Special salute for 'G-Mac'
Sometime after the invention of electricity, Gary McMorrow became an assistant wrestling coach, later beginning a long, illustrious and productive career as head coach at Prospect High School.
On Thursday evening, the wrestling community and administration honored the man they call "G-Mac" with a night of his own prior to the Knights' Mid-Suburban League crossover dual meet against MSL rival Palatine. It helped celebrate his 25 years at Prospect and 36 as a coach in the sport for a man who has made a profound impact on so many during his tenure.
A late rally enabled the Pirates to spoil the Knights' efforts to give their coach a victory on this special night -- but even in defeat, McMorrow was still smiling long after Prospect fell 35-26.
"I guess the party was spoiled a little," said McMorrow, who is retiring from teaching in June. "But it has been a terrific night nonetheless with my family, so many former wrestlers and the fans on hand to help make this a night to remember."
McMorrow, who wrestled for the Knights before graduating in 1968, and competed for four more years at Western Illinois University, began his coaching career at Hersey as an assistant for 11 years.
He moved to take the reins at Prospect with the help of former Hersey Hall of Fame head coach Tom Porter.
"I was so fortunate to work under Tom, then another Hall of Fame coach, Rick Mann (who attended the festivities) while I was at Hersey, and for a few years after leaving and going over to Prospect, I wondered several times why in the world I left an elite program for one that was struggling so much," joked McMorrow.
"I went through dozens of assistants, didn't really have a feeder program for a while, and actually went 0-17 one of those seasons ... and the next year used the slogan, '0-17.. never again!'
"But things turned around after awhile, and with the support of my wife (Pam) and four kids, my career has lasted a long time and provided some very special memories in my life."
"The dedication, passion and interest that he shows both in the classroom and wrestling to his kids is just incredible," said Prospect athletic director Tom Martindale. "He's an advocate for young student-athletes and we are all very proud of him."
Martindale joined assistant principle for student activities Erik Hammerstrom and principal Kurt Laasko as guest speakers. Laasko called McMorrow the heart and soul of the program and someone who has made an impact on all he has come into contact with both at Prospect and in the district.
McMorrow was surprised by many of the guests who took the time to come out on a rainy, cold January night, including Charlie Morgan, his former eighth-grade teacher at Central Junior High.
"I promised myself not to get choked up when I was behind the microphone, but seeing my wife and family sitting on the other side of the gym, and former teachers and students almost did me in," McMorrow said.
McMorrow, who has coached five wrestlers to state medals in Champaign while at Prospect, lists 2005 -- when the Knights won their first MSL championship -- and last year (the Knights were MSL and regional champions) as two of his most favorite career memories.
"I wrestle for 'G-Mac,' " said senior Jonny Brennan. "First he took my brother (Mike) under his wing, then myself, starting around fifth grade. He means so much to me and my family, and I am glad to be a part of his night tonight in my senior year."
Martindale threw praise in the direction of Palatine on this wonderful evening, as the Pirates coaching staff allowed a switch in sites to fit this event into the schedule before the home fans and on senior night.
"Gary is just a class act," said Palatine coach Dan Collins. "He's a real coach's coach, always saying positive things about his opponent, and just a terrific guy to be around. He's a great family man also and someone who will be missed around our sport."
Collins figured the Pirates were in trouble in the early going as the Knights (10-11) built a 20-9 lead with George Wrobell (112), Tim Schweigel (119, 19-6), Brennan (125, 19-2), Matt Boggess (135, 26-0), Andrew Mercer (140) and Mike Kraak (145) providing the 20 points.
But state-ranked Ross Grande (152, 22-2) awoke the Pirates (9-7) with a pin at 29 seconds, and with the help of back-to-back major decisions by Dan Sutton (160) and Ryan Cortez (171), the stage was set for some heroics by 189-pounder Brendon Norris.
Norris finally turned and pinned Jake Galladora at 4:40, making Peter Zintak's (27-0) 24th fall of the season at 215 a non-factor.
"As we got going, I think each guy fed off the other's success," Collins said.
"It was a tough way to end a night that was so important," Zintak said. "But it doesn't take away what type of person or coach that G-Mac has been to all of us."