2000-2009 All-Decade Quarterback

This was quite possibly the toughest decision for the committe to make among all of the positions.

Quarterback:
Jeff Ziemnik, 2004-2007, Oswego, IL (Oswego High School). Jeff was a thrilling signal caller who was known as much for his legs as he was his arm. In addition to being a 2x Team MVP (2006, 2007) and a Team Captain in 2007, Jeff also saw time as a kick returner, wide reciever, and goal line quarterback. Jeff threw for for 4,256 yards(4th All Time) and 35 Touchdowns(3rd All Time) in his two years as the starter. Jeff also ran for 887 yards and 11 TD’s in his career as well.
His 623 yards gained rushing in 2007 were more than any of the running backs, and would rank as the 3rd highest number of yards gained during the decade in a single season. He also led the Foresters in rushing during the 2006 season, his first as a starting quarterback as well. Jeff finds his name amongst many of the career records in LFC history as he ranks 1st in Career Completion Percentage, and 1st in Quarterback Efficiency Rating and 5th in Career Completions.

A 2x All-Conference Selection (2006, 2007), Jeff accounted for 48 Career TD’s (2 Rec, 11 Rush, 35 Passing) and was a 3x Academic All-Midwest Conference


HM Don Lackey- 3 yr starter, 2x All Conference. Most Career Passing Yards in school history, and quarterbacked the only conference championship team of the decade.

ALL DECADE TEAM 2000-2009: Linebackers

Perhaps no position at Lake Forest College was more well regarded than the linebacker position. Producing record-setters, conference player of the year award winners, and NFL contracts.
The Foresters' changed the Midwest conference during this decade when they switched to a 3-4 defense that has kept them near that top of the league in most defensive categories through out the decade.

LB: Casey Urlacher- 2000-2002 Lovington, NM (Lovington) The most decorated player in Lake Forest College Football History. Selected as a 1st team All-American Selection by Hewlett Packard recorded 358 tackles in 3 seasons. Started all 31 games of his Forester career after starting at New Mexico Military Institute. A three time 1st Team All-Conference Selection, a Three time Team MVP, and was named the Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2002. Scored 10 Offensive touchdowns as a running back and had a kickoff return for a touchdown in his career. finished Lake Forest career ranked first in school history with 43 tackles for loss and second with 358 total tackles. Was selected to play in the 2003 Hula Bowl by the AFCA. Signed a three year contract with the Chicago Bears upon graduation. Team Captain in 2002 when the team won the conference championship.



LB: Lou Bertucca 2003-2006 Chicago, IL (Fenwick) Bertuca started 40 straight games for the Foresters and set a school record for career tackles for a loss with 50. He is also tied for 3rd in sacks for a career with 22. Bertuca was a four time all-conference selection for the Foresters, including a first team selection in 2006 when he also served as the teams captain. He also lead the league in forced fumbles in 2005.

LB: Chad Zimborski 2006-2009 Waukesha, WI (Waukesha North) Zimborski started all 40 games of his career at Lake Forest and finished third all-time in total tackles with 314. He recorded 21 TFL's and 5 career interceptions. Zimborski was a team captain in 2009, and was a 3x all-conference selection, garnering second team honors in both 2007 and 2009. His 2008 season was slowed by an ACL tear, but he didn't miss any game time or reps. Chad lead the team in tackles 3 of his 4 seasons as a letterman. He finished in the top five in the MWC in tackles twice in his career.

LB: Kevin Krabel 1999-2002 Oakland, IL (Oakland) A 29 game starter for the Foresters. Was a first team all-conference selection and a third team all-region selection (Football Gazette) in 2002. School record 6 tackles for a loss in a single game against Illinois College his senior year. 23 TFL’s and 10 Sacks for his career.



HM: Donovan Baldridge, Ian Thompson, Omar Pickering, Ryan Gallegos

Team of the Decade 2000-2009 --- DEFENSIVE BACKS

The following players were selected to the all-decade team for 2000-2009 for the Foresters!


DB: Keith Hanson 2002-2006 Fairfax, VA (Vermont Academy) Hansen received a medical redshirt in 2002. A two time first team all-conference selection. Was selected to the Third Team All-West Region in 2005 and 2006 by D3 Football.com. Led the MWC in interceptions in 2005, also blocked three kicks. Finished his career tied for third in interceptions at Lake Forest. Was also named all-conference as a return specialist in 2005. Finished his career tied for third in punt return yards.

DB: Drew Holman 2002-2004 Morris, IL (Morris) Second all-time in career interceptions with 18. A three time all-conference selection- single season record for interceptions in his first year as a Forester. Named Third Team All-American and First Team All-West Region in 2004 by the Football Gazette. Led the conference in interceptions and fumbles forced in 2004.

DB: Pat Gillihan-2000-2003 Leawood, KS (Blue Valley North) A two time First Team All Conference Selection (2002 and 2003), Voted Teams Most Valuable player for the 2003 season. Finished his career with 220 tackles, and 5 interceptions. One of the top tacklers in the conference during his last three seasons. In 2003 he recorded at least 4 tackles in every game.

DB: Matt Lawler 2005-2008 Chicago, IL (St. Rita) Matt was a three time all-conference selection, including being named 1st team in 2007 and 2008. Was named a team captain in 2008. Third in school history in career interceptions with 16. Finished his career with 259 tackles. Ranked in the top 3 in the MWC in interceptions in his junior and senior year.

HM: Ed Kidd, Luke Butts

PHI BETA KAPPA INDUCTION FOR GLOWACZ AND STORKAN!

SENIORS RYAN "Juice" GLOWACS and RICK STORKAN were recently named to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society!!
Ryan was also a two-time All-Academic Midwest Conference selection in his career.
(he missed his sophomore year to a torn ACL). Storkan, a three year All-Academic Midwest Conference selection, was also the winner of the college's Scholar-Athlete Award after his sophomore year.

Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest national Honor Societies (1776) and one of the most selective. Only 10% of all colleges in the country have been approved to have Phi Beta Kappa on their campus. To find our more about Phi Beta Kappa, please click here: https://www.pbk.org/home/index.aspx

For more on Phi Beta Kappa at Lake Forest College, please click here: http://www.lakeforest.edu/academics/pbk/default.asp

Congratulations Ryan and Rick!!

Team of the Decade 2000-2009 - Defensive Line

Over the course of the next 10 weeks, the LFC Football will be unveiling the "Team of the Decade" 2000-2009 edition. In creating this list, it is our hope to encourage discussion and debate over who is on, and who should be on this team. The sole requirement to be eligible for this team was to either have graduated from Lake Forest College and have left the program in good standing.

This list was put together with the help of fans, coaches, SID Mike Wajerski, and other sources associated with the Forester Football program over the last decade.

This week we will start with the Defensive Lineman.

DL: David Bleitner- 2001-2004. St. Louis, Mo (Vianney). Bleitner was a four time All Conference selection including 1st team in 2003 and 2004. Named 2nd Team All-American in 2003 (Cosida and Football Gazette) and 3rd Team All-American in 2004 (Football Gazette). Named the conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004. Recorded 29 Sacks (Career Record at LFC) and 49.5 Tackles for a loss (Record at the time). He also holds the single season sack record 15.5 in 2003.

DL: Jaron Eanes- 2006-2009. Cleveland, OH (Lake Forest Academy) A three time All Conference selection including multiple 2nd team selections in 2007 and 2009, Eanes also captained the 2009 team. Recorded 12.5 Sacks and 39.5 Tackles for a loss. His career TFL total finished 3rd all-time in Forester Football, and 2nd amongst defensive lineman. His 2009 total of 17 is the fourth most in a single season. Eanes also recorded 193 total tackles for his career, and recorded 4 forced fumbles and 4 recovered fumbles in his career.

DL: Tom Starnicky- 2000-2003 Oak Lawn, IL (Marist) Tom started his career as a running-back for the Foresters and was named all conference as a freshman when he rushed for 680 yards on 166 Carries in 2000. In 2002, Tom moved to Defense and made an immediate impact. Tom was a two time all-conference selection on the Defensive side of the ball where he recorded 116 tackles, including 16.5 tackles for a loss. Had two defensive touchdowns in his career, a 61 yard fumble return and a 41 yard interception return for a touchdown. Finished his career with over 1000 yards of total offense and scored 8 TD’s total in his career (6 on offense, 2 on defense).

DL: Chris Tossing 2005-2008 St. Louis, Mo (Wentzville Holt, Mo) Chris started the 30 final games of his career and was named All-Conference in those three years, including a first team all-conference selection in 2008. Had a career high 19 Tackles vs. Monmouth in 2008. In his senior year (2007) he recorded at least 4 tackles in every game. Finished his career having played in all 40 games and recording 205 tackles, 20.5 Tackles for a loss and 12 Sacks.

HM: Tim Paulsen (2004-2007), Mike Karner (2003-2006), and Vince Srejma (2000-2002)

Benny and our team's Relay For Life Efforts!!

Our Reason to Relay is Benny Watters

This past season we added a new teammate in Benny Watters at the midpoint of the season through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. Benny, by far, is the toughest, hardest hitting, and coolest player on our team. He is a dynamic four year old who was diagnosed with a brain-stem tumor (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) on January 18, 2008. He is a major part of our team, and we are relaying this year for him. It is Benny's world and we want him to be apart of ours for a long time. Taking steps to bring cancer awareness and prevention is the first step, so please make a donation, or join our team and help us create a world where cancer can no longer claim another year of anyone’s life.

To find out more about Benny check out:

http://www.bennysworld.org/ and search Benny's World on facebook.

Once again, Lake Forest College's Football team will be participating in the school's annual Relay for Life event on campus. Last year, we were the second highest fundraising group on campus. Our players have taken a leadership role with Relay for Life this year, as Jaron Eanes, one of our team captains, has taken on the Presidency for Relay this year. Our players have set a lofty, but achieveable goal of $5,000 for their fundraising efforts.

To be a part of this fundraising, you can help our team out at Relay For Life

Forester Football Team Meets with "The Ghost"

On Tuesday, February 2nd, the Lake Forest College Football Team, had the opportunity to meet a "Ghost" in Meyer Auditorium in Hotckiss Hall. This ghost, was not the typical super natural being, that is unless you are talking about super natural football players. Dave Casper, a member of the National Football League Hall of Fame, and a former two-time All-American at Notre Dame, came and spoke to the team at the request of Head Coach Jim Catanzaro.

Casper, in addition to being named the tight-end for the NFL's all decade team for the 1970's, has gone on to have a successful business career with Northwestern Mutual, after his playing career.

Dave focused on having a business like attitude on the football field and the practice field. He told the players that simplicity in the approach and hard work can lead to great success. His mantra quote of Lou Holtz to "Show up, suit up, and shut up," was one that struck a particulary cord with some players.

In regards to Casper coming to speak with the team, Sophomore Luke Butts said,"Not only was Mr. Casper funny, but he was blunt and direct about some of the knowledge he was passing on to us. I thought this was a great thing for our team. I think his philosophy on life related to how he played football. He had a very business-like attitude towards every aspect of football, and you can see why he is successful after football."

Coach Catanzaro, commenting on Dave's appearance on campus said,"This was a tremendous opportunity for our players to learn from someone who has been in their shoes before, and is where many of them want to be. Dave's success both on the field and off can serve as an example and inspiration for our players. I am greatful for Dave's willingness to come and speak to our team, especially since it was his birthday."