Sports
OPRF athletic director leaving in 2021
After 13 years serving as Oak Park and River Forest High School's athletic director, John Stelzer is retiring. He will be leaving the school in 2021.
IHSA to have four short sports seasons in 2020-21
For months, the IHSA has attempted to get high school athletes back out on the field. After retreating from its initial Phase 4 Return to Play guidelines, the association has decided to attempt a...
Fenwick basketball star transfers to Arizona high school
After proving he was one of the top guards in Illinois last season, former Friar basketball player Trey Pettigrew has decided to transfer to Hillcrest Prep in Arizona for his final two years of high...
OPRF soccer player raises $540 for BLM causes
When OPRF soccer player Quincy Martin saw the same Black Lives Matters posts circulating around social media, he wanted to shake things up to enhance the cause. After days of brainstorming, he landed...
More sports
Why we have suspended our weekly sports coverage
Since the start of the fall semester, we made the tough decision to suspend our weekly high school sports coverage.
Basketball? Local schools, IHSA, Gov. Pritzker at odds
The Illinois High School Association and Gov. J.B. Pritzker have different ideas about the fate of prep sports this winter.
No Chicago Marathon? No problem

The Oak Park Runners Club decided to do an unofficial alternate marathon right here in beautiful Oak Park.
Former Friars reflect on passing of Fenwick legend Richard Borsch

These are among the many jobs Richard Borsch did well during his long and distinguished career at Fenwick High School. If ever there was to be a Friars' legends version of Mount Rushmore, Mr. Borsch...
Coaches, players react to shortened seasons

Even with a tentative schedule in place (Aug. 10-Oct. 24 for fall sports), there is still a lot left up in the air for fall sports.
After 26 years, Fenwick girls water polo coach retires

After 26 years as Fenwick's girls water polo coach, Jack Wagner leaves behind a legacy that includes nine state championships and over 600 wins.
IHSA revises Phase 4 guidelines

After getting approval from the Illinois Department of Health to move forward with its Phase 4 Return to Play guidelines, the IHSA sent an updated version of the guidelines to high schools after...
IHSA gets OK to move to Stage 2

Illinois high school sports are (kind of) back. After working with the Illinois Department of Health, the IHSA announced on July 3 that it's been approved to move to Stage 2, paving the way for...
Brad Spencer
OPRF baseball to take ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

OPRF baseball coach Chris Ledbetter will have his entire baseball program taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge this Sunday, Aug. 24th at 4 p.m. on the varsity baseball field at OPRF. He's also asking...
You can go home again

We all can. You can. I can. LeBron James can. We all can go home again. A lot has been made about the man's decision to return to Cleveland, the place he left for the glitz and glamour of Miami and...
Here's to rediscovering the Cubs

All I hear these days is that it's hard to be a Cubs fan. The reality is that it's never been easy, and no one said it would be. But, right now, there's no question it's downright excruciating.
The ultimate memorial
Down in Central Illinois a heartwarming, inspirational and infectious phenomena is taking place in honor of a young man who died tragically.
Youth sports
Eagles 12U team dominates Downers Grove tourney

The 12U Oak Park Eagles A team went 4-0 to win the Downers Grove Longshots Memorial Day Weekend Invitational, May 27-28. This Eagles squad won the 11U tournament last year.
OPRF boasts National PE Teacher of the Year

Linda Carlson, 45, has taught physical education at Oak Park and River Forest High School for more than two decades.
Legacy Flag Football League enjoys another banner season

It's fourth down and goal to go with a just a few precious seconds remaining on the clock. The quarterback approaches the line of scrimmage and astutely looks over the secondary's coverage. Down,...
Chicago Edge Soccer in midst of another stellar season

The Chicago Edge Soccer Club is kicking into high gear this spring and summer with a variety of opportunities for soccer players of all levels.
Sports columnists
The need for activism in the sports world
There has to be some form of accountability for those who make the decisions on new coaching and administration hires in the realm of high school sports. Statements around diversity and inclusion are...
Winning from the back of the pack

For the past few years I've been leading weekly speed workouts on the Concordia University Chicago track for the Oak Park Runners Club. A few club members are even calling me "coach."
Tips for new running routine
It's easy to get sucked into discussions of snug waistbands, regrets over holiday treats and new resolutions to lose weight and (re)gain fitness around this time of year. Peppy ads for gyms, fitness...
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Sports Blog
Skate fest raises more than $15,000

Skate Fest 2019, hosted at Ridgeland Commons Recreational Center, raised over $15,000 on Sept. 21 for two organizations that help aid the families of pediatric cancer survivors.
Latest Comments
Jr. People can send the money to Live Cafe. They were...
By Bill Maxwell
Posted: January 27th, 2021 10:17 AM
This information is from Patch for Oak Park and River...
By Bill Maxwell
Posted: January 27th, 2021 9:40 AM
Just don't send the money to the Suburban Unity...
By William Dwyer Jr.
Posted: January 27th, 2021 9:33 AM
Jr. If he is crying he can stop it because all of his...
By Bill Maxwell
Posted: January 27th, 2021 9:26 AM
Jeffrey Smith you can be the one to make the change....
By Bill Maxwell
Posted: January 27th, 2021 9:24 AM
I believed from the beginning that Anan had a flawed...
By Jeffrey Smith
Posted: January 27th, 2021 9:05 AM
The WJ is simply wrong here regarding Abu-Taleb's...
By William Dwyer Jr.
Posted: January 27th, 2021 8:03 AM
So, now, due process by elected officials is...
By William Dwyer Jr.
Posted: January 27th, 2021 7:54 AM
It's undisputed that, faced with the question by...
By William Dwyer Jr.
Posted: January 27th, 2021 7:49 AM