While Lindfors stars for Driscoll, dad's videotape gathers dust

Courtney Lindfors has never seen her dad play basketball.

Maybe 1-on-1 in the back yard. But to the Driscoll junior, Ron Lindfors' All-State career at Leyden, his days at Bradley and Northern Illinois and pro career in Sweden is no more than words and dust-covered pictures.

The game tape, once stored in the attic, remains unplayed.

"I don't live in the past," Ron said. "I want my kids to succeed on their own."

That past, though, is what in part has molded Courtney into an All-State basketball player in a short time. Suggestions from Ron to incorporate more and varied post moves. Intense summer games in the back yard with Ron and older brother Jake, a freshman redshirting at the University of Albany.

Most ironic, the past shows its face in the present as Ron's former NIU teammate Steve McCuiston coaches Courtney at Driscoll.

"Steve took a lot of time with her," Ron said, "he didn't push her."

As Courtney tells it, it took a bit of a tap from Ron and his wife, Pam, to try basketball at Elk Grove Jr. High. Before that dance was her passion. Following friends, and her older brother, into basketball was a motivating factor.

Success did not come overnight, but as a sophomore Lindfors averaged 15 points per game for a sectional champion. This year, she's even better. Colleges like Northern Illinois, Illinois-Chicago and Wisconsin-Milwaukee are making their way to Addison to get a closer look.

"Especially in the last year, I think has really opened her eyes," Ron said. "From last year to this year she's jumped tremendously. Having colleges coaches in the living room and in the gym I think has motivated her."

For her part Courtney has found herself listening to dad's words in her ear a little more.

"Most of the times when we lose I ignore him," she laughed, "but he's just trying to help me. I used to roll my eyes, but I realize he knows what he's talking about."

"She's warming up to me," Ron said. "I try to put her around good people."

A couple words of advice don't turn into postgame video sessions in the Lindfors living room. You will never see Ron yelling at Courtney, let alone the referees, from his perch in the corner of the Driscoll gymnasium by the entrance.

"It's the kids' time," he said, "and they've worked hard. Courtney doesn't need any pressure from me or my wife yelling at her."

Ron helped his daughter and teammates Kasey and Taylor Reaber by having them work with personal trainer Dan Rumishek, an ex-Michigan football player and Addison Trail grad. Without lifting weights Courtney looks bigger and stronger this year.

When time permits with work, Ron will help out at practice with the post players. Interesting at Driscoll halftimes is watching the players go into the locker rooms to hash out the good and bad while coaches huddle with Ron outside the door. It truly is a family affair, when you consider assistants Tony DiGrazia and Frank Reaber both are also parents of varsity players and the Lindfors-McCuiston relationship goes back some 30 years.

"Steve and I were reminiscing the other day about how ironic it is that 30 years ago we were college teammates," Ron said, "and now this has happened. It's kind of surreal and interesting how things come full circle."

It was 27 years ago that Ron Lindfors played on NIU's NCAA Tournament team.

Now it is Courtney and her friends' turn on the big stage.

"I told her that she's going to be nervous," Ron said, "and I tried to explain to have a good time, to relish in the moment. Once you get over that nervousness you have a great opportunity."

jwelge@dailyherald.com