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St. Mary football learns from Bears
By Andrew Dreischarf
The Independent
The St. Mary School Fightin’ Irish youth football teams learned some extra knowledge from Chicago Bears coaches and players on the soccer field at Marian Central Catholic High School May 28.
Young players and even some coaches stared wide-eyed, smiling and listening to Bears defensive coordinator Bob Babich as he preached the importance of having a strong defense. Babich would know, as his defense helped lead the Bears to Super Bowl XLI in 2007. Babich and linebackers coach Lloyd Lee, along with newly aquired rookies Zackary Bowman, Craig Steltz and Ervin Baldwin, helped teach proper defensive techniques to Fightin’ Irish players at the teams’ minicamp in order to help prepare for the upcoming season, which begins in August.
"I love little kids," said Babich. "They have a lot of energy and want to learn. This is my fourth year coming here and I love it. Spring has been good and 2008 is going to be great for all."
The partnership began in 2005 thanks to Andy Hartleib, who played linebacker for Bears head coach Lovie Smith and Babich at the University of Wisconsin. They stayed in contact, and football is one big fraternity, which allowed Hartleib to forge a partnership with the Bears. Hartleib is coach of the St. Mary middleweight team with Wayne Manning. Hartleib’s son plays for the Fightin’ Irish. Manning also serves as vice president of the Fighting Irish.
The players all enjoyed learning and participating in various drills with the Bears. This is the fourth season the Bears and St. Mary have worked together.
"The minicamp teaches not only the players proper technique and fundamentals, but also the coaching staff as well," said Manning. "We’ve all taken something away from these sessions."
All of this leads up to the 80th season for Fightin’ Irish football. Started in 1926, the team has a lot of tradition and continues to be great a building block for local high school teams.
Many former Fightin’ Irish players have gone on to be standout football players at the high school level and beyond.
"Both WHS coaches and Marian coaches have commented in the past that they know when a player comes to their program that was at St. Mary’s previously, given the discipline and knowledge of football fundamentals that he exhibits," said Clancy Green, Fightin’ Irish President.
All three of the St. Mary teams made the Super Bowl round in 2007. "We’re excited to start," said Manning.
Registration for the 2008 St. Mary Fightin’ Irish football season is still open until the first day of practice, Monday, July 21. "All District 200 children are welcome to play for the Irish," said Manning. For information, call 815-33IRISH or e-mail Irishfootball@stans.net.
This article was published in the June 4, 2008 edition of The Woodstock Independent.