Former Batavia coach Gaspari finds new gig rewarding

Having spent 30 years on the football coaching staff, including the first 26 as head coach, at Batavia High School Mike Gaspari realized the time was right to step aside a year ago.

"I could have stayed at Batavia forever," said Gaspari. "However, that would have been tremendously selfish on my part. There were a lot of younger guys on the coaching staff waiting their turn."

Gaspari, who guided the Bulldogs to a 135-122 record and 14 state playoff appearances in those 26 seasons, wasn't ready to give up coaching entirely.

He joined head coach Rick Ponx's staff at Aurora University last December and recently wrapped up his first season as an assistant coach working with the quarterbacks.

"It was very rewarding for me personally," said Gaspari. "I was very impressed with the young men in the program and I got to work with a great group of young coaches. Outside of Rick Ponx and myself, the other guys were all 30 years old or younger."

At Batavia, it took some time before Gaspari's teams began their winning ways.

The Bulldogs suffered 6 consecutive losing seasons (1985-1990) before the 1991 squad finished 7-3 and became the school's first state playoff qualifier.

It was shades of things to come as Batavia reached the postseason in 7 of Gaspari's last 8 years as head coach, highlighted by the team's second-place Class 6A state finish in 2006.

Two years ago, Gaspari served as the Bulldogs' offensive coordinator during their Class 6A state championship run (13-1 record).

Aurora finished with a 3-7 mark this past season.

"There were certain things that reminded me from 30 years ago trying to build a program at Batavia," said Gaspari. "There were 18 seniors on our team this year that had been through some difficult times and battled through a lot of adversity."

Gaspari got to know one of those seniors - Drew Cole of Monmouth - especially well as the team's backup quarterback.

"He couldn't have been a more exemplary young man," Gaspari said of Cole.

Making the move from the high school ranks to NCAA Division III college football was a big step for Gaspari.

"Working with young people was the same but the off-the-field preparation time was far different for me," he said. "I spent a lot more time watching film. We watched a lot of film at Batavia but it's taken to another step at this level. I spent a lot more time watching film with the athletes, too."

Opposing teams presented additional challenges.

"Secondary looks can change from down to down," said Gaspari. "There were a few exceptions over the years but most of the defenses didn't change much during high school games."

Gaspari also had to learn a new language and terminology upon his arrival at Aurora.

"Last year at this time, I was really stressed," said Gaspari. "I received a great deal of help from the senior quarterback (Cole). I feel so much different and better prepared going into the spring practices."

A huge Green Bay Packers fan, Gaspari got a kick out of the Spartans' freshman starting quarterback Geron Rogers.

Rogers threw 4 touchdown passes in Aurora's 58-point outburst against Concordia University during the sixth week of the season then added 3 more TD passes in a 47-40 double-overtime loss to Lakeland College the following week.

"We made a lot of progress during the season," said Gaspari.

Aurora's roster included a pair of local freshmen - Batavia defensive end Jon Wall and Geneva offensive lineman Joey Wagner.

"Joey gave me a lot of grief for wearing blue," joked Gaspari, who traded Batavia's crimson for Aurora's blue school colors.

Another change was going from Friday night lights to Saturday afternoon starting times.

"It is a neat, little atmosphere in Aurora," said Gaspari. "It's football. You tune out all of the other stuff and do your job. These guys don't receive any scholarship money whatsoever but they still love playing. It is a much higher-level game. They should be respected."

Gaspari still found some time to check in on Batavia's football team during its march to the Class 7A state quarterfinals.

"I watched the second halves of games on cable (TV)," he said. "I was very proud of those kids. I knew they were a talented group."

For now, Gaspari will enjoy some time off in preparation of Aurora's 5-week, non-padded spring program while conducting occasional meetings with prospective student-athletes.

"I've made a commitment to return for next year," he said. "I plan on continuing as long as they'll have me. I love the game and I love working with people. It's a rewarding job."

Craig Brueske can be reached at cab4k@hotmail.com