FORESTER FOOTBALL

FORESTER FOOTBALL

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

COACH CATANZARO AND FOUR FORESTERS LEAD TEAM STARS AND STRIPES IN PUEBLA, MEXICO

TEAM STARS & STRIPES CLASH WITH CONADEIP ALL-STARS IN TAZÓN DE ESTRELLAS TO BE WEBCAST LIVE FROM MEXICO ON SATURDAY, DEC 20 AT

NCAA Division III College Football Standouts
Will Face Mexican Opponent In Puebla
http://www.tvudlap.mx/


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tuesday, December 16, 2014 - PUEBLA, MEXICO - The sixth annual Tazón de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) will be broadcast live from Puebla at 2pm EDT (1pm local time) on Saturday, December 20 via a webcast. This is the 17th annual post-season game organized in Mexico by Global Football exclusively for Division III players.

Viewers around the world will be able to watch players from 17 NCAA Division III schools who make up the 40-man Team Stars & Stripes roster meet Mexico finest players selected from the CONADEIP Conference at El Tempo Del Dolor (Temple of Doom Stadium) at Universidad De Las Americas Puebla (UDLAP).

The webcast will be available with Spanish language commentary at the website http://www.tvudlap.mx/.

Lake Forest College will be well represented as Head Football Coach Jim Catanzaro will be serving as the defensive coordinator for the Americans. He will be joined by Forester Team Captains Joey Kropp, John Preston, Ramel Samuel, and Bryan Feltman in Mexico.

The Team Stars & Stripes coaching staff and players arrived in Puebla during the weekend and on Monday began two-a-day practices. During a seven-day visit, the squad will have an opportunity to explore the local region and experience a different culture. The visit will also feature a community service project to be coordinated by Tec de Monterrey Puebla on Thursday afternoon, following a team practice at Tec.

Central College defensive coordinator Don DeWaard is the head coach of Team Stars & Stripes having led the Americans to a 32-15 victory in Guadalajara and a 29-7 win in Monterrey in 2013. American Eric Fisher, who won the 2010 CONADEIP championship with UDLAP and led the hosts to a 45-27 win over Team Stars & Stripes in 2011, returns to coach the Mexican all-stars.

The 17 schools represented are Allegheny College, Central College, Coe College, Cornell College, Elmhurst College, Endicott College, Gallaudet College, Grove City College, Hanover College, Knox College, Lake Forest College, Lawrence University, Manchester University, Ohio Northern University, Rockford University, UW Stout and Wartburg College.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Players of the Game- Grinnell 2014

Offensive Player of the Game: Alex Pasiewicz 6 catches 152 yards 1 TD

Defensive Player of the Game: Austin Van Meter 8 Tackles, 2.5 Tackles for a Loss, 4 QB Pressures

Lineman of the Week: Ramel Samuel 3 Tackles, 5 QB Pressures

Scout Team Player of the Week: Wes Grigaitis

Special Teams Player of the Week: Anthoney Prestley- Block Punt Returned for a TD, 1 Pancake Block, 1 Tackle on Kickoff

LFC vs Grinnell College Highlights 2014

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Players of the Week- Cornell College

Players of the week vs. Cornell College 2014

Lineman of the week/Defensive Player of the Week- Senior DL Ramel Samuel 11 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack


Offensive Player of the Week: Sophomore RB Charlie Quinn 18 carries for 79 yards

Special Teams Player of the Week: Sophomore KR/PR Alex Pasiewicz 30.3 yards per return (kick returns) 9.3 yards per return (punt returns)


Scout Team Player of the Week: Freshman DB Sam Plutchak

LFC vs Cornell College 2014

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Lake Forest to Host Benny Watters Community Day and Playing for a Cure Day on Saturday, October 18: Forester Athletics

Lake Forest to Host Benny Watters Community Day and Playing for a Cure Day on Saturday, October 18: Forester Athletics
Benny with Coach Cat after a Forester Victory in 2009

Lake Forest College Football Captains Chat

LFC Football Players of the Week Announced- Knox Week

Offense: Sophomore RB Charlie Quinn (Scottsdale, AZ- Horizon High School) Quinn returned to the lineup and had 23 Carries for 178 yards and 3 TDs. The 178 yards are good for eighth all-time for a single game in school history.















Defense: Senior DB Joey Kropp (Arlington Heights, IL - Rolling Meadows High School) Kropp recorded six tackles on the day, but his forced fumble on the Prairie Fire's first drive lead to the Foresters taking a two score lead.















Special Teams: Senior DB Joey Kropp (Arlington Heights, IL - Rolling Meadows High School) Kropp recorded 3 kickoff returns for 106 yards, for a 35.3 yards per return average. Kropp put the Forester offense into great field position with each return. Kropp also recorded 2 punt returns for 14 yards.




















Lineman of the Week: Senior OL Bryan Feltman (Chicago, IL- Marist) Feltman graded out at 99% and recorded five pancake blocks on the day while helping pave the way for the Foresters 269 rushing yards.














Scout Team: Sophomore DL Nick Plazewski (Schaumburg, IL- St. Edwards) Nick was exceptional all week and gave the Forester offense a true look at what Knox would do during the week.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

LFC vs BC Week 4



PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:

OFFENSE- GEORGE EDLUND 8 carries 46 yards (5.8 yards per carry)













DEFENSE- BRENDAN POWER 5 TACKLES, 1 BP, 1 INT- Returned for a TD














LINEMAN- DYLAN ERNST- 2 TACKLES, 1 INT- Returned to the 3yd line.









SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK- MAX SORBY- 2 PANCAKES, 1 TACKLE, 1 FORCED TOUCHBACK.












SCOUT TEAM PLAYER OF THE WEEK- SEAN DICKSON
















Friday, September 26, 2014

Players of the Game- Carroll

Offense- Senior Offensive Lineman Phil Rindom.



















Defense- Junior Linebacker Austin Van Meter, 1 INT, 1.5 TFL's, 5 Tackles.

















Special Teams- Sophomore Alex Pasiewicz, 41 KOR Return Yards, Two Pancake Blocks, ran Fake Punt 20 yards.


















Scout Team- Freshman FB Joel Nierling


















Lineman of the Week: Ramel Samuel- 2 Tackles, 1 Fumble Recovery, 2 "ultimate hustle" plays.





Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Gustavus Adolphus Players of the Week

The Forester Coaching Staff announced their players of the week for the Gustavus Adolphus Game:

Offensive Player of the Week- Freshman Wide Receiver, Max Sorby-- 5 Catches for 59 yards.














Defensive Player of the Week- Freshman Cornerback, Mitch Coha-- 10 Solo Tackles.












Special Teams Player of the Week- Junior Cornerback, Chris Rantis-- 1 tackles, and a downed punt on the 2 yard line.















Lineman of the Week: Sophomore Defensive Lineman, Dylan Ernst-- 5 Tackles, 2 Sacks.













Scout Team Player of the Week: Freshman Offensive Lineman, Daniel Solano.


Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Week 1 - Players of the Week

The Forester Football Players of the Week were announced by the coaching staff on Monday.


Offensive Player of the Week:
Junior QB Anthoney Prestly 11 Completions for 181 yards 1TD, also had 1 rushing TD and ran for three first downs in his first start.




















Defensive Player of the Week: Junior DB Chris Rantis- 9 Solo Tackles, 1 Int, 1 Fumble Recovery, 2 Pass Break ups in his first start for the Foresters at Cornerback.









Special Teams Player of the Week: Junior K/P Jonathan Gurchak- 2-2 on Field Goals 37, 45 yards. Averaged 37.2 yards per punt, including pinning two punts inside the five yard line.



Lineman of the Week:
Senior OL Bryan Feltman graded out at 96% for the week.

Scout Team Player of the Week:
Junior DB Nana Yaw Larbi-Tieku

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

LFC Pre-Season 2014 interviews with Kyra Vidas

Winner's Manual Part II- 2014

The Foresters closed out their 2014 training camp with two additional Winner's Manual Speakers. After three impactful speakers to start camp, the final two speakers had high expectations, and they definitely delivered.

Tom Tropp

Tom Tropp is the Vice President of Corporate Ethics for Arthur Gallagher Insurance Company. Tom, who admitted to not being an athlete, but having spent a "great deal of time" studying successful teams, share dad a very poignant talk with the Forester upperclassmen in Meyer Auditorium. Tom offered great advice on the "how to" side of the business world. He also referenced a strong list of five things that he felt every man in the room needed to embrace as part of their self awareness.

1. Be Mildly Paranoid. This serves as a strong reminder that your competition (both on the field and in the business world) is real. They want what you have, and they will try to get it at great cost.

2. Have A Sense Of Urgency. A strong reminder that "now" matters. There is no reason to put things off, and often times, if you put things off your competition will not. If this happens, see #1.

3. Practice self discipline. This is something that football players assume, and need to translate into other areas of their lives.

4. Develop a strong faith. Regardless of your beliefs, work at it, make it strong, and own it.

5. Find a mentor. This topic proved to be the most "talked about" by the players in the room. They inquired about what to look for in a mentor, when to look for a mentor, and how to select/approach someone to serve as their mentor.

Tom shared great stories of his time in the business world, but also anecdotes from professional sports, and left the men in the room thinking critically about a great many things.



Steve Alley

The Foresters final speaker for the 2014 preseason was 2x NCAA National Champion Hockey player, Steve Alley. Alley, a 1976 Olympian, and graduate of the University of Wisconsin, continued his hockey career in the NHL after playing collegiately. Alley, a former broker with Morgan Stanley, currently serves as the President of the Alley Company, a private equity and investment firm. This was Alley's 2nd time in front of the Forester Football team, having spoke to them in 2009. Alley's talk with the team centered around the skills that they could learn as well as bring to the team, that would carry over into the business world.

One chord that struck with several players and coaches was Alley's goal to see individuals as "Every-Dayers." Consistent performers, consistent effort, consistent result achievers, are the most desirable individuals to someone who is hiring, promoting, or coaching. Alley, also shared characteristics of a competitive side that spoke, not only to his time as an athlete, but also observations he made watching his daughters compete. Two of Alley's daughters were on the National championship lacrosse teams at Northwestern University, while his third daughter played at Boston College. Discipline, and a desire to win, were a focus of the final portion of his talk.


Alley speaking to the team.



Thursday, August 21, 2014

#TheHunt 2014

#TheHunt, and annual Lake Forest Football Tradition took place on August 20th throughout Lake County. In an effort to help our non-local football players "find out" what is around our campus, the team takes off after there first double day for a social activity within their leadership board groups.

"We wanted to combine a few things. First, we want to show them restaurants that are not chain food. We have so many in the local area that support our athletic department, and I want to have our guys go there and say thank-you. Additionally, when there parents come to games we want them to know where they can go to eat for good food," said Coach Jim Catanzaro.

The Forester team ended up at the following restaurants throughout the night eating: Taco's El Norte (Vernon Hills), Tom and Eddie's (Highland Park), The Graffiti Grill (Lake Bluff), the Silo (Lake Bluff), Portillo's (Vernon Hills), Real Urban BBQ (Highland Park), among others. Though getting out to eat is a big part of the team bonding, there is also an educational component in the Head Coach's mind.

"We teach them the positive side of social media. How they can use it to "make their brand," we have numerous people associated with the program, that follow #TheHunt throughout the evening. The number of retweets, favorites, and general mentions of the event are powerful. Our players must make smart choices on social media, but this also allows them to see how to highlight positive things, and take advantage of Twitter's expansive reach," closed Coach Catanzaro.

Below are some of the highlighted tweets from the evening:














Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Winner's Manual Speakers Highlight Beginning of Camp for the Foresters

Since 2009, when Jim Catanzaro became the Head Coach of the Forester Football team, "training camp" has involved more than just instruction in blocking and tackling.

"Football is a great game, not just because of the actual sport, but because of the character development that comes from our game. You must become disciplined, responsible, and able to handle adverse situations. Sometimes it takes a stranger to show our players how what they are doing now, can prepare them for the greater challenges in life," commented Catanzaro. "In 2008, I read the book Winner's Manual by Jim Tressel. I reached out to Coach Tressel and he outlined what the Winner's Manual at Ohio State looked like, including sending me a copy. I took some of what Coach Tressel was doing and adopted it to our Forester Football team. We obviously don't have the resources that the Buckeyes have, but we have done quite well with what we have."

Since 2009, the Foresters have heard from CEO's, Professors, Business innovators, Alumni, Olympians, and several Military officers. In the first five days of camp, the Foresters have played host to several individuals who have challenged them to think about life outside of the football field.

Eric Davis

Eric Davis, the captain of the 1982 Final Four - PHI SLAMMA JAMMA team at the University of Houston, and former NFL Player for the Houston Oilers came and spoke to the Foresters on Sunday morning. After his professional sports career, Mr. Davis became a highly decorated veteran of the Chicago Police Department specializing in his efforts as a member of the Gang Crimes and Public Housing task forces.

Eric spoke to the Foresters about making choices and striving towards creating opportunities for themselves. His focus on "getting in the room," struck a chord with many of the players. Through stories about his interaction both with Hall of Famers Clyde Drexler and Hakeen Olajuwon and the similarities that his interaction with drug dealers, Mr. Davis was able to help the Forester see that interactions aren't different, they are just important. Additionally, Mr. Davis spoke to the players about breaking down barriers within their team, while focusing on a common goal. He spoke about teams with cliques and their faults, and encouraged the players to eliminate "classism" and "position" elitism that can occur on a team. Mr. Davis challenged the Foresters to grow with a big goal in mind so that a number of little goals will be reached along the way.


Dr. W. Roy Smythe

A former offensive guard for the Baylor Bears, where he was a teammate of Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Mike Singletary, Dr. W. Roy Smythe spoke to the Foresters on Monday afternoon. A successful speciality surgeon, and current contributing author for Forbes Magazine, Dr. Smythe currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer for AVIA, and was recently named the first Chief Executive Officer at HX360. An innovator in health care, Dr. Smythe has previously served as the Roney Endowed Chair for Texas A&M's Medical School.

Dr. Smythe encouraged the Foresters to understand their "life slope." Dr. Smythe's personal experiences dealing with losses far greater than football games, authored a genuine discussion revolving around dealing with loss, and using it as a spring board for something greater. His use of visual aids, and specific experience's from his lifetime were very specific to the players in the room. Dr. Smythe also engaged in a Question and Answer session with the players about being student-athletes, how to deal with specific loss, and what type of growth they should be focusing on while in college. Dr. Smythe did not limit his challenges to just the Forester football players, he also challenged the coaches.

"When my dad died during my freshman year, it was Coach Teaff who picked me up. Don't ever underestimate the impact that you can have on the guys in this room," reminded Dr. Smythe.







Tim Connolly, returned to Lake Forest for his second experience as a Winner's Manual speaker. One of the original Winner's Manual Speakers in 2009, Tim delivered an emotional and challenging "real talk" with the Foresters. Tim currently serves as the President of Operations and Logistics at United Stationers. Tim, is also the President of United Stationers Charitable Foundation.

Tim, delved into the decisions that each player would face, and challenged them to make the right one. He spoke specifically of the "it's only" decisions that create horrible situations. He also discussed the relationships that he has forged with those that have "less" than he and his family and that each member of our team is responsible of the greater community. Tim's final challenge struck a major chord with a lot of our players, encouraging them to value their "important" relationships, and not take them for granted. As he spoke of his relationship with his late father, Tim poured into the soul of a number of Foresters. Tim encouraged the players to call and thank those who have helped make the opportunity to be at Lake Forest College and play football for each individual player.

"No set of words can describe the impact that his words had," said one Forester.

Post talk social media was on fire with commentary from Coaches and players alike:












Look for more updates on the upcoming Winner's Manual speakers throughout camp.



Monday, July 28, 2014

Forester Recruiting Class of 2014

Aaron Gallini
Belmont, MI
Rockford High School

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 205


Major: Communications

Tom Steen
Gurnee, IL
Warren Township High School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 230


Major: Psychology

DeShawn Bloom
Elgin, IL
Westminster Christian School

Position: Running Back
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 197


Major: Business

Jake Burkard
Greenfield, WI
Whitnall High School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 270


Major: Physics

Trey Gregory
Fort Wayne, IN
Canterbury School

Position: Tight End
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 240


Major: Undecided

Pat McDonaugh
Niles, IL
Notre Dame High School

Position: Defensive Back
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 190


Major: Sociology

Robby Mecham
Yuma, AZ
Gila Ridge High School

Position: Wide Receiver/Punter
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 195


Major: Math/Physics

RJ Pompey
Gurnee, IL
Warren Township High School

Position: Defensive Back
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 170


Major: Business

Daniel Solano
Coral Springs, FL
Coral Springs Charter School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 240


Major: Economics

Jenri Viola
Park City, IL
Warren Township High School

Position: Defensive Back
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 155


Major: Computer Science

Kevin Curameng
Bartlett, IL
South Elgin High School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 270


Major: Undecided

Jack Fishman
Wesley Chapel, FL
Academy at the Lakes

Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 225


Major: Business

Hector Mendoza
Oswego, IL
Oswego East High School

Position: Linebacker
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 210


Major: Undecided

John Lepper
Tarpon Springs, FL
East Lake High School

Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 195


Major: Finance

Mitch Coha
Downers Grove, IL     
Downers Grove North High School

Position: Defensive Back
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 172


Major: Finance


Trevor Bain
Chesterfield, MO
John Burroughs School

Position: Defensive Back
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 165


Major: Undecided

Nikko Italia
Lombard, IL
Montini Catholic High School

Position: Running Back
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 200


Major: Pre-Med



Noah Poindexter
Boston, MA
Noble and Greenough School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 225


Major: Business

Michael Prate
Port Barrington, IL
Wauconda High School

Position: Running Back
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 175


Major: Communications/English

Charlie Roth
Livonia, MI
Franklin High School

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 182


Major: Business

Matt Roth
Scottsdale, AZ
Notre Dame Prep High School

Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 260


Major: Business/Computer Science

Michael Cole
Scottsdale, AZ
Notre Dame Prep High School

Position: Linebacker
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 215


Major: Undecided

Joel Nierling
Marietta, GA   
Hillgrove High School

Position: Fullback
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 235


Major: Computer Science



Max Sorby
Gurnee, IL
Warren Township High School

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 160


Major: Secondary Education

Sam Plutchak
Janesville, WI
Craig High School

Position: Defensive Back/Punter
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 170


Major: Biology

Jon Esrock
Chesterfield, MO
Whitfield School

Position: Kicker
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 150

Major: Undecided

Khalil Murphy
Stamford, CT
Pomfret School

Position: Running Back
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 195


Major: Undecided


 Andrew Johnson
Tempe, AZ
Marcos de Niza High School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 260


Major: Business

Chase Slagboom
Nunica, MI
Spring Lake High School

Position: Defensive Back
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 160


Major: Business

Manny Gonzalez
Evanston, IL
North Shore Country Day School

Position: Running Back
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 201


Major: Undecided

DJ Baker
Decatur, IL
St. Teresa High School

Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 250


Major: Undecided

Anthony Velazquez
Chicago, IL
Amundsen High School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 315


Major: Accounting

Ryan Shalosky
Austin, TX      
Vandegrift High School

Position: Long Snapper
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 160


Major: Business

Kyle Lewis
Herculaneum, MO
Festus High School

Position: Long Snapper
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 195


Major: Computer Science

Tim Finucane
Orland Park, IL
Marist High School

Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 225


Major: Business

Bailey Grant
Yuma, AZ
Gila Ridge High School

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 175


Major: Pre-Med

Michael Delacruz
Phoenix, AZ
Brophy College Prep.

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 270


Major: Communications

Charles Courtney
Plantation, FL
St. Thomas Aquinas High School

Position: Kicker
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 165


Major: Biochemistry/Psychology

Pete Rantis
Lake Zurich, IL
Lake Zurich High School

Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 215


Major: Finance

Luke Oosterbaan
Palos Heights, IL
Marist High School

Position: Quarterback
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 160


Major: Undecided

George Edlund
St. Charles, IL
St. Charles North High School

Position: Running Back
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 191


Major: English

Eli Ortiz
Whittier, CA
Calvary Chapel High School

Position: Linebacker
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 200


Major: Business Administration

Nick Lemley
Racine, WI
Prairie School

Position: Tight End
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 285

Major: Undecided

Brandon Lewis
Bolingbrook, IL
Bolingbrook High School

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 185


Major: Undecided