MAB MONTHLY August 2012 FREE 2012 Region FootballDuneland Preview Region Football Greater Southshore Fun Facts About Great Lakes State Champions Michigan City Northwestern Football in History Northwest Crossroads Independents Plus: Ron Santo’s Induction Weekend NBA #1 Draft Picks National Awards for Local Dance RailCats Photo Gallery A Conversation with Roger Brock And more! www.midamericabroadcasting.com MAB MONTHLY Page 3 MAB ONLINE MAGAZINE MAB Staff Wow! Another football season is upon us. After a long Hank Kilander Webmaster off season it’s finally time again for the Friday night lights, the Broadcaster/ Host smell of the concession stand, and the cheering for the crowds Staff Writer in the region. Last year had it’s breakout teams, the future is Rich Sapper now types of players, and a long with it a few disappointments. Staff Writer Football season is always a great time regardless in the re- Broadcaster/ Host Sales gion. Layout & Design With that we bring you our second Region Football Pre- Bob Potosky view. This issue has the conference previews as we had last Broadcaster/ Host year, but add features on Michigan City Football, a history of Staff Writer football champions in the area, and a look at the head coaches Andy Wielgus around the region. Broadcaster/Host Staff Writer This year though, we have a double issue of sorts. Not only does this issue contain the football content that you ex- JT Hoyo Broadcaster/Host pect, but also stories on basketball, baseball, dance, and the Staff Writer Olympics among others. In addition, we have made MAB Sales Monthly history with contributions from 7 different authors Brandon Vickery and photographers including first time contributions for Trisha Broadcaster Madura, Tom Kulavik, and Matt Wielgus. Staff Writer As always, we would like to thank our sponsors for their Trisha Madura support and appreciate you letting them know that you saw Staff Writer Sales them here! Broadcaster Contact Information Phone: 219-973-7990 Website: www.midamericabroadcasting.com Also find us on Facebook and Twitter MAB MONTHLY Page 4 Inside this issue: Vision Point Athletes of the Month 6 Fun Facts About Michigan City Football 8 Duneland Conference Preview 16 Gary/Hammond/East Chicago Preview 25 Greater Southshore Conference Preview plus Boone Grove 30 Northwest Crossroads Conference Preview 36 Region Head Coaches 44 Northwest Indiana Football Champions 46 Chicago Takes Lead in #1 NBA Draft Picks 48 Moore Exposure Spotlight Athlete: Colton Hill 52 Valparaiso Dance Studio Wins National Titles 54 Reflections on a Cub in the Hall: Ron Santo’s Induction 60 A Conversation with Roger Brock, Hammondsports.com 64 RailCats Photo Gallery 68 Hoosier Olympians 70 Did you Know? 70 August Broadcast Schedule 71 MAB Golf Guide 72 P. 8 Previews Begin P. 16 P. 48 MAB MONTHLY Page 5 To order the 2012-2013 Boys or Girls Magazine Visit Indiana Basketball Magazine online at www.indianabasketballmagazine.com MAB MONTHLY Page 6 VISION POINT ATHLETES OF THE MONTH Written and Compiled by Andy Wielgus MAB Staff Writer Jared Jones Lauren Cheney Ball State Team USA Congrats to and Lauren Cheney best of luck to Michigan City and of Ben Davis High School and Ball State grad Jarrod Jones in the UCLA has been performing well as NBA Summer League playing for a member of the US women’s soc- the Sacramento Kings . cer team and has been instrumental in women’s Olympic wins. David Yancey Kevin Paterson Lake Central Calumet College The Lake Central The head men’s and women’s QB has committed to play running track and cross country coach was able back for the Purdue Boilermakers. to put together his first recruiting class as the coach of the Crimson Wave. The The incoming Senior rushed for class includes several top tier athletes nearly 1,300 yards last season. from through out the area, despite Pater- son getting a late recruiting start by tak- ing the job in late May. CLEARLY DIFFERENT MAB MONTHLY Page 8 Fun Facts About Michigan City Football By Tom Kulavik Home stadium is beautiful Ames Field, programs original architects was Andy Gill, underwent a total and complete $6 million dol- member of the Indiana Football Hall of lar reconstruction project when Elston and Fame. Football Field at now Elston Middle Rogers High Schools consolidated in 1995. School is named after coach Gill, coach Gill Ames Field even has an elevator going up to had his ashes spread on football field in the press box 1947. Michigan City Area Schools installed syn- Elston's Gill field was the preseason train- thetic field turf at Ames Field in 2009 at a ing camp home of the NFL's Chicago Cardi- price tag of $720,000 nals in 1936 High School Football is deep rooted in tra- Most notable Michigan City football dition at Michigan City alumni with connections to NFL include: Former Chicago Bears head coach Abe Gi- Michigan City High School football pro- bron, Gibron was hired to coach the Bears by grams were established in the leather helmet NFL founder George Halas. Gibron was a 4 era circa 1906 at the former Michigan City time Pro Bowl selection during his 11 year Elston Red Devils High School, one of the playing career with the New York Giants, MAB MONTHLY Page 9 Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Philadel- phia Eagles and Chicago Bears, Abe Gibron is a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame Super Bowl V Champion Baltimore Colts Running Back Tom Nowatzke who scored game tying touchdown for Colts in Super Bowl over coach Tom Landry, Roger Staubach, Mike Ditka, Dan Reeves and the rest of the Dallas Cowboys in 1971. No- watzke's Colts teammates included iconic Tony Cline Dick Tomey quarterback Johnny Unitas, Pro Football Hall of Fame Tight End John Mackey and football coached by John Madden while playing for great/TV movie actor Bubba Smith (AKA Raiders Moses Hightower from"Police Acad- emy"movies) and was coached by Don Elston grad Donnie Thomas played in the McCafferdy, Tom Nowatzke is a member of NFL for the New England Patriots, Chicago the Indiana Football and Polish-American Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, Sports Hall of Fame St. Louis Cardinals, Denver Broncos and New York Giants in the 1970's Michigan City Elston Red Devil Graduate and Indiana Football Hall of Fame defensive College coaching great and former San end Tony Cline played in the NFL for the Francisco 49ers assistant Dick Tomey is an Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers in Elston grad. Coach Tomey previously served the 1970s was NFL all-pro as a rookie, as the head football coach at the University of Hawaii, the University of Arizona and San 5 Reasons to Advertise with MAB 1. Support exposure for student athletes. 2. Low advertising rates. 3. Special packages available. 4. Your ad will run live and on our archive. 5. Option of game, web and online mag. 6. Contact Rich Sapper at 219-973-7990 or [email protected] MAB MONTHLY Page 10 Jose State University and is currently serving Miami Dolphins and son John Parry is current as special teams coach at the University of NFL head referee and officiated as the side Hawaii at Manoa judge in Super Bowl XLI Indianapolis Colts 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears and served Michigan City Elston Offensive Tackle as the crew chief in Super Bowl XLVI New Oscar Lubke was drafted to play for the New York Giants 21-17 win over the New England York Jets in 1968 out of Ball State Patriots both called Michigan City home. Dave Parry was instrumental in implementing the In more recent times, Michigan City NCAA’s current instant replay system. Wolves football graduate Steve Farmer played Tight End in the NFL for the Minne- University of Notre Dame football coach- sota Vikings organization as a 2003 un- ing legend Joe Yonto was once High School drafted free agent out Middle Tennessee football coach in Michigan City at St. Mary's State. Still remains good friends with former Catholic High School now known as Mar- teammate Randy Moss quette Catholic High School. Went on to Michigan City Wolves High School coach on three national graduate Ashley Edinger was the 2001 NFL championship teams as Gatorade Pass Punt and kick Notre Dame as defen- national champion and re- sive coordinator under ceived national TV attention Ara Parseghian, former for Michigan City during Green Bay Packers halftime of the 2001 Balti- Yonto head coach Dan De- more Ravens - Oakland vine, Gerry Faust and Raiders AFC championship Lou Holtz. Coach Yonto married into family game, became a volley- Edinger from Michigan City ball standout at Purdue University. Now serves as the Michigan City Michigan City Wolves defensive coordina- Wolves head Volleyball coach. tor Jeff Karras' family has an extensive NFL background, uncle Lou Karras played in the National championship winning Pop War- NFL for the Washington Redskins in the early ner teams were filmed by ESPN and NFL 50s, father Ted Karras Sr. played nine years at Films at the Pop Warner Super Bowl past three seasons The late Dave Parry, former Michigan City Rogers Raiders Athletic Director, long- time NFL official, former Big Ten Confer- ence supervisor of officials and NCAA na- tional coordinator of officials, officiated as the side judge in Super Bowl XVII which the Washington Redskins won 27-17 over the MAB MONTHLY Page 11 Tackle for the Chicago Bears and was a University Athletics Hall of Fame member of Bears 1963 NFL championship "Monsters of the Midway" team, other uncle Former Michigan City Rogers Raiders and Alex Karras was an All-pro lineman for the ex-University of Nebraska Cornhuskers quar- Detroit Lions in the '60s and later became a terback Matt Jones currently ranks #10 All- famous TV and movie actor, Brother Ted time in Indiana high school career passing Karras Jr.