The Sports Page SPONCORE „, DEViNN- S L All In The Family Generations Bridged Dad, two sons celebrate Harrison's state football title. Residents of Meer Apartments in West Bloomfield helped Detroit children as part of an Steve Stein Special to the Jewish News outreach effort. Shown are, above left, Meer resident Helen Friedman I t couldn't have been a better high school football season last fall for Billy Slobin and his family. Slobin was a volunteer assistant coach and his sons Steve and Jake Slobin were both starters on the Farmington Hills Harrison team that went undefeated in 14 games en route to the Division 2 state championship. "It was terrific, special, emotional and much more to have all of us on the same team at my alma mater winning the state title,' said Billy Slobin, who has been the Hawks' volunteer strength and condition- ing coach for 26 years. Senior Steve Slobin was a two-year starter at tailback. He gained 624 yards and scored eight touchdowns as a junior, and had 341 yards and three touchdowns as a senior before suffering a torn ACL in his right knee the first time he touched the ball in Harrison's opening-round playoff game against visiting Birmingham Brother Rice. "I caught a flare pass, made a cut and the knee just gave out:' he said. The 5-foot-11, 175-pounder played briefly in the state championship game, Harrison's 38-28 victory over defend- ing state champion Lowell on Nov. 26 at Ford Field in Detroit. He's continuing to rehabilitate the knee and plans to play college football next fall at a Division II, Division III or NAIA school while studying pre-law. "I think Steve has dreamed about playing college football since he was born," his father said. Sophomore Jake Slobin (6-0, 225) started at offensive guard for Harrison. He blocked for his older brother and the Hawks' other offensive weapons. Hawk Tradition Thanks to their father's longtime involve- ment at Harrison, both boys have had the Hawks' green-and-gold blood in their veins since they were quite young. Harrison is one of the state's most storied high school football programs. Even though their victory over Lowell ended a state championship dry spell that stretched from 2001, the Hawks have now won 13 state titles. Billy Slobin is a senior vice president at Southfield-based Capital Mortgage Funding. He donates much of his spare 36 January 20 2011 DeVinney Czarnecki Physical Therapy 5839 W. Maple • Suite 100 W. Bloomfield 248-851-6999 www.dcptonline.corn posing with some of her new friends from Wilkins Elementary and below left, resident Gerry Levy getting to know some of the students. Jake and Steve Slobin time to guiding Harrison players through off-season and in-season workouts. He does more than strengthen the play- ers physically. He also tries to strengthen them mentally and socially. "I do my best to help them make smart choices outside of football, like taking their studies seriously:' he said. "I'm very aware of the dangers and travails kids face nowadays; and I think it's important for the players to know there's someone outside their own fam- ily who cares about them." Besides working with Harrison play- ers in the weight room, he has coached several in the Farmington Rockets youth football program. Perfect Season Billy Slobin can't heap enough praise on the 2010 Harrison state championship team, which beat eventual Division 1 state champion Lake Orion during the regular season, and had to plow through powerhouses Brother Rice, Warren De La Salle and Rochester Adams to get a shot at Lowell. "These kids were very talented',' he said. "But I told them constantly that the only reason they'd lose is if they were outworked, and their commitment to the weight room was second to none. They were as hard working as any team I've worked with at Harrison:' Billy Slobin played center for Herrington at Harrison in the 1978 and 1979 seasons. The Hawks were a corn- bined 12-6 those years, but neither team made the state playoffs during a time when the playoff field was much smaller than it is today. Billy and Tracy Slobin and their sons live in Franklin. rl Send news to sports®thejewishnews.com. Take Your Kids To 'The 0' Farmington Hills-based JARC is partnering with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers for a daylong experience in Cleveland on Sunday, Feb. 27. The day includes luxury motor coach transportation to the Cavaliers' practice facility where parents and kids will enjoy lunch and an afternoon of playing bas- ketball and games. Next stop is Quicken Loans Arena ("The Q") for a tour, dinner, access to the owner's suite and prime tickets to the Cays vs. Philadelphia 76ers game. The evening will conclude with a sendoff and a return to Detroit at about 10:45 p.m. Event chairs are David Carroll and Jeff Eisenshtadt. Space is limited to 50 people. Ticket price is $1,000 per parent/child team; additional children $500. Proceeds to JARC, which supports people with disabilities. Contact Rena Friedberg at (248) 538- 6610, x314, or renafriedberg@jarc.org. Journey Through Cancer Join facilitator Jodie Jacobs, LMSW, for inspiration, support and encouragement on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. Next dates are 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 9 and 23. This is a drop-in group for those 18 and older that have been recently diagnosed, are in treatment or have just completed treatment Registration is required. RSVP 48 hours in advance to attend. Contact the Robert Sosnick Family Life Center at (248) 661-5700 or rsflc@temple-israel.org. ASK A Survivor Temple Israel in West Bloomfield hosts Adults Seeking Knowledge (ASK) from noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb.14, with Martin Lowenberg, Holocaust survivor and local artist. Lowenberg began his training in crafts and design while living in Europe. World War II broke out, and Martin, at age 13, was sent to a German concentration camp, the first of five he endured in four years of captivity. After liberation in 1945, he immigrated to the United States. Over the years, hehas continued to perfect his skills at designing and creating the jewelry, metallic creations and Judaica. His work can be found in museums, syn- agogues and many private collections. During February, Temple Israel's Goodman Family Judaic & Archival Museum will feature his work. The $5 cost includes lunch. RSVP by Monday, Feb. 7. Contact Cheryl Weberman at (248) 661-5725 or cheryl@temple-israel.org . Magic Hugs Magic Hugs squares are tiny blankets (12-inch knitted squares) that are wrapped around Beanie Babies and delivered to children in area hospitals. Temple Israel in West Bloomfield will be collecting Magic Hugs squares and NEW Beanie Babies throughout February. Magic Hugs Squares: Due to possible wool allergies, squares must be made with non-wool fibers only. Tools: Size 10.5 or 11 knitting needles, darning needle or crochet hook. Supplies: Leftover worsted weight (non-wool) yarn. Mix-and-match colors or just use one. 1.Cast on 40 stitches, or enough to measure 12 inches once knitted. 2.Create a stitch pattern, if you wish, and knit enough rows to measure 12 inches. 3.Bind off. 4.Cut yarn, leaving a three-inch tail to weave in with darning needle or crochet hook. Questions? Contact Michelle Lichtman at michelle@temple-israel.org or (248) 661-5700.