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By Kevin Hieronymus
HIERONYMUS' HYPOTHESIS
There have been times over the years where I've dreamt that I've left the Bureau County Republican for somewhere "bigger and better" sitting in a new office.
Each time, my mind is asking, "Why did I do this?" Then I'd wake up and was relieved it was only a dream.
This time, it's not a dream.
The common greeting I've had the past few years has been, "Hi Kevin. Are you still working?" Or "when are you going to retire?" Just had a couple people ask me last week. I guess you get that at my age.
Well, the time has come. After almost 40 years as your sports editor, 42 years in the business, it's time to hang 'em up. I've often heard players and coaches say, "I'd rather retire one year too soon than one year too late" and come to regret it. That's the approach I'm taking.
I will be working through the end of the month. I want to make sure I finish what I start, so I'll step away before the start of another new school year.
It's not an easy decision certainly to move on from your passion, but I am excited for what's out there. I'll have more free time to travel with Kami and our sidekick, Cocoa, our little Jack Russell. I'm sure I won't stray too far from the local sports scene in one way or the other.
While I won't miss all the late nights and deadlines, I will miss the people along the way from the kids, the coaches, the scorekeepers, the ADs, the custodians and other school personnel behind the scenes.
I kind of came in (my third year in town) with the 1989 Princeton Tiger Style Runnin' Wild" Princeton state runner-up football team. One team member, Darren Foley, told me years later, "Hieronymus, we made you in this town." I told him he wasn't wrong.
Now I'm not sure how many of us are still running wild.
I've driven through a tornado coming back from DePue's sectional championship basketball game in 2017 in Somonauk and thunder snow for a girl's regional finals in Mendota. I also ran out of the Nesti Stadium press box which appeared to be on fire with sparks flying and smoke billowing. Fortunately, it was just a wire sparking outside the press box. Then some folks suggested to not touch the handrails on the way down which made the exit more harrowing.
In the early years, I drove to work downtown one morning and saw our roof on fire. Thankfully, the fire department saved our building at 316 South Main, now Festival 56, and we put a paper out smoke smell or not. Once I walked five blocks in a blizzard to work and our skeleton crew still put a paper out and I wound up helping deliver the paper in a co-worker's Jeep.
I've filled in as interim news editor four or five times over the years, went on the news beat temporarily when COVID shutdown the sports scene in 2020 and served as an interim page designer.
I may have sold an ad at one time, so I've done or seen about it all.
Reflecting back, I will always remember the state champions - the 1988 St. Bede baseball team, the 1990 Princeton volleyball team, the 1995 and 2001 Hall and 2005 Bureau Valley football teams, the 2018 Hall baseball and the 2023 St. Bede softball teams - as well as some of the heart-breaking losses along the way like Princeton's overtime loss in the 1995 sectional finals at Piano on a last-second throw-in and again in the 2003 super sectional at DeKalb, also on a last-second shot.
I also will remember Princeton coach Lee Wahlgren's bear hugs on sons Kipp and Kristian after winning the state wrestling championship, Chad Hamel streaking down the sidelines in Princeton's 1989 playoff win over Alleman in front of a packed Bryant Field and the Tigers' victory at Marmion in the bitter cold, Jeff Ohlson's sectional-winning free throw and Roger Lowe's blue collar Sweet 16 1992 basketball team, Brad Bickett's foot stomps and the Storm's state third place three-peat, Hall line coach Steve Smith's King of Rock 'n Roll chants, Eric Bryant's Hustlin' Hall Red Devils and Shawn Jeppson's 51-point game at state, Princeton's 2009 sectional win over mighty Peoria Manual, Mac Resetich racing down the field, slam dunks by Teegan Davis, Grady Thompson and Noah LaPorte and the state basketball and baseball teams from PC.
Just the same, I will never forget the young athletes we've tragically lost - Lindy Woods and Joe Nord of Princeton, Brett Thompson of Walnut, Steve Hamacher, Mike Crawford and Mike Swanlund ("Mike and Mike") of LaMoille, Matt Bence of Princeton, Blaine Foster and Daniel Lule of Hall and Tyler Harrison and Evan Knoblauch of St. Bede. Sadly, I've had seven of my former Little Leaguers pass away - Adam Romagnoli, Eric Provance, Brett Shepard, Phillip Briddick, Matt Anson, Mike Monier and Tony Carr - who I will always remember.
The very first game I covered for the BCR was the 1986 LaMoille at Tampico first-round playoff football game with my hometown pal Kip Cheek of the Mendota Reporter won by the Lions 6-0. Still remember my story lead saying, "the Trojans found the Lions defense just as stiff as Tampico native son Ronald Reagan."
My last game was Hall's regional semifinal baseball 5-4 loss this spring to Monmouth-Roseville at Princeton.
Along the way, we've had 10 teams from Hall reach the state tournament/ finals, seven from St. Bede, six from Bureau Valley and five from Princeton plus numerous individual state champions.
I've always wondered how many games I've covered over the years. This past year I've kept track what an average year would be like. For ballpark figures, I've covered about 1,600 basketball games, 800 baseball and softball games, 700 volleyball matches and 400-some football games, not to mention soccer, golf, track, cross country and tennis.
I've also logged about 106,000 miles on the job based on this year's mileage.
I figure I have put out more than 5,500 editions of BCR sports sections with 2,000 or more of these Hieronymus' Hypothesis columns and in recent years, the Record. I created that column name in college to come up with something about as long as my last name. Former Walnut football coach Mick Peterson still calls me Kevin Alphabet because of all the letters in my name.
The BCR may be considered smalltime in some circles. Bigger is not always better. I could have gone to a bigger town and bigger paper, but I would have not found a place that lives and breathes sports more than Bureau County and Putnam County.
It's always rewarding to attend graduation parties and see scrapbooks full of stories you have written on that senior. This is why newspapers still matter and always will. Keep supporting your local newspapers. You won't know what you got until it's gone.
I thank you for inviting me into your house two or three times a week the past 40 years, depending on publication schedule. It's been my extreme honor to cover sports in Bureau County and Putnam County. I want to give a special thanks to Shannon Jenkins for serving as a dedicated PC sports correspondent, largely with no pay, for passing on your hometown sports news.
I feel like I've known you all in one way or the other, either writing about you, your child or grandchild.
I've written about kids of kids I've covered years ago, but haven't quite got to grandkids, I don't believe.
I remember sitting in Matt McDonald's living room in Princeton signing his professional baseball contract after being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 1994. Twenty-four years later, I covered his son, Cam, recording the last out on the mound for Hall's state championship in 2018 with Matt in the dugout.
One of the first families I've covered here was the Davis family in the late '80s with Brian at Manlius. It's only fitting that I finish with the Davis family and having one of my last interviews with his niece Keighley.
They say all good things must end. And this has been a good thing. Very good.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 9, 2026 Media Contact Information: Illinois Principals Association Alison Maley, government and public relations director 2940 Baker Drive Springfield, IL 62703 (217) 299-3122 alison@ilprincipals.org
The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) encourages communities to celebrate Principal Appreciation Week Oct. 18-24, 2026, and Principal Appreciation Day on Friday, Oct. 23, to highlight the dedication of principals, assistant principals, and deans. This annual recognition has been recognized by Illinois governors since 1990. October is also National Principals Month, supported by the IPA, the National Principals Association (NPA), the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), and the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA). Brian Faulkner, IPA president and principal of Kaneland Harter Middle School (Sugar Grove), shared: "During Principal Appreciation Week, we celebrate the dedicated school leaders across Illinois who work tirelessly to create schools where students can learn, grow, and thrive. Principals are lead learners, culture builders, advocates, and champions for both students and staff. We are grateful for the passion, resilience, and unwavering commitment they bring to their schools and learning communities each and every day." “This year, we celebrate our state’s school leaders for what they do – unlocking the potential of those they serve,” said Dr. Jason Leahy, IPA executive director. “These courageous individuals lead their learning organizations with optimism, humility, vision, perseverance, and a deep commitment to do what is best for their students. Both research and common sense tell us how critical these servants are to positively influence young people, teachers, and communities. For this, they deserve our respect and gratitude.” IPA invites teachers, students, parents, and community members to show appreciation for school leaders on Friday, Oct. 23.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 8, 2026 Media Contact Information: Illinois Principals Association Alison Maley, government and public relations director 2940 Baker Drive Springfield, IL 62703 (217) 299-3122 alison@ilprincipals.org
The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) will host its 55th Education Leaders Annual Conference, “Unlocking Potential,” from Oct. 18 to Oct. 20 in Peoria. The event will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities to help school leaders enhance their impact on schools and communities. 2026-2027 IPA President Brian Faulkner shared, “Unlocking Potential is grounded in the belief that leadership is not confined to a title. Leadership lives within every member of our school community, and when we create opportunities for others to lead, we unlock the collective potential of our students, staff, and communities.” The conference kicks off Sunday, Oct. 18, with a golf tournament, committee meetings, and a welcome reception honoring past IPA presidents. Keynote speakers include: Phil Januszewski, a 20-year educator turned full-time motivator, will deliver a keynote Monday morning titled “Less Tired. More Inspired: Three Actions Toward Thriving Instead of Surviving.” Januszewski will share three crucial actions that will allow leaders to leverage individual strengths and passions to reach higher levels of happiness, fulfillment, and giving, all while avoiding burnout and a negative mindset. Brian Faulkner, 2026-2027 IPA president, and Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders will speak Monday afternoon. IPA Awards for Excellence, Herman Graves Awards, Reaching Out & Building Bridges Awards, and the Mr. John Ourth & Dr. Fred W. Singleton Professional Development Scholarships will also be presented at this session. Dr. Mary Hemphill, CEO and founder of The Limitless Leader LLC, will open Tuesday morning with her session “Future-Proof Leadership: Unlocking Potential in a Skills-Based Economy.” Future-proof leadership will equip principals. assistant principals and deans with a practical framework for leading a skills-based economy, including actionable strategies to implement immediately for kindergarten through high school. Additionally, Tuesday’s IGNITE session will feature fast-paced presentations from school and district leader duos, including Dr. Ben Collins, superintendent, Park Ridge-Niles School District 64; Dr. Courtney Goodman, principal, Eugene Field Elementary School (Park Ridge); Dr. Jill Griffin, superintendent, Bethalto Community Unit School District 8; and Justin Newell, principal, Civic Memorial High School (Bethalto). These leaders will share their perspectives on implementing the School Leader Paradigm and Illinois School Leader Evaluation Plan in their respective districts. The conference will conclude with IPA Deputy Executive Director Brian Schwartz and IPA Government & Public Relations Director Alison Maley, who will provide updates on new education-related laws passed during the 2026 Illinois Legislative Session, and offering insights on how school leaders can stay informed and advocate for their schools. For more information about the IPA or to register to attend, please visit ilprincipals.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 1, 2026 Media Contact Information: Office of the Highway Commissioner Northfield Township Road District 237 Melvin Drive, Northbrook, IL 60062 (847) 724-8300 ntroad@northfieldtownship.com
Property acquisition moves the MWRD–Road District partnership closer to protecting 130 residential structures and critical roadways from flooding across Northfield Township NORTHBROOK — The Northfield Township Road District (NTRD) announced that the purchase of the nearly 16-acre property for the stormwater detention basin serving the Central Road Flood Control Project closed Sept. 8. The project is designed to reduce flooding affecting 130 residential structures and several roadways in South Glenview. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Board of Commissioners authorized the purchase of the 15.82-acre site, along with a 0.91-acre temporary construction easement, from Ridgewood Cemetery Company, Inc., for $8.15 million plus closing costs. The property acquisition is a major milestone in the intergovernmental partnership between the Road District and the MWRD to deliver flood relief along the Central Road corridor from the Des Plaines River to Glenwood Lane. “For the families in South Glenview who have watched water come up their driveways year after year, this property acquisition means the detention basin is no longer a line on a drawing — it is on its way to becoming real,” said Highway Commissioner Michael J. Korman. “When Central Road stays open and dry during a major storm, every resident of Northfield Township benefits, whether they are commuting, getting kids to school, or counting on first responders to get through.” The project will bring direct relief to residents of South Glenview and the surrounding unincorporated area, where flooding has repeatedly threatened homes, yards, and streets. Once operational, the project is expected to reduce flooding that impacts 130 single- and multi-family residential structures, as well as several roadways within and around the project area. The full project includes new mainline storm sewers under Central Road and Dearlove Road and lateral storm sewers on Glenwood Lane, Glendale Road, Glenshire Road and Hillside Road within the Road District’s jurisdiction. The approximately 16-acre detention basin site near Dee Road and Central Avenue will capture and temporarily store stormwater during major rainfall events, reducing pressure on the corridor’s existing drainage system. While the detention basin will capture and store stormwater at the west end of the corridor, the benefits extend across the entire Road District. Reduced flooding protects the pavement, culverts and drainage infrastructure the Road District maintains on behalf of all Township residents, lowers long-term repair costs, and keeps a vital east–west route reliable during severe weather. MWRD is leading and funding the $8.15 million land acquisition, along with the design and construction of the project. Once construction is complete, the Road District will assume long-term ownership and maintenance of the improvements within its jurisdiction. “Strong partnerships are essential to building more resilient communities, and we appreciate the Northfield Township Road District's collaboration on the Central Road Flood Control Project,” said MWRD President Kari K. Steele. “Together, we're expanding stormwater storage, reducing flood risks, and protecting our waterways while creating lasting benefits for Northfield Township residents.” Next steps include completing due diligence on the property, conducting survey and staking work, and continued progress on the project design. Aquatic biologists from the MWRD’s Monitoring and Research Department will also be assessing the potential transfer of turtles and fish. The aquatic biologists are conducting an environmental suitability assessment in September to evaluate that conditions are appropriate for this plan. The Road District will keep residents informed as the project advances toward construction. For updates on this project and other Road District programs, visit ntroad.com. About the Northfield Township Road District The Northfield Township Road District is an independent unit of local government organized under the Illinois Highway Code (605 ILCS 5/), responsible for the construction, maintenance, and drainage of roads within its jurisdiction in Cook County, Illinois. The Road District is led by an elected Highway Commissioner and serves residents across Northfield Township, including unincorporated areas.
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