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PAGE • - PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY, JUNE 5,1981 r EARLE COOPER "Coop" Calls It Quits Retirement Ends Boyhood Dream By Dick Rabfaitt To fulfill a boyhood dream is the goal of almost everyone. For some it never occurs; for others it takes years to reach that golden goal in one's life. Earle "Coop" Cooper fits the latter. The recently- retired athletic trainer at McHenry high school decided as a boy in high school iryWausein, Ohio that some day he would help young high school athletes in a trainer's capacity. At an age when most men would be looking for the old rocking chair, Coop flung himself into a demanding job that would aid and inspire young athletes under his care Coop graduated from Wausein high school, where he won honors in football and track. He is a member of the Wausein Hall of Fame on the deeds of his athletic ability. With the country deep in the throes of the Depression, Coop had to delay his education for several years - He came westward to Chicago, where he attended the American College of Physical Education, known now as part of DePaul university. After college he took a job at the Winter Club in I^ake Forest, where he was coach as well as athletic director. During these years the love bug hit him and he married, and then he returned to the old home state Ohio where he settled in Toledo. He became an auditor for a chain of grocery stores. Visiting relatives in 1955, Coop and his wife. Marge, took a fancy to the beautiful city on the Fox river, and decided this was to be their home. Earle worked for a sporting goods store and then became assistant manager of another local store. At this time. Coop became involved with school districts in McHenry with the transportation depart­ ment, and deliver the hot lunches when Edgebrook school was the focal point. In January of 1975 his dream was fulfilled. He took over as groundskeeper for McCracken field and* became athletic trainer at McHenry High Since that time "Coop" has attended many a Warrior athlete, and even a heart attack couldn't slow him down. Last Monday evening the coaching staff at McHenry surprised "Coop" with a retirement party. Accolades by the dozen were paid to this likeable, gentle, popular man for the work he has done to keep the athletic program at McHenry in full swing. He always had the welfare of the boy at heart. There was no such thing as a minor injury. He would respond to a boy with a torn fingernail with the same energy as a boy with a deep cut. * "Coop" may be gone from the sidelines in the coming years, but he won't be forgotten. He has promised not to let the television take over his life and s^ys that he will still attend Warrior contests, whatever they may be To a man who had to wait a long time to fulfill a boyhood dream, not only a grateful athletic staff, but a grateful community appreciates a job well done. Everyone hopes Earle's days of retirement will be joyful, and looking back he can say, "I had a dream, and it came true." "Cuts, Bruises And Blisters 99 In six years as McHenry High's athletic trainer, Earle Cooper saw more than his share of injuries. He says cuts, bruises and blisters were the most common ailments, but the athletes will tell you he treated them all with the care and compassion that became his trademark. Cooper was the school's volunteer "patch-up artist" since 1975, a job that could truly be called a labor of love. He reflected on the past in a telephone interview Wednesday. "Coop" feels his job was made easier by the coaches. Today's coaches stress conditioning more than ever and that pleases Cooper. for a trainer. But Cooper will argue that point "I think it runs about the same. Each sport has its share of injuries,and there are different kinds in each sport" • The Warrior athletic teams may have no greater fan than "Coop." But during a game he was all business. -"I coukbi't even tell you what the score was at the end of a game," he claimed. "In football I just made sure everybody got up after every play. I'd watch the ball and the area around tne ball hoping to make sure no one got hurt" Cooper is a self-proclaimed "sports fanatic" (basketball is his favorite sport) and he will not stay away from Warrior "Years ago it was bust'em and break 'em and you saw a lot events. •'They'll have to tie me down,"nesaiawith a chuckle, more injuries," said Cooper. "Now the athletes are better And he will be hard-pressed to make the transformation conditioned and they protect themselves at all times. That's why there are fewer injuries today than there were years ago." The popular belief holds that football is the toughest sport hard-pressed from trainer to fan. "It will be hard to watch the game like a fan does. I'm sure I'll watch the games the way I used to." Like a perfect diamond, Earle Cooper is a real gem. Jeff Stern Tiptoe Through The Rhubarb Basebarr^-^nas many qualities that makes it unique from other sports. There is no time limit. There is the ability to record a "perfect" game. And there is the rhubarb. In no other sport may a participant argue with a game official without in­ curring a penalty. Oh sure, a player or manager gets ejected now and then But by and lafge most arguments simply end with the angry fellow returning to the dugout unscathed. Rhubarbs have developed into something of an art form in recent years. Masters of debate abound in the major leagues, men whose tongues may slice an umpire to ribbons at any moment. And the umpires have become more involved than ever before. At one time the arbiters were not allowed to shout it out with managers. Now we see them standing Scorecard By Jeff Stern toe to toe with players and managers alike One of the best rhubarbers nowadays is manager Earl Weaver of the Baltimore Orioles Weaver developed the "come and get me" ploy, in which he walks out to the mound to consult with his pitcher Weaver will wait until the ump comes out to break up the confab, then rips into the unsuspecting victim. This usually results in an ejection and a colorful display of childish behavior on the part of Weaver. * Leo "The Lip" Durocher was another famous rhubarb master. He may not have invented the physical style of debate, but he certainly popularized it. Durocher once engaged in a kicking match against Hall of Fame umpire Jocko Conlan. Durocher kicked Conlan in the shins, and Conlan retaliated with a kick of his own. This continued for several painful minutes. Durocher finally realized that Conlan was wearing shinguards and that his attack was useless. And fans wonder why the Durocher-led Cubs blew the pennant in '69. Perhaps my favorite encounter involved Frank Luchessi, who was manager of the Texas Rangers at the time. Luchessi disputed a close call ^t home plate and proceeded to kick dirt on the umpire. He tired of that, got down on his hands and knees and carefully constructed a sand castle on home plate. When he looked up and found out that he had been ejected, he booted the creation into oblivion. Like most fans, I enjoy a good rhubarb now and then. After all, no one said a rhubarb had to be violent. That is the beauty of baseball arguments - if you have a valid point, you just may win. Billy Martin, for instance, is giving such debate a bad name. The Oakland A's manager was fined and suspended for charging into an umpire recently. Battlin' Billy also kicked and threw dirt, which would have been sufficient for ejection in itself. If done correctly, a rhubarb can be a real crowd pleaser Baseball is a somewhat staid and emotionless game. It's nice to see some competitive fire burning now and again. Rhubarbs should be confined to the pros, however. Since they play for pay, they should be allowed to debate certain decisions. And there is a polite way to do it. One batter facing Bob Feller had a legitimate question for an ump. When one of Feller's blinding fastballs resulted in a called strike, the fellow turned around and said, "Hey ump. Didn't that one sound a little low?" I doubt that Earl Weaver would be so polite. Three Teams Unbeaten In Minors With the players well- rested from the Memorial Day layoff, action in the McHenry Junior Youth League minor division resumed play this week The Orioles and the Hawks squared off in a dogfight with the Orioles hanging on to win 9-8. Led by pitcher Steve Johnson, who struck out nine while giving up seven hits, the Orioles first watched a 9-1 lead evaporate But Johnson got a called third strike with the tying run on third to end the threat. Randy Rehberg went three for four while Cory Berg was the three for three for the winners. On Wednesday a strong Bluebird team downed the Robins 11-0. Mike Weber threw two-hit, shutout ball until he was relieved in the sixth when the game was well in hand. Weber struck out six Robins while giving up only one walk. Kelly Radic led the Bluebird hitters with two hits and Shaun Miller had a long triple for the Robins. The hard-hitting Cardinals ran away from the Falcons, 19-11. Tim Maurer was the winning pitcher, working four innings, striking out eight while allowing just two hits. Tim Toussaint had four hits - all doubles - and Todd Doherty had a single, double and triple Keith Williams, Kevin McGee and Chris I^andis all went three for four Greg Moravec and Steve Erickson were two for three in a losing effort In Saturday makeup games, the Falcons bested the Ravens 10-9 in extra innings Kevin Blinkal was the winningepitcher, striking NEW ARRIVALS! TERRI CLOTH COORDINATED Shorts and Tops for Ladies 6 Great Summer Colors I Short £ $ Top Set Qn|y 17w NOW IN STOCK! PONY SHOES! FULL SIZE SELECTION PERFECT FOR FATHER s DAY Golf Shoes 15% OFF BY HONK AND ENOICOTT JOHNSON Mf Bags Specially PHcmI I out 13 while allowing only three hits. Greg Moravec drew a bases-loaded walk to score the winning run. John Arvidson was two for two for the winners while Bill Lewan had two hits for the Ravens. Peter Huinker put up a gallant fight while pitching for the Ravens. The Wrens topped the Owls 9-8 in Saturday's second game. Mike Boland had a day to remember after he entered the game to pitch with the score knotted 5-5 in the third inning. Boland held the Owls to three runs over the last three frames and added the game-winning hit in the bottom of the sixth. Boland. Todd Wienholtz and Scott Miller all had two hits for the Wrens. Joe McQuade suffered the loss while Danny Gray went two for three with four RBIs for the Owls. The Sparrows remained unbeaten by slipping by the Owls 6-1. Despite control problems Scott Sorling racked up his third victory ot the season. He struck out 11, walked nine and gave up only two hits. Eric Salman and Dan Evans each went two for two to lead the Sparrows. Danny Gray was the losing pitcher after striking out 10, walking six and allowing six hits. Jim Simon Jr. recorded the year's third no-hitter as the Eagles continued to soar. In beating the Ravens 12-2, Simon fanned 11 and walked seven. Tom Sweetwood and Simon had one hit each to help the cause. Bob Pat­ terson pitched four innings but allowed five hits in losing the game. The Bluebirds also remained undefeated by downing the Hawks 8-4. Rich Larson got the win, pitching three innings of one-hit ball while striking out seven. Darren Merness came on in relief and allowed one hit while striking out five in two innings. Jason Hoffmann led the hitting attack with two doubles. Jay Cheatham got the loss in his first pitching assignment, but made his presence known by striking out 11 opponents. The Condors posted a one­ sided victory over the Orioles, 24-7. Wayne Margraff recorded the victory, striking out five while allowing three hits in four frames. Jeff Elger mopped up and struck out five while allowing three hits. Bob Diedrich was two for three and scored four runs Mark Widhalm and Wayne Margraff had two hits each for the winners. Craig Wallace was the starting and losing pitcher. Corey Berg got two hits for the Orioles The Robins got back on the winning track by beating the Falcons. 12-4. Bret Derby was the winning pitcher, striking out 12 Falcons while giving up only two hits. Jeff Lewis led a 15-hit attack with a single, double and triple. Steve Verdung, Rick Pankiewicz, Mark Siefert and Shaun Miller all had two hits apiece Steve Erickson was tagged with the loss. Pat Pert "THE HOME OF THE ATHLETE" JOHN'S SPORT STOP ACROSS FROM A * P • NEXT TO EBY BROWN McHanry 344-3500 DAILY 9:30-1 SAT 9-5 m Surprise Father On Father's Day LET HIM RIDE INSTEAD OF WALK WHEN CUTTING THE GRASS... SIMPLICITY 3100 SERIES REAR ENGINE RIDERS Step up to o 5, S or 10 hp Riding Mower •Stool ISO-SODY construction for smooth, quirt rido. *5 ipood. pormonontly lubricatod transmission. *14", SO" and 34" anti-scalp mowers. '4 cutting hoights. •Optional hub caps, dump cart, storaga covor, grass catchor. PRICED AS LOW AS ROSS BUS SALES Plaindealer Brake Parts Stays Hot Brake Parts continued its fine play in women's 16-inch softball last week by winning a pair of games. Brake Parts shut out Old Bridge 5-0 and whipped River Shannon 13-2 Linda Lent tossed goose eggs at opposing batters and Jier teammates backed her with 10 hits as Brake Parts blanked Old Bridge. Run-scoring singles by Patty Thelen. Debbie Thornton and Barb Bucaro led to three runs in the first two innings. Brake Parts tacked on two more runs in the sixth on singles by Dorothy Kupstis. Thornton. Jackie Weber and Bucaro An eight-run fourth inning propelled Brake Parts to a big win over River Shannon. Home runs by Cheri Kofler and Thelen were the big blows for the winners Also getting key hits for Brake Parts were Barb Blanken. Kupstis, Thornton, Weber. Wilson. Vicki Kopsell and Linda Santler. Brake Parts played the game without Cis Morner and Mary Mclnerney, both of whom are injured. The VFW won two games as well Diane Biggs had four hits, including a three- run homer, leading the VF"W over Residential 21-5. Kathy I^auer and Cathy Bitterman combined to stop Residential. They got plenty of offensive support and their teammates scored in every inning Terri Bohlman hit a home run to highlight a five-run third inning and the team batted around in a seven-run second. Chris Connell collected three singles and Mary Koleno belted a three-run homer as the VFW romped to a 14-4 victory over Oak Park. Koleno had three hits overall and Eileen Connell added a triple as VFW won easily. R e s i d e n t i a l h a n d e d Fritzsche's a 13-3 defeat on Thursday. Connie Sanders and Sue McDougall each slammed a homer as Residential scored in each inning Fritzsche's took a 3-2 lead after one inning, but Residential rallied for five in the second and went on to an easy win. Pat Karmel was the winning pitcher, shutting out Fritzsche's for four in­ nings. lunior Grid Signup Planned The McHenry Hornets, a member of the Northern Illinois Junior Football League, will hold registration for the 1981 season on Saturday, June 6. The signup will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at the McHenry VFW Any boys between the ages of 10 and 14 are welcome The team will play eight games of full-contact foot­ ball this season. The Hor­ nets placed second in the league last year, and coach Phil Thome hopes to bring home a championship this season. For more information on the team, call Thorne at 385- 8287. The 1981 schedule: September 13 Antioch 20 Waukegan 27 at Northbrook October 18 Winnetka 25 at Mundelein November 1 at Round Lake 8 Wauconda Open date at Fox Lake Local Standings <§> <§> _ IPaotetofi 3md fine food for the Individual ^ ®) ONE MILE NORTH OF RTE. 120 (#) ON RTE. 47 IN WOODSTOCK ̂ PUNCINELLO [V ON CORNER OF RTE. 120 ft K MINI DIVISION NATIONAL JEfimpliciiij 1 8 0 1 W R T E 1 2 0 M c H E N R Y I M I I E E O F T O W N 3 4 4 0 8 ? ? RIVERSIDE DRIVE IN McHENRY iO SPECIALIZING IN NORTH ITALIAN l\ CUISINE ANO HOMEMADE DEEP-PISH PIZZA." Puffin Dally Specials • WED. Country Friod Chickon "All You Con Eat" • FRI. Fish Fry (Cod) "All You Can Eat" • SAT. Bar-B-Q-Ribs. Corn on Cob. •.». * SUN. Voal Pormigiona Pasta Luncheons: Monday-Friday Dinners: Tuesday-Sunday WOODSTOCK 330-7779 McHENRY 344-9700 v % w 1 t Astros 4 0 0 Dodgers 2 1 1 Cubs 2 1 0 Pirates 2 2 0 Giants 2 3 0 Braves 1 3 0 AMERICAN w 1 t Sox 4 0 1 Yanks 3 1 0 Brewers 2 2 0 Tigers 1 4 0 Twins 0 2 0 Indians 0 4 0 MINOR LEAGUE AMERICAN w 1 gb Cardinals 3 1 - Orioles 2 2 1.0 Robins 2 3 1.5 Blue jays 0 3 2.5 Ravens 0 4 3.0 Hawks 0 5 4.0 NATIONAL w 1 gb Eagles 50 - Sparrows 4 0 0.5 Bluebirds 4 0 0.5 Wrens 2 1 2.0 Condors 2 2 2.5 Owls 2 3 3.0 Falcons It 1.1