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Coach Announces Retirement Mr. Verber retires as Head Coach of Basketball With four successful years as the head coach of the Maine South varsity basketball team, George Verber announced his plans for retirement as head coach last month. He plans 10 remain at Maine South, continuing to teach physical education. Although it was very difficult for Coach Verber to leave the athletic program, especially after 25 years of coaching basketball and baseball, he indicated that personal reasons influenced his decision. "I am making the move for personal family reasons," expressed Coach Verber. "I have two sons and both are involved with three sports. Brian is a freshman ar Buffalo Grove High School, and Brad is in 7th grade at Thomas Junior High School in Arlington Heights. My wife and I want to be able to spend time watching them compete in their sporting events the next few years." Coach Verber's reign as head coach produced a 68-40 record from 1986 to 1990. He guided the Hawks to a Cenu-al Suburban League South division championship in 1987, three consecutive regional championships, |and three consecutive Thanksgiving Tournament championships. With such an outstanding coaching record. Coach Verber admits that he will miss the ' athletic program very much. "I will miss the competition and working with the kids. If it were not for my sons being in athletics themselves, I would stay on. I will be leaving the program in good shape with some fine young players, and I will follow their progress even though I won't be involved as their coach." Coach Verber's involvement in athletics stems from his success in high school. He was named all-tournament, all-state center fielder on a varsity baseball team that won the state championship. "Until we won the state championship here at Maine South [boys' basketball in 1979] that was the biggest thrill in sports," Verber remembers. Verber was instrumental in that Hawk championship, leading the team as an assistant varsity coach.
Head Coach Verber and Assistant Coach Nelson look on. After graduating from Maine West in 1960, Verber went on to attend Bowling Green State University and also was successful in collegiate athletics, including basketball and baseball. During his senior year. Coach Verber was named third team AilAmerican in baseball and was invited to try out for the major leagues by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Coach Verber finally arrived at Maine South after receiving his graduate degree at Bowling Green. At the start of Verber's coaching career at Maine South, he coached freshmen, sophomore, and junior varsity basketball. In addition, Verber coached the sophomore and varsity baseball teams. Coach Verber was successful in all his teams; in particular, he possessed a 56 game winning streak as a sopho-
more basketball coach in the early 1970's. Verber left Maine South when he was named head basketball coach at Maine West in 1980. He coached for three promising seasons at Maine West, compiling a 22-6 record and winning a regional and conference chamionship in his last year. Coach Verber returned to South as head varsity basketball coach when Jerry Nelson resigned in 1986. Coach Verber has always felt comfortable at Maine South, supported and applauded by many for his outstanding coaching. "I have always received tremendous cooperation from the school, the community, the students, and my assistant coaches," Verber remarked. "Without support from those groups, we would have never been able to be successful.
Badminton shuts out competition The feathers have been flying on the badminton courts of Maine South. Coaches Sass, Finneran, and PasewiU have had lots to be excited about. The girls' badminton team has been having an extremely successful season so far. The varsity team, comprised of Linda Swalla, Amy Biedron, Jackie Howe, Chris Gnutek, Amy Okersffom, Katherine Kougias, KrisuSigg, Shannon Duffy, Athena Kotsanis, and Greta Vormitag, holds an undefeated
record. After defeating Rolling Meadows, Maine West, Downer's Grove South, and Lake Forest with complete shut-outs against Fremd, Conant, and Maine East, the badminton team has proven that they are tough competitors. At the CSL Tournament, Maine South had its best showing ever. Linda Swalla took 6th place in A singles, Chris Gnutek won 1 st place in B singles. Shannon Duffy took 4th place in
singles, and Athena Kotsanis won 3rd place in C singles. The jv and freshmen teams contributed to the team's wins and helped to earn the team a 4ih place showing overall. Maine South will face New Trier and Evanston this week and both teams should provide a challenge to the undefeated Hawks.