William J Corley

Can someone please take a look at what Rob Zvonar and staff built at Lincoln-Way East. Put down your private vs public schools swords and look at this public school program. Think about the private competition in its backyard: Providence, Marian Catholic, Brother Rice, Marist, St. Laurence, St. Rita and Mount Carmel. All working to attract kids and families to their campuses. Remember, Zvonar and staff took over a new school in 2001 and then watched the district expand to four schools a few years later to slice the talent pool even more. Think about that. And then think about how kids from that district had transferred to other public schools in the past (Zak Kustok and others). Despite all those challenges, Zvonar and his staff built Lincoln-Way East into a destination. How? By building a brand, not just coaching football. They built a brand. Rob Glielmi will always be known for turning around football at Lincoln-Way, but what Z and his staff did even more was invest in human relationships. Youth football programs. Summer camps. Clinics. Open houses. Youth nights. Community engagement. They connected with kids and families years before those kids ever stepped onto a high school football field. They didn’t just develop football players. They developed a program, a culture, a reputation and a sense of belonging. That’s called building a brand. And far too many high school coaches don't understand it. Look at Batavia. Generations of kids have grown up dreaming about playing under those Friday night lights. Why? Because the program created something bigger than football. Community pride. Tradition. Relationships. An experience kids want to be part of and that’s where many private schools dominate public schools before a child ever selects a school. Here’s what some coaches and school administrators need to understand: You’re owed nothing. A family’s zip code doesn’t automatically earn you its loyalty. Kids and families want great educational opportunities, great experiences, great coaching and opportunities beyond high school. And they’re going to make decisions based on what’s best for them. Instead of complaining when a family chooses another school, ask yourself a better question: What is that school doing to attract kids and families that we’re not? Stop blaming private schools. Stop making excuses. Start building something kids and families want to be part of. Kids need more experiences, not more games. They play 8 million these days. Great programs don’t just play and win games, they build brands to win the trust of families and communities. I keep telling you…it’s #MoreThanJUSTGames.