Waukegan High athletic director Dave Perkins may be way, way, way too conservative for some tastes, and may be a stickler for the letter of the IHSA law in a community in which we're pretty used to following the spirit of the law.
But you've got to give the guy credit for focusing on the all-important job of making sure as many of our Bulldog athletes as possible get to put their athletic skills to use at the collegiate level.
One of the key things a high school athletic program can do is make sure a school's student-athletes get a chance to take their game and brain to the next level.
In just one year on the job, Perkins has made a special point of making sure that happens ... and Waukegan's student-athletes -- now and in future years -- will benefit from it by getting an all-important college education.
So while Perkins sadly continues to not lead the bandwagon to get lights and artificial turf for the school's football field, our Bulldog cap is tipped in his direction for putting the school's student-athletes in position to succeed at the next level.
Any athletic director who places an emphasis on academics wins in my book. Athletes need to know that being successful requires a brain, not just athletic ability. Athletes who can manage both will have more success in college and in the pros. They will know how to handle the riches and pressure that come their way and not end up like some of the pros in the news recently for stupid things.
The Bulldogs are going to be the sleeper team in football this year. watched them over at Warren in 7 on 7 and they are skilled and fast. A nice throwing QB and two fast and tall receivers - #80 & #83. Look out!