Trip back in time Saturday

If you're looking for some hoops Saturday night, why not do it with a trek down memory lane at Christian Liberty's Grace Gym, the old home of Arlington HS, as Buffalo Grove and Palatine play at 7:30 in the Bob Frisk Sleighbell Classic. It's a tribute to Bob's career and commitment to high school sports that is nearing the end of an incredible 50-year run.
Kudos to the Arlington grads Matt Shaughnessy and Kip North, who is now the boys AD at Buffalo Grove, for putting this idea in motion. Same to Christian Liberty AD Steve Rowland and the school for opening their doors for what promises to be a magic night at a place that for years was the centerpiece for HS basketball in the northwest burbs.
Most of the gyms around here and those built nowadays are pretty much out of a cookie cutter with little charm. But I love old gyms and had the opportunity to check out Grace Gym back in October at a reunion with my wife, who was part of the ill-fated Arlington senior class of 1985 that had to go elsewhere when the school closed a year earlier.
I can't wait and I know others with deep roots in this area can't wait, either, to see another game there and pay tribute to Bob on what should be a fantastic night.
Like Bob, I love the nostalgia part of these things, too. After all, this is where Dave Corzine and Hersey made part of their memorable run in the sectional to become the first Mid-Suburban League team to reach the Elite Eight in 1974. It's where future NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Nitschke of the Packers starred in a sectional back in the 1950s at Proviso (when it was just one school).
It's where George Zigman roamed the sideline for years and saw his 1982 Arlington team led by the electrifying Chris Berg get to the Elite Eight.
No doubt many will recall a lot of other similar memories on Saturday night.