State's best net accolades
at coaches' 48th annual honors banquet
By Ken Keenan
ELMHURST -- Coaches, contributors and a cornucopia of players shared the spotlight and celebrated an abundance of accomplishments during the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association's (IHSSCA) 48th annual Boys Soccer Honors Banquet on Nov. 15 at Diplomat West Banquet Hall.
The event included presentation of the IHSSCA Hall of Fame Award, awards for Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year and Soccer Person of the Year, and the Myro Rys Sportsmanship Award. Scores of All-State and All-Sectional players (including Honorable Mention selections) also were honored, and a host of coaching-win milestones were recognized as well.
Goalkeeper extraordinaire Tommy Welch, who backstopped Naperville North to a perfect 26-0-0 mark and its third IHSA Class 3A title in a row, was named Player of the Year. The towering 6-foot-7 senior posted his final and school-record 22nd shutout of 2018 in a 1-0 win over Libertyville in the championship tilt Nov. 2.
Welch's 2018 shutout total leaves him tied for the second best season in Illinois history.
The Loyola University-bound basketball player departs the Huskies (ranked no. 1 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50) as the all-time school leader in career shutouts with 47. That total ranks as the ninth best career slate in state history.
"The zeroes on the board come from the defense, not me," Welch said. "Credit to the 'D' and the midfielders, just the way we played soccer. The things we accomplished -- incredible. But I'm just the goalie. The field players ... they do all the work, and I get the reward.
"The (Player of the Year) award? Just to see my dad smile, I'm happy to make him proud. And my teammates and coaches, they helped me get to this point, so it's an award for them, too. But you can get all the trophies in the world -- it's the memories that last."
Added Naperville North head coach Jim Konrad: "It's well-deserved. He's one of the best goalkeepers in state history, and certainly one of the major keys to our three state championships -- just an all-around incredible kid."
Coach of the Year honors went to Crystal Lake South chief Brian Allen, who guided the Gators (22-2-3) to their first state crown with a Class AA win in PKs over Notre Dame (Peoria). After the overtimes ended in a 3-3 tie, Crystal Lake Storm dominated PKs 4-1.
"I'm super humbled," said Allen, whose team finished third in the Final 50 poll. "There's such a rich history with the IHSSCA. When I started 12 years ago, not a chance did I think I'd be here today. It's surreal. I look up to a lot of these coaches. I remember them as a player at Rolling Meadows. Now, I look at them as mentors. It's such an honor to be part of that.
Allen continued: "I've been fortunate this year ... very fortunate to coach a great group of kids, on and off the field -- even better off the field. The honor is a result of them. And watching the joy on their faces as state champs ... the joy of celebrating with each other. For me, that brings me as much joy as an accolade like this. It's so fulfilling as a coach, I can't put it into words."
Randy Blackman, who retired in 2017 after leading the Urbana High School boys program for 32 years, was the Hall of Fame inductee. After starting the program at Urbana in 1986, Blackman proceeded to compile a career record of 427-186-65. He ranks fifth on the all-time state win list.
His stellar slate includes 13 regional titles, 11 conference crowns, three sectional and three supersectional championships, and appearances in the state finals in 1991 and 2005, plus a runnerup Class AA finish in 2012. Blackman also started the girls program and led the Tigers to a 167-109-21 mark in 15 years as skipper.
"I'm honored and humbled by this induction," Blackman said. "I never thought of myself in that group. To me, it's hard to believe. There are all these incredible coaches in this Hall of Fame. It's just humbling to me.
He continued: "But it's always been about the kids. Some of the finest people I've met are some of the players I've coached. Through the years, it's so exciting to see many of some of them move on and become productive citizens. It makes you feel good. It's nice to be a part of it and help them get to be where they want to be."
Blackman also reflected on the growth of high school soccer throughout the state that has taken place during his tenure -- with a special shout-out to his own turf.
"I'm very proud of soccer in East Central Illinois," he said. "It's nice to see in our region, to see the performance at a high level. It's better now than 10 years ago, let alone 20 or 30 years ago. When I think of 1991 and the quality of the teams, the level is nowhere near where it is today. Soccer has grown and expanded -- better athletes, better coaching, more dynamic and more creative players. It's amazing to me, the quality, and that's across the state."
Metea Valley's Craig Tomczak was named Assistant Coach of the Year. Working alongside head coach Josh Robinson, Tomczak helped the Mustangs finish at 13-6-2 overall after falling to Oswego in the Class 3A Plainfield Regional final.
"First of all, it's an honor ... didn't expect it," said Tomczak, whose squad placed 29th in the Final 50 poll. "But you don't get into coaching for personal reasons. It's more about the players, and it's great to share this experience with them. But it is a huge honor. Just to be associated with all these other coaches, it's an outstanding feeling."
Lake Forest received the Myro Rys Sportsmanship Award in recognition of its North Shore Shootout, an annual eight-team tournament held during the first week of the soccer season.
"It's a well-run tourney," Parry said. "We have four fields ... so it's all hands on deck -- grounds crew, training staff. And we get a lot of support from the school and other teams as well. We actually have a waiting list of schools that want to come in.
Parry continued: "It's always competitive. There are no easy teams, no favoritism, and we haven't had a repeat winner. The coaches and players are respectful of each other, and respectful of the rules of the game. Sportsmanship, to me, that's the great thing about the high school game. So it's an honor to see our staff and players recognized by the IHSSCA. It means a lot."
Stan Anderson, the goalkeeper coach at FC United and a former college coach at Loyola University, at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and Madison campuses, as well as a stint with the Chicago Fire Academy, nabbed Soccer Person of the Year honors. Anderson was recognized for his work with Camp Shutout, a goalkeeper training camp he founded in Stevens Point, Wis., in 1989.
Camp Shutout is regarded as a top training camp for keepers in the age 10-18 bracket. Anderson said the camp has grown from humble beginnings, with just three participants, to at least 325 today.
"We have a lot of Illinois goalkeepers, but we have goalkeepers come from all over the world," he said. "California, Florida, Texas, Michigan and all points in between -- even Alaska, Tokyo (Japan) -- from all over."
Anderson's late father, Gerald "Chic" Anderson, served as the athletic director at Palatine High School from 1969 to 1988. After retiring, the school christened its football/soccer complex as Chic Anderson Stadium in his honor.
"My background is in Illinois, and I hold the IHSSCA in the highest regard," Anderson said. "For the IHSSCA to share this award with me, it's quite humbling, to be honest. It just means you hopefully helped some people along the way."
Joining Naperville North teammate and Player of the Year Welch among the All-State selections was senior defender Colin Iverson, who tallied 18 goals and 8 assists this season for the Class 3A state champs.
"It's such a great honor," said Iverson, who will take his talents to Bowling Green University. "It's amazing to be here with family, friends and coaches. I couldn't ask for more. For me, it was nice to have so many good players at practice. The competitiveness kept the team together, and we were better for it."
Added Huskies skipper Konrad: "Colin is one of those special kids -- incredible character. He was a world-class leader for us, and he embraced the pressure."
Junior forward Ty Konrad joined his senior teammates on the all-state squad.
Lake Park senior goalkeeper Christian Lekki, who helped the Lancers (21-5-3; no. 8 in Final 50 poll) to a fourth place finish in the Class 3A state tourney, was among dozens of All-Sectional selections. Lekki recorded 12 shutouts in 2018 (one shy of the school record) and leaves the Lancers with a school-record 21 goose-eggs for his career.
"It feels great to be honored, and this (banquet) is a great experience, too," Lekki said. "We had a great season ... great players who stuck together all the time."
Lake Park head coach Sean Crosby said, "(Lekki) had an MVP run for us. Every game in the postseason, he was tested. Holding (eventual champ) Naperville North scoreless for over 92 minutes in the semifinals, that was the best game he ever played. He was so integral to our playoff run. When he gets called on, he performs. I can't say enough about him."
Coaches Tom Bower, of Latin, and Scott Steib, of Barrington, were recognized for topping 400 wins this fall, and Phil Weaver, of United, surpassed 300.
Joining the 200-win club were: Philip Anders, University (Urbana); Jeff Brooke, Wheaton Academy; Adrian Calleros, Solorio; Neil Curran, Parker; Kevin Fitzgerald, Plainfield Central; Allan Hansen, Dunlap; Alan High, Herscher; Cory Hynek, Peoria Christian; Chris Mera, Boylan; Marty Price, Blue Ridge; Andrew Ricks, Lane; Dan States, Maine South; Paul Vignocchi, Glenbrook North; and Eric Willson, St. Charles North.
Those eclipsing the 100-win standard were: Jonathon Birdsong, Althoff; Bob Kellam, St. Rita; Dennis Kennel, Roanoke-Benson; MIke Lawson, East Alton-Wood River; Tim McCarthy, St. Rita; Evan Philpott, Jacksonville; Cliff Pontillo, Zion-Benton; Vedad Sarancic, Von Steuben; and Steve Szymanski, Oswego East.
at coaches' 48th annual honors banquet
By Ken Keenan
ELMHURST -- Coaches, contributors and a cornucopia of players shared the spotlight and celebrated an abundance of accomplishments during the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association's (IHSSCA) 48th annual Boys Soccer Honors Banquet on Nov. 15 at Diplomat West Banquet Hall.
The event included presentation of the IHSSCA Hall of Fame Award, awards for Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Assistant Coach of the Year and Soccer Person of the Year, and the Myro Rys Sportsmanship Award. Scores of All-State and All-Sectional players (including Honorable Mention selections) also were honored, and a host of coaching-win milestones were recognized as well.
Goalkeeper extraordinaire Tommy Welch, who backstopped Naperville North to a perfect 26-0-0 mark and its third IHSA Class 3A title in a row, was named Player of the Year. The towering 6-foot-7 senior posted his final and school-record 22nd shutout of 2018 in a 1-0 win over Libertyville in the championship tilt Nov. 2.
Welch's 2018 shutout total leaves him tied for the second best season in Illinois history.
The Loyola University-bound basketball player departs the Huskies (ranked no. 1 in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50) as the all-time school leader in career shutouts with 47. That total ranks as the ninth best career slate in state history.
"The zeroes on the board come from the defense, not me," Welch said. "Credit to the 'D' and the midfielders, just the way we played soccer. The things we accomplished -- incredible. But I'm just the goalie. The field players ... they do all the work, and I get the reward.
"The (Player of the Year) award? Just to see my dad smile, I'm happy to make him proud. And my teammates and coaches, they helped me get to this point, so it's an award for them, too. But you can get all the trophies in the world -- it's the memories that last."
Added Naperville North head coach Jim Konrad: "It's well-deserved. He's one of the best goalkeepers in state history, and certainly one of the major keys to our three state championships -- just an all-around incredible kid."
Coach of the Year honors went to Crystal Lake South chief Brian Allen, who guided the Gators (22-2-3) to their first state crown with a Class AA win in PKs over Notre Dame (Peoria). After the overtimes ended in a 3-3 tie, Crystal Lake Storm dominated PKs 4-1.
"I'm super humbled," said Allen, whose team finished third in the Final 50 poll. "There's such a rich history with the IHSSCA. When I started 12 years ago, not a chance did I think I'd be here today. It's surreal. I look up to a lot of these coaches. I remember them as a player at Rolling Meadows. Now, I look at them as mentors. It's such an honor to be part of that.
Allen continued: "I've been fortunate this year ... very fortunate to coach a great group of kids, on and off the field -- even better off the field. The honor is a result of them. And watching the joy on their faces as state champs ... the joy of celebrating with each other. For me, that brings me as much joy as an accolade like this. It's so fulfilling as a coach, I can't put it into words."
Randy Blackman, who retired in 2017 after leading the Urbana High School boys program for 32 years, was the Hall of Fame inductee. After starting the program at Urbana in 1986, Blackman proceeded to compile a career record of 427-186-65. He ranks fifth on the all-time state win list.
His stellar slate includes 13 regional titles, 11 conference crowns, three sectional and three supersectional championships, and appearances in the state finals in 1991 and 2005, plus a runnerup Class AA finish in 2012. Blackman also started the girls program and led the Tigers to a 167-109-21 mark in 15 years as skipper.
"I'm honored and humbled by this induction," Blackman said. "I never thought of myself in that group. To me, it's hard to believe. There are all these incredible coaches in this Hall of Fame. It's just humbling to me.
He continued: "But it's always been about the kids. Some of the finest people I've met are some of the players I've coached. Through the years, it's so exciting to see many of some of them move on and become productive citizens. It makes you feel good. It's nice to be a part of it and help them get to be where they want to be."
Blackman also reflected on the growth of high school soccer throughout the state that has taken place during his tenure -- with a special shout-out to his own turf.
"I'm very proud of soccer in East Central Illinois," he said. "It's nice to see in our region, to see the performance at a high level. It's better now than 10 years ago, let alone 20 or 30 years ago. When I think of 1991 and the quality of the teams, the level is nowhere near where it is today. Soccer has grown and expanded -- better athletes, better coaching, more dynamic and more creative players. It's amazing to me, the quality, and that's across the state."
Metea Valley's Craig Tomczak was named Assistant Coach of the Year. Working alongside head coach Josh Robinson, Tomczak helped the Mustangs finish at 13-6-2 overall after falling to Oswego in the Class 3A Plainfield Regional final.
"First of all, it's an honor ... didn't expect it," said Tomczak, whose squad placed 29th in the Final 50 poll. "But you don't get into coaching for personal reasons. It's more about the players, and it's great to share this experience with them. But it is a huge honor. Just to be associated with all these other coaches, it's an outstanding feeling."
Lake Forest received the Myro Rys Sportsmanship Award in recognition of its North Shore Shootout, an annual eight-team tournament held during the first week of the soccer season.
"It's a well-run tourney," Parry said. "We have four fields ... so it's all hands on deck -- grounds crew, training staff. And we get a lot of support from the school and other teams as well. We actually have a waiting list of schools that want to come in.
Parry continued: "It's always competitive. There are no easy teams, no favoritism, and we haven't had a repeat winner. The coaches and players are respectful of each other, and respectful of the rules of the game. Sportsmanship, to me, that's the great thing about the high school game. So it's an honor to see our staff and players recognized by the IHSSCA. It means a lot."
Stan Anderson, the goalkeeper coach at FC United and a former college coach at Loyola University, at University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and Madison campuses, as well as a stint with the Chicago Fire Academy, nabbed Soccer Person of the Year honors. Anderson was recognized for his work with Camp Shutout, a goalkeeper training camp he founded in Stevens Point, Wis., in 1989.
Camp Shutout is regarded as a top training camp for keepers in the age 10-18 bracket. Anderson said the camp has grown from humble beginnings, with just three participants, to at least 325 today.
"We have a lot of Illinois goalkeepers, but we have goalkeepers come from all over the world," he said. "California, Florida, Texas, Michigan and all points in between -- even Alaska, Tokyo (Japan) -- from all over."
Anderson's late father, Gerald "Chic" Anderson, served as the athletic director at Palatine High School from 1969 to 1988. After retiring, the school christened its football/soccer complex as Chic Anderson Stadium in his honor.
"My background is in Illinois, and I hold the IHSSCA in the highest regard," Anderson said. "For the IHSSCA to share this award with me, it's quite humbling, to be honest. It just means you hopefully helped some people along the way."
Joining Naperville North teammate and Player of the Year Welch among the All-State selections was senior defender Colin Iverson, who tallied 18 goals and 8 assists this season for the Class 3A state champs.
"It's such a great honor," said Iverson, who will take his talents to Bowling Green University. "It's amazing to be here with family, friends and coaches. I couldn't ask for more. For me, it was nice to have so many good players at practice. The competitiveness kept the team together, and we were better for it."
Added Huskies skipper Konrad: "Colin is one of those special kids -- incredible character. He was a world-class leader for us, and he embraced the pressure."
Junior forward Ty Konrad joined his senior teammates on the all-state squad.
Lake Park senior goalkeeper Christian Lekki, who helped the Lancers (21-5-3; no. 8 in Final 50 poll) to a fourth place finish in the Class 3A state tourney, was among dozens of All-Sectional selections. Lekki recorded 12 shutouts in 2018 (one shy of the school record) and leaves the Lancers with a school-record 21 goose-eggs for his career.
"It feels great to be honored, and this (banquet) is a great experience, too," Lekki said. "We had a great season ... great players who stuck together all the time."
Lake Park head coach Sean Crosby said, "(Lekki) had an MVP run for us. Every game in the postseason, he was tested. Holding (eventual champ) Naperville North scoreless for over 92 minutes in the semifinals, that was the best game he ever played. He was so integral to our playoff run. When he gets called on, he performs. I can't say enough about him."
Coaches Tom Bower, of Latin, and Scott Steib, of Barrington, were recognized for topping 400 wins this fall, and Phil Weaver, of United, surpassed 300.
Joining the 200-win club were: Philip Anders, University (Urbana); Jeff Brooke, Wheaton Academy; Adrian Calleros, Solorio; Neil Curran, Parker; Kevin Fitzgerald, Plainfield Central; Allan Hansen, Dunlap; Alan High, Herscher; Cory Hynek, Peoria Christian; Chris Mera, Boylan; Marty Price, Blue Ridge; Andrew Ricks, Lane; Dan States, Maine South; Paul Vignocchi, Glenbrook North; and Eric Willson, St. Charles North.
Those eclipsing the 100-win standard were: Jonathon Birdsong, Althoff; Bob Kellam, St. Rita; Dennis Kennel, Roanoke-Benson; MIke Lawson, East Alton-Wood River; Tim McCarthy, St. Rita; Evan Philpott, Jacksonville; Cliff Pontillo, Zion-Benton; Vedad Sarancic, Von Steuben; and Steve Szymanski, Oswego East.