Monday, December 31, 2012
Rob Gaskill's legal troubles, ISAT concerns at Mann Elementary, a grand profile of OPRF wrestling coach Mike Powell were some of Patch's top stories last year.
We were busy at Patch this year. And you voted as it were with your mouse clicks, letting us know which stories you liked the best. Here are some of them: OPRF Wrestling Coach Mike Powell: A Man in Full. The beloved coach's battle with a debilitating disease was chronicled in Sports Illustrated. Allegations against Robert Gaskill led many readers to our site to find out what happened with the River Forest resident and child welfare advocate. Friends came to court to support him. Mann Elementary School's principal Nimisha Kumar resigned after allegations of ISAT irregularities surfaced in March. According to Elementary District 97, the district, "a few" unidentified staffers reviewed testing booklets and answer documents after they'd been …
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Illinois chapter to induct OPRF head coach Mike Powell.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Medal of Courage is "presented to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges." So is it really any wonder that Oak Park-River Forest High School wrestling coach has earned the honor? Powell earned accolades as a young wrestler, long before winning an IHSA state wrestling title for OPRF in 1994 and later getting named as an All-American at Indiana University. He's been at the helm of OPRF's wrestling team since the 2004-2005 season, garnering praise from students and parents alike. This year, he mentored Oak Park's Ellis Coleman during the 20-year-old's quest for gold at the London Olympics. Here's Sun-Times Media: In nine years, [Powell's] teams have …
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Huskies wrestling coach opens up about battle with debilitating muscle disease.
In case you missed it, Chicago Tonight interviewed Oak Park-River Forest High School wrestling coach Mike Powell for a segment that aired last week. The eight-minute segment focuses on Powell's background as an OPRF wrestler, his return to the school as a coach, his marriage to attorney WHO Hess and his battle with polymyositis. Here's the link. Earlier: Mike Powell, a 'Man in Full' Also interviewed is OPRF Athletic Director John Stelzer, who sums up Powell's relationship with student athletes, many of whom credit their coach for setting them on the right path, or for helping turn their lives around entirely. "Really," Stelzer said, "I think wrestling just the mechanism for Mike to really reach out and touch lives and impact young men."
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Beloved coach's battle with debilitating disease chronicled in latest edition of Sports Illustrated.
If you haven't read Chris Ballard's Sports Illustrated story about Oak Park-River Forest High School wrestling coach Mike Powell, be sure to carve out some time. Here's a link to the printable version. The lengthy article details Powell's wrestling career, from his time as an undersized-but-fierce five year old to his dominance on the mat as one of the country's top wrestlers. Along the way, Ballard details Powell's intense work ethic and his transition from overconfident college bruiser to mature community leader. The article shifts focus to Powell's bout with polymyositis, the rare disease that's racked his immune system and wrecked his body. Former student athletes and colleagues who've watched Powell's health decline are quoted …
Friday, June 17, 2011
Rounding up the best in local news, this and every week.
We can't be everywhere and neither can you. The "Week in Review" is designed to bring you up to speed on local news in Oak Park and River Forest. Let's get to it: Courage, Discipline and Toughness: Mike Powell, a self-confessed former "punk" at OPRF who returned to coach the school's wrestling team, has been battling a debilitating disease called Polymyositis. But instead of letting the sickness best him, he's doing his best to battle back — and teaching his student-athletes valuable life lessons. A great read from Chicago Tribune. That's Garbage: Collection rates from Waste Management, the village's contracted waste hauler, are going up, which would translate into a rate hike of about $1 for most residential customers if the village re-…
Friday, January 14, 2011
Rounding up the best in local news.
We can't be everywhere and neither can you. Our new "Week in Review" is designed to bring you up to speed on local news in Oak Park and River Forest. Here goes: Referendum passes, but subject to change: The District 97 school board unanimously approved a referendum question asking voters to approve $75 million cash bond sale. But school officials left leeway for some changes in the wake of the tax hike approved by the Illinois House and Senate late Tuesday. Injured River Forest cop collects: Officer Michael Victor was responding to a bogus call in 2008 when his cruiser collided with another car at the intersection of Park and Chicago Avenues, sending Victor's police cruiser into a tree and injuring the officer's knee, ankle, torso and …
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Huskies lose but earn 7-6 edge in matches against Red Devils.
After losing 38-29 to rival Hinsdale Central on Friday, Oak Park-River Forest High School's wrestling team filed out of the gym in Hinsdale and waited in a hallway for coach Mike Powell’s post-meet talk. “They thought I was going to yell at them,” Powell said. “But, right now I couldn’t be more proud to be the coach at Oak Park.” The Huskies and Red Devils tangled in one of the best duals either will compete in all year, with the meet undecided until the final match of the night. “The most exciting dual we’ve been in all year,” Red Devils coach Jason Hayes said. Top-ranked heavyweight Jack Allen of Hinsdale Central may have finished off OPRF with a pin, but to that point the Huskies had earned a 7-5 edge in matches won and showed the guts …
Pete kowalczuk
8:33 pm on Monday, April 16, 2012
Mike Powell has been an inspiration for the young men that have had the opportunity to be coached by this man. This Saturday Mike will be a very proud man indeed. Two of his wrestlers have qualified to participate in this years USA Wrestling's Olympic Trials. Both young men now live and train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs Co. Ellis Coleman will be vying for a spot on the US … more ›