Plainfield Central High School's Marc Jones named 2008 Assistant Track Coach of the Year
The Illinois Track & Cross Country Coaches Association has named Plainfield High School-Central Campus boys assistant track coach Marc Jones as its "2008 Assistant Track Coach of the Year."
Jones has been coaching for more than 17 years. He is in his third year as an assistant boys track coach at PHSCC.
He started his coaching career as the boys and girls assistant track coach at Proviso East High School. Then in 2003, he was named the girls head track coach at Argo Community High School. Three years later, he accepted the boys assistant track coach position at PHSCC.
PHSCC head boys track coach Steve Lawrence nominated Jones for the award.
"Marc is one of those special individuals whose natural enthusiasm and passion for working with kids is demonstrated each and every day," Lawrence said.
"His ability to motivate young people, to make a commitment to a vision, and work to help them achieve their goals is fantastic," Lawrence said. "We are blessed to have Marc in our track program, and I am thankful every day that he is with us," he said.
"When I found out, I was shocked. It was really unexpected, but it was a happy unexpected," Jones said.
Jones was an active track athlete as a student at Luther South High School in Chicago. He used to run the 440-yard dash, the 110-yard dash and the 220-yard dash.
"Those events aren't even around anymore," Jones said, laughing. "I'm really showing my age."
Jones received a plaque from the Illinois Track & Cross Country Coaches Association in January, and said his entire family was in attendance, including his mom.
"My mom was crying, and I told her, 'You're crying now?' Just wait until I get inducted into the Hall of Fame,'" Jones said. "This award means a lot because I was recognized by my peers, by those I've known, by those who have been instrumental to me," he said.