Mike Berman

Jan 13, 2025 | nbcchicago.com | Mike Berman

Once upon a time, Mark Gronowski was a lightly recruited quarterback at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville. “In high school, I was pretty under-recruited,” Gronowski remembers. “I only had the one scholarship offer to South Dakota State.”Things worked out okay for him there, as he led the Jackrabbits to a pair of national championships and won 49 games as a starter, tied for the most in FCS history.

Jul 24, 2024 | nbcchicago.com | Mike Berman

For 15 seasons in the NFL, from his position on the interior of the defensive line, Steve McMichael made life miserable for opposing offenses. Twice, his play earned him a spot on the NFL’s All-Pro First Team. He was also chosen to play in two Pro Bowls. He racked-up 95 sacks, including 92.5 with the Bears, and he helped Chicago’s venerable 1985 team capture the Super Bowl. Inside the home he shares with his wife Misty in Homer Glen, mementos from that decorated career are everywhere.

Jul 20, 2024 | nbcchicago.com | Mike Berman

A little more than a decade ago, Max Strus was roaming the halls of Stagg High School in Palos Hills. Despite only receiving one Division I scholarship offer, Strus had big dreams for his future. “High schools always have career planner classes and all those things, and professional athlete was always my thing,” Strus remembers with a laugh. “The teacher was always like, ‘Okay, can you give me something else?’ I was like, ‘That’s really all I want to do’.”Strus graduated from Stagg in 2014.

May 30, 2024 | nbcchicago.com | Mike Berman

Some Illinois high schools have never had a single athlete win a state championship in boys track and field, but in just one weekend, Oak Park and River Forest High School had three of its athletes take home state titles. Junior Caleb Schulz started slow but finished fast, zooming across the finish line to capture the title in the 100-meter-dash. You can call him a state champion, or the fastest high schooler in the Land of Lincoln.

May 23, 2024 | nbcchicago.com | Mike Berman

As a freshman, sophomore and junior, Lily Ginsberg helped Prospect High School’s 4x800 meter relay team win a state championship. That meant as a senior, she had history to chase, but unfortunately, a stress reaction in her femur put history in doubt.