Ridgewood athletic director Rob St. John reflected on the year that was and looked ahead to what’s to come — including the possibility of adding a boys volleyball program — in an email interview with Pioneer Press freelance reporter Brett Christie.
Q: Who was the most dedicated student-athlete at your school over the last year?
A: I have been meeting with several students-athletes lately in an effort to narrow down my nomination for the IHSA All-State Academic Team. I have really been impressed with the incredible academic, athletic and volunteer-based accomplishments of several of our student-athletes. Caroline Lipski, Jessica Opalka, Alexandra Kidd, Natalia Ogrodny, Mishel Habaci, Jason Kenny and Rocco DiPiero really stand out as wonderful representatives of our athletic program, our school and our community — student-athletes in every honorable sense of the word.
Q: Which coach had the biggest impact on the student-athletes he or she worked with in 2017?
A: Vince Fanelli, our baseball coach, absolutely goes above and beyond when it comes to building his program. He runs an incredible golf outing fundraiser in the fall with all of the proceeds going directly back into the program so his players can have unique experiences like playing at Miller Park in Milwaukee and going to Bradenton, Fla., for a spring break invite at the IMG Academy. He is masterful at bringing back alumni to coach our Junior Rebel feeder team and makes terrific connections with the community.
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Q: Which team surprised you the most in 2017?
A: I don’t know if “surprised” is the right word because we knew we had a solid returning senior class, but I was thrilled with our girls volleyball season. Coach (David) Wlodarczyk and his talented group of girls set a school record for wins, 19, and had a very memorable and rewarding season.
Q: Of all the things that fall under your purview, what are you most proud of when you think about 2017?
A: The time that our coaches and athletes put in to their respective sports. There is never a quiet moment around here after school, and I mean that in a really good way. There are always regular-season practices, offseason open gyms and athletes in the weight room — a constant flurry of activity in and around the building. I love it. The summer months are filled with camps, clinics and leagues. It takes dedicated coaches and inspired athletes to make everything come together.
Q: When you reflect on 2017, what was a teachable moment that really stands out to you?
A: The football season this past fall. We graduated a lot of talent last season and the returning group really needed to come together and work exceptionally hard in the offseason and the summer, which they did. Things were made more challenging with some unforeseen bumps/challenges in the road throughout the regular season. But ultimately, and this is the teachable moment, the players remained focused on their goals, determined and supportive and mindful of one another and ultimately earned a Metro Suburban Red conference title for the third year in a row and an IHSA playoff berth for a school-record third year in a row and won an IHSA playoff game for the first time in 30 years. The players, and coaches, never stopped believing, never stopped working and never stopped supporting one another.
Q: What was the most challenging part of your job over the last 12 months?
A: Attendance at our home contests has been a struggle. We have terrific teams that have achieved a great deal of success the past few years and we would love it if more people came out to the home events.
Q: When you think ahead to 2018, what will make you most excited to come to work?
A: The inspiration I receive from the people around me: coaches, co-workers, student-athletes, staff, etc.
Q: What are the top three things on your to-do list in 2018?
A: Continue to support our coaches and athletes, continue to encourage participation in the terrific athletic teams and activity groups offered at RHS, and to get a boys volleyball program up and running.
I have a math teacher here, Mr. Kumor, that helps me conduct a survey every year. Actually members of his math class do it as part of a project. And the last few years have shown a very strong interest in boys wanting to play volleyball.
So, a few months ago I had a meeting and 45 boys attended. I have been mindful to make sure that I don’t start a volleyball program and then harm one of the other spring sports — boys baseball or boys track.
I am looking to start open gyms the first week of March and then move in to either a JV or a varsity program next spring depending on the talent level. I have not hired a coach but I have a few adults that are willing to run the open gyms.
Brett Christie is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press