advertisement

Battling cancer becomes Libertyville coach's focus

“Take it one day at a time.”

“The tough times make you stronger.”

If ever there was a time for Randy Kuceyeski to pull out his coaching clichés, now is the time. He'll take inspiration and advice from every corner.

“I've got plenty (of coaching clichés). I've got to get my book out for this,” Kuceyeski joked.

But the reason Kuceyeski needs his best stuff right now is no laughing matter.

Kuceyeski, the head football coach at Libertyville, recently learned that he has cancer, specifically squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma involves cancer of the mouth, among many other body tissues. It is the same cancer that Denver Nuggets coach George Karl has battled.

Kuceyeski says that he has never been a smoker or tobacco chewer and that doctors haven't been able to tell him the exact cause of his cancer. But they have said that even something like second-hand smoke exposure could be the culprit.

“This was such a shock to me. I felt a lump in my neck one day and when I went to the doctor, I had all these tests and scans and they eventually determined that (the lump) was because my lymph node had basically blown up. Then they found that the origination of the cancer was at the base of my tongue,” Kuceyeski said. “The good news is that the prognosis is good. This is very curable.

“I'm not going to lie, though. This is scary. And the treatment, this whole process…it's going to be tough. This is going to be a very tough summer.”

Kuceyeski, whose cancer has not spread, says that he could be in store for at least eight to 10 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. And perhaps even surgery.

At this point, he is unsure of just how involved he'll be able to be with his team during camps and workouts this summer.

But Kuceyeski is certain of one thing.

“I plan to be back on Opening Night. That's my goal,” Kuceyeski said of the Wildcats' season opener on the last Friday in August. “It's going to be different for me to step back from everything this summer. I've never done that. But I've got to do what I've got to do to take care of this so that I can be ready for the season.

“It's never entered my mind to (not coach next fall). Football is what I'm about and, along with my friends and family, it will keep me fighting all summer long.”

Ironically, getting back to his team in August will be the beginning of the end for Kuceyeski.

He determined long ago that the 2011 season would be his last. Kuceyeski is scheduled to retire from his physical education teaching job at Libertyville at the end of next school year.

Kuceyeski has been the head football coach at Libertyville for 17 years, since 1994. He is 129-52 with 13 playoff appearances and he guided the Wildcats to the Class 7A state title in 2004.

“This next season will not only be my last season but it could be my toughest,” Kuceyeski said. “But it could also be the most rewarding.

“Something like this could really bring our team together. We'll be stronger as we go through it together. So far, the kids have been great. What they've done already has been inspiring.”

Kuceyeski says that one of his players set up a “Support Kuz” page on Facebook that has gotten thousands of hits and postings from students and people throughout the community.

Another website (www.caringbridge.org/visit/randykuceyeski) that has been set up to provide friends with updates on Kuceyeski's health and progress has also gotten thousands of hits.

Kuceyeski can't help but choke up when he thinks about it.

“It's so uplifting to see such an outpouring of support,” Kuceyeski said, fighting back tears. “I just can't express how much I really appreciate it.”

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.