Aidan Price Enters into NFF Hampshire Honor Society: Forester Athletics

Senior Aidan Price was elected to the NFF Hampshire Honor Society-- Congratulations Aidan

Aidan Price Enters into NFF Hampshire Honor Society: Forester Athletics

LFC SUMMER VIDEO #1

Division III Week at Lake Forest College

April Recap

The month of April was a busy one for the Foresters. As can be hectic in every college student’s life, it is no different for the student –athlete, only add a varsity athletic commitment to finals, end of the year projects, etc.

The Foresters had their annual spring practices this April. The team came into the spring with a lot of work to do. In addition to several new coaches, there was chemistry development between the new coaches and their players. A new offensive coordinator, lead to a quick learning curve for the players who had been entrenched in the same offensive playbook for the last four years.

“Spring ball was a huge advantage for us this year. I remember my first off season at LFC, and we didn’t have spring ball. It put a lot of pressure on our August camp. Not only was it the first time that the players were coached by me, but it was their introduction to our defense. The initial teaching that took place was overwhelming in that small amount of time. With the time that our players had with Coach Arthur this spring, it will be more of a review this upcoming August, rather than an introduction,” said head coach Jim Catanzaro.

The Foresters also found themselves needing to replace several prime components of their offensive attack from the last two seasons. Conference Player of the Year, Al Mitchell, 1^st team all-Conference Wide Receiver Austin Sobey, and record setting quarterback Pete Scaffidi have all graduated. There was no shortage of players trying to replace them in the spring competitions.

Mike Lewis hands the ball of to Joey Valdivia
 against Illinois College in 2012. 

“Mike Lewis really entrenched himself as the starting quarterback. He will still have to win the August competition, but he really stepped up and established himself as “the guy” coming back in August. At the running back spot, we return Senior Alec Howe and Sophomore Joey Valdivia. These two guys are outstanding and their running styles are extremely complimentary to each other. The other thing that really excites me is the incoming running backs in our recruiting class have run for over 10,000 yards in their combined prep careers. As for the receiver position, we really saw a lot of hard work out there. Vidas, Rantis, and Burns really stood out from the freshman class. Mike Peters did a great job showing the younger players how to go through the spring ball practices. I am excited that with a summer of training, they will continue to polish things up for the 2013 season,” said Catanzaro.

The team after the Benny Watters Mini-Golf Tournament
 yelling "Fly Benny Fly"

The Foresters finished Spring Workouts with the 2^nd Annual Benny Cup in honor of Benny Watters, the Foresters Adopted Teammate through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. The Lumberjacks leadership board team won this year’s competition. Their prize, in addition to the annual trophy, was breakfast at Egg Harbor Café compliments of the Watters family.

“I love this event. Our guys did a great job honoring Benny today. It was great weather, which makes us know that the Benny was watching over us,” said Catanzaro.

The Lumberjacks,  with Brendan Watters and a
cut-out of Benny Watters , and the championship trophy. 

The Forester kick off the 2013 season on September 7^th against Concordia University- Chicago. This game will also serve as the Benny Watters Memorial Game. 

LFC Football and the FIGHT AGAINST CANCER

Watch the video that inspires our relay for life efforts!!

If you would like to help LFC Football in the fight against cancer, please visit our web page to make a donation: LFC Football Relay for Life Donation Page

HEAT OF FUSION

During the week of March 25-29th the Forester Football program jumped back into the annual tradition of Heat of Fusion. The different leadership board teams competed against each other in several competitions. A 5 on 5 basketball tournament, a 6 on 6 volleyball, a Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament, NCAA Football Playstation, Dodgeball, and a Team Trivia Contest.


The Final Standings were:
1. Gold Coasters- 310pts
2. Lumberjacks- 300pts (2nd place due to more championships)
3. Sir Bartemus- 300pts
4. Lakers- 210pts
5. Jaybirds- 200pts
6. Boomers- 190pts
7. Red Devils- 170pts.

The winners of each event were:
5 on 5 Basketball: Sir Bartemus
Trivia- Lakers
Texas Hold 'em- Gold Coasters
NCAA '13- Gold Coasters
Volleyball- Lumberjacks
Dodgeball- Lumberjacks

New Coaches Begin Tenure at LFC

The months of December, January, and February are busy in the football world. Recruiting is in full swing, the beginning of off-season training, and the coaching carousel is in full effect. Coming off a Midwest Conference Championship, the Foresters saw a few of their coaches move to new opportunities.

The Foresters were fortunate to be able to find some high quality replacements from across the country. The new additions to the coaching staff already have Coach Catanzaro excited.

"With new coaches, come new ideas. There has definitely been a re-energizing force with new coaches joining our staff. Our previous coaches were outstanding at Lake Forest, and a lot of our success is due to their tireless efforts. Coaches Kerr, Soenksen, and Parker brought a lot to the table. Our new coaches have big shoes to fill, but I am thrilled by their efforts thus far. I know that they are destined to help us raise the bar  even higher as we move forward," said Catanzaro.

Joining the staff as the Offensive Coordinator is former Virginia State University (NCAA DII) Offensive Line Coach, Mike Arthur. Coach Arthur played at Glenville State College while Coach Catanzaro was an assistant coach.

"I have known Mike for over a decade. As a player, Mike was a tireless worker, who scrapped and fought his way into the starting lineup for multiple seasons. Mike is the same way as a coach. He grinds, and will not leave effort for the next day. In addition to his football knowledge, Mike brings a strong background in strength and conditioning, with a graduate degree in Excercise Science from California University (PA) , as well as a

In addition to Coach Arthur, the Foresters welcome back on of their own to the coaching staff as alumnus Luke Butts ('12) returns to the Forest after a stint as a linebackers coach at Lindsey Wilson College (NAIA) in Kentucky. Butts, a three-time all-conference safety, and the only Forester in school history to appear in the top 7 in Tackles (4th) and Interceptions (7th) for his career was a four-year starter for the Red and Black.

"I am excited for Luke to return to Halas Hall. He was one of the most studious players we have had during my tenure. In addition to being an all-conference player on the field, he was a three time Academic All-Conference selection as well. Luke's drive as a player are consistent with how he is approaching his coaching career. A lot of the success that we had this season was because of the foundation that was laid by Luke and his classmates over the last two years. Luke is going to be a great example to our players of what they can experience at Lake Forest outside of athletics. His involvement on campus during his student days is a great example for those that are now following in his footsteps," commented Catanzaro.

The Foresters open up the 2013 season at Farwell field on September 7th against Concordia University (IL).