Coach: Some bits and Pieces as late summer meshes into the rapidly approaching fall sports season.

Some bits and Pieces as late summer meshes into the rapidly approaching fall sports season.

Opening Night

One of my favorite local sports traditions is soon upon us, that being the opening night of high school football. More specifically the very first home game of the season. There always is a special feeling in their air that night, with the anticipation of a new season, the "newness" of the upcoming school year, and even the smells of some dedicated fans who make a tailgate out of the opening game, complete with pre game cook out right in the student parking lot.

I love that kind of atmosphere! I might even get there extra early this year, stroll around said parking lot and sample some of the food offerings at the various tailgates. So, beware of strange older gentleman wandering aimlessly, starting incidental conversations, while staring down the meat cooking on the grill

Kudos to our Physical Education Teachers

Special shout out here to all of our dedicated and hardworking physical education teachers, as they begin the start of another school year. "Gym class" has come a long way in recent years, and the days of just throwing out ball and letting the kids play have long since gone. Kids now learn fitness techniques and strategies, health and nutrition, and a little bit about a lot of different sports, from gymnastics and dance to soccer and volleyball-all courtesy of our well-trained P.E. specialists.

Note to Self, Part 1

Have to check out the Northbrook Park District class offering this fall called "Robo Think Robotics." The class description says, "you get to build a robot to win hand to hand combat missions and compete in robot relay races." Wow. Sounds cool. Robotics are rapidly approaching the mainstream, so I figure might as well get ahead of the game, and this class could be just the head start I need. The fact that the class is offered only to 3rd through 8th graders is an issue, but I'm sure exceptions are allowed.

Lessons From the Master

Had a conversation recently with the quarterback of arguably (or not so arguably) the best Glenbrook South football team in school history, the 1978 squad that didn't just beat opponents but punished them on the way to an undefeated regular season. Only a state quarterfinal loss to the old Forest View High School stopped this Titan powerhouse from being the best in state that year.

Mike Di Benedetto was that teams cerebral winning quarterback that year, and the Glenview resident (and uncle of last year's Titan QB Nic Swanson), has some thoughts on his career, and high school athletics today. Among them:

"I was a little bit of a goof off back in my junior high days at OLPH School. But my coach then, Walt Mallis - still one of the best coaches I ever had - taught me about the responsibility that comes with being an athlete and especially the quarterback."

"I learned it is nice to be popular and get some of the accolades that come with it, but also that you have to remember you are setting an example for others who look up to you."

"Athletes, then and now, do have a degree of power, and you can use that power for positive or negative. You make the choice through your actions."

"Kids today have to be careful not to overtrain. Sports, nowadays, can be all consuming and kids and parents have to be careful to keep it all in perspective."

"There are really two kinds of athletes in high school. There are the ones who are just playing, and then there are the ones who are really dedicated to their craft. The latter ones spend much time studying and perfecting their craft, and are willing to sacrifice things like drugs, alcohol, late nights, and other temptations."

"One big difference, I've noticed today, is that the kids in baseball and football seem to take as normal, trash talking at each other. I go to the games, and I hear it. We never did that in our day. All I know is if the other team would have been heckling me, like they do today, it would have only motivated me to play that much harder."

The ex-Titan star, now 60-something, still dabbles in sports, and recently suffered a collapsed lung and three broken ribs while playing senior baseball. (Old habits die hard)

Note to Self-Part 2

Have to check out Deerfield Park District's fall class offering called "Ukulele 101." An instrument I have always wanted to play, and what better time than now to do so along with my good friends from Deerfield. The class description reads in part, "By the end of the course students will be strumming along to their favorite jams." Yup. Sign me up for that one.

Sad to see it go

Apparently one of the retail victims of the pandemic was the Glenview Park District's wonderful Perk Center Café. Located immediately to your right as you entered the building, the tiny counter area served snacks and drinks to patrons of the Park Center, but more importantly was staffed and operated primarily by special needs kids and adults. A brilliant idea, and one that was very well received by the community, but it has been over two years now, and although I have not heard an official announcement, the spot stands empty and quiet. Sad to see.

Go clubs, go!

Homecoming parades might be about a month off, but while were brainstorming, here is a thought I have had from attending many of these parades in the past: I notice all the cheers and excitement as floats for the hockey team, and baseball and cheerleading and football etc. go by, as they all wave to the fans along the parade route. The crowd applauds and the volume level goes up many notches as the floats pass by.

But then, I also notice the lack of enthusiasm, if not polite disinterest, when club groups go by in their floats. Not as much enthusiasm as they stroll past the crowd, advertising their service-oriented activities which often include helping out the less fortunate in the community or even larger worldly missions! Interesting, and got me thinking: Would it hurt us to cheer just as loud for a student group trying to end world hunger, as it would raising the volume for the football team? Just a thought.

I have been guilty as charged in this area - but starting this year- I plan on changing that.

Note to Self, Part 3

Have to get myself signed up for Glenview Park District fall fitness class called appropriately "Body Ignite." On name alone you have to check out this class, right? The even more tempting description for the class reads in part, "This class will be a one stop body shock, targeting each and every muscle in the body." How does one pass that up?

Finally

A huge and enthusiastic best of luck to all of our fall athletes. They have put in a lot of hard work in the off season to prepare for the upcoming competitions. Our hope here, is that it is a rewarding and safe season for all!

• 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.