Women’s hockey is growing in Illinois, but maybe the real indication it’s arrived occurred when a fight broke out during a recent match between Lake Forest College’s club team and Lake Forest Academy, a high school squad that has been mythical state champs. “I’m not saying I approve of it, but I also don’t find it all that surprising that women would get into a hockey fight,” said LFC Athletic Director Jackie Slaats, who’s the women’s basketball coach. “They have the same emotions as men. When one of my basketball players gets shoved to the floor, I don’t think she’s going to get up and say let’s do lunch. I know it probably sounds like a bunch of college students picking on younger kids. That’s really not the case. Their program’s pretty advanced compared to ours. We’re strictly club.”
Academy coach Sandy Buzby-Whalen said the two schools play each other frequently and the games can get intense. “This sport teaches the girls to be appropriately aggressive,” she said. When her Caxys went on to a 5-3 win after the fight, it gave them a 2-0 record against LFC this season and “our best revenge.” However, in a subsequent game, the Foresters won on academy ice. “I think maybe my team was a little too tight because of what had happened in the previous game,” said Buzby-Whalen.
As it unfolded, the fight during Game 2 was an extension of an argument that began before LFC and LFA took the ice. The catalyst? Both teams showed up wearing the same color uniforms-kind of like, well, two women in the same dress at the same party. In this case, the college team, which was host, had just gotten new black uniform tops and was wearing them. The academy players also were wearing their dark uniforms. When neither team would relent to wear slip-over practice tops, tempers flared. The referee interceded and declared the Foresters would have to wear the temporary tops. During the game, a shove by one player led to an angry cross-check in retaliation-and the rest was history.
One small punch for woman, one big leap for womankind.
Recruiting wars 1: College football signings will be announced Wednesday. Look for this trend: Californians coming to the Midwest. Allen Wallace, publisher of SuperPrep magazine, said the Big 10 should declare Jan. 17-day of the big quake-a holiday. Wallace said that’s when a lot of kids in Southern California made up their minds to leave the state.
Recruiting wars 2: Northwestern coach Gary Barnett apparently has out-recruited Clemson and Notre Dame for high school QB Dwayne Bates, who’s bringing his favorite target, teammate Corey Chavous, with him. Though he was recruited by numerous other schools, only the Wildcats and Hawaii said they would give him a shot at QB. Don’t count him out, either. He has to be tough. His high school is located at an area called Petticoat Junction.
Eye-opener: Lions Clubs International feels like it has caught lightning in a bottle. The world’s largest service club organization, based in Oak Brook, has Nancy Kerrigan as its national spokesperson, dating back to last July. In fact, Kerrigan’s final Winter Olympics tuneup Friday at Matthews Arena in Boston has been on the books as a Lions’ benefit. Every ticket was sold within hours of being available. The Lions have at least one more commitment with her after Lillehammer, according to a spokesman. Nancy, whose mother is legally blind, was said to be interested in the organization because of its ongoing work for sightless persons.
More Top Picks Best Orthopedic Insoles For Plantar Fasciitis
Business as usual: Not only are the Bulls faring just as well in the standings without Michael Jordan, they’re doing just fine off the floor, too. Latest figures from NBA Properties show the Chicago franchise remains No. 1 in gross retail sales among league teams at this point in the season. They’ve held that spot since 1989-90. Behind the Bulls, in order, are Charlotte, Orlando, Phoenix and the Lakers.
Around town: The Bears, gearing up for their 75th anniversary next season, will announce the formation of a national fan club. . . . Stars & Stripes skipper Dennis Conner will be at the Chicago Yacht Club Wednesday, when it’ll be announced he’s entered into a sponsorship and licensing agreement with Sears. . . . Wake up, sleepyhead: When Kevin Matthews made early-morning Super Bowl anniversary calls last week to Bears, there was only one rough spot. Debra answered the phone in the McMichael home, but she said it might be in the best interests of everyone if she didn’t awaken Steve. He’s not exactly a morning person. . . . Among those named for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame: Michigan’s Pete Elliott, Notre Dame’s Jerry Groom and Tennessee State’s John Merritt, who was Richard Dent’s coach.
No nun-sense: Go back and look at the Super Bowl predictions by the media know-it-alls-Joe Theismann, Beano Cook, Hub Arkush, Danny Sheridan-and one name leaps out at you: Sister Jean Kenny of St. Cornelius in Chicago. Making a pick for Ian Punnett on WGN-AM, she had the Cowboys winning by the exact final spread, 34-17. There’s good news for Dave Wannstedt, too. She’s getting vibes that a 10-6 record might be in store next season for the Bears.