Wicinski Juggles Love of Coaching, Seeing Lauren Play at NIU

Geneva varsity football coach Rob Wicinski is swamped with coaching responsibilities this time of year.

There is game planning and strategy, film study, scouting, dealing with injuries and any of a number of other things on his mind during the season.

But this season something else taking place about 30 minutes west of Geneva also is on his mind.

His daughter, Lauren, a 2010 Geneva High School graduate, is a freshman outside hitter on the Northern Illinois University volleyball team that is off to a school-record best 8-0 start. She is playing on a full-ride scholarship.

At times Wicinski's mind is focused on football. But other times he is thinking about Lauren and how he can get to see her games.

"Extremely difficult," is how the 12-year Vikings' coach described the dual coaching/parent responsibilities. "(I) missed a tournament at University of Illinois-Chicago because of scouting Friday and Saturday games.

"(Coaching is) in the DNA. But seeing your children participate in activities and being involved with them is also part of the DNA. Major internal battle."

At least Rob does not have to worry about how Lauren is adjusting to college life.

"It is hard balancing all the things I need to do, but I think I am doing a good job dealing with it all," Lauren said. "Things are going great. It is a great experience. I love my team and I am having a great time.

"I am playing a ton. I feel I am playing well. I do whatever I can to contribute. It is a completely different level of volleyball from high school to college. The game is faster and smarter. You have to be able to keep up with the speed and know exactly what you are doing at all times.

Rob said there is a game-tracker video of the games on the NIU volleyball Web site that allows him to watch Lauren when he cannot attend.

"(I plan to get to) maybe 95 percent of the home contests," Rob said. "My wife (Gina) is the glue for all or any of the events I can make. She is the calendar.

"Gina and I are very proud of her. She has worked hard and has had fun in the process."

Lauren said NIU's proximity to Geneva was one of several factors that went into her decision to become a Huskie.

"I love that my parents can make it to most of my home games," she said. "If I went to any other school, it would be a lot harder for him to come. He wouldn't be able to see me play as much. It makes me extremely happy that, with all my parents have to do, they are still willing to come see me play after a long day.

"There were many other factors of why I decided to go to NIU. I loved the school. The girls on the team were so personable. I had not experienced that at any other school. The two assistant coaches at NIU were my club coaches at Kane County Juniors for three years. I got a good feeling his was where I was supposed to be."

Rob said he has thought about how Lauren's career might affect his decision on how long he coaches, or if he continues, how much time he will put in to the job.

"I have talked this over with my staff, both delegating and getting out for a few years," he said.