Notebook: Tri-Cities Night
By Patrick Z. McGavin
As the coach of the boys soccer team at Geneva, Jason Bhatta is the face of the program.
He is a history teacher by trade.
He witnesses first-hand the bravery and courage of freshman Brooke Copeland, a bright, lively and athletically gifted dancer at the school.
“I see her every day, and I see what she’s going through,” Bhatta said.
Brooke Copeland was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Her prognosis is very optimistic as she starts a rigorous and detailed 27-month treatment plan.
During the annual Tri-Cities Night Tuesday featuring the programs of St. Charles East, St. Charles North, Batavia and host Geneva, the Chitwood-Copeland family was the focus of the annual special fundraising event.
“I think it’s great to be able to help out the community, and help out something bigger than soccer,” Bhatta said.
Soccer was the prism to open the community’s view to a person in need.
The games had unmistakable value and purpose. Conference implications and the necessary building blocks for the preparation of the state tournament were in play.
But the night was also about showcasing the ties that bind through a tradition that began with the inaugural staging of the event in 2008.
Last year, the night honored the memory of Tricia DePasquale, the mother of St. Charles North standout Mike, who passed away from complications of breast cancer in the summer of 2021.
Soccer was the platform for charity.
Players from all four schools raised money through T-shirt sales, gift card purchases and donations for the Chitwood-Copeland family.
The DuKane Conference is one of the state’s best.
With three ranked teams on display, the night offered a scintillating set of games.
The beauty and wonder radiated in all multiple directions.
During the extended halftime of each game, the Geneva dance team performed spectacular numbers.
In the Vikings’ showdown with Batavia, the junior varsity team, which counts Brooke is a member, staged a superb and lyrical number, revealing athleticism and togetherness.
The night also featured a portrait of the future, as eighth graders from all four schools took part in special scrimmages.
“I think it’s really fun, and really cool that all of these kids came out here, and were able to take part in this,” Batavia forward Michael Ruffo said.
“They’re cheering us on. Even the Geneva kids were pumped up for it as well, and you could see them cheering on their team.”
As intense and competitive as the players are, they had the foresight and ability to step back from the immediate, and take in a wider look.
“I think it’s a really terrific event, with the halftime dancers,” Ruffo said. “They came out for the freshman girl.
“The (soccer) kids are performing for all of these people, and it's leading them as they make the next step to high school. It’s good for them.”
The Geneva players were excited by the intense engagement of the community.
“There were so many fans,” Geneva midfielder Ian O’Donoghue said.
He scored two goals in earning the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match for the Vikings’ 3-1 victory.
He was thrilled to be part of a special moment.
“We’ve been going through this week trying to fundraise for her, so it was nice to come together as a team and a community for Brooke,” he said.
The organizers switched up the normal schedule, meaning the two games this year featured rivals St. Charles East against St. Charles North and Batavia vs. Geneva.
Part of the special bond is expressed through the overlapping personal connections to the game.
The vast majority of the players were introduced to soccer through the Tri-Cities youth programs in St. Charles.
“They all know each other,” St. Charles East coach Vince DiNuzzo said. “They compete against each other or play on the same club team.”
The players immediately understood the gravity of the moment, and the exhilaration of taking part in the larger good.
“It’s awesome with the donations, and it’s wonderful to be part of the generosity and everything,” St. Charles East midfielder Logan Lowerchick said.
He scored the game-winner in the Saints' 1-0 victory.
“I get to see my friends from North, Batavia and Geneva,” he said.
The intensity, the drama, the high-level play was ever present.
The night brought solace and created an unforgettable memory of the bind between the high schools and their communities.
“It’s a night when we are able to come together for one cause and help whichever family is in need,” DiNuzzo said.
“It unites the group and individual specific rivalries to reach a common goal.”
Soccer is an extension of life, but it’s not disconnected from it, even the loss and sorrow.
The St. Charles basketball community is still reeling in the aftermath of the death of Justin Hardy, a former star at St. Charles East who passed away from a rare cancer during the spring.
The heartbreaking and devastating loss brought an extraordinary response a celebration of his life. It underscored the wider social bonds of the community.
DiNuzzo coaches both the girls and boys soccer programs. He took part in the special school memorial for Justin Hardy and his family.
“The memorial service was something truly special to see,” DiNuzzo said.
“We have a saying at our school, ‘Once a Saint, always a Saint.’ I had Justin in class. I have been at the school for six years now, the response of the alumni and the community was extraordinary. It just showed how much the school means to the community.”
Four teams. Four rivals. One night. Everything connected.
“High school soccer is more than just soccer,” DiNuzzo said.
By Patrick Z. McGavin
As the coach of the boys soccer team at Geneva, Jason Bhatta is the face of the program.
He is a history teacher by trade.
He witnesses first-hand the bravery and courage of freshman Brooke Copeland, a bright, lively and athletically gifted dancer at the school.
“I see her every day, and I see what she’s going through,” Bhatta said.
Brooke Copeland was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Her prognosis is very optimistic as she starts a rigorous and detailed 27-month treatment plan.
During the annual Tri-Cities Night Tuesday featuring the programs of St. Charles East, St. Charles North, Batavia and host Geneva, the Chitwood-Copeland family was the focus of the annual special fundraising event.
“I think it’s great to be able to help out the community, and help out something bigger than soccer,” Bhatta said.
Soccer was the prism to open the community’s view to a person in need.
The games had unmistakable value and purpose. Conference implications and the necessary building blocks for the preparation of the state tournament were in play.
But the night was also about showcasing the ties that bind through a tradition that began with the inaugural staging of the event in 2008.
Last year, the night honored the memory of Tricia DePasquale, the mother of St. Charles North standout Mike, who passed away from complications of breast cancer in the summer of 2021.
Soccer was the platform for charity.
Players from all four schools raised money through T-shirt sales, gift card purchases and donations for the Chitwood-Copeland family.
The DuKane Conference is one of the state’s best.
With three ranked teams on display, the night offered a scintillating set of games.
The beauty and wonder radiated in all multiple directions.
During the extended halftime of each game, the Geneva dance team performed spectacular numbers.
In the Vikings’ showdown with Batavia, the junior varsity team, which counts Brooke is a member, staged a superb and lyrical number, revealing athleticism and togetherness.
The night also featured a portrait of the future, as eighth graders from all four schools took part in special scrimmages.
“I think it’s really fun, and really cool that all of these kids came out here, and were able to take part in this,” Batavia forward Michael Ruffo said.
“They’re cheering us on. Even the Geneva kids were pumped up for it as well, and you could see them cheering on their team.”
As intense and competitive as the players are, they had the foresight and ability to step back from the immediate, and take in a wider look.
“I think it’s a really terrific event, with the halftime dancers,” Ruffo said. “They came out for the freshman girl.
“The (soccer) kids are performing for all of these people, and it's leading them as they make the next step to high school. It’s good for them.”
The Geneva players were excited by the intense engagement of the community.
“There were so many fans,” Geneva midfielder Ian O’Donoghue said.
He scored two goals in earning the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match for the Vikings’ 3-1 victory.
He was thrilled to be part of a special moment.
“We’ve been going through this week trying to fundraise for her, so it was nice to come together as a team and a community for Brooke,” he said.
The organizers switched up the normal schedule, meaning the two games this year featured rivals St. Charles East against St. Charles North and Batavia vs. Geneva.
Part of the special bond is expressed through the overlapping personal connections to the game.
The vast majority of the players were introduced to soccer through the Tri-Cities youth programs in St. Charles.
“They all know each other,” St. Charles East coach Vince DiNuzzo said. “They compete against each other or play on the same club team.”
The players immediately understood the gravity of the moment, and the exhilaration of taking part in the larger good.
“It’s awesome with the donations, and it’s wonderful to be part of the generosity and everything,” St. Charles East midfielder Logan Lowerchick said.
He scored the game-winner in the Saints' 1-0 victory.
“I get to see my friends from North, Batavia and Geneva,” he said.
The intensity, the drama, the high-level play was ever present.
The night brought solace and created an unforgettable memory of the bind between the high schools and their communities.
“It’s a night when we are able to come together for one cause and help whichever family is in need,” DiNuzzo said.
“It unites the group and individual specific rivalries to reach a common goal.”
Soccer is an extension of life, but it’s not disconnected from it, even the loss and sorrow.
The St. Charles basketball community is still reeling in the aftermath of the death of Justin Hardy, a former star at St. Charles East who passed away from a rare cancer during the spring.
The heartbreaking and devastating loss brought an extraordinary response a celebration of his life. It underscored the wider social bonds of the community.
DiNuzzo coaches both the girls and boys soccer programs. He took part in the special school memorial for Justin Hardy and his family.
“The memorial service was something truly special to see,” DiNuzzo said.
“We have a saying at our school, ‘Once a Saint, always a Saint.’ I had Justin in class. I have been at the school for six years now, the response of the alumni and the community was extraordinary. It just showed how much the school means to the community.”
Four teams. Four rivals. One night. Everything connected.
“High school soccer is more than just soccer,” DiNuzzo said.