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   

Welcome to the ICA Website!

Hello,

Winter Sports Season Update 2020

I hope this edition of the TORCH finds you healthy and enjoying another successful winter sports season. We have added even more outstanding articles and information in this edition. The Illinois Coaches Association is very proud to be the organization that serves all of our high school sports and their coaches.

We at the ICA are excited about our growing membership. This year our liability insurance has been increased from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 for our members. Don’t forget that another of the ICA benefits to members is our student scholarships. Every year we award five $750 scholarships to students of our members who apply. The application is inside this issue of the TORCH. The deadline for submission of scholarship applications is April 5, 2020.

 It is always an exciting time as the regular season draws to a close and the tournament season gets going in full swing. Keeping your athletes and yourself healthy both physically and mentally should be at the top of every coach’s To Do List.  As coaches, we must keep close attention to our athletes as they balance their academics, athletics and social time, especially after a season of practices and competitions. 

As I write this column I am reflecting on the tragedy that happened in California in January with the helicopter crash that took the lives of nine people. I am not moved to write about this because of the celebrity of the victims that were lost, but because of the vocation and passion of the people died. These were parents, coaches, athletes and a pilot on their way to a basketball game. Husbands, wives, children all going together to a game, something that coaches and parents do hundreds of times every season every year without thinking. Be sure to take time to realize the fragility of life. Never take a single day for granted; hug your families and your athletes every day. Coach them and watch them grow. Please join the ICA in keeping Kobie Bryant and his daughter Gianna, Coach Joe Antobelli, his wife Keri, their daughter Alyssa, Christina Mauser, Sara Chester, her daughter Payton, pilot Ara Zobayan  and their families in your prayers.

Good luck with the rest of your winter seasons, and we look forward to seeing you at the IHSA State Finals! Enjoy this issue of the TORCH.

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.

• Sponsorship of All Star Activities in Football and Baseball since 1975 
• Membership Includes $2,000,000 General Liabilty Insurance
•  Newsletter 'TORCH' for Coaches at least 3 times annually 
  • Contains All-Star Nomination Forms and Clinic Registration Info 
  • Contains application form for ICA Scholarship 
• Clinics in Golf, Wrestling and Track 
• ICA Golf Hall of Fame 
• Awards to All State Championship Coaches 
• Meritorious Service Awards to retired coaches upon nomination and selection. 
• Serve the Illinois High School Association by helping in various activities. 
• Make nominations to the IHSA for participation on Sports Advisory Committees. 
• Offer Five $750 Scholarships Annually to High School Senior sons or daughters of members.

Brien Dunphy         Athletic Director       Peoria High School

Tim Funkhouser   Baseball                           Edwardsville High School

  David Power         Girls Basketball          Fenwick High School 

John Naisbitt           Tennis                             Hinsdale Central HS

 Eight finalists from across the nation, in nineteen recognized sports categories will be honored during the National Coach of the Year Awards Banquet which will take place at the NHSACA’s national convention in Linocln, Nebraska on the evening of July 23, 2020. The highlight of the banquet will be the naming of the NHSACA national coach of the year in nineteen recognized sports categories.

All Illinois coaches were nominated for this national honor by the Illinois Coaches Association. The selection is based on longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years, and winning percentage. The nominees and finalists are evaluated by experts in the field of coaching using a sport-specific rubrics to assign points in each category.

 NHSACA is the oldest coaches association in the nation formed by coaches, for coaches, and has been recognizing national coaches of the year since 1978. 

West Team
Ken Leonard- HFC   Sacred Heart Griffin
Todd Chance              Sacred Heart Griffin
Todd Hollis                  Elmwood (Brimfield Coop)
Brian Melvin              Burlington Central
Jack Cornell               Quincy Notre Dame
Tim Heinz                    Illinois Valley Central-Chillicothe

East Team
Albert Cruse-HFC      Chicago Public League
Josh Jostes                      Maroa-Forsyth
Michael Harrison        Belleville East
Matt Music                     Olney Richland County
Dan Wetzel                    Herscher
Rich McMahon            Rochester (former PORTA HFC)

Wearable Technologies Playing an Increasing Role in Athlete Performance Assessment

Article submitted by:
Ken Jakalski, Boys Track Coach at Lisle High School. 

Resurection College Prep High School

Head Track Coach
Assistant Track Coach

Interested candidates can contact Athletic Director Mr. Eddie Kane at ekane@reshs.

Lake Park High School, District 108

Head Football Coach
Previous head coaching experience is preferred
Anticipated Teaching openings in the following subject areas:

• Science
• Mathematics
• World Languages
• Physical Education

Interested applicants must meet all requirements set forth by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) to be an eligible coach and should complete/provide the following:

• Lake Park District 108 online application - www.lphs.org
• Professional teaching resume
• Professional coaching resume
• Three (3) letters of recommendation specific to teaching experience
• Three (3) letters of recommendation specific to coaching experience
• Coaching portfolio demonstrating comprehensive program organization, development, and philosophies

Please forward all related materials and direct any inquiries to:

Mr. Michael Wojtowicz
Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services
Lake Park High School District 108
590 S. Medinah Road
Roselle, IL 60172
(630) 295-5421
mwojtowicz@lphs.org

• 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 

ILLINOIS COACHES ASSOCIATION

Serving All Coaches in All Sports

Email: soboad@yahoo.com

Twitter: ICA_Illinois

Caitlyn Walsh Chicago Taft High School

Ellen Fox Stockton High School

Erin Miller Saint-Joseph Ogden High School

Thomas Skahill Alleman High School

Hannah Tonsor Jersey Community High School

Paige Bennett Lewiston Community High School

The ICA is happy to welcome Global sourcing International, LLC as a new corporate sponsor that can provide Personal Protection Equipment for high school athletes.
For More Information See links below

For the twenty-third year that the ICA has scholarships available to a son or daughter of a member.  Students compete for one of five $750 scholarships every year.

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, 2020