Throughout the evening, athletes received first team, second team, third team and honorable mention all-state honors. Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey and President and CEO Kevin Warren were also in attendance.

Warren kicked off the dinner with opening remarks and expressed his gratitude to the student-athletes, coaches and parents in attendance and shared his excitement to see the players go on to the college and Olympic levels.

“We’re just very grateful to be here,” Warren said. “This is an incredibly, incredibly special group. From an all-state perspective, you represent the top 1 percent of all young women playing flag football in the state of Illinois. Studies have been done – I heard one earlier this week – that 94% of all women in leadership positions in corporate America have participated in sports, which says a lot. And that means a lot that you are more successful. academically, you perform better on on a social level, you create a better world.

Prominent figures in Illinois girls flag football, such as CPS Senior Director of Elementary Sports Juliana Zavala, Willowbrook High School Coach Rachel Karos, Fremd High School Coach Becca O’Dette and Principal IHSA Deputy General Tracie Henry also shared their thoughts on the fast sport. expansion.

“It started with a conversation between Gus and I,” Zavala told the girls. “He shared his vision: ‘Hey, let’s start women’s flag football.’ We succeeded, but girls, you are the pioneers. We need your help to continue growing this sport.

“It’s not just something that’s going to disappear. It’s here to stay. We’re going to own it – it’s our sport. We finally have a platform and we’re not going to let anyone take it away from us.”

The celebration was also marked by a few surprises. Silva announced Jones High School senior and wide receiver Tory Smith as the recipient of the first-ever Player of the Year award. As part of the honor, Smith will receive a $5,000 college scholarship, courtesy of the Bears.