THURSDAY NIGHT'S MINI CAMP IS "RAINED OUT."
BEAU TITSWORTH IS POISED AND DOMINANT IN WINNING THE JUNIOR OPEN (SEE AFTER FOOTBALL RECAP).
POSTED BY EDDIE DWYER ON 6/23/11.
Wait a minute. Didn't we go through this almost every other day in the spring sports season?
Yes, that fickle Mother Nature played the upper hand once again, as Saint Ignatius' varsity and junior varsity football mini camps were washed out on Thursday evening.
After morning and afternoon showers, parts of Kyle Field (natural grass) were left under water. The Wildcats have been using Kyle Field while the finishing touches on the new turf surface at Wasmer Field are being completed.
The next mini camps are scheduled for July 12 at 5 p.m.
OTHER CAMPERS: Saint Ignatius senior quarterback Eric Williams attended a camp at Virginia earlier this week and on Thursday junior tailback/safety Tim McVey and junior defensive lineman/tight end Kevin Kavalec attended a camp at Ohio State. Tim's brother, Scott '10, a two-time All-Ohio performer for the Wildcats, is a red-shirt freshman linebacker for the Buckeyes.
JUST A REMINDER: The Gary Stevens Elite Quarterback/Receiver Academy will take place at Saint Ignatius next week (June 27 through June 30).
The camp, which will run from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day, is also open to defensive backs and linebackers.
A former offensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes and the Miami Dolphins, Coach Stevens honed the skills of college and NFL greats Bernie Kosar, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Steve Walsh, Michael Irvin and Vinny Testaverde.
The camp staff will include Saint Ignatius' nationally acclaimed head coach Chuck Kyle '69; Wildcats veteran offensive coordinator Nick Restifo; Saint Ignatius assistant coach Elvis Grbac, who was a standout quarterback at St. Joseph High School and the University of Michigan and an All-Pro in the NFL; legendary high school, college and professional coach Joe Perella; Strongsville's highly successful head coach Russ Jacques; Lakewood head coach Ron Lewis; and many more.
There will be guest speakers each day, including Bernie Kosar, and the cost is $100 (includes a camp T-Shirt). All participants are asked to bring a helmet. For further details and questions on the camp, call Coach Restifo at 216-651-0222, ext. 502.
GOLF
Congratulations go out to Wildcats standout golfer Beau Titsworth '12, who won the Cleveland Junior Open by 14 strokes.
Beau, an Oklahoma recruit, carded a 10-under-par 206 in garnering his first AJGA win at his home course, Red Tail Golf Club in Avon.
Again, the corner tips its cap to Beau, his family and the Saint Ignatius golf program.
FOOTBALL
THE WILDCATS' QUARTERBACKS GET A PASSING GRADE DURING TUESDAY NIGHT'S MINI CAMP.
"BECOMING A BETTER FOOTBALL TEAM ON THURSDAY THAN WE WERE TODAY." - COACH CHUCK KYLE '69.
'CATS NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED SOCCER TEAM WILL TAKE ON ANOTHER BIG-TIME SCHEDULE (SEE AFTER FOOTBALL STORY).
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, June 2011
Saint Ignatius' second mini camp of the summer featured a lot of technical drills on both sides of the ball and some 7-on-7 passing competition that consisted of more positive throws and receptions than those questionable routes and passes that always seem to raise their ugly heads this time of the year.
In fact, at the end of Tuesday night's camp on Kyle Field, the quarterbacks, led by senior Matt Hoyer, drew a "good job" from Wildcats quarterbacks coach Elvis Grbac.
And when a former standout quarterback from St. Joseph High School (now Villa Angela-St. Joseph) and the University of Michigan, and a former All-Pro in the NFL says "good job," you take that as high praise, use it as a motivational tool and work off of it.
The 6-foot-5 Hoyer, last year's starter, threw some balls - both long and short - that drew "Way to go Mattie" from Grbac and Wildcats veteran offensive coordinator Nick Restifo.
Matt is the brother of former Wildcats and Michigan State standout quarterback Brian Hoyer '04, who is currently the backup to All-Pro Tom Brady at New England.
The defense, which many expect to be Saint Ignatius' strength this fall, had its moments on Tuesday night. Senior linebacker James Sheehan, one of the best athletes on the field, came up with an interception return off a strong read and reaction.
Also helping out with the quarterbacks was Jim Cahill, one of the backup signal-callers for the Wildcats during the All-Ohio and All-American era of Joe Pickens '90. Jim has agreed to join Coach Chuck Kyle's staff this season and work with the freshmen QBs.
Coach Kyle again emphasized to his team the importance of conditioning at these mini camps and how crucial it is to become a team that can physically control the fourth quarter.
Saint Ignatius' third and final mini camp of June will take place on Thursday night. The camp will get underway for the junior varsity at 4:30 p.m. The varsity will start stretching and gearing up for its session at 5:15. Thursday's camp is again expected to be on Kyle Field, as they are putting the finishing touches on the new surface at Wasmer Field.
COACH KYLE ON THE WILDCATS' WEEK 1 OPPONENT: "We're relieved that this occured," said Coach Kyke of being able to fill what would have been a Week 1 open date on the Wildcats' 2011 schedule.
As we reported on June 14, Saint Ignatius, behind the efforts of Athletics Director Rory Fitzpatrick '88, was able to schedule Cody High School out of Detroit, Michigan for the Aug. 27 opener at Parma's Byers Field. Cody is a Detroit Public School I program that went 6-4 last season and advanced to the district-qualifying round of the Michigan playoffs.
"It was getting bleak," Coach Kyle continued. "You get to June and you don't have a first game, that was rather depressing to think about that. You prepare so much with all of those double sessions. It's that first game of the season and all that goes with it - the nervousness, the butterflies - and we're not out there playing? That would have been a sad moment."
Coach Kyle emphasized that Saint Ignatius contacted several states before "hitting one in Michigan." He said that Detroit Cody has good speed and skill, as he has seen the Comets in track and field competition in Dayton. He added that he and the Cody coaches have already exchanged game films and that the Comets are really excited about the match up.
"It's a home game, we're at Byers Field and it's opening night," said Coach Kyle, who is taking a record of 277-65-1 into his 29th season as the Wildcats' head man on the gridiron. "Get the band out there and get everybody ready to go!
SOCCER
THE DEFENDING STATE AND NATIONAL CHAMPION WILDCATS WILL TAKE ON ANOTHER DEMANDING SCHEDULE.
POSTED BY EDDIE DWYER ON 6/21/11.
After putting together a 23-0 season last fall, an effort that led to the OHSAA Division I state championship, the top ranking in the nation by ESPN Rise (POWERADE FAB 50) and the No. 1 spot in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, Coach Mike McLaughlin's varsity soccer team is gearing up for what could be the most demanding schedule in the program's rich history.
Led by senior forward Matt Foldesy, Saint Ignatius will open its 2011 season against the Padua Bruins on August 20 at Wasmer Field. Action will get underway at 3 p.m. As we reported on the corner last month, Foldesy has accepted a scholarship from the national champion University of Akron Zips. Matt scored a team-leading 22 goals last season.
The Shaker Heights Raiders will bring their game to the new turf at Wasmer on the night of Aug. 23 and on August 27-28, the Wildcats will host the annual Ohio Jesuit Cup. St. Xavier, Walsh Jesuit and Toledo St. John's Jesuit round out the Jesuit Cup.
Walsh Jesuit was a Division II state semifnalist in 2010, St. Xavier advanced to the Division I regional semifinals, where the Bombers lost to eventual state runner-up Centerville, and St. John's Jesuit finished 26th in last fall's final ESPN Rise national poll.
Remember the Titans my friends, as St. John's only setbacks last year were to the Wildcats - 2-0 in the Jesuit Cup and 5-2 in the state semifinals.
Coach McLaughlin's teams always relish a challenge and those 2011 demands continue on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m., when the Wildcats host St. Anthony's (Melville, N.Y.), and on Sept. 3 at 3 p.m., when St. Xavier from Louisville, Kentucky makes the trip to West 30th and Lorain Avenue.
St. Anthony's was the nation's 14th-ranked program last year and Saint Ignatius, en route to its perfect 2010 season, defeated Louisville St. Xavier, 1-0, in a tough Game 5 road trip.
Among the other highlights on the 2011 slate are home games against Dublin Jerome, St. Edward and Massillon Jackson.
The 'Cats, who are 63-1-3 in their past 67 games, will be previewed on the corner later this summer.
ANOTHER WELL-DESERVED HONOR FOR FORMER WILDCAT GREAT.
POSTED BY EDDIE DWYER ON 6/16/2011.
THE CORNER WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS ITS CONGRATULATIONS TO INDIANS VETERAN BROADCASTER MIKE HEGAN '60, WHO WILL BE INDUCTED INTO THE GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS HALL OF FAME IN SEPTEMBER.
MIKE, A MEMBER OF THE SAINT IGNATIUS ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME AND THE JESUIT SCHOOL'S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FOR 1959-60 (NOW KNOWN AS THE JOHN J. WIRTZ AWARD), EXCELLED IN FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL FOR THE WILDCATS. HE WENT ON TO A 13-YEAR MAJOR LEAGUE CAREER AS A FIRST BASEMAN/OUTFIELDER. IN HIS ROOKIE YEAR OF 1964, MIKE WAS MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK YANKEES' WORLD SERIES TEAM, AND IN 1972 HE PLAYED FOR THE OAKLAND ATHLETICS' WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS. MIKE GARNERED ALL-STAR HONORS WITH THE OLD SEATTLE PILOTS.
MIKE, WHO HAS BEEN BROADCASTING INDIANS GAMES FOR 23 SEASONS, BRINGS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND A TELL-IT-LIKE-IT-IS ANALYSIS THAT GO A LONG WAY IN MAKING HIM AND INDIANS AWARD-WINNING PLAY-BY-PLAY VOICE TOM HAMILTON THE BEST OF THE BEST IN THE RADIO BUSINESS.
AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO MIKE, HIS FAMILY AND THE INDIANS ORGANIZATION.
WILDCATS COMPLETE THEIR 2011 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE.
POSTED BY EDDIE DWYER ON 6/14/11 AT 11:02 A.M.
THANKS TO THE TIRELESS EFFORTS OF ATHLETICS DIRECTOR RORY FITZPATRICK '88, SAINT IGNATIUS HAS FILLED ITS WEEK 1 OPEN DATE IN FOOTBALL BY SECURING A GAME VERSUS CODY HIGH SCHOOL. CODY IS A PUBLIC SCHOOL LEAGUE I PROGRAM THAT HAILS NEAR DETROIT, MICHIGAN. THE 'CATS WILL FACE THE CODY COMETS ON AUGUST 27 AT PARMA'S BYERS FIELD. THE KICKOFF WILL BE 7 P.M.
THE COMETS FINISHED 6-4 LAST SEASON AFTER A TOUGH, 17-14 LOSS TO GROSSE POINTE SOUTH IN THE FIRST ROUND OF MICHIGAN'S DIVISION 2, DISTRICT 2 REGION 4 PLAYOFFS. CODY IS 2-5 IN ITS PLAYOFF APPEARANCES. GROSSE POINTE SOUTH, DESPITE A 5-4 REGULAR-SEASON MARK, ADVANCED TO THE STATE SEMIFINALS.
CODY, WHICH IS NAMED AFTER FORMER DETROIT PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT FRANK CODY, ABSORBED ATTENDANCE FROM REDFORD AND MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOLS AFTER THOSE BUILDINGS WERE CLOSED IN 2007.
HERE IS THE WILDCATS' COMPLETE SCHEDULE FOR THE UPCOMING 2011 SEASON: AUG. 27 - VS. CODY AT BYERS FIELD; SEPT. 3 - VS. BEDFORD AT BYERS FIELD; SEPT. 9 - AT MENTOR; SEPT. 17- VS. CENTERVILLE AT BYERS FIELD; SEPT. 24 - VS. JOHN ADAMS AT BYERS FIELD; OCT. 1 - VS. GLENVILLE AT BYERS FIELD; OCT. 7 - AT ERIE (PA.) CATHEDRAL PREP; OCT. 15 - AT ST. FRANCIS (ATHOL SPRINGS, N.Y.); OCT. 22 - VS. CINCINNATI ST. XAVIER AT JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY'S DON SHULA STADIUM; 0CT. 29 - VS. ST. EDWARD AT LAKEWOOD STADIUM.
A NIGHT TO CHERISH.
THE WILDCATS ARE HONORED BY THEIR COACHES, PARENTS AND SAINT IGNATIUS' ADMINISTRATION AND ATHLETICS DEPARMENT DURING THE ANNUAL SPRING SPORTS BANQUET.
THE FRED DISANTO COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AWARD GOES TO TENNIS STANDOUT JAMES OLIVER.
NICK BARTRAM RECEIVES THE FR. JAMES O'REILLY SPIRIT AWARD.
MIKE WATTS AND MARK SZWEJKOWSKI GARNER THE SIBN/SSID AWARDS AND NEAL JACOBS IS SELECTED AS THE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN THE CUYAHOGA RIVER BASEBALL CONFERENCE.
POSTED ON 6/8/11 AT 1:05 A.M.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, June 2011
As a junior, Joe Vavro did not make the varsity baseball team at Saint Ignatius.
After Wildcats head coach Brad Ganor presented Joe with his first varsity baseball letter during Tuesday night's annual Spring Sports Banquet, Coach Ganor spoke of the senior catcher's special work ethic and invaluable knowledge of the game.
"Joe did everything he was asked to do," Coach Ganor said.
It is players like Joe who make high school sports so special, and so rewarding for those fortunate enough to be associated with them.
Before presenting the other awards, Coach Ganor thanked his wife, Nicole, the parents of the players, Team Chaplin Fr. Jack Murphy and the varsity assistant coaches.
The assistant coaches are Josh Bieneman, T.J. Donovan '94 and Matt Blazer '94.
Coach Ganor also expressed his appreciation to Team Manager extraordinaire Chris Abood '11 and varsity Team Statistician Zach Weinreich '12.
Senior right fielder Neal Jacobs received a large ovation after it was announced that he was selected as the Offensive Player of the Year in the highly competitive Cuyahoga River Baseball Conference.
Jacobs, who is bound for Central Michigan on a baseball scholarship, batted. 429 with 14 singles, seven doubles, seven home runs (14 for his career), two triples, 29 runs batted in (20 games), 21 runs scored, five stolen bases and 20 putouts. He had an on-base percentage of .481 and a slugging percentage of .886.
Named to the Cuyahoga River Baseball Conference first team were seniors Tyler Kette and Tim Donelon.
Kette excelled as designated hitter and a left fielder, and Donelon was the mound mainstay as a gritty right-hander.
Second-team honors went to senior pitcher/catcher and Toledo recruit Cory Finkler, sophomore third baseman/middle infielder Dan Rowbottom and junior left-handed picher Zak Shockley. Receving Honorable Mention were junior middle infielder Mike Ruffing, senior designated hitter/outfielder Joe Greco, senior right-handed pitcher Marques Pagan and senior first baseman Mike Horejsei.
Donelon was selected as Saint Ignatius' Pitcher of the Year. He compiled a 5-1 record, limited opponents to a .157 batting average and totaled 20 strikeouts in 28 innings.
After not being able to pitch his first three years with the Wildcats because of labrum and Tommy John surgeries, Donelon was rock solid as both a reliever and a starter this spring. He pitched the 'Cats to the Division I district finals.
Coach Ganor's Offensive Player of the Year awards went to Jacobs and Kette (.383, 18 singles, four doubles, a triple, 11 RBI and 16 runs scored). Ruffing was chosen as the Defensive Player of the Year, Shockley was the team's only three-year letter winner, a rarity for a junior, and the Coaches' Cups went to Pagan and Horejsei for their outstanding display of leadership.
Horejsei, Pagan, Finkler and Jacobs were presented with the Captains Awards and the returning players selected two of the three captains for next season - junior center fielder Tim McCoy and Ruffing. The third captain will be selected by the coaches in the winter.
Here are the Wildcats' special award winners in Track and Field, Lacrosse, Tennis and Volleyball. The awards presented to Mike Watts and Mark Szwejkowski by Saint Ignatius' Broadcast Network and Sports Information Department Moderator Jeff McCormick '83 follow the team awards.
TRACK AND FIELD: Most Valuable Sprinter, Nick D'Amico '11; Most Valuable Hurdler, Tyree Seals '11; Most Valuable Distance Runner, John Sweeney '11; Most Valuable Field Events Athlete, Keith Carmichael '12; Most Improved Athlete, Tyree Seals; Most Valuable 9th Grader, Marquee Montgomery; Most Valuable Athlete, Drew Galang '12; Father James O'Reilly Spirit Award, Nick Bartram '11.
TENNIS: 4th Year Letter Winner, James Oliver; Fred DiSanto Commitment to Excellence Award, James Oliver; 3rd Year Letter Winners, Michael Nichols and Mark Goergy; MVP, State Qualifier James Oliver; Best Singles Record, James Oliver; Best Doubles Record, Michael Nichols; Most Improved, Bob Kirchner; Ignatian Sportsmanship Award, 2nd Year Letter Winner Sean Frebes; Coaches' Cups, Yaw Boakye and Christian Zuber.
LACROSSE: TEAM MVP, SENIOR DAVID JOSEPH; Most Improved Offense, Senior Mike McCarthy; Offensive MVP, Junior Brett Hornung; Most Improved Defense, Sophomore Joe Cillo; Defensive MVP, Senior Sean Nugent; Captains Awards, Joseph, Nugent and Hornung.
VOLLEYBALL: MVP, Jay Wolf; Most Improved, Brooks Boron; Best Defensive Player, Jay Wolf; Best Offensive Player, Andrew Brzezinski; Coach's Cup, Tim Moran; 4-year varsity letter winners, Wolf, Moran and Boron.
SIBN/SSID AWARDS: Golden Microphone Award, Mike Watts '11; Dick Zunt '50 Award to the Top Student Sports Information Director, Mike Watts; Moderator Award, based on dedication and talent in the promotion of Wildcats Sports, Mark Szwejkowski '11.
Mike, Mark, Lewis Backus '12 and Nick Lascu '11 are 2nd Year Letter Winners.
COACHES CUP AWARD WINNER JACK DUFFY IS RIGHT AT HOME.
POSTED ON 6/3/11 AT 2:34 P.M.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, June 2011
It was just over a month ago that Jack Duffy '09 e-mailed Saint Ignatius head football coach Chuck Kyle '69 and inquired about an opportunity to join Coach Kyle's staff and work with the freshmen linemen.
"A week or so ago, I was down at the book store and all of a sudden I heard, 'Hey Jack,'" said Duffy. "I turned around and it was Coach Kyle. We talked a couple of minutes and he said to come down to this camp and kind of follow Coach (Dan) Corrigan '78 around."
Duffy, a young man who overcame surgery and became part of the Wildcats' 10th Division I state championship team as a senior defensive end, was right at home on Thursday afternoon during Saint Ignatius' first mini camp of the 2011 season.
"I'm using these camps as sort of a process, to get back into it a little sooner, to get refreshed and get some pointers," said Duffy, who will be working with the program's freshmen defensive linemen. "It will be a learning process for me as well as the freshmen.
"It (coaching) was kind of an interest I had even while I was attending Saint Ignatius."
Duffy, the recipient of the prestigious 2008 Coaches Cup Award, is entering his junior year at John Carroll University. He is majoring in communication with a history minor.
As this corner said after Jack received the Coaches Cup Award, it was an honor to cover him.
The incoming freshmen are going to be blessed to have such a classy young man - the essence of a team player - guiding them.
ANOTHER TOUCH OF CLASS.
SAINT IGNATIUS' BLAKE THOMAS ENCOUNTERS A HECTIC TIME, BUT STANDS STRONG IN HIS COMMITMENT (SEE STORY BELOW).
WILDCATS MINI CAMP PROVIDES THE GIFTED TIGHT END WITH A MUCH-NEEDED DIVERSION.
POSTED ON 6/2/11 AT 9:40 P.M.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, June 2011
Just moments after he took part in Saint Ignatius' first mini camp of the 2011 season, Wildcats tight end Blake Thomas from the Class of 2012 looked back on what were four of the most hectic days in his young life.
"After I committed and everything, it was kind of like controversial with all of the stuff going on there (at The Ohio State University), and that was hectic in itself," said Thomas of the oral commitment he made last month to then Head Coach Jim Tressel and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Coach Tressel "resigned" this week after NCAA violations that stemmed from a tatoo-parlor scandal tarnished the image of the Buckeyes' nationally accalimed football program.
"Waking up, I think it was this past Sunday morning, I had a bunch of texts on my phone and I had a lot of missed calls and stuff," Thomas said. "It was like 10 o'clock in the morning. I had to wake up, make calls to people and do various interviews. On top of that, I was talking to other (Ohio State) recruits at the same time.
"I was talking to Tyvis Powell from Bedford a lot. He's definitely going to be a Buckeye. And Kalis (St. Edward offensive tackle Kyle Kalis) said that if Fickell stays, he stays with his commitment."
Thomas was referring to former Ohio State assistant head coach Luke Fickell, who has been named to replace Tressel for the 2011 season.
Focusing on the Wildcats' drive to wipe out the memory of 2010, which resulted in Saint Ignatius' first losing season in football since 1982, the 6-foot-4, 245-pound Thomas was asked how he looks upon what could be further and more stern sanctions placed on Ohio State by the NCAA later this summer.
"Obviously I wouldn't be happy about it," said Thomas, who considered Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville and Virginia before deciding on the Buckeyes. UCLA also made the trip from the West Coast to make a scholarship offer to Thomas.
"You have to believe in the whole integrity thing when you give a team your word and commit to the school," Thomas continued. "I was sure when I made the decision and I knew everything that could happen. I took all of that into consideration and I'm ready to deal with that, if it happens, once I get to school there.
"Right now, I can focus on the things that matter to me this year."
Thomas can not officially sign with Ohio State until February of 2012.
CHANGE IN VENUE: Thursday's mini camp was moved across the street to Kyle Field because of the new turf and track that are being installed on Wasmer Field. Wildcats Head Coach Chuck Kyle '69 said he is hoping Wasmer Field will be ready for the next mini camp, which is scheduled for the varsity and junior varsity on June 21 at 5 p.m.
The grass and dirt on Kyle Field rekindled memories of the old pre-turf Wasmer Field, the days when dirt and mud used to reign over the grass.
AIR 'CATS: It was just the first time out, but Wildcats quarterbacks Eric Williams '12, the transfer from Jesuit High School (Portland, Ore.), and Matt Hoyer '12, who started last season, each made some nice throws on Thursday.
AND SPEAKING OF CAMPS: As we reported on the corner last month, the Gary Stevens Elite Quarterback/Receiver Academy will take place on Wasmer Field from June 27 through June 30.
The camp, which will run from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day, is also open to defensive backs and linebackers.
A former offensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes and the Miami Dolphins, Coach Stevens honed the skills of college and NFL greats Bernie Kosar, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Steve Walsh, Michael Irvin and Vinny Testaverde.
The camp staff will include Coach Kyle; Wildcats veteran offensive coordinator Nick Restifo; Saint Ignatius assistant coach Elvis Grbac, who was a standout quarterback at St. Joseph High School and the University of Michigan and an All-Pro in the NFL; high school, college and professional coach Joe Perella; Strongsville head coach Russ Jacques; Lakewood head coach Ron Lewis; and many more.
Coast of the camp is $100 and that includes a camp T-shirt and guest speakers every day, headed by Bernie Kosar. Checks are to be made payable to Gary Stevens Elite Academy and all participants are asked to bring a helmet.
For further questions, call Coach Restifo at 216-651-0222, Ext. 502.
ANOTHER HONOR FOR COACH KYLE.
POSTED ON 6/1/11 at 12:54 p.m.
Saint Ignatius head football and track coach Chuck Kyle '69 has been named to USA Football’s "Football and Wellness Committee" to further promote best practices for America’s youth and amateur football community.
In the summer of 2009, Coach Kyle guided the United States Under-19 National Team to a Gold Medal in the International Federation of American Football Junior World Championships at Canton's Fawcett Stadium. Chuck will enter the 2011 season, his 29th as the Wildcats' head football coach, with an overall record of 277-65-1.
Those 277 victories include an Ohio-best 10 state championships, including a state-record five in a row in Division I, and three national titles (1989, 1993 and 1995).
Coach Kyle joins Cleveland Browns Strength and Conditioning Coach Kent Johnston as Northeast Ohio representatives on the committee. USA Football members – youth football coaches, players and league commissioners – reside in all 50 states.
USA Football, the sport’s national governing body in the United States, assembled the committee of 26 experts spanning football coaching, player health and other areas to help shape USA Football’s development resources and membership offerings, and to foster positive youth and amateur football experiences. The committee’s expertise is shared through usafootball.com, USA Football Magazine and the more than 80 annual USA Football training events conducted across the country and attended by youth coaches, players and league commissioners.
“I’ve had the honor of knowing Coach Kyle for three years now and I can’t say enough about how much our staff and others in the sport’s international community respect him as a coach and as a person – he’s a very important part of the USA Football family," said USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck in a news release presented to the media on Wednesday. "We’re proud to continue to bring his knowledge and integrity to America’s grassroots football community.”
The Football and Wellness Committee includes experts in the fields of equipment fitting, sports medicine, first aid, team sports insurance, neurology, orthopedics, exercise science, nutrition and athlete hydration. The committee roster represents the American Red Cross, the Andrews Institute, Gatorade Sports Science Institute, the National Center for Sport Safety and several universities.
THE CORNER CATCHES UP WITH JACOB CORRIGAN.
Jake Corrigan '10, one of the young men who helped fuel the development of Saint Ignatius' Student Broadcasting Network and Student Sports Information Department, continues to span the Athens, Ohio and Ohio University globes in his wide world of sports.
Jake informed the corner that he recently received a job at a radio station - Power 105.5 WXTQ and 970 WATH - to broadcast Athens High School football weekly on 970 AM as the play by play voice. The crafty Corrigan continues to intern with Ohio Bobcats Media Relations and says he will be taking over Bobcats Cross Country next fall as the SID for the team.
It doesn't stop there for the tireless Corrigan, as he will be the PA voice of Ohio Bobcats Baseball and is heading up a group that is planning to attend the Olympics in 2012 as independent journalists and cover the games.
As always, we wish Jake all of the best now and in the future.
- Eddie Dwyer.
SAINT IGNATIUS TO HOST NEXT YEAR'S OHIO JESUIT BASEBALL TOURNAMENT.
FAMILIAR FACES MAKEUP THE PRESEASON FOOTBALL SLATE AND WE TIP OUR CAPS TO THE 'CATS' OTHER SPRING COMPETITORS.
Stories and reports by Eddie Dwyer.
Copyright, May/June 2011.
POSTED 5/27/11
WILDCATS BASEBALL TEAM TO HOST NEXT YEAR'S JESUIT TOURNAMENT: Don't forget to mark those new calendars for next spring, as Coach Brad Ganor and his Saint Ignatius varsity baseball team will, for the first time, host the annual Ohio Jesuit Tournament.
The tournament, which is scheduled for May 5-6 and features the Wildcats, Toledo St. John's Jesuit, Walsh Jesuit and Cincinnati St. Xavier, will be played in the beautiful and baseball-rich All Pro Freight Stadium in Avon. The facility is the home of the Lake Erie Crushers.
In hosting the tournament, Saint Ignatius will have a special Mass and breakfast on campus the morning of May 6 and then the teams will pack up their gear and head to Avon for that Sunday's final games.
Coach Ganor also pointed out that he has secured five other home dates at All Pro Freight Stadium for next season, along with seven home dates at the outstanding facility at Baldwin-Wallace College.
No, it is not a misprint. Counting the three games in the Jesuit Tournament, the Wildcats have 15 home games scheduled for 2012. Now we're talking baseball!
NO LOCKOUT HERE: As they did for the past few years, Saint Ignatius' football program will face Solon, Twinsburg and Canton McKinley in the preseason.
The 'Cats are scheduled to travel to Solon for a preseason practice session on August 9, the Twinsburg Tigers will visit Wasmer Field for the first official scrimmage on Agust 12 and on August 19 Saint Ignatius travels to Canton's Fawcett Stadium for the annual preseason “Jamboree” with the McKinley Bulldogs. The Wildcats and the Bulldogs will scrimmage on the freshman, junior varsity and varsity levels.
And for those of you who have faithfully inquired, the 'Cats still have an open date for Week 1 of the regular season. Athletics Director Rory Fitzpatrick '88 said he recently called Morgantown, which was looking for a game on the same date, but has not heard back from the West Virgina power.
AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST: We tip our corner caps to the Wildcats' lacrosse team, which defeated host St. Edward, 10-4, on Friday night and advanced to Sunday's 2 p.m. OHSLA playoff game at Medina, to senior James Oliver for his outstanding tennis career at Saint Ignatius, which ended with a loss at the state tournament this weekend, to the volleyball team for nothing but success in its tournament run and to the Crew team, which has advanced two boats into the finals of this weekend's National Championships in New Jersey.
'CATS' SOCCER STANDOUT MATT FOLDESY COMMITS TO AKRON.
POSTED BY EDDIE DWYER ON SUNDAY EVENING, 5/22/11.
THE CORNER WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS ITS CONGRATULATIONS TO SAINT IGNATIUS' STANDOUT JUNIOR SOCCER PLAYER MATT FOLDESY, WHO HAS MADE AN ORAL COMMITMENT TO THE NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED SOCCER PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON.
IN HELPING COACH MIKE MCLAUGHLIN'S WILDCATS TO A 23-0 RECORD, A DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE TOP RANKING IN THE NATION BY ESPN RISE AND THE NATIONAL SOCCER COACHES ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, MATT SCORED A TEAM-LEADING 22 GOALS THIS PAST FALL AND TOTALED 13 ASSISTS.
THE SON OF FORMER ST. EDWARD AND CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY ALL-AMERICAN AND HALL OF FAME WRESTLER DAN FOLDESY, MATT BEGAN HIS VARSITY CAREER WITH THE WIDCATS BY SCORING FOUR GOALS IN THE 2010 SEASON OPENING 8-0 VICTORY OVER UNIVERSITY SCHOOL. IT WAS A GAME THIS CORNER HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO COVER.
ALONG WITH HIS AREA HONORS, MATT WAS SELECTED BY ESPN RISE AS ONE OF ITS “PRIME-TIME PLAYERS” FOR 2010.
AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO MATT, HIS FAMILY, COACH MCLAUGHLIN'S OUTSTANDING PROGRAM AND THE NCAA NATIONAL CHAMPION AKRON ZIPS.
- EDDIE DWYER.
COMING DOWN THE HOME STRETCH.
POSTED BY EDDIE DWYER ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON, 5/22/11.
A memorable 2010-11 Wildcats athletics school year is approaching its stretch run.
After Coach Mike McLaughlin's undefeated state and national champion soccer team highlighted a fall to recall and junior George DiCamillo warmed up the winter months by joining Mike Buddie '89 as the only undefeated OHSAA state wrestling champions in Saint Ignatius history, the corner is preparing for its final spring reports.
As we reported over the weekend, senior captain James Oliver will be representing the blue and gold at the annual state tennis tournament. James qualified out of district competition with a fourth seeding.
The state tennis tournament gets underway on Friday at Hilliard Davidson High School, with play beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday's semifinals and finals will also begin at 9 a.m. For any questions on the tournament, call Manager Ken Kaiser at 614-688-3535.
After brining home another championship at the Lakewood Division I District Meet, Coach Chuck Kyle's track and field team will be looking to repeat as the champion of the Amherst Regional.
Coach Kyle's Wildcats will be sending three relay teams and a strong individual contingent (see district recap below) to Amherst, which begins with qualifying on Wednesday. The finals will be competed on Friday.
The Wildcats' varsity baseball team, which weathered one of the most rain-drenched seasons in the history of Northeast Ohio high school baseball, will wrap up its 2011 swings and pitches this coming week.
Weather permitting (sound familiar), Coach Brad Ganor's team will play Benedictine tomorrow (Monday) at Case Western Reserve University at 4:30 p.m. The season finale will be Wednesday night at 7 in Progressive Field, as the Wildcats take on the Brunswick Blue Devils.
The corner never takes a vacation, so you can rest assure that we will keep you posted all summer on the Wildcats' football mini camps, the Gary Stevens Elite Football Academy, which will be held on Wasmer Field's new turf surface from June 27 though June 30 (see the story posted on May 15), the preseason football practices and scrimmages and, in early August, we will begin our annual fall sports previews.
Just to whet your appetite, Coach McLaughlin '85 and Co. will be hosting the annual Jesuit Tournament and a prestigious national tournament this coming season and yes Jimbo from Hartsville, South Carolina, Coach Kyle '69 and his 2011 Wildcats football team will be taking on the Glenville Tarblooders Week 6 at Byers Field. I hope we can soon return to Hartsville for your wonderful Southeastern Baseball Classic.
HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE DIAMOND AND AT THE AMHERST REGIONAL TRACK MEET.
BLAKE THOMAS IS BOUND FOR OHIO STATE.
POSTED ON 5/17/11.
Congratulations go out to Saint Ignatius junior Blake Thomas, who on Monday night gave an oral commitment to further his education and football career at The Ohio State University.
A 6-4, 240-pound tight end, Thomas was obviously not swayed by the recent controversy surrounding the Buckeyes' program, as he chose Ohio State over Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville, Virginia and a recent offer from UCLA.
A two-year varsity letterman, Blake hauled in 24 passes last season for 256 yards. He brings athleticism, toughness and soft hands to the tight end position, and has the ability to stretch a defense by running deep patterns.
Again, congratulations to Blake and his family.
GARY STEVENS' ELITE FOOTBALL ACADEMY IS COMING TO SAINT IGNATIUS.
POSTED ON 5/15/11.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, May 2011.
Saint Ignatius head football coach Chuck Kyle '69, Wildcats veteran offensive coordinator Nick Restifo and 'Cats' quarterbacks and tight ends coach Elvis Grbac will be the host coaches for Gary Stevens' Elite Quarterbacks/Receivers Academy, which will be held at Saint Ignatius from June 27 through June 30.
Please note that the camp, which will take place each day from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m, is also open to defensive backs and linebackers. All four positions – quarterbacks, wide receivers, defensive backs and linebackers – will receive instruction from some of the premier coaches in the nation and participants are asked to bring a helmet.
Coach Stevens is the former offensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes and the former offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. Gary has coached a who's who list of players, including Bernie Kosar, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly, Steve Walsh, Michael Irvin and Vinny Testaverde.
And speaking of a who's who list, Coach Stevens' staff for the camp will feature Coach Kyle (a record 10 Division I state championhips and three national titles); Coach Restifo (a veteran of nearly 40 years who has developed numerous All-Ohio quarterbacks); Coach Grbac ( a former standout quarterback at St. Joseph High School and the University of Michigan, and All-Pro QB in the NFL); Strongville High School's head football coach Russ Jacques (an outstanding college and high school coach, who was on the staff at West Virginia when former Wildcat great Oliver Luck '78 was quarterbacking the Moutaineers); and coach Jacques' former assistant at Strongsville, Lakewood head football coach Ron Lewis. Before taking the Lakewood position, Ron brought tremendous success to the football program at Rocky River.
And, the staff wouldn't be complete and the camp wouldn't be as successful without the coaching of the savvy Joe Perella, Gary's right-hand man.
Joe coached football and basketball at his alma mater, legendary Cathedral Latin School, and guided the fortunes of Beachwood High School, where he turned a struggling program into a playoff qualifier, and University School. Among Joe's successful college coaching stops were John Carroll University, Case Western Reserve University, Louisville and Cincinnati. Coach Perella also served as the offensive coordinator for Winnipeg of the Canadian Football League.
The camp will also have guest speakers each day, including Cleveland Browns quarterback legend Bernie Kosar, as well as area college coaches from John Carroll, Baldwin-Wallace, Case Western Reserve and Notre Dame College. Daily coverage of the camp will be provided by the corner.
For further information on the camp, which costs $100 and includes a camp T-shirt, contact Coach Restifo at 216-651-0222, ext. 502.
A LOOK AT THE 2011 WASMER GAMES.
POSTED ON 5/1/11 AT 9:17 P.M.
By Eddie Dwyer
Copyright, May 2011
They came, they ran, they tossed, they jumped and they mingled.
More than 900 young student/athletes representing 31 grade schools in Greater Cleveland gathered on the campus of Saint Ignatius High School on Sunday afternoon for the annual Wasmer Games.
Competing on the Wildcats' Dale Gabor Track, kids in grades 5 through 8 put their skills to the test in numerous track and field events. And they did it with the enthusiastic, yet sportsmanlike encouragement of their coaches, their families and their friends.
“It's been going on so long and it's great to be part of the CYO community,” said Saint Ignatius Athletic Director Rory Fitzpatrick '88. “To be able to do this for everybody and bring this many kids down here and run a nice event for them, that's what I think means the most. Because I think these parents appreciate when an event goes off well and their kids get to compete in something special.”
Helping make sure it was a special day was former Saint Ignatius Athletic Director Dale Gabor '66, who in 2004 was selected as Ohio's Administrator of the Year by the state's Interscholastic Administrators Association. Dale is also a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association's Northeast District Athletic Administrators Hall of Fame and oversees the sports of cross country and track and field for the OHSAA.
Dale served as a starter for the Wasmer Games and his wife, Linda, put in numerous hours compiling results and organizing the awards for the winners of each event. Linda Gabor is a member of Saint Ignatius' College Counseling Department.
The corner would also like to give a big tip of the cap to Tom Beach, who is a member of the English Department staff at Saint Ignatius and an assistant track coach for the Wildcats, for the outstanding job he did announcing each event and to Saint Ignatius Student Sports Information Department President Mike Watts '11, who was again on top of his game in presenting a live SIBN broadcast of the Wasmer Games.
As part of his broadcast, Mike, who is bound for Fordham University in August, interviewed several Saint Ignatius student/athletes and got a unique perspective on their various varsity sports.
Of course, an event as large as the Wasmer Games would never come off so well if it wasn't for the tireless efforts of Rory Fitzpatrick, Wildcats Associate Athletic Director Sean O'Toole '87 and veteran Head Athletic Trainer Hank Gaughan, A.T.C., and the more than 75 volunteers who gave up their Sunday afternoon "for the kids."
“There are some really old records and names that everybody knows about,” Rory said. “To be able to compete in something that has that kind of storied history and to be able to maintain that over a long period of time is obviously a huge credit to Coach (Chuck) Kyle '69 and Mr. Gabor.”
JAKE RYAN BRINGS SOME SPRING FEVER TO THE WOLVERINES.
POSTED BY EDDIE DWYER ON 4/24/11 AT 9:22 P.M.
Jake Ryan, whose outstanding play at linebacker helped Saint Ignatius to an 11-1 record in the fall of 2009 and a state-record 10th Division I state championship in 2008, had a memorable spring practice season as a red-shirt freshman linebacker for the Michigan Wolverines.
After the Wolverines' spring game, Michigan head coach Brady Hoke said Ryan had a good spring and he referred to Jake's love of the game. Coach Hoke also spoke of how Jake brings something special to the field, an intensity you can feel.
Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said Jake has done a good job improving every day and that the 2009 first-team All-Ohio and first team All-District honoree has shown energy and speed off the edge.
A young man the corner had the privilege and pleasure to cover during his high school career, we wish Jake all of the best this summer and fall.
Just FYI, the Michigan football web site reported that Jake displayed a nose for the action so often this spring that his helmet is already in need of a new paint job.
WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WILDCATS' WEEKEND SCHEDULE IN ALL OF THE VARSITY SPRING SPORTS.
UPDATED ON 4/8/11.
AFTER HAVING THREE CONSECUTIVE GAMES WIPED OUT BY MOTHER NATURE, COACH BRAD GANOR'S VARSITY BASEBALL TEAM (2-1) IS SCHEDULED TO TRAVEL TO TALLMADGE ON SATURDAY (TOMORROW) FOR A DOUBLEHEADER. THE 'CATS ARE SLATED TO FACE ARCHBISHOP HOBAN AT 11 A.M. AND, FOLLOWNG A SHORT BREAK, THEY WILL TAKE ON TALLMADGE AT APPROXIMATELY 1 P.M.
COACH GANOR SAID THE TEAM HAS ALSO SCHEDULED A GAME FOR MONDAY AT STRONGSVILLE. THE MUSTANGS, COACHED BY SAINT IGNATIUS GRADUATE JOSH SORGE '91, ARE PROJECTED TO HAVE ONE OF THE MOST POTENT LINEUPS IN NORTHEAST OHIO. SOME OF THE 'STANGS' BASEBALL FAITHFUL ARE MENTIONING THE CURRENT LINEUP IN THE SAME BREATH WITH COACH SORGE'S 2006 DIVISION I STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM.
THE VARSITY TRACK AND FIELD TEAM, COMING OFF ITS OUTSTANDING FIRST-PLACE PERFORMANCE AT HILLIARD DAVIDSON, WILL BE COMPETING AT THE MEDINA RELAYS ON SATURDAY (9 A.M.). THE MEDINA RELAYS ARE AMONG THE AREA'S PREMIER REGULAR-SEASON MEETS.
THE VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM WILL BE HOSTING ARCHBISHOP HOBAN, ST. EDWARD AND VILLA ANGELA-ST. JOSEPH IN THE SAINT IGNATIUS INVITATIONAL ON SATURDAY AT 10 A.M., THE LACROSSE TEAM IS AT THOMAS WORTHINGTON FOR A 4 P.M. MATCHUP ON SATURDAY, THE VARSITY TENNIS TEAM IS SLATED FOR THE ROCKY RIVER INVITATIONAL ON SATURDAY AT 4 P.M., AND THE CREW TEAM WILL BE RACING IN SATURDAY'S LINDAMOOD CUP ON THE MUSKINGUM RIVER. THE REGATTA IS HOSTED BY MARIETTA.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE.
POSTED ON 3/24/11.
The area high school sports scene lost one of its greatest supporters on Thursday, when Dave Bostwick passed away.
A graduate of Saint Ignatius High School and a loyal fan and follower of all of the Wildcats' athletic teams, Dave and I crossed paths more than 30 years ago when I was covering high school athletics for The Plain Dealer. Whether it was a Saint Ignatius football or basketball game, or a St. Joseph Academy, Lakewood or Magnificat basketball game, Dave and I had many enjoyable and informative pregame and post-game discussions.
Dave was also very involved in area CYO and coached several young men who went on to successful high school careers, athletically and academically. I know Dave would have wanted me to emphasize that second A word.
It was just last week that Dave e-mailed me and we shared some sentiments about our old neighborhoods, legendary West Tech Field and former St. Edward High School standout catcher Alex Lavisky and his progress in the Indians' system.
On a personal note, I will always cherish the message Dave sent to me in March of 2001, when he learned that I was being inducted into St. Ignatius of Antioch's Sports Hall of Fame as a former coach at the parish I grew up in. His words were special, to say the least.
Dave was extremely knowledgeable on all levels of sports and, as “Dave from Cleveland,” was a frequent caller to the award-winning and very popular “More Sports & Les Levine” show on Time Warner Cable of Northeast Ohio. Dave was also a BIG FAN of the outstanding job Patrick Pierson and Dave Wilson do in bringing area fans the Time Warner high school football and basketball Games of the Week.
Our prayers and deepest sympathy go out to Dave's family and friends.
If there is one thing this corner is sure of, Dave Bostwick is now resting in a very special place.
God Bless Dave, and keep them informed up there about all of the great young men and women who are Northeast Ohio's high school sports scene.
THE GOLDEN TOUCH.
Posted on 4/26/11.
Congratulations go out to Moderator Jeff McCormick '83, Student Sports Information Department President Mike Watts '11 and all of those who contributed for helping make The 2010 Saint Ignatius Football Media Relations Guide a Gold Medal recipient. It marks the second consecutive year that this honor has been bestowed upon the Wildcats' football guide.
As was the case last year, the National High School Sports Publications Awards recognized Saint Ignatius with a Gold Medal in the “Private School, 1,000-1,500 Enrollment, Student Prepared Category." The SSID received notification of the award late this week.
The National High School Sports Publications Awards are designed to recognize excellence in the preparation of Media Guides or Souvenir Programs that call attention to athletic teams at the secondary school level throughout the United States. All sports are eligible for the awards (Gold, Silver and Bronze) and it does not matter if the entry comes from a public or private school, large or small.
Rumor has it that the returning members of the SSID have guaranteed a three-peat in 2011-12.
- Eddie Dwyer
A SPRING SPORTS WEATHER UPDATE.
POSTED ON 3/31/11 AT 12:12 P.M.
DESPITE WHAT THE CALENDAR SAYS, MOTHER NATURE'S FROSTY SIDE WAS IN MIDSEASON FORM ON WEDNESDAY.
AS A RESULT, TODAY'S (THURSDAY) VARSITY BASEBALL GAME AT SOLON HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN POSTPONED. A MAKEUP DATE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
COACH BRAD GANOR'S WILDCATS ARE HOPING TO PLAY ON SATURDAY, WHEN THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO TRAVEL TO DUBLIN JEROME HIGH SCHOOL FOR A DOUBLEHEADER. THE FIRST PITCH IS 11 A.M.
THE VARSITY TRACK AND FIELD TEAM, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF 38-YEAR HEAD COACH CHUCK KYLE '69, WILL BE AT THE TALENT-LADEN HILLIARD DAVIDSON INVITATIONAL ON SATURDAY. THE COMPETITION, WHICH IS AMONG THE BEST THE STATE HAS TO OFFER, IS SET TO BEGIN AT 9 A.M.
COACH JON BARKER'S TENNIS TEAM, WHICH HAD ITS SEASON-OPENING MATCH AGAINST STRONGSVILLE WIPED OUT BY THE SNOW, IS SLATED TO FACE ROCKY RIVER ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON AT MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL AND THE LACROSSE TEAM WILL BE BOARDING THE BUS FOR THIS WEEKEND'S MIDWEST CATHOLIC INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME.