Prairie Ridge job

No, I havent heard that much I still think theres a good chance that if he wants it, Chuck Lowitski will get the job.

Chuck has my vote!

P&C97, you are correct those as of right now are the applicants for the PR position. However, the district is looking from within. At this time there are 2-3 applicants from underlevel coaches within the district. Contractually the district has to provide the opportunity to those interested parties from within first. Subsequently, if they feel as though those candidates are not capable of directing a program, they will then look to outside applicants. Good Luck P&C97

Any word yet? I sure hope CL gets a serious chance!

Good Luck Chuck

Congrats to Chuck Lowitski who landed the head job on Friday.

Congrats to him! Now they need to find their sophomore and freshman coaches.

I'm sure it will be quite difficult to hire competent assistants at this stage of the school year. Most are probably already spoken for.

From today's NW Herald. Congrats Chuck!

Right-hand man takes over Prairie Ridge baseball team


By JOE STEVENSON, jstevenson@nwherald.com
Comments (0)

Chuck Lowitzki would have been perfectly happy sitting on the ball bucket in Prairie Ridge's dugout, carefully studying pitchers and interjecting his thoughts on games to Wolves head coach Glen Pecoraro.



Even when Pecoraro would tell Lowitzki he was being groomed to someday take over, Lowitzki didn't believe him.

"I was content to be his assistant," Lowitzki said. "Being head coach was never a goal of mine. I didn't anticipate it happening."

Until six weeks ago when Pecoraro, Prairie Ridge's only head varsity baseball coach in the school's 9-year history, resigned.

Lowitzki began considering the opportunity facing him, and Prairie Ridge administrators thought having Pecoraro's right-hand man was the next best thing to having Pecoraro, so Lowitzki has accepted an offer to become head baseball coach. Prairie Ridge athletic director Patti Hie said Lowitzki's hiring should become official at January's District 155 school board meeting.

Lowitzki plans to meet with the players Wednesday, although most of them know him already since he played such an integral part in the Wolves' program. Pecoraro's teams were 220-108 with seven consecutive Class AA regional titles, and Prairie Ridge has produced several NCAA Division I and II players. The Wolves were 26-10 last season, and Pecoraro was selected as the Northwest Herald Coach of the Year.

Lowitzki, 28, graduated from Crystal Lake Central in 1997 and currently works as a teaching assistant for special education at Jacobs. He is working to complete his bachelor's degree in behavioral science and then will work toward his teaching degree.

Under D-155 guidelines, all coaching positions are open to teachers within the district first. When none applied, Lowitzki had his opportunity.

"We knew his relationship with the kids and that he has a great knowledge and passion for the game," Hie said. "He's been a major part of a successful program. We're excited to have someone who already knows the program and the facilities."

Pecoraro was excited for his successor.

"Chuck will do an outstanding job," Pecoraro said. "He balanced me out real well. His strengths will be to not overreact and get too emotional. He has a quiet calm without getting loud. He may bring a more cerebral approach. He commands respect by the way he carries himself and the way he talks to people."

The players learned Lowitzki was going to be their coach Friday night.

"It's a great opportunity for Chuck," said pitcher-designated hitter T.J. Swank, a Northwest Herald All-Area first team selection. "He's had a lot of experience and we've all known him and been around him, we have a feel for him and his personality. We can relate to him. Chuck definitely is a disciplined coach but can bring a little more on the loose side on the field."