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P>WBE^PlAg^M^^gR^WI®WESD^rJUNEl5^8J College Draft Turned Chicago Into A Contender "Bat first haw to baliava ia yourself. As a coach, as a player or whatavar, you most believe you can win before yon can actually go ont and do it." Ditka said. "But he's getting married tomorrow (Saturday) and I tmnk he has to get in die situation where he can make some money . . .we'll see." Utose two strong additions to the offense along with Jim McMahon, the NFC Rookie of the Year last year, and die ever-invincible Walter Payton at running back Just might make the Bears a force to contend with come playoff time. McMahon, who started the second half of Chicago's second game (a 100 loss to New Orleans) made an auspicious debut as he completed 12-of-22 passes for 131 yards and won a spot in the hearts of his fans as well as with his coach. "McMahon was just excellent. I can't say enough about him," Ditka said. "We didnt start the right people at a few positions the early going last year, but ou* quarterback situation is set now and I'm happy with it" Ditka said the Bears will probably throw the ball more in 1983 than they cud last year. But he added that he knows when he has a good thing. And when you have Walter Payton you'd better use him. "Walter is one of the top four conditioned of the sport," said Ditka. "The scouts draft the kids from Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan, and the University of nunnfa because they are sure those coaches provide a solid background for the professional coaches combine into a team." While professional athletes are encouraged to improve because of incentives built into their contracts, Ditka feels there should be a merit award system in every program. "I believe the kids should have an opportunity to strive for awards on an individual basis regardless of the outcome of the game," suggested Ditka. "In­ dividual progress should be encouraged at every game or practice. If you reward the youngsters for the most blocks against the opposition, or the best passes, or the most yards J • ""h the game. 'The ages 7-12 must be an instructional period with the primary emphasis on individual achievement and becoming better athletes. "Winning is not the most im­ portant goal at this stage. It's taking a kid with little talent and turning it into skill and a love for the sport," stressed Ditka. "And it's very encouraging to see coaching in this area leaning this way." The time to stress and apply pressure on athletes to win is during high school and college Ditka pointed out. Kids who are pushed very early into com­ petitive sports where the wily time there is satisfaction is when they win, will quickly burn out. And no matter how much potential the athlete has, the interest and desire to play will be gone. rushing, or for the best individual improvement, and other areas, they are more eager to perform and improve." The team aspect is the most important quality to be learned from sports said Ditka. "A team teaches an athlete com- maraderie, to rely on others and to be reliable to his teammates." Especially at the professional level, Ditka believes the team should be the most important aspect. "The contract incentives should start with making the play-offs and then winning the Super Bowl. Because most people only remember what the team does, not a star. Having team incentives will force everyone to perform at their best at every game." Ditka said every athlete must remember to have fun in order to be a success. "With the younger athletes being so business-like about the sport, they know they can come out and play professional football for a few years and be set for life." But Ditka warns that is not success. "Athletes must step back and look at themselves; every day. An athlete who finds his sport fun every day he plays will do more than Just 'make it': That athlete will have earned CIIAAAflQ " BARB ANSELL The job of blending experience with fresh talent, has been the description of Mike Ditka's job as head coach of the Chicago Bears. The youthful coach Ditka said the development of young talent is as rewarding as a professional coach as it is for those who coach at the grade and high school levels. Ditka, who last year helped to refine the skills of Bears' rookie quarterback Jim McMahon, who went on to win the United Press International's Rookie of the Year honors, hopes to do the same with this year's draft choice of Willie Gault, a wide receiver and 1980 U.S. Olympic team sprinter. But Ditka believes that the early stages for athletic youths should focus on instruction about '. nrTi srwjiiT jrTT _ And while winning the Super Bowl as a team is a coach's and football players' ultimate goal, Ditka says he can achieve goals in his daily duties. "Just as a grade or high school coach develops talent and skill, for me taking a marginal player who has the desire to improve and helping that athlete reach his fulfillment is the best fun for me as a coach.'. "The grade school period is an especially good time to teach the fundamentals and the techniques The McHenry Plaindealer The Catholic Order of Foresters St. Mary's Court 594 will have a golf tournament for youth members of the ages 10 to 21 at Pistakee Country Club on Friday June 17 at 3:30. There will be competition for juniors age 10 to 16 and Seniors age 17 to 21. For more information, call 385-1755. McHenry High School varsity Softball coach Pat Wirtz presented awards to his top performers from last spring. Cissy Pinkstaff (standing next to Wirtz) and Karen Karpavicius (middle) were awarded co-most valuable Insure 100%. KEITH SONNICHSEN McHENRY, ILLINOIS PH. 344-2772 If your home is less than 25 years old and you insure it for 100% of its replacement cost, you may qualify for a 15% discount on your premium. It's called The Rebuilder sm. For full details, call us today. That's the Spirit. we a make, you a bake!^ 4100 W. Elm St. • McHenry *344-1115 LOREN MILLER RICHMOND, ILLINOI. PH. 678-6491 FRESH, PARLOR-STYLE PIZZA AT A REASONABLE PRICE! HOURS: Mon. 4 PM-9 PM, Tues.-Thurs. 3 PM-9 PM G Fri. 2 PM-II PM. S«t. 11 AM-11 PM. Sun. 11 AM-10 PM NEW REASONABLE RATES PRIVATE OR GROUP LESSONS CAU KMT REU.LT DONFORTIN WOODSTOCK ILLINOIS PH. 331-3146 For more information contact Roger Swanson COUNTRY COMPANIES. 1 •i ilL. .