By Randy Kindred
The importance of families was on full display last weekend during the State Flag Football Tournament at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
The Byron Gladiators are a family-run, independent organization formed in 2020, with the Druien family in a lead role. When the Gladiators competed Saturday in their second straight state flag football tournament, Ron Druien was coaching, his wife, Jenifer, was on the sidelines flashing cards to signal in plays, and their twin sons, Tyler and Ethan, were playing.
Jenifer Druien also is the head coach for track and an assistant coach for swimming and bowling. Other parents head up those sports, as well as bocce and snowshoeing. “All the parents participate,” Jenifer said.
Tyler and Ethan Druien are 17 years old and seniors at Byron High School. Saturday, Tyler wore the number 95 in honor of Lightning McQueen from the movie Cars, and Ethan had number 22, the number his father wore as a player.
Their family bond is strong, a common thread among Gladiators players and parents.
“I think the biggest reward is the families getting together and the kids and the friendships that have blossomed,” Jenifer Druien said. “And also the parents … the friendships and the support system.”
Ron Druien said players and parents have become like extended family. He connected with a friend from his youth, Mike Keller, through the Gladiators. They coach the football team together, with Keller’s son, Ryan, among the players.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Ron Druien said. “One of the things I like is we come down here as our small organization and I believe these young men here (the Vaughn Yellow Eagles) are from Chicago, with an organization that is a lot bigger than ours.
“We lost by two scores (30-14). I think we did OK. I was proud of them. We didn’t win, but we were successful.”
Win or lose, the Gladiators see a lot of each other. Jenifer Druien said the families have parties and also bowl year-round as a group.
“We get together once a month (to bowl) when it’s not in season,” she said. “Otherwise, we do it once a week when it’s in season. It gives the parents time to hang out and the kids time to hang out. It’s great.”
Learn more about the Special Olympics Illinois Families Network.
Tight Pack of Wolves
The Independent Wolves receive valuable help from parents of their players. Based in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, the Wolves are an independent agency that evolved from the Special Olympics Illinois programs at Glenbrook North and Glenbrook South high schools.
Assistant coach Paal Joshi teaches at the Glenbrook Alternative School and is an assistant football coach at Glenbrook South. He coaches the Wolves alongside head coach Craig Ameel, who is in his 38th year of coaching Special Olympics Illinois athletes.
“It’s a family within a family,” Joshi said.
Ameel agreed, saying parental involvement is “huge” in the operation of the program.
“One of our guys, his parents couldn’t drive so he came with another parent, who said, ‘I’ll bring him down,’” Ameel said following a 29-20 win Saturday. “Our families … we’re very lucky that our families are able to and willing to help out.”
Titans Lend a Hand
Among the volunteers making the tournament run smoothly were members of the Illinois Wesleyan University women’s flag football team. The newly formed Titans will play their first season beginning in March.
On Saturday, Claire Anderson, Lily Greenfield, Deanna Cirebea and Natalyah Stallings were on Field 2, serving as clock and scoreboard operators and holding down markers.
They enjoyed the experience.
“It’s seeing how much the sport can create bonds,” Anderson said. “I also think it’s really cool that we’re hearing them talk on the field about what plays they’re running. We’re watching it happen and we’re like, ‘We do those plays.’ We’re like, ‘This is awesome.’ We get to see how really similar it is.”
Also helping as on-field volunteers were members of the Illinois Central College baseball team.
View photos and results from the 2025 State Flag Football Tournament.