Glenbard North ready to control football crowd

Illinois High School Association officials don't want a repeat of the post-game antics that marred last week's football playoff game between Glenbard North and Fremd high schools.

So on Wednesday, the IHSA had Glenbard North submit an outline detailing security plans for Saturday's semifinal game in Chicago against Mount Carmel High School.

The unusual requirement for a visiting team came in the wake of reported taunting after Glenbard North's victory last week over Fremd.

John Mensik, Glenbard North's principal, prepared the one-page security plan on behalf of the Carol Stream school.

Mensik said he's already warned students that there couldn't be a repeat of last week's incident, in which dozens of Glenbard North fans jumped a chain-link fence to race across the field.

"I feel pretty confident with what we've done so far this week in addressing the situation with the entire student body," Mensik said. "We're ready to move forward."

School officials plan to double the amount of staffers present during Saturday's game at Gately Stadium in Chicago.

Mensik added that both he and his staff plan to be "very visible" along the sidelines.

Marty Hickman, IHSA executive director, said Mensik's security plan mentions that students -- particularly those traveling to Chicago on the Carol Stream school's buses -- will be briefed again about their conduct.

"We're comfortable with the plan they have in place," Hickman said. "They've identified some students who will not be attending."

Hickman said he believes the steps outlined in the security plan will decrease the likelihood of history repeating itself.

"Beyond that, the Chicago Public League is very good about making sure they have security at the stadium," Hickman said. "There will be a substantial security presence there."

Glenbard North likely will face some sort of sanctions from the IHSA related to last week's incident, Hickman said. But those details won't be finalized until sometime after this weekend's game.

Glenbard North officials and the IHSA are continuing to investigate the reported theft of Fremd football helmets and a camera from the sidelines.

One Fremd football helmet taken by a student who doesn't attend Glenbard North has been recovered, Mensik said.

Several parents and students from Glenbard North have sent apology letters to Fremd, and Mensik said the student body is working on repairing relations between the two schools.

"They've brainstormed some ideas," he said. "The students are leading in the effort to try and create a positive relationship between the two schools."