Evergreen Park Coach Drives Home his Points

You may be reading this right now on your mobile device without much other thought, but if you have a teenager, the thought of him or her texting while driving can make one's blood boil. Operation Teen Safe Driving is one mechanism aimed at preventing teenagers from distracted driving.

On Feb. 10, Evergreen Park High School officials staged a "Pack the Place" event in connection with teen safe driving activities and a basketball tripleheader vs. Argo. In order to fund these activities, the driver's education department was awarded a $2,000 grant. One of the writers of that grant was boys basketball coach Bruce Scaduto.

Scaduto has been at Evergreen Park for 18 years and has coached the varsity Mustangs boys basketball team for the last 13 years. He also teaches driver's education and physical education.

"It is my goal to teach the importance of all the aspects that pertain to driver's education and making smart, educated decisions," Scaduto said. "As a coach, it is my goal to teach skills and sportsmanship of the game. Teaching life lessons through the game of basketball that will continue on in their future."

Scaduto's work has paid off. He said he has had several players and athletes who have come back as alumni to Evergreen Park and shared stories of how their high school training has aided them moving forward. He never stops preaching about the importance of driving safely.

Evergreen Park athletic director and driver's education department chair James Soldan was pleased with the turnout for the "Pack the Place" event.

"Many significant guests were present, including Mayor Jim Sexton and Kathleen Widmer from the Secretary of the State's office who gave a short speech at halftime," Soldan said in a news release. "After signing Oprah’s No Phone Zone Pledge, students received a free T-Shirt."

Scaduto said he hopes the Teen Safe Driving event becomes a staple on the Evergreen Park schedule.