Transitioning into high school can cause a great deal of anxiety for young teens. Knowing someone is there to look out for you makes all the difference. Coach Phil LaScala developed the Lake Forest High School (LFHS) basketball program and ran it for nearly 20 years with the deliberate intention of supporting young players. He paired seniors on the team with underclassman and it meant everything to the new guys who looked up to the varsity players. It taught members of the varsity team to understand their leadership role and to tune in and make time for others on and off the court.

Our sons, Noah, Tommy and Sean, were three of the hundreds who benefited from taking part in the program. Noah continues to appreciate what the four-year experience taught him and remembers a sense of comfort starting high school knowing someone was around to check in on him.

Coach LaScala created a program culture that inspired basketball players from as young as five to aspire to play for him one day at LFHS and the results speak for themselves. Coach LaScala built one of the strongest, most competitive teams in the area year after year, including the 2015 team on which Noah and Tommy played, that went 28-3, losing only to Stevenson High School led by Jalen Brunson, one of the best players in the NBA today.

LFHS and our community have been fortunate to have Coach LaScala at the helm of one of our most celebrated sports programs for two decades. He demanded that his players work to grow into the best versions of themselves as athletes and students, knowing it would benefit them in college and in their careers. Most LFHS basketball alumni say it has.

At end-of-the-season banquets, Coach LaScala made sure the events were a grand finale. The entire team of players, coaches, trainers, managers and parents attended and it didn’t phase him that it lasted hours. He made sure every senior was properly recognized, with an in-depth tribute that detailed what he and the team appreciated about them. Each one was called to the front, where he stood next to Coach LaScala as he spoke about the player’s strengths and contributions, both on and off the court.

Today’s LFHS feeder program was shaped by Coach LaScala. Initially, there was a single team for each grade. He rejected that approach, saying more kids should have the opportunity to play and develop. Now, each grade has multiple teams that instill the fundamentals of what is taught at the varsity level. Coach LaScala knew winning starts with them believing in themselves and in each other.

Being good citizens was just as important to Coach LaScala as being good players. He made sure his guys made a difference in the community by volunteering at Camp Hope, helping with the feeder program, and shopping for gifts to give the less fortunate during the holidays. Coach LaScala believed being a good person translated into being a good teammate.

He pushed the boys to be the best version of themselves and to strive for excellence. He was named Illinois’ “Coach of the Year” six times as head basketball coach for LFHS. We thank and honor Coach LaScala for the role he played preparing our sons for life.

Jennifer Karras and John Trkla

- LF on Topic

Susie Kullby is a 30 year resident, educator and coach in Lake Forest. Coach Kullby played a variety of sports growing up but fell in love with soccer as a varsity player at New Trier high school. She went on to play at Xavier University. She has coached soccer for LFSA for 20 years and has a national C license from U.S. soccer. In 2020 Susie received the Illinois Women in Soccer Award in 2020.

John Lazzaretto founded Bandits Lacrosse in 2014 and has coached hundreds of young athletes, growing the program to over 200 girls playing each year. John has two children who went on to play Division I varsity lacrosse. John is a Lake Forest High School graduate where he was an All-State running back and set multiple football and track records. In addition to Lacrosse, John has coached youth football and other rec league sports for girls and boys.

Matt Wells grew up in Mundelein playing baseball and basketball. After getting injured playing college baseball, Matt transitioned into coaching and has spent over a decade working with young athletes. Matt has previously worked with the Lake Forest Scouts baseball program and served as the Director of Athletics at the Mundelein Park District. He is currently the General Manager and a baseball coach at The Farm System - a community based sports organization built on helping athletes grow into their full potential on and off the playing field.

Melanie and Kent are co-Chairs of the Adhoc Bylaws committee for the Lake Forest Caucus. Melanie is along time resident of Lake Forest and has served the community in many ways, most recently as an Alderman. Prior to that she has also served as an office of the Lake Forest Open Lands Association including a stint as Chairperson. She has been a member of the Board and past President of the Lake Forest District 67 School Board as well as a Director of the Gorton Community Center. Melanie has been active in many other civic and charitable organizations in Lake Forest and Lake County. She is a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston and Loyola University Law school and continues to practice law in Lake Forest.

Kent is also a long time resident of Lake Forest. Kent has been very active with the city having served as a 1st Ward Alderman, a member of the Zoning Commission, a member if the District 67 School Board and as part of the Executive Committee of the Lake Forest Caucus. Kent attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and John Marshall University law school. He is a practicing attorney in Chicago.

Dr. Lenart came to Lake Forest High School in 2021 from Fairfax High School in Fairfax, Virginia. Dr. Lenart began her career as an English teacher and later has served as an Assistant Principal and Principal at both the Junior High and High School levels.

She holds a Bachelors degree in English form Austin Peay University, a Masters in Education Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Virginia Tech.

Congressman Schneider is currently serving his 5th term representing the 10th District of Illinois. He presently serves on the House Ways and Means and the Foreign Affairs Committees. Congressman Schieder is a recognized leader on the Middle East and has focused extensively on the U.S.-Israel relationship. Mr. Schneider holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering and an MBA both from Northwestern University. Prior to running for congress, he has worked as a business consultant and managed an insurance firm. He is seeking a 6th term in the House of Representatives in the election next month. The congressman resides with his wife Julie in Highland Park.