Pat Disabato – Page 11

Richards running back Dion Foster makes his way past T.F. South defenders Bill Middleton, right, and Vince Calabrese during a game on Friday, Oct 25, 2002.

He was a star running back at Richards, recruited to play in college at Wisconsin. But Dion Foster finds coaching home at Eisenhower.

January 21, 2021 at 12:30 p.m.

The numbers don't lie. When it comes to the most productive high school running backs in Southland history, Dion Foster ranks near the top of that list. The 2005 Richards...

Rich Central's Semaj Greer (1) goes between Hillcrest's Julius Rollins (0) and Jakobi Heady (5) during the Class 3A Hillcrest Regional championship game on Friday, March 6, 2020.

Column: It’s not a slam dunk. It’s not even a layup. But it’s time for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to follow the nation’s lead on high school basketball.

January 20, 2021 at 11:36 a.m.

Thirty-seven states are in the process of playing their high school basketball seasons. Four more are within seven days of beginning their seasons. Six other states have various dates scheduled...

Green Bay's PJ Pipes, a Lemont graduate, takes a shot against Wisconsin during game in Madison, Wisconsin on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020.

Column: It’s what winners do. Lemont’s PJ Pipes came off the bench last year. He erupts for 30 points to lead turnaround for Green Bay.

January 15, 2021 at 6:39 p.m.

The frustration of a nine-game losing streak to start the season. The ongoing mitigation issues and fear of the coronavirus pandemic. Not exactly how Lemont graduate PJ Pipes envisioned his...

Hillcrest's Mar'Keise Irving, right, drives past Rich Central's Semaj Greer during the Class 3A Hillcrest Regional championship game on Friday, March 6, 2020.

When will prep sports resume in Illinois? ‘It’s getting late in the school year,’ coaches say.

January 14, 2021 at 9:22 a.m.

The season remains in limbo. Just like much of it has for months. Coaches, student-athletes and fans expecting the Illinois High School Association to unveil a plan for the remainder...

Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31), a Stagg graduate, attempts to block the shot of New Orleans Pelicans guard Josh Hart during the second half of an NBA preseason game on Monday, Dec. 14, 2020.

Column: Cut by the Bulls. Signed by the Miami Heat. Stagg graduate Max Strus is healthy again, ready to be ‘the guy out there playing.’

January 11, 2021 at 3:23 p.m.

Max Strus is patiently waiting for his opportunity with the Miami Heat. And when it arrives, the 6-foot-6 guard plans on taking advantage of it. Strus, a Stagg graduate, has...

Thornton boys basketball coach Tai Streets looks on during a game against Bloom on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020.

Column: Tai Streets went to state in track and basketball at Thornton. He won the Rose Bowl with Michigan. But his mom ‘was my hero.’

January 8, 2021 at 3:49 p.m.

The tears don't roll down the cheeks of Thornton boys basketball coach Tai Streets as often as they did in the previous months. Time is a great healer, even when...

Column: Joe Montana. Bob Golic. The ‘Rudy’ game. Lansing’s Jerome Heavens looks back on winning national title at Notre Dame.

January 7, 2021 at 8:54 a.m.

When Jerome Heavens walks into any one of the Southland bars he services for a Chicagoland beverage distributor, he's no different from any other sales manager who's trying to convince...

Wyoming running back Xazavian Valladay, a Brother Rice graduate, jogs off the field after his 78-yard touchdown run against UNLV during a game on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020.

Column: As a running back at Brother Rice, Xazavian Valladay didn’t know very much about Wyoming. Now, it has become his home.

January 5, 2021 at 10:44 a.m.

When Wyoming began recruiting Xazavian Valladay in 2016, the Brother Rice running back had to do a little research. "I didn't know anything about Wyoming," he said. "I wasn't even...

Homewood-Flossmoor quarterback Bryce Gray looks for an open receiver during a game against Lockport on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015.

Column: H-F graduate Bryce Gray got called into the coach’s office. His Notre Dame baseball career was over. His life was just beginning.

December 30, 2020 at 1:57 p.m.

If Bryce Gray's childhood dream had played out, he would be in the early stages of a professional baseball career. But like thousands of former student-athletes, Gray's dream will go...

Pat Folliard, left, skates on the synthetic ice surface he had built in his Oak Lawn backyard while his daughter, Gabi, watches on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020.

Column: The house was for sale. He had a dream. What former Brother Rice hockey coach Pat Folliard did next stunned his family.

December 29, 2020 at 11:57 a.m.

When Pat Folliard had the opportunity to buy his next-door neighbor's house in Oak Lawn, he jumped at the chance. But not for any number of reasons that you're thinking....

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