The girls field hockey players at Glenbrook North have played alongside Glenbrook South for five years, but for the first time ever, they will play against their rivals in the 2025 season.
“It’ll be super fun seeing [the GBS players] on the field, but it’s gonna be so weird having to play against them, because we’re so used to being in practice together every day and playing with each other,” said senior Sophie Wenk.
“All the parents too in the stands were all friends sitting together last year, and now they’re gonna be on the opposite sides,” Wenk said.
According to GBS player Siya Shah, the split was disappointing, especially going into her senior year because the senior Glenbrook players were looking forward to their last season together.
“[The GBS team] still [has] people that were on the team from previous years, and I’m still with a lot of my friends … but obviously I do miss the GBN girls,” Shah said.
The Glenbrook field hockey team, composed of players from both GBS and GBN, was originally created due to a lack of participation at both schools.
Every two years the Glenbrook team sent an application to the IHSA requesting to continue their joint team, but this year their request was denied because both schools had enough numbers to create their own teams, said Tom Rosenbaum, head varsity field hockey coach at GBN.
“It’s frustrating that it happened, and it’s very sad,” said Rosenbaum. “One of our strengths was the kids got along so well … You never knew which kid went to North. You never knew which kid went to South. They supported each other.”
According to Shah, it was really cool to get close with people from another school, especially because she liked the group of girls and the close knit community they built.
The Glenbrook field hockey team placed at state four times in the past five years, and were state champions in 2023.
“My favorite memory was definitely winning the state championship my sophomore year,” said Wenk. “We had a really great team.”
The Glenbrook field hockey team was told at the end of the 2024-2025 school year that the two schools were to play on separate teams for the upcoming season.
“We totally thought we were gonna have a combined team,” said Wenk. “We didn’t really believe it. And then it was actually happening.”
According to Rosenbaum, GBN players were very excited to receive a program of their own because they felt like they deserved it due to their hard work.
In order to get the team up and running, Rosenbaum worked with the upperclassmen to organize scheduling and brainstorm ideas for the new team gear.
“I think the hardest part was getting the team going, because [the decision] was so delayed,” said Wenk. “We needed to figure out our uniforms, figure out our logos, figure out practice times [and] figure out our game schedule.”
According to Rosenbaum, he had to talk to the buildings and grounds people about the field alignment and understanding the turf, as well as communicating with the athletic department regarding scheduling.
The GBN team played its first game on Aug. 26.
The girls played Antioch and won their first game, which was very exciting, especially seeing the girls come together and work hard as a younger team, Wenk said.
The first game we scored six goals, Rosenbaum said.
“I have the ball,” said Rosenbaum. “That was our first time ever scoring.”
The GBN girls field hockey team, having never played at William Lutz Stadium previously, competed in eight home games and has a record or 9-0 as of Sept. 24.
“I’m so happy that they’re at North because they’re getting the respect that they need and deserve,” said Rosenbaum. “And people around the school now know about field hockey. It’s in the building now. People are talking about it. They’re watching it. And so the kids who have been working hard and trying to get the recognition are finally getting the positive recognition that they need.”