The Varsity Bears walk-through practice Monday at Stevenson High School provided a full-circle moment for the school's athletic director.
D'Wayne Bates, who participated in countless walk-throughs as a Bears receiver from 1999-2001, was thrilled to welcome his former team to the school, which is located in Lincolnshire about eight miles southwest of Halas Hall.
"It brings back a lot of memories," Bates told ChicagoBears.com. "[A walk-through] is that mental preparation with less physical work. But this is as important of a practice right now as any they do in camp."
Although Stevenson's school colors are the same green and yellow as a certain Bears rival to the north, an enthusiastic crowd of about 4,200 turned the school's bleachers navy and orange, with most wearing Bears t-shirts and jerseys.
"This stadium is packed," Bates said. "I hope our Friday night lights look like this. The community came out. I know with the ticket lottery a lot of our community was able to get tickets, and the Bears allowed us to increase our student participation. We have a couple athletic teams and coaches here. I can't tell you how much the energy from this moment is going to help us kick off the school year in such a great way."
Monday's walk-through featured family-friendly, interactive football activations, food and drink offerings, retail opportunities, appearances by Staley Da Bear and entertainment by the Stevenson High School Patriots' gameday entertainment squad.
Bates was selected by the Bears in the third round of the 1999 draft out of Northwestern. He appeared in 23 games with two starts in three seasons, catching 15 passes for 221 yards and one touchdown. Bates spent his final two NFL campaigns with the Vikings, registering 65 receptions for 840 yards and five TDs.
At Northwestern, he played for Big Ten championship teams in 1995 and '96 and was named first-team All-Big Ten in 1996 and '98. His school receiving records for career receptions (210) and yards (3,370) still stand.
After his playing career ended, Bates coached and taught U.S. and World History at Evanston High School, also serving as assistant athletic director in 2011. He then was athletic director at LaSalle-Peru High School from 2012-15 and athletic director at Glenbard East High School from 2015-25 before being hired at Stevenson.
Bates first tried to get the Bears to come practice at the school where he's worked since his days at Glenbard East. That dream finally became reality Monday—and he made the most of the opportunity, speaking to Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren and general manager Ryan Poles during practice—and reconnecting with longtime director of equipment Tony Medlin.
"We're so excited," Bates said. "This is our first day back as a staff. You couldn't ask for a better way to kick off the school year."
