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Duchon Field

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capnbillhitters

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May 18, 2015
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Ok Loyola fans, I know that GW is the luckiest team on the planet for having two road games this year as a low seed and thereby earning (I already said luck was involved, so don't start on me because I mean earn in the technical, IHSA rules, sense) the home field for this weeks semifinal.

I also know you guys get sick of GW fans like me touting Duchon Field as a top place to see a yada yada. I know the visitor stands are too small. I know the concessions suck (newcomers will notice that we have accommodated the problem by moving the fence out to provide more space to get condiments and allow access to the bathrooms.) I know our grass field can sometimes get messy. I know that it is not fair to have to prep on a field covered in goose poop.

But try to distance yourself from all those nasty parts. Distance yourself from our (my) arrogance because this year, GW took it on the chin in conference. Distance yourself from the memories of mud bowls because the field is in great shape and with no big weather events coming, it will not play much of a factor. Distance yourself from parking problems by coming a little early and parking in town and grabbing a burger at Main Street Pub or Northside Grill where you will be treated to good food at reasonable prices with plenty of college action on the TVs.

In short, be a fan of high school football. Be a fan for spartan conditions that someone planned 90 years ago and have played out perfectly (in some cases, sorry again for the WN game in '12.) Be a fan of watching kids perform at levels they never really knew they had. Be a fan of enjoying a crisp Fall afternoon in a great setting as we send one of these great teams to UofI to face the winner of "the other semifinal" (cheeky burn @MS4EVER .)

If you want to know why I stood on that hill in 10 degree temps in the middle of January 2010 and decided to move my family to The Glen, read the linked article below from 2014. I didn't know anything about Hetlet or WS or HC or any of it because my kids were never going to be college football players anyway. I stood on that cold hill at midnight with my wife and told her that I could see where this was a place that appreciated community and history. I could see where Saturday afternoons would be amazing if there really was a good football team (after we bought, I started reading and learned about ESL in '08 and WS in '09.)

This Saturday is the kind of day I pictured on that cold night. I hope some of you get to enjoy it as much as I have over the last 7 seasons.

Welcome to Duchon.

http://m.chicagofootball.com/2014/1...ums-glenbard-wests-bill-duchon-field/atusimc/
 
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capnbillhitters

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mchsalumni said:
The Silver Spoon Bowl.

Plenty of Bentley parking only spots in downtown GE, check out the Caviar and Kristal stand at Duchon. Very elegant. The Wilmette crowd will feel very much at home.
Click to expand...

How do you think they will deal with the splintered visitor bleachers? Will they use the help as cushions?
 
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Goomlah

Goomlah

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Jul 29, 2011
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What captainbill didn't say was you better get there early because parking will be an adventure.
 
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capnbillhitters

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goomsback said:
What captainbill didn't say was you better get there early because parking will be an adventure.
Click to expand...

Goomsy - I did say "Distance yourself from parking problems by coming a little early and parking in town and grabbing a burger at..." Fair thee be warned. But parking in the lot just South of the train tracks on Park Blvd leaves a two block walk. And as I've mentioned before, it is all downhill to the field.
 
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MWittman

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Nov 22, 2004
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capnbillhitters said:
How do you think they will deal with the splintered visitor bleachers? Will they use the help as cushions?
Click to expand...

capnbill:

I am very much looking forward to my first visit to Duchon this Saturday. While I remain a bit befuddled as to why LA is required to travel for a semi-final game as the higher seed, I am confident the Hilltopper crowd will be every bit as gracious and warm a host as the community in Huntley.

While I found Huntley a bucolic paradise, and I am often swayed by rosy first impressions, the fact a gas station I stopped off at Saturday doubled as a bait shop created a moment of levity for the couple my wife and I accompanied to Huntley.

Although I have visited Glen Ellyn fewer than a dozen times, I have not yet had the privilege of being a spectator at a Duchon game. Judging from the accounts from members here, Duchon appears to be a an environment filled with tripwires for visiting teams, but a friendly confine for a man of my aristocratic bearing.

Make no mistake: It is my sincere hope LA outflanks GW; in fact, I hope LA plays the role of the fearless Saint George and slays the GW dragon.
 
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Goomlah

Goomlah

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MWittman said:
capnbill:

I am very much looking forward to my first visit to Duchon this Saturday. While I remain a bit befuddled as to why LA is required to travel for a semi-final game as the higher seed, I am confident the Hilltopper crowd will be every bit as gracious and warm a host as the community in Huntley.

While I found Huntley a bucolic paradise, and I am often swayed by rosy first impressions, the fact a gas station I stopped off at Saturday doubled as a bait shop created a moment of levity for the couple my wife and I accompanied to Huntley.

Although I have visited Glen Ellyn fewer than a dozen times, I have not yet had the privilege of being a spectator at a Duchon game. Judging from the accounts from members here, Duchon appears to be a an environment filled with tripwires for visiting teams, but a friendly confine for a man of my aristocratic bearing.

Make no mistake: It is my sincere hope LA outflanks GW; in fact, I hope LA plays the role of the fearless Saint George and slays the GW dragon.
Click to expand...

Was this English,... LOL nice to see you Wittman.
 
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capnbillhitters

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MWittman said:
capnbill:

I am very much looking forward to my first visit to Duchon this Saturday. While I remain a bit befuddled as to why LA is required to travel for a semi-final game as the higher seed, I am confident the Hilltopper crowd will be every bit as gracious and warm a host as the community in Huntley.

While I found Huntley a bucolic paradise, and I am often swayed by rosy first impressions, the fact a gas station I stopped off at Saturday doubled as a bait shop created a moment of levity for the couple my wife and I accompanied to Huntley.

Although I have visited Glen Ellyn fewer than a dozen times, I have not yet had the privilege of being a spectator at a Duchon game. Judging from the accounts from members here, Duchon appears to be a an environment filled with tripwires for visiting teams, but a friendly confine for a man of my aristocratic bearing.

Make no mistake: It is my sincere hope LA outflanks GW; in fact, I hope LA plays the role of the fearless Saint George and slays the GW dragon.
Click to expand...

Did I mention the "luck" of drawing home field? I can imagine it is frustrating traveling back to back weeks. No doubt the rules played into our favor this year (and in 2014 when we as #2 hosted #1 Stevie, but that only required GW to play one away game.) Being on the road for two already was tough especially the Eville trip being made in a single day. Brutal for those of us that didn't go a day early and drove.

I can't speak to the impression you will get when you come into Glen Ellyn on Roosevelt. That road is an eye sore, but a necessary East/West thoroughfare that is a lot nicer than some of the other E/W roads. It gets much prettier as you come down Park Blvd into the village. Hit the commuter lots at the train station and take a stroll around the block. The two burger joints I mention can be loud. If you want a nice Italian sandwich, hit Made in Italy Express just a block from the school and right across from the train station on Crescent Ave . Main restaurant is around the block but the Express is sandwich shop with high quality meats and a few quiet tables to enjoy a tasty snack. Be sure to get your sweet fix at The Sweet Shoppe next door before you head over to the field.

If instead you are looking for a little more of a walk (an extra two blocks) or need gluten-free alternatives, I suggest Blackberry Market. They are two blocks South of the train tracks on Main St. Beautiful, airy place with friendly staff and food made on premises each morning and good coffee. If you decide to stay and eat after the game you can't do better that Fire & Wine. Great people, great food. If you are looking for upscale Mexican fare, we have A Toda Madre a block North of the train tracks on Main St. Great tapas and extremely tasty drink concoctions if you are so inclined. It's expensive, but the food is out of this world.

Hopefully the weather plays nice and you can walk around the village before the game. And when you walk past the Glen Art theater, you can think of Lucas.

Cheers
 
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NNFAN

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If Glenbard West wins the title this year, they may just have had the most difficult path to a championship in recent memory. Check out this murderers row...

Round One: At DVC champion Neuqua (8-1), ranked in the top 10 all season. Very close game, the season could have ended in the first round, but they survive 31-28.

Round Two: Hand undefeated Homewood-Flossmoor (10-0, ranked 2nd all year) their first loss 28-21.

Round Three: Edwardsville (10-1), who's only loss was a close shave to East St. Louis, coming off a victory over undefeated Oswego (10-0).

Round Four: Defending state champion, #1 ranked Loyola (12-0).

Round Five: To win the state title, and complete the five game run, they will have to beat a red hot Maine South (one of the top programs in Illinois) or undefeated Palatine. All Palatine (12-0) has done is knock off the team (Lyons) that beat Glenbard West by 2 TDs and undefeated St. Charles East. Possibly the best SCE team in school history. Class 8a field... the best and deepest ever.
 
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illini14

Sophomore
Jun 12, 2014
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NNFAN said:
If Glenbard West wins the title this year, they may just have had the most difficult path to a championship in recent memory. Check out this murderers row...

Round One: At DVC champion Neuqua (8-1), ranked in the top 10 all season. Very close game, the season could have ended in the first round, but they survive 31-28.

Round Two: Hand undefeated Homewood-Flossmoor (10-0, ranked 2nd all year) their first loss 28-21.

Round Three: Edwardsville (10-1), who's only loss was a close shave to East St. Louis, coming off a victory over undefeated Oswego (10-0).

Round Four: Defending state champion, #1 ranked Loyola (12-0).

Round Five: To win the state title, and complete the five game run, they will have to beat a red hot Maine South (one of the top programs in Illinois) or undefeated Palatine. All Palatine (12-0) has done is knock off the team (Lyons) that beat Glenbard West by 2 TDs and undefeated St. Charles East. Possibly the best SCE team in school history. Class 8a field... the best and deepest ever.
Click to expand...
If they win this year, they should build Hetlett a statue.
 
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capnbillhitters

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May 18, 2015
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NNFAN said:
If Glenbard West wins the title this year, they may just have had the most difficult path to a championship in recent memory. Check out this murderers row...

Round One: At DVC champion Neuqua (8-1), ranked in the top 10 all season. Very close game, the season could have ended in the first round, but they survive 31-28.

Round Two: Hand undefeated Homewood-Flossmoor (10-0, ranked 2nd all year) their first loss 28-21.

Round Three: Edwardsville (10-1), who's only loss was a close shave to East St. Louis, coming off a victory over undefeated Oswego (10-0).

Round Four: Defending state champion, #1 ranked Loyola (12-0).

Round Five: To win the state title, and complete the five game run, they will have to beat a red hot Maine South (one of the top programs in Illinois) or undefeated Palatine. All Palatine (12-0) has done is knock off the team (Lyons) that beat Glenbard West by 2 TDs and undefeated St. Charles East. Possibly the best SCE team in school history. Class 8a field... the best and deepest ever.
Click to expand...

So you can understand when I say that we GW fans know we are playing with house money and just happy to be here.
 
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CCL65

Junior
Oct 28, 2015
562
273
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For visitors coming in on rt. 38, the commuter lot is on the south side of the tracks with entrances on Park on the west side and Montclair on the east. Park will be a traffic log jam by 12:15PM. Find your way to Montclair and come in from the east. Much easier. From RT. 38, go north on Park to Hill. Right on Hill and then the next left onto Montclair which will dead end at the lot. You will still have about four tenths of a mile walk that may be delayed by a freight train, so give yourself plenty of time. After the game, leave the same way
 
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CCL65

Junior
Oct 28, 2015
562
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Rain storms Friday, possible snow showers Saturday. Would this favor the bigger Loyola O and D lines?
 
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capnbillhitters

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May 18, 2015
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Projected 25 mph wind on Saturday could be a big problem for kicking/passing games.

This will be 4th straight year of crazy temp drops between Friday and Semis Saturday. Crazy if the forecast holds.
 
V

Valley Rat

Freshman
Oct 14, 2003
2,912
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MWittman said:
capnbill:

I am very much looking forward to my first visit to Duchon this Saturday. While I remain a bit befuddled as to why LA is required to travel for a semi-final game as the higher seed, I am confident the Hilltopper crowd will be every bit as gracious and warm a host as the community in Huntley.

While I found Huntley a bucolic paradise, and I am often swayed by rosy first impressions, the fact a gas station I stopped off at Saturday doubled as a bait shop created a moment of levity for the couple my wife and I accompanied to Huntley.

Although I have visited Glen Ellyn fewer than a dozen times, I have not yet had the privilege of being a spectator at a Duchon game. Judging from the accounts from members here, Duchon appears to be a an environment filled with tripwires for visiting teams, but a friendly confine for a man of my aristocratic bearing.

Make no mistake: It is my sincere hope LA outflanks GW; in fact, I hope LA plays the role of the fearless Saint George and slays the GW dragon.
Click to expand...
You should invite your friends for a return trip to Huntley next Wednesday night. Rumor is the Parkside Pub will be serving up some fine cuisine!

http://www.parksidepubhuntley.com/
 
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capnbillhitters

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Standing on the field just now tells me this field is in outstanding shape.

Goose poop prevention machines in place.

Should be toasty tomorrow kiddos.

Cheers
 
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GWRandy

Redshirt
Nov 21, 2015
35
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Duchon - Saturday morning

Filed may be a little softer than a bright sunny day, but not muddy.
Grass is greener than the Stevenson semifinal.
 
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daveje

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Oct 18, 2010
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Someone is going to have to explain the appeal of this place to me. From my POV, this is a completely unremarkable facility (and that's as kind as I can possibly be) in a fine but utterly ordinary town. Why is it that people seem to treat this like the IL version of the Rose Bowl? I don't get it.
 
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ClownBaby

Heisman
Oct 26, 2006
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daveje said:
Someone is going to have to explain the appeal of this place to me. From my POV, this is a completely unremarkable facility (and that's as kind as I can possibly be) in a fine but utterly ordinary town. Why is it that people seem to treat this like the IL version of the Rose Bowl? I don't get it.
Click to expand...

USA Today named it Top 10 places in US to watch a football game in 2001. It really is a truly unique facility, on one side you have a castle looking school on a hill towering over it and the other side you have Lake Ellyn and huge trees all around. It is tucked into a neighborhood with amazing houses right around the field, was my favorite place to play in high school.
 
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jwarigaku

All-Conference
Jan 30, 2006
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USA Today also named Clinton the winner of the 2016 Presidential race in August. Guess they could have rose colored glasses sometimes. Perhaps a GW alumni was on the evaluation board or they slipped GW the questions before the debate.

ClownBaby said:
USA Today named it Top 10 places in US to watch a football game in 2001. It really is a truly unique facility, on one side you have a castle looking school on a hill towering over it and the other side you have Lake Ellyn and huge trees all around. It is tucked into a neighborhood with amazing houses right around the field, was my favorite place to play in high school.
Click to expand...
 
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daveje

Junior
Oct 18, 2010
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It's a unique setting, I'll grant you that. If you are looking for a place for a photo shoot, it would be hard to beat. But as a football facility, it's average and that's really generous.
 
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Wassup13_rivals219252

All-Conference
Nov 9, 2002
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Great sights at Duchon Field around the field but I rather watch football at a few other places where I am much closer to the field. That's why Naz is my #1 place to watch a game.

Wassup
 
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DeanOfSelection

All-Conference
Sep 24, 2002
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Morris best place ive seen a game. From the way the town gets behind it ie the signs etc to the backdrop, complete with a Chief Illiniwek shtick
 
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crusader_of_90

crusader_of_90

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Nov 1, 2003
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capnbillhitters said:
Ok Loyola fans, I know that GW is the luckiest team on the planet for having two road games this year as a low seed and thereby earning (I already said luck was involved, so don't start on me because I mean earn in the technical, IHSA rules, sense) the home field for this weeks semifinal.

I also know you guys get sick of GW fans like me touting Duchon Field as a top place to see a yada yada. I know the visitor stands are too small. I know the concessions suck (newcomers will notice that we have accommodated the problem by moving the fence out to provide more space to get condiments and allow access to the bathrooms.) I know our grass field can sometimes get messy. I know that it is not fair to have to prep on a field covered in goose poop.

But try to distance yourself from all those nasty parts. Distance yourself from our (my) arrogance because this year, GW took it on the chin in conference. Distance yourself from the memories of mud bowls because the field is in great shape and with no big weather events coming, it will not play much of a factor. Distance yourself from parking problems by coming a little early and parking in town and grabbing a burger at Main Street Pub or Northside Grill where you will be treated to good food at reasonable prices with plenty of college action on the TVs.

In short, be a fan of high school football. Be a fan for spartan conditions that someone planned 90 years ago and have played out perfectly (in some cases, sorry again for the WN game in '12.) Be a fan of watching kids perform at levels they never really knew they had. Be a fan of enjoying a crisp Fall afternoon in a great setting as we send one of these great teams to UofI to face the winner of "the other semifinal" (cheeky burn @MS4EVER .)

If you want to know why I stood on that hill in 10 degree temps in the middle of January 2010 and decided to move my family to The Glen, read the linked article below from 2014. I didn't know anything about Hetlet or WS or HC or any of it because my kids were never going to be college football players anyway. I stood on that cold hill at midnight with my wife and told her that I could see where this was a place that appreciated community and history. I could see where Saturday afternoons would be amazing if there really was a good football team (after we bought, I started reading and learned about ESL in '08 and WS in '09.)

This Saturday is the kind of day I pictured on that cold night. I hope some of you get to enjoy it as much as I have over the last 7 seasons.

Welcome to Duchon.

http://m.chicagofootball.com/2014/1...ums-glenbard-wests-bill-duchon-field/atusimc/
Click to expand...
So you considered raising your kids in ESL??!!
 
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