Article updated: 3/22/2012 8:06 PM

Pride for the pros: Thomas salutes its best

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Dave Corzine, who achieved success in in high school, college and professional basketball, towers over Mayor Arlene Mulder as they enter an assembly at Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights Thursday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Former basketball player Dave Corzine speaks during an assembly at Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights Thursday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Soccer player Brian McBride watches as he and four other alums who achieved success in professional sports are honored during an assembly at Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights Thursday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Football player Tom Nelson, a graduate of Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights, speaks during an assembly at the school Thursday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Left to right, Thomas Middle School alums Brian McBride, Tom Zbikowski, Tom Nelson and Dave Corzine stand together as they are honored for their athletic success during an assembly at the Arlington Heights school Thursday. Baseball standout Mike Myers was also honored but was unable to attend.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Soccer player Brian McBride hugs his daughter, Ashley, after she introduced him during an assembly at Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights Thursday. She is a sixth-grader at the school.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Tom Zbikowski, left, and Tom Nelson, who achieved success in professional football, chat during an assembly at Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights on Thursday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Dave Corzine watches a video clip during an assembly at Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights on Thursday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

Alum Tom Zbikowski, who has achieved success in professional football and boxing, is introduced during an assembly at Thomas Middle School in Arlington Heights on Thursday.

JOE LEWNARD | Staff Photographer

About this Article

Their professional playing careers span five different decades, and on the surface, it may not seem like they have much in common.But on Thursday morning in Arlington Heights, Dave Corzine, Mike Myers, Brian McBride, Tom Zbikowski and Tom Nelson shared one thing: they were all recipients of the Pride of the Wolf Pack Award at Thomas Middle School.Corzine, McBride, Zbikowski and Nelson all spoke to the student body about the importance of hard work and dedication, no matter your walk of life.Although none of them attended Thomas at the same time, they all had a hand in influencing one another.