Brick by brick, Huskies alumni buying in
A school that debuted its varsity programs less than 40 years ago, Naperville North has nonetheless accumulated a decent amount of sports history.
The school is offering a way for people to celebrate that history - and to be part of it.
Among improvements to Naperville North's Harshberger-Wetzel Stadium that include the installation of synthetic turf - part of the high school's $5.2 million take of the $43 million District 203 tax increase passed by referendum this past Feb. 2 - the booster club and athletic and activities departments are selling decorative engraved bricks that will serve as the pathway into the stadium.
Similar to those laid in Naperville's Riverwalk or outside of Wrigley Field, the bricks offer a variety of logos and messages that can be engraved. Also available are black granite blocks engraved with logos and text, at three different levels of sponsorship.
Visit www.athletics2000.com/napervillenorth to see the options.
"This is a nice way to beautify our stadium, with the turf going in. And it's also a nice way, if you're a Naperville North graduate or an alumni, to remember your years at Naperville North," said athletic director Doug Smith.
"There are a lot of different ways to display the history here at North. It's an excellent way for business to advertise as well."
The enhanced pathway, part of a plan to improve traffic flow into and around the stadium, will lead to a new archway into the stadium, a gift from the Class of 2008. Wrought-iron fencing around the perimeter will sharpen the look.
The field itself will be graded in November and the turf installed next spring, hopefully ready to accommodate graduation ceremonies.
Smith - who welcomes questions regarding community involvement and sponsorship by calling him at (630) 420-6490 - has already inquired with North Central College and Benedictine University on the possibility of hosting Naperville North should a long football or soccer playoff run threaten the field reconstruction window.
"We think with this thing being done it'll be a good way to have everything nice and new for the start of fall (2009)," Smith said. "We just want to do it up right."
Lefty
Chris "Lefty" Frizzelle, who in 1988 became Lake Park's first girls soccer coach and held the job for 13 seasons, died of a heart attack in late July at age 48.
A diabetic, Frizzelle was found unresponsive in his home by his wife, Lori, after the two had gone shopping, according to his friend and partner in Lancers soccer, boys coach Norm Hillner.
"He's been a big, active part of any success we've had," said Hillner, the Hall of Famer who had Frizzelle as a boys assistant from 1987 through 1994. "He was a pretty committed guy in both the boys and girls programs."
For the past eight years Frizzelle had been the "voice of Lancers soccer," the stadium announcer for both boys and girls games. Thus it was shocking to those who hadn't heard the news when prior to last Saturday's Lancer Classic contest against Conant the announcement of his death rang out over the speakers, followed by a request for a moment of silence. Both Lori Frizzelle and their son Justin - a former all-conference player under Hillner - were in attendance.
The current Lancers have dedicated their season to him, and in addition to a banner recognizing Frizzelle at the East Campus field, the initials CAF have been placed on the left sleeve of their soccer uniforms. A Navy veteran, it's fitting that Frizzelle's initials lie just under an American flag.
At the memorial services held for Frizzelle, Hillner said in addition to the Lake Park community, where Frizzelle had worked in the technology department, estimated there were at least 50 former players there. Members of his girls teams signed a ball and presented it to his Lori Frizzelle.
Hillner, who at the service was overcome with emotion and couldn't finish his eulogy for his buddy, recalled a Grateful Dead-loving guy, principled, happy and totally committed to helping students and athletes.
"He was a loyal friend, and loyal to the program," Hillner said. "People like that are hard to come by nowadays."
Changing Times
Only five years ago Benedictine University took the football field under a new coach, Tom Mitchell, who has since moved on. Coincidentally, Mitchell's friendly face adorned an advertisement above the pump at the BP gas station at Route 53 and Warrenville Road, along with a testimonial about the product.
Nowadays, gasoline prices have turned smiles upside-down.
Knowing this, the folks at Benedictine have initiated the "We Feel Your Pain at the Pump" campaign. Throughout the 2008-09 athletic season, the university is waiving cost of admission to regular-season home sporting events to all Village of Lisle residents and their immediate families.
In a news release, Benedictine Director of Sports Events Dave Swanson said: "This is a tangible way we can give Lisle residents an entertainment option that is closer to home."
Liukin good
In celebration of National Gymnastics Day - and certainly not hurt by the Olympic successes of Nastia Liukin and the U.S. Women's Gymnastics team - the Illinois Gymnastics Institute will hold an open house that includes exhibitions by the IGI gymnasts. It's scheduled from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at IGI, 145 Plaza Drive, Westmont.oberhelman@dailyherald.com