Crystal Lake South coach wins honor from Bears

LAKE FOREST, IL - Chuck Ahsmann of Crystal Lake South High School was named the Chicago Bears High School "Coach of the Week" for Week 4.

After 10 years as the team's defensive coordinator, Coach Ahsmann is in his first year as head football coach. He has led the Gators to a 4-0 start this season, with a 24-20 win last Friday night over cross-town rival and unbeaten Prairie Ridge High School.

Coach Ahsmann shares his story of surviving a diagnosis of immunocytoma in 1992, a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and a terminal form of cancer. His example teaches players how to deal with adversity and shows them what they can overcome. Coach Ahsmann also serves as science department chair and is a popular physics teacher at the school.

In honor of Ahsmann, $1,500 will be donated to Crystal Lake South's football program. Ahsmann will be invited to the Bears-Patriots game on Sunday, December 12, and will be recognized during an on-field ceremony that day. He will also receive a framed certificate and will have the opportunity to attend a Bears practice and "chalk-talk" with Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith and other 2010 "Coach of the Week" honorees.

The Chicago Bears "Coach of the Week" program enters its 15th season this year. The program honors outstanding Illinois high school coaches who develop players' football skills and knowledge, character, leadership, discipline, and teamwork abilities. Other criteria considered include unique coaching methodology, community and off-field components, school and community support, volunteerism, and, most importantly, contributions to players' long-term success on and off the field.

The program will run for nine weeks from August 30 through October 25. Deserving high school coaches are nominated by a panel of local prep authorities, and the winning "Coach of the Week" is selected each week. The Chicago Bears will make a $1,500 contribution to the football program at each winning coach's school.

Since the program's inception, the Bears have donated over $185,000 to Illinois high schools in support of their football programs. For more information, log on to www.chicagobears.com/community or call the Chicago Bears Community Relations department at (847) 739-5308.