Articles filed under Maciaszek, Marty

• Football limits in Texas; spring sports snowed under in North Dakota May 2, 2013 12:00 AM
  A lot of the furor has subsided over a recent effort by members of the Illinois state legislature to place limits on the amount of constant contact in high school football practices. But don't start believing this is an issue which will quietly disappear around here. Especially since the one state almost synonymous with high school football is on the verge of enacting practice contact limitations. Nearly two weeks ago, the Texas University Interscholastic League's Medical Advisory Committee recommended a 90-minute limit on full-contact, game-speed practices in the regular season and postseason for its high school football programs. And the recommendation was unanimous.
  

   
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  Dick embraces challenge as Fremd’s next AD Apr 25, 2013 12:00 AM
  David Dick knows he will face all kinds of challenges when he officially takes over as Fremd High School's athletic director in July. One he'll face down the road is the potential for a house divided. Dick and his wife Jennifer have a daughter Rhiann (11 years old) and sons D.J. (9) and Darrin (5) who will eventually go to Palatine High School. "That should make for an interesting cross-town situation," David Dick said with a laugh of his kids who are all involved in sports. But that's a future "problem." Dick said his family is thrilled about his opportunity to lead an athletic department after more than 20 years as a coach and administrator at Barrington. Dick will replace Augie Fontanetta, who is moving up to oversee athletics for all five District 211 schools. Dick was the athletic director at Barrington Middle School for eight years and he also spent the last two years assisting in the high school's athletic department thanks to a plan by principal Steve McWilliams and athletic director Mike Obsuszt.
  

   
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  Buffalo Grove’s O’Connor makes room for a new dream Apr 10, 2013 12:00 AM
  Ryan O’Connor was living the dream he envisioned as a teenager. “If you had asked me when I was 18 years old, where I want to be in my 40s,” O’Connor said Wednesday afternoon, “it was to teach at a great school and to be a head coach of a quality basketball program.” The 1989 Rolling Meadows graduate was able to do both fairly close to home at Buffalo Grove. But even dreams take different shapes and directions. So, now O’Connor’s dream job will be solely as a teacher at BG. Among the reasons O’Connor decided to step down after 13 years of leading the boys program are his wife Kim and their three children — 11-year-old Kaitlynne, 8-year-old Karlie and 5-year-old Sean.
  

   
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  Two decades later, Fremd’s memorable run still resonates Mar 30, 2013 12:00 AM
  There were Fremd boys basketball teams that compiled gaudier records. There were Vikings teams with players who received more acclaim. But no team in Fremd history can match what this one accomplished 20 years ago. And no one in the Mid-Suburban League had played such an integral part in March Madness before 1993.
  

   
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  Sixth sense says Simeon will be tough to beat Mar 14, 2013 12:00 AM
  The IHSA will be hoping this weekend's Class 3A and 4A boys basketball state tournaments are devoid of the controversy that has marred last Saturday's 2A title-game win by Harrisburg over Seton Academy. An opportunity for history to be made could bring some welcome attention back to the Peoria Civic Center when the big schools are finished late Saturday night. Simeon and Duke-bound star Jabari Parker are trying to match the state record of four straight titles set by Peoria Manual and Sergio McClain from 1994-97. But, as always, there are plenty of other intriguing storylines as we enter the sixth year of four-class basketball. So, let's get on with our sixth year of tourney predictions, starting with Class 4A.
  

   
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  For Dello, the hard part was just being able to say ‘yes’ Mar 7, 2013 12:00 AM
  Marty Dello's return to coaching high school basketball was rewarded with a stellar season at Chicagland Jewish Academy. The former Barrington head coach helped make a bunch of winning memories for a team that finished 21-4.
  

   
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  ‘Hoffman West’ stepping to the forefront Feb 28, 2013 12:00 AM
  Getting to know athletes and coaches is one of the best aspects of covering a core group of schools for a significant length of time. And it’s always fun to see the people you first knew as athletes eventually make their way into teaching and coaching. That’s what made it pretty cool to cover Monday night’s Class 4A girls basketball supersectional game at Dundee-Crown when Huntley faced Wheaton Warrenville South.
  

   
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  True to form, Macnider takes temporary setback in stride Feb 14, 2013 12:00 AM
  Running has been a significant part of Jon Macnider’s life. A three-day layoff from running could seem to be an eternity for someone like Macnider. So, one can imagine the distressing thoughts Macnider had in the fall of 2010 about thoughts of a longer or even permanent layoff from something which has provided him with so much joy.
  

   
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  Turns out Princeton suits Barrington’s Darrow just fine Jan 31, 2013 12:00 AM
  Barrington senior Mason Darrow was not going to narrow his college focus solely to the school which best fit his football future. Darrow also wasn't sure, however, about having the arrow point toward Princeton. He couldn't go wrong academically with the Ivy League. But he wasn't sure if it was the right choice to go where his brother Mack is a senior basketball player. "Initially, I wasn't really looking at Princeton because I didn't want to go to the same place my brother did," Mason said. "It turned for me a little bit after hearing him talk about his experiences and meeting some of his friends and people on campus. My interest level grew."
  

   

• You’ll see all types in coaching Jan 10, 2013 12:00 AM
  What does demeanor really mean when it comes to coaching?
  

   
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  Hardwood Classic maturing quite nicely Dec 20, 2012 12:00 AM
  Turning 35 has not resulted in a midlife crisis for the Wheeling Hardwood Classic. And that’s saying something in an era of boys basketball holiday tournaments where Illinois teams are free to travel anywhere in the country. Prestigious events such as Proviso West are super-sizing and doubling their fields from 16 to 32 teams while other tourneys battle to survive and continue on with fields that really aren’t compelling. But the Hardwood Classic continues to give basketball coaches, players and fans what then head coach Ted Ecker envisioned when he started the event in 1978. A first-class experience that makes for a happy holiday — unless you’ve gone 0-4 and just played three straight 9 a.m. games. The Hardwood may not have the eight decades of tradition and talent of Pontiac or the star power of Proviso West. But starting Wednesday it will continue to thrive by providing four days of good basketball with a local-oriented flavor and hospitality that is second to none.
  

   

• Like no one else, Sherrill shares the history of wrestling in Illinois Dec 6, 2012 12:00 AM
  Just in time for the holidays for the wrestling fan is Rob Sherrill's new book, "Tales From the Mat: Illinois High School Wrestling at 75." The 500-page book is filled with more than 200 photos. stories, facts and figures about the sport's start in Chicago high schools through all 75 state tournaments held by the IHSA. It retails at $37.95.
  

   

• Let’s be clear: There’s no room for hazing in high school sports Nov 29, 2012 12:00 AM
  If there is a lesson from the recent high school hazing incident in the news, it's that every school had better make it perfectly clear this type of misbehavior won't be tolerated. Starting with superintendents, to principals, to athletic directors, to coaches, and ultimately to athletes, that there is no rational explanation for hazing others.
  

   
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  Pickin’ over high school football’s final helping Nov 22, 2012 12:00 AM
  Veteran sports writer Marty Maciaszek breaks down all eight high school state championship matchups this weekend. His pick-the-winners approach ought to please several area schools.
  

   

• Attention playoff participants: Make sure you enjoy the ride Nov 8, 2012 12:00 AM
  Teams that are left playing volleyball and football at this point of the season are all the best of the best. For those involved with deep postseason runs, make sure to take a step back and simply enjoy the playoff experience.
  

   

• All-area choices are never perfect — but they’re always worthwhile Oct 25, 2012 12:00 AM
  Choosing the member of the all-area girls volleyball and boys soccer teams, appearing now in the Daily Herald, is never easy. While it's easy to debate the merits of those choices, it's worth noting that the effort is made simply to bring attention to the finest high school athletes in the area.
  

   
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  How IHSA football playoffs could be better Oct 18, 2012 12:00 AM
  This weekend is the equivalent of Christmas and New Year's Day for high school football fans in Illinois. There is anticipation and excitement for those associated with programs that will be in the 256-team field, which will be announced by the IHSA starting at 8 p.m. Saturday. It has turned into a major event similar to the NCAA men's basketball tournament with television coverage of the pairings, newspaper analysis and no shortage of Internet chatter.
  

   

• Best MSL football season ever? Hard to argue against 2002 Oct 11, 2012 12:00 AM
  Prospect celebrates the 10th anniversary of its 2002 football state championship as Brent Pearlman, now coaching Wheeling, makes his return. That 2002 season was special for the Mid-Suburban League in many ways, and quite possibly the greatest in the history of the league.
  

   

• Playing the game for its own sake ought to be reward enough Oct 4, 2012 12:00 AM
  Sadly, there's evidence that the NFL's bounty scandal is having an effect at the very roots of the sports. And perhaps it's been there all along.
  

   
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  Wieder eager to get varsity baseball rolling at Wheeling Sep 27, 2012 12:00 AM
  Jason Wieder, a 2002 Wheeling graduate, can't think of a better job than the one he was chosen for a week ago as the new varsity baseball coach for the Wildcats. He's grateful to people such as assistant principal for student activities Steve May, boys athletic director Neal Weiner and associate principal Kate Kraft for the opportunity.