Camaraderie biggest winner
at IHSSCA's Boys Honors Banquet
By Ken Keenan
ELMHURST -- If individual recognition was the main attraction, togetherness certainly provided the soundtrack during the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association's (IHSSCA) 49th annual Boys Honors Banquet on Thursday night at Diplomat West Banquets.
Hosting a capacity crowd of more than 800 attendees, the IHSSCA named the newest member of its Hall of Fame, as well as the 2019 Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year, Soccer Person of the Year and the Myro Rys Sportsmanship Award winner.
Scores of All-State and All-Sectional players also were recognized, and several coaches earned nods for reaching milestones in wins.
Scott Steib, longtime head coach at Barrington, was this year's addition to the IHSSCA Hall of Fame. Steib, who also serves on the IHSSCA Executive Board of Directors as Boys Vice President, recently completed his 26th year as a boys and girls head coach, which began with a stint at Lake Zurich from 1994 to '99.
During his 21 seasons as Barrington boys skipper, Steib's teams have amassed eight Mid-Suburban League West Division titles and three MSL crowns, 11 regional and five sectional championships, and four trips to the IHSA state finals. The Broncos finished as state champions in 2007, and as the runnerup in 2016. He won the IHSSCA boys Coach of the Year award in 2003.
"It's a crazy, great honor," said Steib, whose overall coaching record stands at 553-171-65. "My name is on (the trophy), but there's a lot of moving parts to go from A to B. I've worked hard for many years, always trying to do things the right way. But it's not just me, it's a lot of people."
Steib continued: "The main point, it's about the people. And the players and coaches I've worked with, that's the top of the pile. The real successes aren't about numbers or wins, it's about the people and the moments. That's what's being recognized tonight -- the people and the relationships."
Coach of the Year honors went to Mike Bare of Notre Dame (Peoria). The Irish finished 22-2-0 this season, including a perfect 10-0 mark in Big 12 Conference play. Bare's squad (no. 8 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50) concluded the campaign with a 2-0 loss in the Sterling Supersectional to eventual Class AA state champ Benet on Nov. 5.
"It's a huge honor," said Bare, who was also selected as IHSSCA Coach of the Year in 2010. "But the product of a good coach is good players, and I've been fortunate to coach great players this year, including a really talented senior class."
That class featured forward Noah Madrigal, set to continue his soccer career at Marquette University, and defender McKay LaHood, set to do the same at DePaul University. Madrigal was joined by senior goalkeeper Lucas Fontana and senior midfielder Myles Sophanavong as IHSSCA All-State selections, while LaHood was named All-Sectional.
"As a staff, we put a lot into it this year," Bare continued. "But the kids, they executed on the field, and we held the no. 1 ranking in the country until our only (regular-season) loss against the national champion (St. Ignatius, Ohio). To me, getting national attention and now IHSSCA recognition, it's very special.
"You put in a lot of hard work and time, but it's the great players who make me look good as a coach."
Naperville North senior forward Ty Konrad earned Player of Year honors. Konrad tallied 17 goals and 15 assists in 2019 to help the Huskies finish 19-5-2 overall and rank no. 4 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50.
The season and string of three Class 3A state championships ended for the DuPage Valley Conference champs with a loss on penalty kicks (that snapped a 3-3 tie) against eventual Class 3A state runnerup Morton in the Lewis University Supersectional on Nov. 5.
"This (Player of the Year) award means a lot," said Konrad, who completed his Naperville North career with 45 goals and a school-record 48 assists. "I always give all the effort I can to help the team win, so it's nice to be awarded. But I don't want to take the credit. I've had the privilege of playing with so many great players, coaches ... so many amazing people who have sacrificed so many things.
"To me, it's about you, your friends and the ball, and you give everything you can to that one thing."
Upon graduation, Konrad will take his talents to Ohio State University.
"I'm looking forward to new challenges ... meeting people and creating good relationships and see where that road takes me," he said.
Oswego East's Patrick Molinari was named Assistant Coach of the Year. The Wolves finished 7-13-1 overall this year after falling to Plainfield North by a 2-1 count after two overtimes in a Class 3A Naperville Regional semifinal on Oct. 23.
"It's surreal. To be included among this great (IHSSCA) group, it's an honor and a pleasure," Molinari said. "To be honest, I'm more humbled by (Oswego East) head coach Steve Szymanski for taking the time to appreciate me. That's validation that you're doing a good job."
Added Molinari: "It's not about wins and losses. It's about building the relationships and giving back to the game. Be a role model to the kids and a good teacher and coach."
Batavia, represented by head coach Mark Gianfrancesco, received the Myro Rys Sportsmanship Award.
The Bulldogs had a tough go on the field in 2019, finishing 3-16-1 overall. But the real battle for Gianfrancesco's crew began after junior forward Kyle Nicely passed away from a brain aneurysm shortly after the season began.
"It was tough all year, a lot of grieving," Gianfrancesco said. "To go into games and try to compete at a high level was very challenging. But the boys were very good at showing sportsmanship and high character throughout the season. Day in and day out, they represented themselves very well."
So did Batavia's opponents, particularly St. Charles East, St. Charles North and Geneva. During the four teams' annual Tri-Cities Tourney, in mid-October, the combined efforts from the respective schools and communities resulted in fundraising for the Nicely family and various aneurysm awareness organizations.
In addition, Gianfrancesco said that players and coaches from Kaneland and West Aurora attended Nicely's funeral.
"It puts things in perspective. There's more about sports than records and the rankings," Gianfrancesco said. "Why do we compete? We want to win, yes. But sports, as a whole, it's about the camaraderie, the relationships you build ... the community that comes together."
In the midst of the tragedy, Gianfrancesco said it was important to "celebrate the kids who are still here. It's a tough thing to deal with. You still have to get up for the games, but also show character afterward. It's about how you adapt to adversity. And these guys persevered and adapted while also honoring the (Nicely) family."
Gianfrancesco continued: "To be recognized by the IHSSCA, and other coaches and other people, it's a great thing for me as a coach. I don't wish our situation on anybody. But to see the caring from other coaches and all the communities, and the IHSSCA, it means a lot."
Getting the nod for Soccer Person of the Year was Springfield head coach Patrick Phillips, who guided the Senators to a 17-5-3 overall mark in 2019. Springfield, nipped by downstate Morton 2-1 in the Class AA Bloomington Sectional final on Nov. 1, finished no. 47 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50.
Phillips has more than 30 years of experience coaching high school soccer, including 24 seasons as a girls head coach and 20 as a boys skipper. He also coached at the collegiate level for eight years.
"I'm just a soccer guy. I love the game," said Phillips, who has served as boys coach at Springfield for the last 10 campaigns. "The kids, they keep me young and keep me learning. It's a not a job if you love it and whether it's boys or girls, I enjoy it."
Added Phillips: "The award, it's great to be recognized by people you've coached against. That says a lot about our program. But when you coach, you don't think about awards. It is nice to be recognized. But it's more an honor for the players than myself."
Among the IHSSCA's All-State selections was Benet senior midfielder Nick Renfro, who helped the Redwings (20-1-2 overall) capture the Class AA state crown. Benet. which finished as the no. 2 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50, earned the hardware with a 2-0 win over defending champion Crystal Lake South in the title match on Nov. 9.
"It was a surreal moment when we won," Renfro said. "But the best part, it was the team we had. Not a better group of boys I'd want to win it with. Sure, we value individual awards. But nothing beats winning a state trophy with my teammates."
Crystal Lake South senior forward Alex Canfield, who piled up 34 goals and 18 assists this season, also earned All-State status.
"I'm absolutely honored," said Canfield, whose squad finished 20-5-4 overall and no. 5 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50. "Accolades are nice, but at the end of the day, all 11 players contributed to our success this year. It was all about team mentality. Whenever anyone scored, we celebrated as a team.
Added Canfield: "One-hundred percent, team success is more important than my own individual success. I couldn't have done it without my teammates."
Coaching win milestones included passing: the 300 plateau for Evanston's Franz Calixte, Edwardsville's Mark Heiderscheid and Springfield's Phillips; the 200 level for Ian McCarthy, of Young, Scott Parillo, of Kaneland and Jeremy Stanton, of University (Normal); and the century mark for Nick Cirrincione, Romeoville, and Josh Robinson, Metea Valley.
at IHSSCA's Boys Honors Banquet
By Ken Keenan
ELMHURST -- If individual recognition was the main attraction, togetherness certainly provided the soundtrack during the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association's (IHSSCA) 49th annual Boys Honors Banquet on Thursday night at Diplomat West Banquets.
Hosting a capacity crowd of more than 800 attendees, the IHSSCA named the newest member of its Hall of Fame, as well as the 2019 Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year, Soccer Person of the Year and the Myro Rys Sportsmanship Award winner.
Scores of All-State and All-Sectional players also were recognized, and several coaches earned nods for reaching milestones in wins.
Scott Steib, longtime head coach at Barrington, was this year's addition to the IHSSCA Hall of Fame. Steib, who also serves on the IHSSCA Executive Board of Directors as Boys Vice President, recently completed his 26th year as a boys and girls head coach, which began with a stint at Lake Zurich from 1994 to '99.
During his 21 seasons as Barrington boys skipper, Steib's teams have amassed eight Mid-Suburban League West Division titles and three MSL crowns, 11 regional and five sectional championships, and four trips to the IHSA state finals. The Broncos finished as state champions in 2007, and as the runnerup in 2016. He won the IHSSCA boys Coach of the Year award in 2003.
"It's a crazy, great honor," said Steib, whose overall coaching record stands at 553-171-65. "My name is on (the trophy), but there's a lot of moving parts to go from A to B. I've worked hard for many years, always trying to do things the right way. But it's not just me, it's a lot of people."
Steib continued: "The main point, it's about the people. And the players and coaches I've worked with, that's the top of the pile. The real successes aren't about numbers or wins, it's about the people and the moments. That's what's being recognized tonight -- the people and the relationships."
Coach of the Year honors went to Mike Bare of Notre Dame (Peoria). The Irish finished 22-2-0 this season, including a perfect 10-0 mark in Big 12 Conference play. Bare's squad (no. 8 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50) concluded the campaign with a 2-0 loss in the Sterling Supersectional to eventual Class AA state champ Benet on Nov. 5.
"It's a huge honor," said Bare, who was also selected as IHSSCA Coach of the Year in 2010. "But the product of a good coach is good players, and I've been fortunate to coach great players this year, including a really talented senior class."
That class featured forward Noah Madrigal, set to continue his soccer career at Marquette University, and defender McKay LaHood, set to do the same at DePaul University. Madrigal was joined by senior goalkeeper Lucas Fontana and senior midfielder Myles Sophanavong as IHSSCA All-State selections, while LaHood was named All-Sectional.
"As a staff, we put a lot into it this year," Bare continued. "But the kids, they executed on the field, and we held the no. 1 ranking in the country until our only (regular-season) loss against the national champion (St. Ignatius, Ohio). To me, getting national attention and now IHSSCA recognition, it's very special.
"You put in a lot of hard work and time, but it's the great players who make me look good as a coach."
Naperville North senior forward Ty Konrad earned Player of Year honors. Konrad tallied 17 goals and 15 assists in 2019 to help the Huskies finish 19-5-2 overall and rank no. 4 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50.
The season and string of three Class 3A state championships ended for the DuPage Valley Conference champs with a loss on penalty kicks (that snapped a 3-3 tie) against eventual Class 3A state runnerup Morton in the Lewis University Supersectional on Nov. 5.
"This (Player of the Year) award means a lot," said Konrad, who completed his Naperville North career with 45 goals and a school-record 48 assists. "I always give all the effort I can to help the team win, so it's nice to be awarded. But I don't want to take the credit. I've had the privilege of playing with so many great players, coaches ... so many amazing people who have sacrificed so many things.
"To me, it's about you, your friends and the ball, and you give everything you can to that one thing."
Upon graduation, Konrad will take his talents to Ohio State University.
"I'm looking forward to new challenges ... meeting people and creating good relationships and see where that road takes me," he said.
Oswego East's Patrick Molinari was named Assistant Coach of the Year. The Wolves finished 7-13-1 overall this year after falling to Plainfield North by a 2-1 count after two overtimes in a Class 3A Naperville Regional semifinal on Oct. 23.
"It's surreal. To be included among this great (IHSSCA) group, it's an honor and a pleasure," Molinari said. "To be honest, I'm more humbled by (Oswego East) head coach Steve Szymanski for taking the time to appreciate me. That's validation that you're doing a good job."
Added Molinari: "It's not about wins and losses. It's about building the relationships and giving back to the game. Be a role model to the kids and a good teacher and coach."
Batavia, represented by head coach Mark Gianfrancesco, received the Myro Rys Sportsmanship Award.
The Bulldogs had a tough go on the field in 2019, finishing 3-16-1 overall. But the real battle for Gianfrancesco's crew began after junior forward Kyle Nicely passed away from a brain aneurysm shortly after the season began.
"It was tough all year, a lot of grieving," Gianfrancesco said. "To go into games and try to compete at a high level was very challenging. But the boys were very good at showing sportsmanship and high character throughout the season. Day in and day out, they represented themselves very well."
So did Batavia's opponents, particularly St. Charles East, St. Charles North and Geneva. During the four teams' annual Tri-Cities Tourney, in mid-October, the combined efforts from the respective schools and communities resulted in fundraising for the Nicely family and various aneurysm awareness organizations.
In addition, Gianfrancesco said that players and coaches from Kaneland and West Aurora attended Nicely's funeral.
"It puts things in perspective. There's more about sports than records and the rankings," Gianfrancesco said. "Why do we compete? We want to win, yes. But sports, as a whole, it's about the camaraderie, the relationships you build ... the community that comes together."
In the midst of the tragedy, Gianfrancesco said it was important to "celebrate the kids who are still here. It's a tough thing to deal with. You still have to get up for the games, but also show character afterward. It's about how you adapt to adversity. And these guys persevered and adapted while also honoring the (Nicely) family."
Gianfrancesco continued: "To be recognized by the IHSSCA, and other coaches and other people, it's a great thing for me as a coach. I don't wish our situation on anybody. But to see the caring from other coaches and all the communities, and the IHSSCA, it means a lot."
Getting the nod for Soccer Person of the Year was Springfield head coach Patrick Phillips, who guided the Senators to a 17-5-3 overall mark in 2019. Springfield, nipped by downstate Morton 2-1 in the Class AA Bloomington Sectional final on Nov. 1, finished no. 47 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50.
Phillips has more than 30 years of experience coaching high school soccer, including 24 seasons as a girls head coach and 20 as a boys skipper. He also coached at the collegiate level for eight years.
"I'm just a soccer guy. I love the game," said Phillips, who has served as boys coach at Springfield for the last 10 campaigns. "The kids, they keep me young and keep me learning. It's a not a job if you love it and whether it's boys or girls, I enjoy it."
Added Phillips: "The award, it's great to be recognized by people you've coached against. That says a lot about our program. But when you coach, you don't think about awards. It is nice to be recognized. But it's more an honor for the players than myself."
Among the IHSSCA's All-State selections was Benet senior midfielder Nick Renfro, who helped the Redwings (20-1-2 overall) capture the Class AA state crown. Benet. which finished as the no. 2 team in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50, earned the hardware with a 2-0 win over defending champion Crystal Lake South in the title match on Nov. 9.
"It was a surreal moment when we won," Renfro said. "But the best part, it was the team we had. Not a better group of boys I'd want to win it with. Sure, we value individual awards. But nothing beats winning a state trophy with my teammates."
Crystal Lake South senior forward Alex Canfield, who piled up 34 goals and 18 assists this season, also earned All-State status.
"I'm absolutely honored," said Canfield, whose squad finished 20-5-4 overall and no. 5 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50. "Accolades are nice, but at the end of the day, all 11 players contributed to our success this year. It was all about team mentality. Whenever anyone scored, we celebrated as a team.
Added Canfield: "One-hundred percent, team success is more important than my own individual success. I couldn't have done it without my teammates."
Coaching win milestones included passing: the 300 plateau for Evanston's Franz Calixte, Edwardsville's Mark Heiderscheid and Springfield's Phillips; the 200 level for Ian McCarthy, of Young, Scott Parillo, of Kaneland and Jeremy Stanton, of University (Normal); and the century mark for Nick Cirrincione, Romeoville, and Josh Robinson, Metea Valley.