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RT @BretBielema: Congrats to all that have made that bracket and an opportunity to make a run for a #StateTitle #ILL @IHSA_IL
Executive Director Column
Drew Potthoff Executive Director
Hello Everyone and Welcome to the ICA Website!
I hope that everyone is enjoying a great Fall sports season so far. It is always exciting when a new school year begins, and everyone is in full gear with their student-athletes sports and academics. There are so many things that our coaches, and especially our head coaches must contend with in season and out of season. A coaches list is long and includes the health and well-being of our athletes, athletes’ academics, practice schedules, rosters, inventory, game films, coaches’ meetings and the list goes on. It can be daunting at best for a seasoned coach and downright challenging for young coaches.
One thing sometimes overlooked by the head coach is the health and well-being of his or her coaching staff! Head coaches make sure you are taking care of your staff. These are the people you will be spending enormous amounts of time with them all season long. As the leader of your program and your staff you need to make time for just relaxing with your coaches, even if you just set aside 10 minutes a day with your assistant coaches not talking about the program, it will pay dividends.
I found a good quote about team leadership from D.W. Rutledge:
“I believe that the most important leadership for your team will come first from your coaching staff, your work ethic, your enthusiasm, your unselfishness, your positive attitude and your beliefs as a staff, are what will lead your team.”
This issue of the TORCH has some great new articles and some important information on deadlines for submitting the Scholarship forms and for nominating your players for the ICA/Shrine All Star Football. Game.
I hope everyone has a great Fall season and I hope to see you at the state finals! As always if there is anything I can do for you do not hesitate to contact me.
Enjoy the Fall Issue of the TORCH!
Coaches Corner Article
Lisle and ICA legend always Prayed For Sunshine.
Carlin Nalley February 16, 1937—May 20, 2022
by Ken Jakalski
Carlin Nalley…I don’t know if he clicked his heels and prayed for Lisle when he left Kansas and came to the small school district 25 miles west of Chicago 55 years ago, but I’m pretty sure the Lisle community was looking forward to someone who could assume multiple roles in a school district in need of someone who could transform the Lions athletic program.
Carlin became Lisle’s athletic director, head football, and head track coach. More importantly, he became an essential part of the Lisle community that quickly embraced him for his creativity, innovations, and work ethic.
He installed the wishbone offense in football, and the first high school all-weather polyurethane track in Illinois. Once that facility was completed, he worked hard to host a track event that quickly gained a reputation as the largest outdoor track event of its kind in the Illinois outside of the state championships. At one point, Lisle had as many as 56 high school teams competing.
But in 1986 the Lisle community called upon Carlin to take on a new position in the district: assistant superintendent. That meant he had to find replacements for the football and track programs he had built into state powers.
Out of the blue, he called me, asking if I’d be interest in teaching English and coaching track in Lisle. That was an unexpected opportunity for me, one that would transform my career. During our interview, I ask him what he expected of me as track coach. He said just two things: be creative and respect traditions.
Lisle became the first high school in Illinois with a fully automatic timing system for track. In terms of tradition, I never changed the track uniforms Carlin designed. The only minor dispute came when the Lisle Sports Boosters wanted the Lisle track invite renamed the Carlin Nalley Invitational. Carlin was uncomfortable with the name change, but he eventually came around, and smiled when he saw that the new logo included at the bottom the one line he shared with coaches in every correspondence regarding the meet: “Pray for Sunshine.”
Carlin’s next position in Lisle reflected creativity, innovation, and community respect: Superintendent. Despite all the responsibilities of such a major role, Carlin continued to serve as head finish judge at our invite, and head finish judge at the Illinois State Track Championships.
Though wheelchair bound, 85 year old Carlin made an appearance at the Nalley Invite this past May. Just two weeks after the meet, we lost the man who meant so much to the Lisle community and fans of track and field. It’s as if he wanted this opportunity to say goodbye.
Of all the great memories I have of Carlin, this one is my favorite. Even at his advanced age, he renewed his cross country and track officials certification, and was looking forward to starting meets. The picture below is Carlin working his last big event, our Mane Event Cross Country Invitational.
Carlin loved Lisle, and we all loved him. As a result of all that he meant to me and our community, not a day goes by without my saying….Pray for Sunshine.
Who are We?
A State Coaching Organization that is intent on representing all coaches of the state of Illinois. Founded 1928; continuous service to date. National Affiliation - (NHSACA) National High School Athletic Coaches Assoc., (NOCAD) National Association of Coaches Association Directors, (NHSFCA) National High School Football Coaches Alliance
Coaches, in the end, our career W/L record just won’t matter.
It won’t be what we will want others to remember us by.
All that will matter will be who we helped, how we went about it
& the lasting impression we left on those who crossed our path.
Live each day with that in mind.
MaxPreps Score Widget
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO FROM THE JASON FOOUNDATION!
Good afternoon, Coach Potthoff,
Hope all is well, and a new year is off to a great beginning. The Jason Foundation is proud to collaborate with the Illinois Coaches Association. We are extremely appreciative of you sharing our programs to further educate coaches. I am sending a brief video from Clark Flatt, the president of JFI, expressing grateful appreciation to the ICA for the great work you do in prevention of youth suicide. My request would be to share with coaches and place the video on your website. Thank you for your conscientious effort to educate coaches about the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide. JFI would be honored to serve you any way possible to help save lives.
Here is the link to the video.
What the ICA Offers and Member Benefits
- The ICA Newsletter ‘The Torch’ times a year
- $2,000,000 Liability Insurance Policy
- NEW! FREE access to Coach & Athletic Director magazine digital editions, which includes the All-Sport Education Series from Proactive Coaching – Coaching for Significance.
- Discount on Accident/Medical Insurance for participants in sports camps (Available to Illinois Coaches Association Members Only)
- Illinois Coach of the Year Awards and membership in the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA)
- Eligibility of Son or Daughter to Compete for one of five $750 Scholarships Annually
- Eligibility of Son or Daughter to compete for our new “Memorial Scholarship” for $500
- Eligibility to nominate athletes for the ICA/Shrine Football All Star game & All Star Baseball game
- Sponsorship of All Star Activities in Football and Baseball since 1975
- ICA Golf Clinic and Golf Hall of Fame Banquet
- Serve the Illinois High School Association by helping in various activities.
Job Openings 2022-2023
Stark County High School
Softball head coach position.
If interested, please email resume to Roland Brown Stark County AD (rbrown@stark100.com)
Resurrection College Prep High School (Chicago)
Head Girls Volleyball Coach
Girls Track Throws Coach
Girls Lacrosse Assistant Coach
Interested applicants can submit a resume, cover letter, and three references to Athletic Director
Mr. Eddie Kane.
www.reshs.org
2022-2023 NHSACA Coach of the Year Nominees
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE
2022-2023 ICA/NHSACA Coach of the YEAR Nominees
Darren Howard Athletic Director Oswego High School
Rob Porter Assistant Boys Coach Naperville Central High School
Mark Longo Soccer Quincy Notre Dame High School
Dale Eggert Wrestling Libertyville High School
Mark Haberkorn Volleyball LaSalle Peru High School
Todd Hopkins Baseball Marquette High School
Derek Leonard Football Rochester High School
Chris Trainia Softball Lemont High School
Jimmy Centella Cross Country Grayslake Central High School
Joe Lodico Girls Assistant Coach Rockford Lutheran High School
Denise Murphy Tennis Lake Forest High School
NHSACA ANNOUNCES ILLINOIS 2022 COTY FINALISTS
Congratulations to the 2022 NHSACA Coach of the Year Finalists
- Dan Jones Athletic Director Hinsdale Central High School
- John Gross Girls Basketball Princeville High School
- Jeff Hill Wrestling Petersburg Porta High School
2022 NHSACA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
- Tim Caldwell Homewood Flossmoor High School
- Lori Blade Edwardsville High School
IHSFCA Virtual Football Coaches Clinic
Coaches,
It is with great enthusiasm that your Illinois High School Football Coaches Association (IHSFCA) offers our second Virtual Clinic to be held 2022 TBA
YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!
All of the zoom clinic presentations will be recorded, so if you are unable to watch them live you will be able to watch them later!
When you register early, you will have access to all presentations for only $75.00! After the early registration deadline it will be $100.00.
Click on this link to start your experience! You will be amazed! PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH YOUR ASSISTANT COACHES AND OTHER OUT OF STATE COLLEAGUES.
https://ihsfca.coachesclinic.com/
If you need to pay by school check for IHSFCA Virtual Clinic please mail to:
Kevin Crandall
1137 Barbary Ct.
Rochelle, Illinois 61068
attn. IHSFCA
Make check payable to: IHSFCA
Thanks!
Dave Jacobs and George Turnbull/IHSFCA
2023 All Star Football Shrine Game Coaches
| Blue | O/D | School | Class |
| 1. Jeff Reents-Head Coach | D | HFC Wilmington | 2A |
| 2 Patrick Elder | D | HFC Ridgewood- Cambridge | 8man |
| 3 Doug Nutter | D | HFC Pekin | 7A |
| 4. Byron Gettis | O | HFC O'Fallon | 8A |
| 5. Mark Dodd | O | HFC Bismarck (Henning-Rossville-Alvin) COOP | 1A |
| 6. Andrew Quain | O | HFC Prairie Central | 3A |
| RED | School | Class | |
| 1. Mike Lalor-Head Coach | D | HFC Stillman Valley | 3A |
| 2 Jason Kirby | D | HFC West Central | 8man |
| 3 Terry Jones | D | HFC Perspectives Charter -Chicago | 6A |
| 4. Tyler Hoffman | O | HFC Pecatonica-Du-Pec | 3A |
| 5. Jason Clay | O | HFC Vandalia | 2A |
| 6. Gary Griffin | O | HFC Rockford East | 6A |
Plans for the Future
- To Expand All Star Competition to include other sports
- Continue on-going professional relationship with existing coaches groups throughout the state and nation
- Improve opportunities for all athletes and coaches throughout Illinois
- Continue expansion of Awards Program to honor deserving coaches and athletes
MAXPreps Score Widget
Coaches Assistance Program (Click Above Image)
2022 ICA STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Andrew Detering
Hanna Colbert
Brooke Williard
Noah Hollis
Whitney Keith
2022 Tim "Mo" Caldwell
Memorial Scholarship Winner
Brooke Williard
ICA Student Scholarships
For the 25th year that the ICA has scholarships available to a son or daughter of a member. Students compete for one of five ICA $750 scholarships every year. Also, this year we start a new scholarship offering the Tim "Mo" Caldwell Memorial Scholarship for $500.
Students' application process includes an essay, academic standing and recommendations by school personnel. The screening process is handled by the ICA Board of Directors.
Application Deadline is April 5, 2023 for ICA Scholarships
Application Deadline is April 5, 2023 for the Tim "Mo" Caldwell Memorial Scholarship
2021 Hall of Fame Inductees and Coach of the Year Finalists
ILLINOIS COACHES ASSOCIATION
Serving All Coaches in All Sports
Email: soboad@yahoo.com
Twitter: @ICA_Illinois
Send ICA Scholarship Applications New Address
Drew Potthoff, CMAA
Executive Director ICA
2730 Via Tivoli 335 B
Clearwater, FL 33764
Illinois Coaches Association Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor of Illinois Coaches Association? Contact Us!
