US Nike Football

Nike 5D2F: Mid-Week

usnikefootball — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:45:26 GMT

There is a distinct separation of mindset between the inner circle and the outer circle as Friday approaches in the rivalry week. The inner circle, being the body of WWS football, does not look at the 6-0 record vs. the 4-2 record of North. The inner circle embraces the 19 victories out of the last 20 cross-town battles, but knows that this is an entirely new week. They know that there is no security in a game against WN no matter what has happened up to this point. As adversity piles up in the form of injury and sickness, the Tigers keep in mind the last part of this year’s slogan: Rise above it all. There is no time for doubt and grief regarding the monumental losses this program has endured. Al that is left to do is prepare their minds and bodies to be better than the North side this week. Speed training, lifting, film study, and practice are the only remedies for the North/South rivalry. In addition to this, there is an entirely different wave of emotion brought about by this game. A suppressed sense of anticipation has sat bottled up in the back of the minds of each player ever since a few coaches left the team in March. These emotions are slowly making their way to the surface as the inner circle prepares to release it all on Friday night. On the other hand, there is the outer circle, consisting of the student body and staff of WWS. Their tunnel vision leads them from a 6-0 record, to the history of the rivalry history of the rivalry, to the hype f 5 Days to Friday, and accepts nothing less than a victory. The team knows that they cannot win this week without the love and support of the “Tiger Nation,” and there is no doubt in the mind of either circle that the Tigers are going to come out victorious in week 7….. counting down the days to Friday.

Nike 5D2F: The Mid-Week Vibe

usnikefootball — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:43:01 GMT

We are three days away from the most publicized football game in Wheaton Warrenville South history. Not only are the players excited, the students and teachers can’t stop talking about the big game against long-term rival, Wheaton North! One WWS teacher describes how excited he is saying, “I’m pretty pumped up. I live on the north side of Wheaton, and I’ve been trash talking my neighbors for weeks.” The students are excited for the game, but also for the pre-game tailgate party sponsored by Nike. Almost 700 students are already planning on coming to the tailgate! With all the awesome free give-aways, who wouldn’t be? A player on our undefeated team shares his anticipation: “We’ve worked hard to be recognized as a top team in the nation. This spotlight is a great opportunity for our team and our school. North is going to regret having showed up to be disgraced in their town—year after year baby—They’re going down!”

Friends v. Foes: Wheaton Warrenville South/Wheaton North 2008

usnikefootball — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:41:35 GMT

What gives me the right to place two Chicago suburb high school football teams (Wheaton-Warrenville South Tigers and Wheaton North Falcons) among some of the greatest rivalries in the history of the game?

Maybe it’s the fact that both schools have harbored dominating dynasties in Illinois football history. South has put up five state titles since the early 90’s under coaches John Thorne and Ron Muhitch. Wheaton North controlled the 80’s under Coach Rex.

If the impressive history doesn’t do it, there’s the current coaching dynamic. New head coach, Joe Wardynski, and offensive coordinator, Dan Korntheuer left to coach at North. Both were key components of South’s coaching staff last year.

Like any other great rivalry, the fans are definitely a part of the equation. Whether you are a fan of football or not, it is arguably an expectation as a member of the community to show your face along with thousands of others at the cross-town match-up each year. To some, the game can make or break the season.

Oh. And if you are from around here, you know not to wear black and orange with blue and gold. Ever.

So why should it qualify? There’s history. Just enough bad blood to keep it classy. And bragging rights are always on the line. But isn’t that true of virtually all rivalries?

There’s one aspect that exists in Wheaton football alone: the athletes. These kids grew up playing side by side on the same youth football teams. They eat at the same restaurants, hang out at the same places. To get right to it, they know each other, well. In fact many of them are friends. But one Friday out of the year, that all changes. On that Friday, they are forced to put their friendships on hold and their reputations on the line.

5 Days to Friday

usnikefootball — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:40:19 GMT

At 5 o’clock the softball fields at Wheaton Warrenville South transformed into a sea of orange with the Nike stand serving as the center of attention. Hot dogs were distributed among the hungry crowd; people lined-up to design their own Nike ID shoes, and a boy and girl were chosen to receive their own custom design in the form of real Nike shoes. The game began as a stadium brimming over with Tiger fans facing off with a measly crowd of North supporters. Shouts and cheers answered touchdown after touchdown for the South side! In the end, the Tigers claimed victory: 47-14.

Once in a Lifetime

usnikefootball — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:39:36 GMT

The week of the Wheaton Warrenville South vs. Wheaton North game is always one of the biggest weeks of the year in Wheaton, but this year it was even more special. Nike chose to highlight this matchup as one of their high school games of the week for their “5 Days to Friday” national road tour. Students got free lanyards, and the opportunity to customize shoes at lunch with Nike ID, and students even had the opportunity to purchase custom Nike t-shirts. In the hours leading up to the game their was a tailgate party hosted by Nike that included free food and drinks, and performances by the cheerleaders and the drum line. The Wheaton Warrenville South players also received some of their own special opportunities, including a recorded message from Bears defensive lineman Alex Brown, and an exclusive sneak peek at a commercial featuring Ladainian Tomlinson, and Troy Polamalu at the team pasta dinner the night of the game. All of these incredible opportunities were made even more special because the South Tigers steamrolled the North Falcons, allowing South to remain undefeated and putting them in a great position heading into their final stretch of DVC games. This whole week was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for both the players and the fans of Wheaton Warrenville South.