AOS Updates
John Katzler Scramble Golf Outing
The 15th Annual John Katzler Golf Outing will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Arlington Lakes Golf Club, 1211 S. New Wilke Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. It’s a Scramble followed by Pizza & Prizes.
This annual Golf Outing raises money for Leukemia Research in the name of former AOS member John Katzler. The cost is $100 per player, which includes your round of golf, a raffle ticket and dinner. If you just like to join us for dinner, the cost is $15.
Golf Check-in begins at 11:00am. We will have a Noon Shotgun start. After golf, dinner will be at the Arlington Lakes Clubhouse.
Contact Jeff Curtin or Raul Zaldivar for more information or to sign up.
Please RSVP by May 26, 2025.
Singles are welcome! Include your average score for 18 holes.
If you are able to donate a prize, please contact us!
Passing of Wes Polender
We are sad to share the passing of long time AOS member and former board member, Wes Polender. Wes officiated basketball, football and softball and was instrumental in forming the careers of many of our members. Polender was awarded the AOS Ed Curtin award for basketball in 2010-11. He was a mentor to many and friend to many more.
Basketball VP Ken Pink remembers when he was first starting to work Varsity Basketball games, he was paired up with Wes many times. “There was a time when the AOS would start meetings at 6:30 for a 30-minute session specific to newer officials. All members were invited to join, but this 30-minute session was devoted to helping newer officials improve their game with questions and answers (long before video was so prominent), discussions about play situations and officiating mechanics. I attended many of those early meetings and Wes a regular contributor, sharing stories and relatable situations on the court”, Pink recalls.
AOS Board Secretary Tom Glaser remembers, “I was in my second year of officiating basketball and through AOS, he took an interest in mentoring me. I was doing a sophomore girls basketball game for a Thanksgiving tournament at Hinsdale South. Without telling me beforehand, he showed up around game time fully dressed and asked both head coaches if they wouldn’t mind him being on the court during the game. He worked with me on positioning, angles and what to look for in terms of matchups. That was one of the most beneficial learning experiences I could ever have had as a new official. He was selfless in giving back to the game.”
In addition to officiating, Wes was also the long-time assigner of the former Des Plaines Valley league where he gave many AOS members a chance to work.
Board member Raul Zaldivar remembers working with Fred Bencriscutto and Wes who was instrumental in getting them games in the Upstate 8, “That was one of the first conferences to use 3-person crews, but you had to work both games. The three of us would work several assignments in that conference as a result of Wes’s involvement.”
Wes’ mentoring didn’t stop at basketball. AOS Football VP John Jakobsze recalls, “I started working varsity football games with Wes, Don Welter, Steve Turinsky and Jim Glueckert. I’ll always remember Wes helping me learn the game and his joviality that he brought to the games.”
Long time AOS Member and former assigner Jay Lyons recalls, “Wes was one of the guys who worked for me back in the 70’s in the old Glen Ellyn men’s leagues, basketball and football. Wes actually had one of the old horns that officials used to call a foul before there were flags.”
Almost everyone who knew Wes also remembers one more little tidbit about his involvement in sports. Wes had a beautiful singing voice and several Athletic Directors would ask him to sing the National Anthem before games.
Wes’ wife Phyllis passed away on February 24, 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and a service could not be held. A joint memorial service for both Wes and Phyllis will be held at the church they attended in their senior years, Northwest Covenant Church, 300 N. Elmhurst Avenue, Mount Prospect, IL, on Saturday, March 8, at 2 p.m.
Here is the obituary: https://www.chicagotribune.com/obituaries/westley-j-polender-sr-wheaton-il/
Thank you Wes for your service to AOS and to the game. May you rest in peace.
AOS 2024-25 Meetings Complete
We have concluded our Football and Basketball meetings for the 24-25 season. You can find content from these meetings in the knowledgebase section of each sport.
Look for announcements on upcoming basketball social nights throughout the season.
If you need information about AOS, please click here to email us.