Rolling Meadows’ Moran measures up for Purdue

Maggie Moran, a four-year starter for Rolling Meadows soccer team, said she knew from “day one” she wanted to play Division I soccer.

One month ago, the day came for Moran.

Moran signed a letter of intent in February to play for Purdue.

“I am really excited to play Big Ten soccer,” said Moran about joining the program of Robert Klatte, the founding father and architect of Purdue’s nationally recognized soccer program he started 14 years ago.

In 2009, Klatte made Big Ten history by becoming the first coach to lead one team to 10 straight seasons of 10 or more victories.

Klatte’s 153-109-29 mark at Purdue ranks him fifth on the Big Ten’s all-time list for overall wins at one school, and his 64-52-15 mark in Big Ten play puts him second on the all-time list for conference wins at one school.

Purdue’s roster last fall did not include a player from Illinois.

At 5-foot-1, Moran may be one of the smallest Boilermakers when she gets to West Lafayette, but also one of the most dynamic.

“You just need a lot of competitiveness and the desire to work hard,” she said, insisting her height is not a disadvantage. “It’s no big deal. It’s foot skills and foot speed.”

“Maggie has a great ball touch and excellent burst of speed,” said Mustangs coach Mike Drenth. “And she is a smart player.”

Moran has started the season on a tear, scoring 5 goals with 4 assists in five games. For her career, she has more than 30 goals and 50 assists.

A Daily Herald all-area selection, Moran led Meadows with 14 goals last spring.

“Purdue is a top club,” Drenth said. “It’s a nice honor for Maggie to be able to play there.”

Following in the footsteps of her brother and sister, Moran began playing soccer at the age of four.

“It’s kind of a family thing,” said Moran, who played on several top-notch teams for the Arlington Aces Academy Elite Soccer Club. “My parents (T.J. and Cathy) have helped me the most to get to this point.”

Moran plans to study secondary education at Purdue and one day would love to coach soccer at the high school level.

She has already gained some experience in that direction, serving as a camp instructor last summer at Rolling Meadows.

She has also helped with the Elite Soccer Program (ages 3-4) and was an Elite assistant camp instructor in 2010.

Moran also excels in the class room with a 4.61 (weighted) GPA.

In addition to all the time on the soccer field, she also has been a member of the Student Principle Advisory Committee and Stampede, a leadership program at the high school.

Moran also has found time to give to the community, participating in the Cystic Fibrosis Walk, American Cancer Society Walk (Relay for life) and Shannon McNamara Run/Walk.

Moran has volunteered for the Walter Payton Run/Walk and Palatine Food Drive.

Still pitching in

Former Elk Grove all-area honorary softball captain Megan Huitink is stillinvolved with area players.

Huitink, who also played for DePaul and Illinois, serves as a pitching coach for last year’s all-area honorary captain Dani Goranson of Elk Grove.

The Illinois Bash has its own indoor warehouse in Elk Grove (1330 Jarvis St) for hitting and pitching instruction.

Each Wednesday is pitching night with Huitink.

Men’s hockey

Freshman Brandon Kirchens (Wheeling), a defenseman for Monroe Community College in Rochester, N.Y., helped the Tribunes win their first NJCAA national championship in men’s hockey. Kirchens finished the season with 9 goals and 22 assists.

Kivland remembered

Pat Kivland, who was the dean of Mid-Suburban League boys gymnastics coaches when he left the post in 2010 after 36 seasons, will be honored at Prospect’s home boys gymnastics meet on April 4.

Kivland died last Nov. 15 after fighting Pulmonary Fibrosis.

He was also a boys and girls diving coach and girls golf coach at Prospect.

Kivland retired from the physical education department in 2004. His boys gymnastics teams were MSL champs in 2004 and ’05. Kivland is a former gymnast at Prospect, where he placed second in the all-around at the 1965 state meet. He also set numerous records when he was a gymnast at Indiana.

There will be a brief presentation to Kivland’s family and a moment of silence for Pat.

“Pat was so dedicated to Prospect and gymnastics,” said Knights athletic director Tom Martindale. “We would like all friends of Pat to have the opportunity to come to Prospect and be a part of the evening. Pat touched so many lives.”

Hamann golf outing

The John Hamann Golf Outing, supporting the John Hamann athletic fund, will be held June 14 at the Maple Meadows Golf Club.

There will be a 1:30 p.m. shotgun start with cocktails, prizes and dinner following the round.

The John Hamann family will award two $1,000 scholarships (male and female) to Willowbrook High School seniors every year in memory of John Hamann, who taught at the high school for 34 years and coached for 38 years.

Cost is $100 per person and $400 per group.

The golfing will be a four-person scramble.

You may attend only the dinner if you wish at 6:30 p.m.

Any questions may be directed to Jeff Hamann (jhamann@maine207.org), Jim Hamann james.hamann@d214.org) or Julie Hamann (jhamann@stcelestinschool.org).

Jim Hamann coached Prospect to the IHSA girls golf state title last fall.

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