Articles filed under Radtke, John

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IHSA's Hickman hopes JRW's story teaches us something Feb 12, 2015 9:38 PM
By John Radtke The Jackie Robinson West Little League story did not go viral on Wednesday because it is unique or something new. It went viral because of the way the story itself captivated the entire country just a few short months ago. The punishment handed down is something IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman hopes serves as a lesson about not putting winning above all else.
Things coming together in big way for tiny Harvest Christian Jan 29, 2015 10:20 PM
By John Radtke Things could have gone either way for the Harvest Christian girls basketball team this season. We’ve all seen it go the wrong way — new coach, talented transfer. Will it all mesh? In the Lions’ case the answer is an emphatic yes.
Hampshire pays a fitting tribute to a worthy Goebbert Jan 26, 2015 9:18 PM
By John Radtke How about a little baseball to warm up a cold January day? One of the best athletes to ever compete at Hampshire High School and in the Fox Valley area was paid his due by his alma mater Saturday night when Hampshire held Jake Goebbert Night in conjunction with its Pack the Place basketball games against St. Edward. Goebbert was not only one of the best athletes to ever come through Hampshire, he’s also one of the most personable. That was on display Saturday, too, as he took up residence at the entry to the gym, signing countless autographs (free autographs, by the way) and taking even more photos with every person who asked.
IBCA Hall of Fame a just reward for Elgin’s Turek Jan 15, 2015 8:15 PM
By John Radtke Sports writers loved Lee Turek. Officials may not have liked him all the time. And the girls who played basketball for him at Elgin High may not have liked him all the time. But sports writers loved him. One thing Turek always had going for him, win or lose, was his candor. Most times, that candor was more on display after a loss than a win. Many of the things Turek had to say after a basketball game never saw print, and never will. Another thing Turek always had going for him, and still does, was his passion for the game of basketball, for the athletes he coached and for Elgin High School. And on Saturday, May 2 Turek will receive a just reward for his career when he is inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Jacobs’ Van Vlierbergen reflects on her amazing Heisman weekend Dec 19, 2014 6:16 PM
By John Radtke Lauren Van Vlierbergen was back in her comfort zone this week at Jacobs High School in Algonquin. But last weekend is not one Van Vlierbergen or her family will forget anytime soon. It was one of those weekends that will live in the archives forever. Maybe not a life-changing experience but most certainly a weekend that proves being a well-rounded student-athlete can pay off in a big way.
St. Edward grad Yohn gets a chance to live the dream Dec 16, 2014 6:28 PM
By John Radtke Some athletes talk about living their dreams and some get the opportunity to do it. Consider Katie Yohn one of the latter. On Monday morning, Yohn realized one of her dreams when she signed a contract to play professional women’s basketball in Germany.
Young vs. Montini matchup at Larkin worthy of seeing Dec 1, 2014 9:32 PM
By John Radtke The turkey having settled, it’s time to move to step two of the girls basketball season, which kicks off in earnest this week as conference play around the Fox Valley area begins. But on Saturday, conference wars take a break for the second annual Mac Irvin Diabetes Classic at Larkin. Three top-notch boys games will be played and one very marquee girls game, at 3:15 p.m., will pit defending Class 3A state champion Montini against defending Class 4A state champion Whitney Young of Chicago. Young is coached by 1992 Larkin graduate Corry (Carter) Irvin, the brother of Larkin boys basketball coach Deryn Carter.
Elgin Sports Hall of Fame set for its annual gala Oct 30, 2014 3:28 PM
By John Radtke Some things get better with age. The Elgin Sports Hall of Fame Foundation is one of those things. The ESHOF has been around since 1980 and on Sunday night, the organization that has done so much to promote the past and present of sports in Elgin will hold its annual banquet and induction ceremony in the Heritage Ballroom at The Centre of Elgin. On the list of “feel good” nights, this one ranks right at the top over the years and Sunday’s program promises to be another spectacular one.
Three more DI recruits keep Huntley girls soccer on rise Oct 8, 2014 10:09 PM
By John Radtke Most coaches feel fortunate if they have one Division I recruit on a team. Huntley girls soccer coach Kris Grabner has hit the trifecta. But then, that’s nothing new for Grabner and the Huntley girls’ program. On the steady rise the last several years, the Red Raiders had their furthest advancement in program history last spring when they reached the Elite Eight before losing in the Barrington supersectional to eventual Class 3A runner-up St. Charles East.
Rolinski’s mark on Illinois basketball was truly iconic Sep 29, 2014 3:17 PM
By John Radtke Unless you’re a basketball coach, an old-timer, or just a true friend of high school basketball in Illinois you probably don’t know who Chuck Rolinski was. He certainly wasn’t a guy who puffed his chest out so you would know him. But there may not be one person who had such a profound affect on the game of basketball in Illinois than Rolinski, who passed away Sept. 23 in Peoria at the age of 82.
Conference call — a look at how realignment is shaping up Sep 22, 2014 8:41 PM
By John Radtke One of our favorite sayings in the travel softball world when a player decides to switch teams is, “Well, they think the grass will be greener on the other side.” That statement most certainly applies to schools that are continually looking for a new conference affiliation.
Boshers excited to take her place in Jacobs Hall of Fame Sep 8, 2014 8:12 PM
By John Radtke Tiffany Boshers turned 30 years old not so long ago, and that’s when she figured it was about time to take a step back. At 30, you say?
Social media message hasn't changed — use it wisely Aug 28, 2014 8:22 PM
By John Radtke Anyone out there remember Friendster? How about MySpace? I didn't think so. OK, well maybe some of you remember those social media websites but when they were popular the term social media wasn't. In fact, a short six years ago there were still those who didn't think social networking (that's what it was called then) would ever make it. Oh, how wrong they were.
Radtke: High school sports do matter Aug 25, 2014 2:32 PM
By John Radtke A Facebook post I saw a couple of weeks ago made me laugh. The author questioned why so many people “go gaga” over high school sports. “Kids should be focusing on getting good grades and becoming productive members of society who can help stop all the violence and madness in the world. How does playing sports do that?” the post said. Did you just chuckle a little? I sure did when I saw it.
St. Edward focused on Class 1A state championship May 29, 2014 1:58 PM
By John Radtke They’re about as cornball a bunch as you’ll ever find wearing high school uniforms, and their coach will be the first to tell you that. He will also be the first to tell you they don’t practice very well, although he may use words to describe those practices that can’t be printed in a family newspaper. But he will also be the first to tell you that when they hit the field, they are all business. And one can’t argue with the results, because the St. Edward girls soccer team is in the IHSA Class 1A Final Four this weekend at North Central College in Naperville.
Controlling out of control games no easy task for any coach May 14, 2014 8:26 PM
By John Radtke What’s a coach to do? Your team is ahead of the opponent, say, 12-0 after two innings. You know if your team keeps playing it straight at it might be 20-0, or worse, by the time the fifth inning rolls around and the slaughter rule takes effect. So what’s a coach to do? Some will say tough, that’s the way it is, and do nothing except let the game play out. Others will have runners leave early, or bunt back to the pitcher, or have their hitters intentionally swing at bad pitches — anything to get it over quicker and not embarrass the other team.
Larkin Slugfest on tap Saturday for the 21st time Apr 24, 2014 9:11 PM
By John Radtke You know the spring season is coming into the home stretch when county track meets begin, which they did on Thursday night in Huntley with the first of two days of the McHenry County boys and girls meets. You also know it’s time to think about the stretch run of the school year when Larkin’s annual Slugfest softball tournament is played, which it will be on Saturday at the Elgin Sports Complex.
Change to MSC becoming more of a reality at St. Edward Apr 5, 2014 4:18 PM
By John Radtke Some would say tradition has been kicked in the teeth again.Others would argue the whole thing was football driven. While it would be hard to dispute either of those statements, the fact is St. Edward High School is in the final planning stages to leave the Suburban Christian Conference for the Metro Suburban Conference, where the Green Wave will begin competition this fall.
Frustration, frozen ground just keep lingering Mar 29, 2014 4:29 PM
By John Radtke Watching this winter progress, it became increasingly and painfully obvious there would be a late start to outdoor spring sports. But even this is, well, it’s just gotten a bit ridiculous, has it not? Not since 2009 has the start of a baseball/softball/soccer season been delayed like the hold we currently have on this spring season.
Dome will be home to games next week Mar 20, 2014 5:37 PM
By John Radtke While a couple of Fox Valley area softball teams will travel south to get some games in during spring break next week, others will head to Rosemont and the Dome at The Ballpark to start their seasons.