Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris, Smith

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Teamwork Happens Here: YBL By the Numbers in 2020

Every winter the Y brings communities together to promote youth development through our Youth Basketball Leagues. We look to maximize the positive effects of athletics by emphasizing healthy competition and promoting teamwork, and we know 2020 was another great year for area basketball! With the season coming to a close, we’d like to take this opportunity to share some of the key facts and figures from this YBL season. You can take a look at these inspiring numbers below:

The Y would also like to thank all the families, players, volunteer coaches and staff members who participated across our association’s programs, as well as the sponsors who helped make this season possible:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA:
Bill Jacobs BMW
Bill Jacobs MINI
Bill Jacobs Volkswagen
Gus P. Rousonelos
Joseph & Sons Mechanical, Inc.
Plainfield Rotary Club
Rembert Blount Property Group
Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol, LLC

Galowich Family YMCA and Smith Family YMCA:
Busey Bank
Midwest Tankermen
Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC
SCJ

Morris Community YMCA:
AG Resource Management
Animal Care Hospital
Ayers Electric Inc.
Brandt Excavating Inc.
Brian Zabel & Associates, PC
Busey Bank
Century 21 Coleman-Hornsby
Cortina, Mueller, & Frobish PC
Dairy Queen
E-Z Auto Sales
Feeney’s
First Midwest Bank
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Grundy County States Attorney
Huntley Farms
Indicon Electric
Jerrick Construction
Joe Martin CPAMST
Mack & Associates
Midwest Industrial Sales
Morris National Bank & Trust
Riverside Chiropractic
Roe Trucking
Roth Jorstad Insurance
Sky High Coaster LLC
Three Rivers Plumbing
Turtle’s
U.C. Davis-Callahan Funeral Home

We can’t wait to see everyone on court next season!

Creating a Better World: Sports Manager Ken Iverson Closing Remarkable Run with Morris Community YMCA Youth Basketball League

Saturday will mark the final time Morris Community YMCA Sports Manager Ken Iverson participates in a Youth Basketball League (YBL) weekend. And when Ken thinks about his last day, he can’t help but think of his own childhood. 

“I fell in love with the game of basketball when I was just a boy,” Ken said. “My dad, a Norwegian immigrant, had never played the game, but he put a hoop up for me. Just a piece of plywood sitting on a pole. I went out and shot on a slanted driveway and just played and played.”

Iverson, a Morris native, has been a fixture in the community’s sports scene for more than 40 years and his passion for basketball burns with the same intensity as it did when he was a kid.

“I can remember sitting on the steps of the bleachers at Morris High School games because there was nowhere else to sit. People were screaming and yelling and I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen in my life,” he said. 

Ken would go on to play at Morris High School and also got a chance to walk-on at Western Illinois University. He returned home to coach middle school basketball throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s and, after retiring in 2005, he was approached to help expand the Y’s presence in Morris.

“We started off with the youth programs, which was my wheelhouse. I’ve been doing that all my life,” Ken said. “But it’s also been rewarding to expand programs to adults and seniors.”

YBL’s growth under Iverson’s leadership opened the door for more sports programming and eventually the Y’s expansion into its current downtown Morris location. Ken played a role not only scouting locations for the Y, but also recruiting the likes of Executive Director Missy Durkin to join the Y team. 

“Over the past six years it’s been an honor to work with Ken and watch his passion for the Y continue to grow,” Durkin said. “I can’t even begin to imagine how many lives he’s touched through his Y career from YBL and adult leagues, to fishing camp and more. We’re grateful he is not retiring just yet, but we know he will be deeply missed in the gyms next year when YBL resumes.”

After 14 years, Ken still relishes his opportunities to make an impact at the Y, particularly working with kids. 

“I’m convinced the reason sports are so important is because of the life lessons you learn for outside the game. It’s about never giving up, hanging in there, always trying your best. For kids, there are virtues that are better learned in this environment than anywhere else,” he said.

Ken is also excited for the future of YBL having worked with Chris Interial, who was named the Y’s new Sports Director last summer. 

“Chris is amazing. I was worried about who was going to come in for me and now I think they might just forget all about Mr. I. Chris is going to take what we have started here and run with it. He’ll make it even bigger and better,” Ken said.

Iverson shared that it has been a tremendous joy to make a difference in his hometown.

“I think the Y is the biggest and best thing that’s ever happened in my life and I think it is the biggest and best thing that has ever happened in Morris,” he said. “It has truly been a blessing.”

On behalf of all the athletes, coaches and staff members who have participated in our Morris YBL program, we would like to thank Coach I for his passion and dedication to the Y and the game of basketball. If you would like to help celebrate Coach I’s last YBL weekend, feel free to stop by Morris Grade School this Saturday. Games begin at 9 a.m. and will continue throughout the afternoon.

Morris Community YMCA Partners with Morris Athletic Association to Expand Youth Sports Programs


The Morris Community YMCA is excited to announce a new partnership with the Morris Athletic Association (MAA). Beginning in spring 2020, the MAA will transition leadership of its 8 and under youth baseball and softball programs to the YMCA. This exciting new collaboration will provide additional dedicated resources for the community’s T-Ball, Pinto, and 8U Girls Softball programs and expand the Y’s youth sports programs in Morris. Program details can be found below:

T-Ball
Ages: 5-6 years old
Price (Facility Members/Community Members): $105/$115
Register Today!

Pinto Baseball
Ages: 7-8 years old
Price (Facility Members/Community Members): $120/$130
Register Today!

Girls Softball
Ages: 6-8 years old
Price (Facility Members/Community Members): $120/$130
Register Today!

Download Registration Form

Uniforms will not be guaranteed by the first game for those players who register after March 2, 2020.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES NOW AVAILABLE: 

Download Sponsorship Form

For more information, please contact:
Sports Director Chris Interial
Phone: (815) 513-8080 ext. 514
Email: [email protected]

Meet Sports Director Michael Taylor

 

The Y is a starting point for many kids to learn about becoming and staying active, and developing healthy habits they’ll carry with them throughout their lives.  Whether it’s gaining the confidence that comes from learning to swim, or building the positive relationships that lead to good sportsmanship and teamwork, participating in sports at the Y is about building the whole child, from the inside out.  And, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s sports instructors are an integral part of a young athlete’s experience at the Y.

At the helm of the Sports Department at the Galowich and Smith Family YMCAs, you will find Sports Director Michael Taylor. Taylor started his Y career as a part-time employee at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA, working in the Sports and Youth and Family Departments. During his time at the C.W. Avery Family Y, Taylor taught a variety of sports classes, led sports camps, and reffed many youth sports games. He then went on to work in the Y’s Kid Zone and summer day camp programs.  In 2014, Taylor joined the Y’s leadership team as the Galowich Family YMCA’s first Sports and Fitness Director.

In the last five years, Taylor has successfully developed the Galowich and Smith Family YMCA’s Sports Departments, including the Y’s beloved youth basketball leagues in Joliet. With an exciting 2019-2020 basketball season on the horizon, Taylor is eager to welcome new and returning athletes. The Y’s highly-anticipated youth basketball season will tip-off in early January 2020.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Taylor: I grew up in Hanover Park, IL. and I moved to Plainfield, IL. when I was a freshman in high school.  I graduated from Plainfield Central High School in 2007.  I attended Joliet Junior College for my associate’s degree. Then, I transferred to Trinity Christian College where I earned a bachelor’s degree in sports exercise studies and minored in sociology and coaching.

I recently got married in 2018 to my wife Adrian.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?

Taylor: I enjoy spending time with my wife, working out and playing sports.  I am also on a softball and basketball league.

Q: What are you passionate about in life:

Taylor: My faith and my family.  As I get older, I am realizing how important family is to me and the time I spend with them.

Q: What is your favorite part about working in youth sports?

Taylor: I enjoy seeing my previous sports program participants evolve and go on to play sports in high school and college. It’s great that the Y gets to be that ‘stepping stone’ for young athletes and their future sports careers.

Q: What are you looking forward to most for the 2019-2020 basketball season?

Taylor: I am excited about the changes we have made to improve our basketball leagues and the partnership we have created with Joliet School District 86. And, I am excited to continue to grow our youth basketball league in the seasons to come.

Q: What is your favorite basketball team?

Taylor: The Chicago Bulls

There is still time to register your young athlete for an action-packed basketball season!  Registration for the Y’s youth basketball leagues is available online or in-person at your local branch.  If you have questions about the Y’s youth basketball leagues in Joliet or sports programs, be sure to stop by Taylor’s office the next time you visit the Galowich Family Y. Or you can email Taylor directly at [email protected].

YBL Looking For Team Sponsors


The YMCA’s Youth Sports program maximizes the positive effects of playing sports by emphasizing healthy competition and promoting teamwork. The Y focuses on the life lessons that can be learned from sports and coaches strive to instill a positive self-image in each player. Most importantly, in the YMCA league, everyone plays and everyone wins!

The YMCA relies on the generosity of local businesses to help underwrite the costs of its youth sports leagues through sponsorships. Our Youth Basketball League season will be starting soon and we are inviting any interested sponsors to contact the Y and help support a team. The deadline to submit a sponsorship is December 13.

Sponsorship Form

If you would like to learn more about how your business can make a difference in the life of a young Y athlete, please reach out to the Sports Director at your local branch:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Maria Romero
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217

Galowich Family YMCA

Michael Taylor
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 307

Morris Community YMCA

Chris Interial
[email protected]
(815)-513-8080 ext. 514

Smith Family YMCA

Michael Taylor
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 307

Meet the C.W. Avery Family YMCA Sports Team

plainfield YMCA sports team

The Y’s Youth Sports Programs foster new friendships, teaches kids the importance of teamwork and provides youth with fun physical activity.  Spearheading the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Youth Sports Program is Sports Director Maria Romero and Sports Manager Omar Solano.

Romero started her Y career as a summer day camp counselor.  At the time, her brother worked in the Y’s summer day camp program and he encouraged her to apply.  For three consecutive summers, Romero continued to work part-time at the Y until she graduated college, and in 2006 she accepted the role as the Kids Zone Manager at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA.  In 2011, she joined the Y’s leadership team as the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Sports Director.

Solano’s Y journey began similar to Romero’s. At the age of 18, he was looking for a part-time job in the Plainfield area when he noticed the C.W. Avery Family Y was hiring for its Kid Zone Program. Knowing several friends that worked at the Y, Solano decided to apply for the position.  He started working as a counselor in the Y’s Kid Zone and summer day camp programs and eventually pursued a sports career at the Y. As a former high school athlete, Solano taught youth sports classes and reffed at games. In April, Solano took on the exciting role as Sports Manager at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA.

With the fall sports season in full swing, Romero and Solano are already finalizing plans for the 2019-2020 youth basketball season. The Y’s highly anticipated Youth Basketball League will kick-off in early January 2020.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Romero: I grew up in Plainfield, IL and I have been with the Y for 15 years.  I have a son, Leo, and we both love spending our time at the YMCA!

Solano: I also grew up in Plainfield, IL. And, I attended Plainfield Central High School, where I played on the basketball team for four years.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?

Romero: When I’m not busy working, you can find me working out and staying active playing sports, including softball.  I also enjoy spending quality time with my family.

Solano: Aside from playing sports, I enjoy working out and listening to music.

Q: What inspires you?

Romero: My parents and my son–they make me want to be a better person.

Solano: Definitely my parents.

Q: What is your favorite part about working with young athletes?

Romero: It’s very rewarding to watch a child figure out a sport that’s theirs.  Nothing can describe the feeling I get when I see a child discover a sport they love.

Solano: It’s cool to see the impact a sport has on a child.  From making friends, to learning the fundamentals of a sport, to watching them thrive in a sport they’re passionate about—it’s awesome.

Q: What makes sports programming at the Y unique?

Romero and Solano: At the Y, we work with our athletes and their families.  We want to make every young athlete’s experience enjoyable in any way possible.  And, it’s important for their parents to know that they are not held to any strict obligations. We are understanding and flexible when it comes to their busy schedules.   We’re here for their child(ren) to have a great time playing sports.   

Q: What is your favorite sports team?
Romero: The Chicago Cubs!

Solano: I am also a Chicago Cubs fan, but I enjoy college basketball too.  I am a huge Duke fan!

As a reminder, registration for the Y’s Youth Basketball Leagues is underway! Registration can be done online or in-person at your local branch. If you have questions about youth basketball leagues, youth sports programs or just want to say ‘hi’ to this athletic duo, make sure to stop by their offices the next time you are at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA. You can also email them directly at [email protected] and [email protected].

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