Fencik returns to new home

Gary Fencik was impressed with the new Barrington Athletic Stadium. Heck, in a lot of ways, particularly the brand-new field turf, it was probably a big upgrade over what the Barrington grad played on at Soldier Field for 12 years as a safety with the Bears in the 1970s and 1980s.
On Friday night, Fencik told DH correspondent Howard Schlossberg: "It's really an improvement over what generations of guys have played on. Visually, to see a state-of-the-art field, it's pretty impressive."
Fencik's dad John was also an assistant principal at Barrington who passed away in 2001. Fencik: "My dad would have loved this. Dad was always proud of the facilities here."
No doubt members of the 1998 team that finished second in the state in Class 6A will be in awe as well when they return Sept. 12 for the home game with Prospect to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

New Barrington assistant Rich Roberts, who retired last fall as a head coach after 18 years at Buffalo Grove, also likes what he's seen at his new home. "This field's so soft (to stand on), I told Joe (head coach Sanchez) I could stay here another 15 years. I love it here. Joe's a great organizer. The kids have taken to me."

And there's no question the kids in this area will take to these new fields. By next year all six teams in the Mid-Suburban West will be playing on the new field turf surfaces. Of course, that will bring an end to the mud bowls ...

I'll have more thoughts and opinions on the changing landscape of area high school football in a column this Friday.