Dear Coach: The Fall Sports Edition
More letters that I never actually received about the start of our high school sports season ... but I could have!
Dear Coach: Your thoughts on having high school football back in full swing with no restrictions?
Happy As A Pigskin
Dear Pigskin: Exciting indeed, and can't wait! There are few things better in sports than the opening of the high school football season. To me, it starts when you park your car and step out and, right away, you can feel - and even smell - the opening game atmosphere in the parking lot. Anticipation, excitement and tension all combine with a little tailgating, friends seeing each other after the summer months away, and parents proudly sporting their kids names on the back of their shirts. Add in a little of the August summer evening heat, the marching band, the pregame warmups and the bleachers filling up, and by the time your favorite team runs out onto the field en masse, jumping up and down in pump-yourself-up excitement, well, let the games begin!
Dear Coach: I know everyone is excited about football season starting, but aren't you a little worried about the new virus variant and how it could affect the season?
The Thrill Deflator
Dear Thrill Deflator: Man are you well-named. Way to put a cork on our nice vintage bottle of enthusiasm. But your concerns are well-taken, and yes, I am worried.
First, I would say let's hope we get through a season without any disruptions. Second, while we are enjoying all the pageantry of the opening game (described glowingly in my response above to Pigskin) we might want to take a few precautions. Such as? Well, like after a touchdown, control your excitement. No hugging anyone within 6 feet of you unless they are a husband, wife or significant other. Insignificant others? Keep some distance, please.
Other precautions? Teams instead of huddling in a close circle and holding hands, maybe could stand far back from each other and just let the quarterback shout out the play call. In fairness and true sportsmanship, then, defensive players would have to cover their ears so as not to know what the next play coming is. Finally, coaches when yelling at the referee on a bad call should respect said officials personal space and keep 6 foot distance when berating him. Maybe better yet, carry a notepad and pen and coaches could just write down they're concerns and give it to the official.
Dear Coach: Football bores me, but I am excited about the start of the volleyball season! What should I look for this year?
Bump, Set and Overserved
Dear Overserved: First of all, one of my rules has always been to never bump and set while being overserved. Play responsibly, my friend. As far as volleyball season, hopefully we are all a little more juiced to watch the high school games after seeing our inspirational USA women's volleyball team win gold for the first time in the Olympics! What a performance!
The athleticism, constant action, and combination of power and skill displayed in volleyball these days is truly amazing. Glenbrook North is looking for a comeback year this year, while South and Loyola have established pretty solid programs over the recent years and look to rebuild while continuing that tradition. Don't forget, the Spartan boys team won the state championship last year, so maybe the momentum from that will help carry the girls.
Dear Coach: I play a lot of tennis, but have never come out to watch a high school match. Here is a challenge for you - convince me why I should do so.
What's All The "Racquet" About?
Dear Racquet: Love the question and happy to meet the challenge. When you go to a high school tennis match, you often get seven times the fun! Instead of watching one match, there are usually multiple singles and doubles matches going on at the same time, in the sample, so take your pick and enjoy. You also will be amazed at the skill level of the players. These are often kids who have played since they were very young and now spend summers competing in various tournaments. Bonus? Parents can't yell at the ref. There is no ref.
Dear Coach: Trying to find a new high school sport to watch this fall. Maybe expand my horizons a little bit. What about golf? Can a fan come to watch?
A Divot In Time
Dear Divot In Time: Love the concept of trying to follow a new sport, and love the moniker as well! Not sure how fan attendance is going to work at a golf dual match; it's usually just parents walking along and watching from a distance, but you're welcome to give it a try.
One of the cool things about high school golf is it's unpredictability. Unlike the pros you watch on TV who are accurate to a point of precision, most of the high school golfers are still getting there. Not every shot goes toward the intended target. But that's what makes high school golf fun to watch. South, North and Loyola have been among the state's top boys and girls programs for many years now, and no reason to think this season will be any different.
Dear Coach: Where can I find the cross-country meets this year? I am a runner myself and would like to cheer on the high school teams.
Big Fan Of The Runs
Dear Big Fan Of The Runs: I hope that is nickname and not a condition. Moving on! Your willingness to cheer on these fearless young runners - who oft times compete in near obscurity - is truly appreciated. Our local high schools will host some dual meets, but many are held at nearby forest preserves and parks and other nature-y locations. You can watch the finest runners and get in some quality alone time with the beauty of your surroundings. Bonus? To follow the cross-country runners in competition, you often have to sprint from one viewing location to another. So fans also get a bit of a cardio workout!
That is all for this edition of the soon-to-be-award-winning "Dear Coach" advice column. Thanks as always folks for not writing.
Good luck to all of our fall athletes as another school season begins!
• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan. To contact him with comments or story ideas, email jcsportsandtees@aol.com.