Fout Works to Revive Rock Island Soccer

Bob Fout is a man with a dream. He believes that Rock Island is lacking in his favorite sport and he is trying to make a difference. He wants so see Rock Island soccer grow.

Fout has started two traveling soccer teams in the hope that by doing so, the community he lives in, the community he grew up in, will embrace his sport like they do others.

“We lose a lot of players to baseball and football season. The kids who want to play all year go to Moline and East Moline to play in their clubs,” Fout said.

Fout selected traveling teams so they could play competitive soccer. He wanted the more talented kids in the Park and Recreation leagues to see what was waiting for them when they reach high school.

His teams are broken up into under-12 and under-10 and they play in the ILLOWA league under the name of the Rock Island Danes. Many times just to play they have to compete against kids that are older than they are, Fout points out.

With all of those obstacles in front of him, why would Fout want to undertake this project?

“The kids look up to me. I get to be a role model and I find it rewarding. I know that I may have steered a couple of kids off of the wrong path,” Fout explains.

Fout’s credentials include playing soccer throughout his whole life. He explains that when he was in high school Rock Island didn’t even have a soccer team. After high school he played in a tournament with the Fort Worth Strikers.

“I was just trying to get noticed,” Fout said.

He tore two tendons during that tournament, effectively ending his playing career. Fout decided if he could no longer play, then he would promote the sport. His way to do that was to create these teams.

The teams get funds in a variety of ways. This past season Fout’s boss at Quad-City Freight Service, Robert Doran, donated the entry fee so the team could compete in the league. Fout has the players pay for their own uniforms and they sometimes receive donations. Fout also says he invests “a couple of hundred dollars” of his own money every season for equipment to practice with.

“I would like it to become a club like Moline and East Moline. I would like to have it turn into a feeder program for the Rock Island School System,” Fout said about his dream.

Cory Crandall is the current head soccer coach at Rock Island High School. His feelings fall right in line with Fout’s.

“Bob Fout is definitely right. The lack of feeder system kills Rock Island Soccer. We have had some talented teams in the past, but the lack of team chemistry is the difference in being a successful high school team. These kids don’t play together in the off season and that hurts Rocky Soccer.”

Bob Swanson, Athletic Director of Rock Island High School, was glad to hear that someone was out there taking up the cause of soccer.

“I am gratified by people like Bob. Generally, what happens is someone starts coaching because their kid is in it and they stop when their child moves to high school. We then have to wait until the next talented parent comes along to start the cycle all over again. I would love to see us get something going but that takes a long term commitment. My guess would be that in Moline and East Moline if you go back into the history of their programs that you would find a few people in the beginning who just wouldn’t let that program die.”

“Bob gives my son that passion about soccer. He gives encouragement. My son started with the Park Board and found it fun but not challenging. Bob is the next step up,” Stacy Yeader said. Yeader’s son Brandon plays on the under-10 team.

“Bob coaches at every single game, and when he is not coaching he is refereeing. That says a lot. Bob’s just wonderful and he’s really great with kids,” Yeader adds.

Other parents also love Fout’s enthusiasm.

“He’s a very good coach. At practice he’s almost one of the kids. He never gets down and always has a positive outlook,” Bill Polito said. Jake Polito has played under Fout’s tutelage for the last six years.

“Jake just loves him. He has taught Jake everything about soccer. He’s more than a coach, he really befriends these kids. He is Rock Island Soccer right now,” Polito said.

Criterium switches gears for 2007 race

The Quad-Cities Criterium will be changing speeds for 2007. Highlighting these changes will be the moving of the feature men’s and women’s races to the final two spots of the day. In addition, the prize pool for the men’s feature race has grown to $10,000 in order to attract better riders. They have even added a new title sponsor, Criterium Financial.

Returning on its familiar Memorial Day space, The Criterium will feature past favorites that include the big wheel and tricycle race for kids ages 2 to 5 and men’s masters race for those ages 50 and over. The course is wired for sound so spectators can listen to play by play of each race as it happens. The course still retains its familiar hourglass pattern with the start/finish line at 2^nd Avenue and 18^th Street in Rock Island. Vendors will be on hand to provide traditional festival foods as well as sub sandwiches and salads.

Spectators can find parking at the parking ramp at 3^rd Ave and 17^th St. Additional parking can be found at the two big lots on 20^th St. between 1^st and 3^rd Ave.

Teams will compete in 11 different races throughout the day. Each race is customized by gender, age, and ability. The day starts with two juniors races and advances throughout the day.

The men’s feature race moves to 4 p.m. and will have riders from several professional teams, including Jelly Belly, Bianchi Grand Prix and Athletes by Design. The women’s race, starting at 2:30 will have participants from Team Kenda Tire and the Mercy/Specialized. Also, members of the DICE team, a local racing team, will also be competing in several events.

Another new wrinkle to this year’s feature race is the addition of “Hot Spot Sprints”.

“Hot Spot Sprints are three races in a race and will include a total purse of $1000,” Donald L. Miller Jr., race director, said.

“Additionally, juniors ages 10 to 14 will have a separate race. The hospitality tent has been moved to increase spectator viewing on the start/finish line,” Miller adds.

Riders come from all over to compete in The Criterium. While the majority of them hail from the Midwest, this is clearly more than a local race.

“We have had riders from nearly every state in the US, plus riders from all over the cycling world, which generally does not include countries in Africa or Asia,” Miller said.

Returning to defend his title is last year’s Category 5 winner, Derek Cassady of Clinton.

“I believe the best strategy for winning the Quad-Cities Criterium is going on the attack. The course is perfectly suited for the attacking rider with its hour-glass shape that includes lots of corners. If a rider can manage to get some distance away from the field, the out of sight, out of mind mentality can come over the field. This is just the sort of opportunity that an attacking rider can take advantage of and pull off a win.”

Some people, though, are not as willing to talk about their plans.

“That would be telling,” Debbie Dust, of Team Kenda Tire said. “But rest assured, our team has a plan.”

Sometimes, it’s the race itself that attracts them. This is Waukon, Iowa’s Lee Venteicher’s 10^th year racing at The Criterium. Why does he like coming here?

“The best part about this race is that with the corners coming quickly one after another it is hard for the pack to move as efficiently around the course as a single rider. Combine that with an excited crowd lining the whole course and you have a great situation for motivating a breakaway. And, nothing is more fun than a good breakaway,” Venteicher said.

According to The Criterium’s officials, winning requires “tactical skills, bike handling, strategy, sprint speed, and a little luck. Cycling is a team sport that requires the support of the team to win.”

The crowd is the chain that keeps The Criterium moving. Criterium officials say that the participants report that this a favorite event because of the screaming fans. And that’s because of the excitement.

“It’s exciting to watch with the colorful jerseys, getting close to riders and seeing riders at speeds of 35 mph plus. The victories are always tempered with a few crashes. And by the way, no admission charge,” Miller said.

With these new gears, The Criterium may not have to hit the brakes for some time.

Ann's Angle

Finding the right job is like finding the right angle on a news story. When you get it right, you know it. And for one Quad City Times reporter, that angle is health in the Quad Cities.

Ann McGlynn never considered journalism as a career until after she was a sophomore at the University of Iowa. She had entered Iowa as a psychology major, but after her first year it didn’t feel right.

“My boyfriend at the time said ‘Weren’t you the editor of your high school newspaper?’ and I was. So the very next day I went down and changed my major. And I have loved it ever since.”

She had gotten that editors job without ever submitting an article. The class, called “pubs” then, was suggested by the year book advisor.

“I had fifth hour free, and she said ‘Why don’t you sign up?’ so I did and I became editor of the newspaper.”

John Marx of the Daily Dispatch also loves the work that he does on a daily basis.

“I have been able to do some many amazing things. I have met three presidents, countless famous athletes. I love my job; it has given me so much opportunity.”

McGlynn now uses those skills she learned to cover the health beat. And while health isn’t her favorite beat that she has ever covered, it’s better than her old one.

“I covered environmental issues and hated it,” McGlynn said. “I loved covering cops and courts and will still go back to that ultimately.”

McGlynn sees her beat as an important one, though.

“Health is just a huge beat right now. It is becoming so important to so many more people. People are starting to look at their lifestyles. So my goal is to help them get inspired to do something different than what they are already doing.”

McGlynn also spoke about how technology is changing her job.

“I also write a blog now. I am training for a triathlon and readers can follow my progress to see my successes and failures.”

She also has strong feelings about one of the newest additions to online journalism, comments.

“If you have something to say, put your name behind it. I would never dream of posting something on a public forum and not put my name on it. The nice part about the comments is you get immediate feedback. The bad part is that many commenters are just plain mean. But they are getting better.”

Maybe they’ll be nicer after they find the right angle.

Media Relations

Ann McGlynn, Quad City Times health reporter, is of the opinion that companies and media partnerships are “bad.” She, however, is in the minority.

In the results of a survey conducted by media writing students of 18 communication professionals conducted in April 2007, only 2 percent said that partnerships between media and corporations were bad. Of professionals surveyed 33 percent of those were of the opinion that it actually benefited the community.

“We push the line with our Friday health section. Genesis has a significant amount of advertising. It has been scaled back. It’s not so prominent. But that concerns me as a writer. But I also know that bills have to be paid. When I started as the health reporter it was the wrap and that was just abysmal to me. I hated that thing and there was no happier day in my career than when that thing went away. It’s now inside the section, which is a little bit better, but it’s still a lot,” McGlynn said.

McGlynn, however, does feel that local companies are portrayed fairly in the media and according to the survey 61 percent agree with her. This number was opposed by 11 percent who thought it could be better and 6 percent who thought there was a positive bias toward companies.

Lieutenant Don Gano is a spokesperson for the Davenport Police Department who also thinks that companies are portrayed “pretty fair.”

“The media will go on anything that they can dig up. If we try to hide something and chances are that they are going to find it,” Gano said.

Those surveyed were also asked about how the community was portrayed in the media. Only 22 percent responded well, while average and poorly received 33 percent of the vote apiece.

Shanna Manning, Communications Coordinator for DavenportOne, thought that they were positive.

“I feel that the whole community is equally represented. I would say that the downtown is focused on more because it has more happening and it is developing faster than the rest of the community.”

Those surveyed were divided equally, 50 percent men and 50 percent women. Of professionals surveyed, 67 percent were currently in journalism and another 28 percent work in the public relations field.

While it is unclear how long partnerships between media and local companies will go on, what is clear is that there will always be strong feelings about them.

Tragedy Hits Virginia Tech

On April 16, 2007 America’s eyes turned to Blacksburg, VA as a young man killed 32 students before turning the gun on himself. While the reasons for his actions may never be known, the effects are reaching all across the country. St. Ambrose University has felt the ripples along with everyone else.

Sherrie Spillman, a third generation Hokie, from SAU International Student Services department is alumni of Virginia Tech and still communicates with people there.

“They are still in shock, crisis mode and caregiver mode. They are trying to do this while still dealing with their own issues,” Spillman says.

Spillman also commented on what makes Virginia Tech special.

“It’s a larger university with around 26,000 students but still has the feel of a smaller campus. They do a good job of making it feel smaller than it actually is.”

Even students with out connections to Virginia Tech feel its impact.

“It was terrible. There was a way to prevent it because how much they knew about him.” Jessica Hansen said. Hansen is a first year student at SAU.

Different groups are trying to help survivors and the victim’s families. A number of comedians are traveling to Blacksburg to give a benefit concert and an account has been set up on Facebook to donate money.

“I’ve joined the group on Facebook. A bunch of people from my floor have,” Hansen says.

“There has been an outpouring from around the world,” Spillman agrees.

Students from SAU are also encouraged to send an email to the campus ministry to be collected and forwarded on to Virginia Tech. Rev. Chuck Adams, who collected the emails, also commented.

“So far, there have been about 40 messages. My reaction was one of sadness for the victims, their families and the Virginia Tech community,” Adams said.

Alex Backes is a senior at SAU. He has participated in building homes in David, KY with students from Virginia Tech.

“I know that often times the other schools that go to Kentucky do not have the same work ethic Ambrosians do. However, the students from Virginia Tech were one of the few groups that worked hard and truly cared about making a difference there. That makes it so sad that this massacre happened there. I know at least the group who went to David were very good people, so that makes these events so very sad to me. I feel bad for their entire university community and wish them the best as they recover.”

Eileen Eitrheim is also a graduate of Virginia Tech. She has been in contact with members of the Theater Department.

“I am proud of the administration, the local police and the counseling department. They are grateful for the outpouring of care and for the thoughts and prayers. They take comfort in the joined feelings and the services being held around the world. They are adamant about holding graduation. The victims will all receive their diplomas posthumously. They want to use graduation as a celebration of life and their accomplishments.”

Perhaps then, Hokie nation can look forward.

To donate through Facebook follow this link:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2381135729

To send a message to Virginia Tech:

mailto:ministry@sau.edu

Don't Do It

Don’t do it.

I know what you’re thinking.

Don’t do it.

I know how you feel. You’re sick and tired of being here. You constantly ask yourself “Is it over yet?”

Trust me if you don’t want to do it now; you really won’t want to do it five, 10, 15 years from now.

Of course I am talking about school. I was young once too. At 18 I knew it all and where I was going from there. I had it all mapped out. The day I graduated high school I knew what I was doing and where I was going.

Boy was I wrong.

Somewhere between the day I graduated Moline High School and the day I registered at Black Hawk College I got some crazy idea in my head that I was Donald Trump. I was tired of school anyway and was looking for the easiest path out. So I ditched my dreams in Lot 3 and signed up for a degree in business management.

Twelve years later I’m still kicking myself.

I’m now a student here at St. Ambrose and reviving the dream I left for dead so long ago. My wife is the one who told me to go back. You may not be so lucky as to have someone who will not only support you, but tell you “You’re an idiot if you don’t go.”

If you think it will be easy to come back after some time off, it won’t. I told my mom that I was going to take a year off to work and save money to go back. Well one turned into two and two became two kids and a wife. Now I have to work 40 hours a week, study for class, do homework, pay bills, give attention to my family, go to all of their functions and catch up to a generation who didn’t leave their dreams. I wasn’t a social butterfly to start with, but the fun times are few and far between now.

Scheduling and time-management have become my new buzzwords. I live out of my planner. There is no spontaneity at all. A night out with my friends always has to include a two-week notice.

I finished my associates and I am still stuck in a dead-end job with no benefits and live paycheck to paycheck. Being the assistant manager at Hot Topic may seem cool now, but it won’t seem that way later. Someone once told me the difference between a job and a career was that you can explain your career in one word, doctor, teacher, engineer, etc. A job was what you have when you need extra cash at Christmas.

Employers are looking more and more for someone who definitely has more than a high school education, and many time are seeking a candidate with a bachelors or higher.

And there is no guarantee that this opportunity will come your way again. Sure, schools will be here down the road, but life can take so many twists and turns you can’t be sure that you will cross this bridge again.

I was lucky. You may not be.

So please, stick it out. Learn from my mistakes. You won’t regret it.