Metea Valley's Schweer finds himself in a familiar role
Build them, and he will come.
Tom Schweer, athletic director at fledgling Metea Valley High School, has done this before. He was in the same role when St. Charles North debuted. That school's athletic programs have done just fine, thank you.
Schweer understates his role in Metea Valley's athletic takeoff: "I'm an air traffic controller trying to get the planes landing on the right runway." But he and Principal Jim Schmid, a former hall of fame baseball coach at Waubonsie Valley, are sure hands who've developed Metea's frosh-soph athletes while eyeing full varsity competition in 2010-11.
Complicating the process was new facilities completed at different times: auxiliary gym, Jan. 1; aquatic center, Feb. 2; baseball and softball diamonds, shortly before first pitch. The complete outdoor complex is still being developed.
"Just the layered opening of the building has made it a little bit more of a challenge," said Schweer, who during a phone conversation repeatedly used the words, "flexible" and "adapt."
What else can you do but adapt, and laugh, when the timers controlling the competition gym's lighting in this environmentally conscious building suddenly switch off during the first two girls volleyball games?
"You work your way through that," Schweer said.
He complimented Barb Barrows and Mike Rogowski, athletic directors at Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley, respectively, for the use of their facilities when need arose. Reciprocating, there were times Schweer could offer Metea's outdoor stadium and its turf field.
Schweer was impressed by Metea athletics' inner workings as well.
"We had people really coming from all points. It really was a very, very good mix, I think, for the coaching staff and our kids."
Schweer worked out a complete nine-game frosh-soph football schedule, not an easy task, and sports like badminton, track and cross country, swimming and tennis have all competed on the varsity level. That should reduce the shock when varsity sports fully arrive in August.
"Everybody is very clear that this is going to be a step up and we have to bring our 'A' game," said Schweer, who anticipates a fairly quick rise to respectability.
"I think maybe we have blinders on, but if you don't have those expectations you certainly won't achieve a lot," Schweer said.
"One thing I can tell you is we have good athletes and we have good parents. We may not be the powerhouse in some sports that our sister schools are, but we may be stronger in other sports. That's why you play the games and have the contests. Every school is different. We look forward to taking the best of what Neuqua Valley has to offer and the best of what Waubonsie has to offer and make the best Metea."
About MattDevin Moore's instructions were clear, and daunting."I don't want him to be a substory of me," said the Wheaton Academy junior. "I want him to be honored."Earlier Tuesday night at Wheaton Bible Church, Moore had the honor, as requested by his best friend's father, of sharing memories at services for Matt Anderson, who passed away on May 20."Me and Matt grew up playing soccer together till he was diagnosed with leukemia our eighth-grade year," Moore said on the phone. "I did just about everything with him, especially athletically. He was definitely my best friend, and from athletics to school to my faith he was a big part of my life." Keeping Moore in the background is daunting since he is a three-time state tennis qualifier. Twice in first doubles with Charles West, Moore is now at first singles. As Warriors tennis coach Matt Hockett said, after this week's events Moore will try to refocus Thursday at Hersey High School."In a way it makes me want to play for Matt, and play for God," Moore said, "but I realize that no matter what happens, this is not how I'm defined as."Moore said his comments at Wheaton Bible Church addressed Matt Anderson's competitive nature, his desire to succeed in every facet of his life."I also talked about his laughter and joy," Moore said. "Matt was known for his contagious laugh, and he was always the kind of kid who was happy - joyful and happy with whatever was going on. The main part of what I talked about was his faith, how strong he was and how much he believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and how that was the center of his life."It puts everything into perspective."Happy trailsAfter teaching 33 years, induction into two athletic halls of fame and receiving two educational awards, Brenda Whitesell is in her final days at Hinsdale South High School. Between her first four years at Knox High School in Indiana - she's originally from New Goshen - and in Darien, Whitesell's record in girls basketball was 544-301. In softball she was 330-144 all at Hinsdale South. She's just as proud, however, earning the Hinsdale High School Teachers Association's Professional Excellence Award for Teaching in 2008-09, as well as the Outstanding Physical Educator honor presented this year by the DuPage Chairpersons Association."I always took just as much pride in my teaching as my coaching," said the perky Whitesell, who after retiring as Hornets basketball coach in 2008 wished to remain active in sports - so, she assisted Bob Lichter with the girls bowling team.Soon, she'll pursue cooking classes - which will help with her sister Donna's pizza place in New Goshen - and volunteering with the Humane Society.Whitesell once had a goal of college coaching. Hinsdale South convinced her otherwise."I think if you treat the kids with respect you'll often get that back," she said. "Also, when you work hard as a teacher and coach, parents really appreciate that and they support you."