Greetings fellow Oak Lawnians!
Kevin McKeown, the athletic director at Oak Lawn Community High School, 9400 Southwest Highway, loves sports and coaching. But what he’s really passionate about is teaching students life lessons that will help them not only during their high school and college years, but, hopefully, throughout their lives.
He has been at the high school since 2002, when he started as a student teacher. Over the years, he’s taught social science, coached and, since 2013, he’s been the athletic director at the high school. McKeown is focused on creating an environment where students can develop disciplinary and social skills they can use throughout their lives.
One of the programs he introduced to help students mature is the Athlete of the Week program. Each week all current in-season head coaches nominate a varsity roster player for athlete of the week based on the athlete’s standout performance at one or more games from the previous week. Once the nominees are submitted, coaches then vote for one athlete from the nominees list. That athlete’s name, bio and picture are then featured in a display case in the athletic department, on TV monitors in the main lobby of the school and on the school’s website.
The high school also has an Athlete of the Month program where, at the end of each month, one of the Athletes of the Week is chosen. That athlete will have a framed picture of him/her on display outside the athletic director’s office for the year.
Both programs, which got underway last August, are less about winning and more about the journey that young athletes make in their own personal development.
“We’re working on building a championship culture, and winning is just a by-product of that culture,” McKeown said.
He credits the Illinois Athletic Directors Association, of which he’s a member, for giving him the idea.
Through conferences and roundtables, McKeown said, “it teaches professional development, overcoming obstacles, how to get parents and kids more involved, changing the culture, how to get kids to put the technology down.”
The Athlete of the Week program is focused on increasing athletic participation and retention numbers. McKeown is aware that students have other distractions, rather than playing sports, that capture their attention.
“I’ve seen it myself, and other coaches have too; there’s been a slow decline in athletic participation over the last 10 years,” McKeown said.
The program “teaches the students about time management, teamwork, social ability, reaching a goal and other things. The reality of the world today is that it’s highly competitive, and they need to create opportunities to stand out by getting skills and traits they’ll need in life,” McKeown said.
McKeown would like to invite younger students ages 7-14 to the Spartan Athletic Open Campus May 7 from 1-4 p.m. at the high school. The event will include a “meet and greet” with the athletic director, coaches, drills and simulations, stepping on the field, school tour and other activities. For more information, contact Kevin McKeown at 708-741-5623 or e-mail him at [email protected].
Here are this week’s celebrity birthday announcements: Loving birthday wishes go out to Molly Riberto, who’s turning 2, from Aunt Jamie, Uncle Jeff, Jack, Luke and Ellie Makuch. Steven Gonsowski’s parents and grandparents wish him a happy 9th birthday. Happy 17th birthday to Olivia Aleman, from her parents, Mary and Tim, and brother, Zachary. Birthday wishes go out to Gisel Grams from her family. Catherine Nelson’s family wish her a happy birthday. Birthday wishes go out to Joyce Woytek, from her family and friends. Happy birthday to Noreen Mikols from her family. Happy birthday to Mark Manuzak, who’s turning 57, from his family. John Wirtschoreck’s “Homestead” friends and Raven Adomaitis wish him a happy birthday. Happy birthday to Steve Skora, who’s turning 73, from his wife, Sharon, their daughters and grandchildren. Happy birthday to Donald Prostka. Mark Siple’s family wish him a happy birthday. Birthday wishes go out to Dave Milavickus. Happy birthday to Bob Smith from Alexis, Adam, Sue and Sandy Smith. Birthday wishes go out to Paul Cizak, from his family and friends.
Wedding anniversary wishes go out to Joe and Dee Harr as they celebrate their 59th anniversary.
Condolences go out to the family of Edward (Eddie) M. Brand, 63, who passed away unexpectedly on April 16. Eddie was a wonderful family man, friend and quite a lot of fun if you had the honor of knowing him. He will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.
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Keep your fellow Oak Lawnians informed about birthdays, special events or special “stuff” going on with your family or within the community. Call me at 708-899-9544 or e-mail me at the address above.
Until next time …