from the academy May 25th!!!!!! I told Zack I expected an F-22 "fly-over" at a Mustang football game in 2017!!!!!!!!!! Zack also has an interest in becoming a History instructor at the academy. Nice choices to have!!!!
WELL....................................Thanks for letting me catchup on my life......It has been quite a run since Sept. 28th!!!!!!!!
Drop me an e-mail and let me know what is happening with you!!!!!!! tdodd@ccsd66.org
ROLL SPARTANS!!!!!!! PLAY HARD!!!!!!!!!!!
Tom Dodd
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