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Kolodziej to lead Buffalo Grove

The Buffalo Grove girls basketball team won the Class 2A state title in 2000.

Now the Bison will have a coach who played in an IHSA state championship football game.

Steve Kolodziej, who quarterbacked Schaumburg to the 1999 Class 6A title game, where the Saxons fell 56-31 to Naperville Central, has been named the new coach to direct Buffalo Grove’s girls basketball program.

He replaces Pat Dudle, who resigned last month after four seasons.

Kolodziej served as an assistant in Dudle’s program all four seasons and prior to that he was on the staff of former BG coach Tom Dineen.

“Obviously, there’s a great tradition at BG,” Kolodziej said. “It was started by Tom (a Hall of Famer with more than 700 wins) and carried on by Pat. I look forward to trying to continue that legacy.”

Kolodziej has taught math at Buffalo Grove for seven years. He studied the subject at Illinois State, where he was a scholarship player.

While battling knee injuries, Kolodziej played at quarterback for the Redbirds for eight games in three seasons.

“Football didn’t quite pan out the way I wanted with the injuries,” said Kolodziej, who underwent two knee surgeries. “But I got an education and degree and absolutely love what I am doing now.”

Kolodziej is currently coaching for the Illinois Elite AAU program, which includes his all-area center for next season, Bailey North.

Kolodziej also played basketball for a few years in Bob Williams’ program at Schaumburg.

“I just love sports in general,” said the 2000 graduate of Schaumburg. “I’m definitely excited to be a head girls basketball coach.

“I never really thought about doing this when I was in high school. I’m someone who never wants to say no to anything. I’ve always kept my options open. That’s how I was raised. This was a great opportunity that presented itself.”

Kolodziej has served six years as a varsity assistant for BG’s football program before assisting for the Rolling Meadows football program last fall.

“We’re going to hang our hats on hard work and defense,” Kolodziej said about his new job. “I firmly believe anyone with a heartbeat can go on court and shoot a basketball, but you’ve got to have heart to go out and play defense. We’ll pride ourselves on defense and rebounding.

“On offense, we’ll look to push the ball with up-tempo transition offense.”

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