The Illinois High School Association’s new football playoff format, which expands the field from six classes to eight and from 192 teams to 256, likely will bring a legitimate outcry from those who thought the field already was watered down.
After all, under the new system, every team with a 5-4 record or better will experience the postseason, and a few 4-5 teams will also qualify.
But the positive from all this is that several teams from tough football conferences that might have missed the cut in the past will now get a berth.
St. Rita would be a good example. The perennially tough Mustangs had difficulty in recent years compiling a 6-3 record while having to face Catholic Metro Blue foes such as Mt. Carmel, Providence, Marian Catholic and Loyola. Last season, all except Loyola advanced to the semifinals.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity for a number of teams, and a lot more people are going to feel playoff excitement,” said St. Rita coach Todd Kuska. “It will definitely help teams in the stronger conferences such as ours, the DuPage Valley and the SICA Blue. Three losses in conference and you’re already on the playoff bubble.
“This new system will also help a lot with non-conference scheduling. Teams didn’t want to play us because they were afraid we could be their third or fourth loss. We had an open date, and I contacted 60 schools, including Rock Island. Finally, Collins agreed to play us.”
But even Kuska sees the negatives.
“I’m all for the new system, but this does take a little luster out of qualifying for the playoffs,” he said. “In the old system, if you made it with a 6-3 record, you were one of the elite teams. There’s one year left, and I’d like St. Rita to make it under the old system.
“But the new system will bring back the underdog to the postseason. There will be some 5-4 teams from tough conferences who could make a nice, long run in the playoffs.”
— Bob Sakamoto.
Openings: St. Ignatius is looking to fill the positions of boys and girls head swimming coaches. ACEP certification is required. Call 312-421-5900 ext. 442 or send resume and references to Athletic Director Jim Prunty, St. Ignatius College Prep, 1076 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago 60608. . . . St. Francis of Wheaton needs a girls golf coach and boys golf coach for the fall season. Call 630-668-5800 ext. 22 for details. . . . Chicago International (Longwood) needs non-conference games for next boys basketball season. The school is also looking for berths in Thanksgiving and Christmas tournaments, as well as summer leagues or shootouts. Call 773-238-5330.
Stagg party: Stagg’s second annual girls basketball “Shootout” is set for June 16-17 at the Palos Hills school. Twelve teams are entered: Stagg, Argo, Hillcrest, Lockport, Mother McAuley, Neuqua Valley, Queen of Peace, Reavis, Romeoville, Sandburg, Seton Academy and Thornwood. Each team is guaranteed to play four games. Call Stagg coach Sharon Ostema at 708-974-3300 ext. 990 for more information.
Heads up: Dr. Michael Collins, a clinical neuropsychologist at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, will present a seminar on the prevention, evaluation, management and long-term effects of concussions Tuesday, June 20 at Lockport High School’s east campus, 1333 E. 7th St., Lockport. The event, which begins at 1:30 p.m., is open to athletic trainers, coaches, parents and athletes. Cost is $10 per person. Call 815-588-8121 for details.
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All-stars: The Public League’s 13th annual Harold Washington All-Star Football Classic, pitting the best players from South Side schools against the best from the North Side, is set for Friday, June 23 at Gately Stadium, 103rd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. Kickoff is 7 p.m. Tickets are $2 in advance or $4 at the gate. Call 773-535-0270 for more information.
Summer camps, leagues: Hinsdale South tennis coach Bob Comerford’s Hornet Tennis Camp, in its 23rd year, will consist of three separate sessions for youngsters 5-7, 8-10, 14 and under and 18 and under. The sessions are Friday-June 30, July 3-21 and July 24-Aug. 11. For details, call Comerford at 887-1730 ext. 202 or 240. . . . St. Ignatius’ summer baseball camp is Monday-Friday for youngsters who will be in grades 2 through 8 in the fall as well as for incoming St. Ignatius freshmen. Cost is $60. Call 708-450-8248 for more information. . . . Waukegan’s athletic department will offer summer camps, beginning Monday, in baseball, girls softball, boys and girls basketball, wrestling, boys and girls soccer, football, boys and girls tennis, boys and girls volleyball, boys and girls gymnastics and cheerleading. Call 847-360-5635 for details.