Sycamore High School football coach Joe Ryan gives a mid-season update to Rotary during this week’s meeting. The Spartans are 5 and 0 overall and 2 and 0 in conference play. This includes what coach Ryan called “signature" game wins over neighboring rival DeKalb and Homecoming challenger Rochelle.
Sycamore football team seniors (L. to R.) Diego Garcia, Tyler "TC" Curtis, and Gable Carrick share their thoughts on the 2023 season and recount some special plays. All three expressed the value of learning from a team sport beyond just the score and wanting to make contributions in life beyond football.
The Sycamore Spartan football team is 5-0 so far this season and first in their conference at 2-0 clearly making coach Joe Ryan pleased with their performance. The coach, who is in his 20th year at Sycamore, says he is also pleased with the support of fans noting their recent Homecoming win over Rochelle boasted one of their biggest ever crowds. Ryan was joined by Seniors Gable Carrick, Tyler Curtis, and Diego Garcia during this week’s Rotary meeting to go over what’s happened so far this season and to look at what’s coming up. Their next opponent is Kaneland this coming weekend. Coach Ryan says they will have to shift gears because Kaneland is known for their passing whereas Rochelle was a running team.
Coach Ryan was asked about the success Sycamore has in integrating elementary and middle school programs with the high school playbook. He said this is the third year for non-tackle football through the sixth grade with middle school beginning a building block for high school by following their same strategies. Coach Ryan said he is comfortable with this approach. He also said much of the high school success comes from a strong training and conditioning program during the off-season to produce the best techniques in players.
Saying the season goes fast, Coach Ryan noted their one need is for officials to help referee games. A lack of officials forced scheduling a Saturday afternoon game for the weekend following the Kaneland game. Regardless of Friday night or Saturday, Coach Ryan said his hope is for rewarding games for both players and fans.
Did you miss Jeff Petersen telling of his "mission" with fellow Rotarian Brendan Wilson's to successfully deliver Meals on Wheels? Or just want to relive the experience?
September 25, 1764 – Fletcher Christian, the English sailor who led the mutiny on the HMS Bounty, is born in Eaglesfield, Cumberland, England. Christian was a master’s mate aboard the Tahitian-bound vessel under command of the infamous William Bligh.
September 26, 1774 – American folk legend Johnny Appleseed is born (as John Chapman) in Leominster, Massachusetts. For 40 years he travels through Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois planting orchards.
September 29, 1901 – Nuclear physicist Enrico Fermi is born in Rome. He created the world’s first nuclear reactor and is called “the father of the nuclear age.”
September 30, 1924 – Writer Truman Capote (known for “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “In Cold Blood”) is born in New Orleans.
September 24, 1957 – President Dwight Eisenhower ordered the National Guard to enforce racial integration of schools in Little Rock, Arkansas.
September 26, 1960 – For the first time in U.S. history, a debate between major party presidential candidates is shown on television. Democrat John F. Kennedy and Republican Richard M. Nixon square off at the studios of WBBM-TV in Chicago. Kennedy’s favorable appearance and demeanor on camera are credited with helping boost his campaign and ultimate election victory.
September 27, 1825 – George Stephenson’s “Locomotion No. 1” becomes the first steam locomotive to carry passengers on a public rail line, the Stockton and Darlington Railway in England.
September 30, 1955 – Actor James Dean was killed in a car crash in California at age 24. Although he made just three major movies, he remains one of the film industry’s most influential actors.
Birthdays & Club Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Heidi Wright
April 3
Clifford Golden
April 6
Nicole Linke
April 18
Troy Oates
April 22
Join Date
James Lehan
April 3, 2018
6 years
John Peterson
April 3, 2018
6 years
Jonathan Crail
April 3, 2018
6 years
Larry Sill
April 3, 2018
6 years
Linda Sherman
April 3, 2018
6 years
Nancy Castle
April 3, 2018
6 years
Nicole Linke
April 3, 2018
6 years
Sally Stevens
April 3, 2018
6 years
Steven Johnson
April 3, 2018
6 years
Lawrence Sallberg
April 4, 2018
6 years
Alicia Cosky
April 5, 2023
1 year
Jeffrey Jacobson
April 10, 2000
24 years
Brad Hoey
April 12, 2018
6 years
Christine Kalina
April 12, 2018
6 years
Dorothy Stoddard
April 12, 2018
6 years
Janice Docherty
April 12, 2018
6 years
Jim Walter
April 12, 2018
6 years
Tim Neubert
April 18, 2018
6 years
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2023-2024
President – Brandon Diviak
President Elect – Steve Wilder
Director (President Nominee) – Jonelle Bailey
Director (President Designee) - Becky Springer
Past President – Tim Neubert
Treasurer – Dr. Michele Jurkovic
Secretary – Sally Bruch
Sergeant at Arms – Paulette Renault
Monthly Committees
July: Board of Directors
August: Jeff Keicher, Brandon Diviak, Pat Shafer
September: Dave Hamilton, Jeff Jacobson, Jim Stoddard
October: Paul Callighan, Matt Nelson, Paul Stromborg
November: Sue Emberson, Jeff Frank, Heidi Wright
December: Paul Barnaby, Larry Berke, Riley Oncken
January: Ray Dembinski, Joyce Klein, Rob Mondi, Tim Neubert
Membership: Jonelle Bailey, Ray Dembinski, Bob Hammon, Steve Kuhn, Jeff Petersen, Bob Wildendradt, Jeff Jacobson, Brandon Diviak, Matt Nelson, Riley Oncken
Public Image: Bob Brown, Paul Callighan, Jeff Keicher, Joyce Klein, Tasha Sims
Fellowship: Paulette Renault, Pat Shafer, Sally Bruch, Sue Emberson, Dave Hamilton, Paul Barnaby, Larry Berke
Service: Brandon Diviak, Jeff Frank, Michele Jurkovic, Rob Mondi, Brendan Wilson, Heidi Wright, Alicia Cosky, Tim Neubert
Foundations: Jim Buck, Sue Emberson, Matt Nelson, Jim Stoddard, Paul Stromborg
New Generations: Chip Houdek, Julie Sgarlata, Becky Springer, Steve Wilder
Scholarships: Tim Neubert, Julie Sgarlata, Ray Dembinski, Steve Kuhn, Michele Jurkovic, Don Clayberg
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