Politics & Government

Glenbard West Football Coach Weighs In On Memorial Lights

Numerous residents and faculty members spoke during Thursday's plan commission meeting.

The man who spends the most time on Memorial Field doesn't want to take sides in the light debate that's dividing the village. 

"I'm not standing up for one side or the other," said physical education teacher and Glenbard West football coach Chad Hetlet.

For the first time, Hetlet publicly voiced his opinion of installing lights at the practice field and urged those on both sides to reach a compromise during Thursday's plan commission meeting.

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"I think this room needs to come together, as a little bit of a team, and figure some things out," said Hetlet. 

The current practice situation for his athletes is not ideal and he said it puts GBW athletes at an unfair disadvantage. When athletes are bused to park district fields away from campus, they're left to practice without trainers, which then becomes dangerous, Hetlet added.  

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What makes practice even more difficult is when teams like Hetlet's make it into post-season play. In the past, Assistant Principal of Athletics Linda Oberg has had to ask other schools with lights for practice space. With only one usable playing field at GBW, split between multiple varsity sports, Oberg said she's left no choice, especially during the fall season when it gets dark sooner.

Oberg tried to quell neighbors' fears, she assured them that the school would not put in a sound system or rent out the practice field to third parties. Oberg said the request for lights has always been about allowing her teams more practice time--nothing more. 

Pro-lights resident Bob Gorski riled up the crowd after displaying pictures that showed homes isolated from the field by a wall of trees near Montclair Avenue. Our Field Our Town members, felt the angle of the picture was misleading. Pointing to that picture Gorski said the lights, "will not directly impact or possibly ever be noticed by a neighbor.”

A resident who owns one of the homes closest to the field wants commissioners to think about her before reaching a verdict. Kathy Sleckman said she already puts up with the loud noise from the practice field and fears lights will make her block less desirable, and could possible lower her home's property value in an already tough market. 

"I love sitting on my porch and I have not been able to do that lately with the noise," said Sleckman. "It’s supposed to be about education first and football second not the other way around."

Hetlet said he sympathizes with both sides of the issue, and although he won't take sides, he predicts lights will eventually go up at Memorial Field. 

"Here's what's going to happen, there's going to be lights. Some people might not be around to see it but it will happen," said Hetlet.


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