Redhawks coach Carlson retiring 'when it's still fun'
Leave it to an English teacher to use a French word.
Jon Carlson said he saw the period from 2004-07 - when he led the Naperville Central girls swimming team to state titles in 2004-05 then added two more of his 20 top-10 state finishes - as his denouement.
On Monday Carlson, 62, retired after 27 years as Redhawks coach. He'd stopped teaching in 2006.
In the only sense that really matters, he's going out on top.
"It's still fun," he said. "Everybody says it's hard to do, but you probably should move on when it's still fun rather than when they kick you out."
He's going out - way out, to Eugene, Ore., where the juxtaposition of a relaxed atmosphere and an active lifestyle appeals to a man whose "main motivation is to do 'outdoors things' while I'm still ambulatory."
He's always been sharp.
"One thing Jon did was he studied the sport," said Naperville Central athletic director Marty Bee. "He was a student of the sport. He was always looking for new techniques or ways to change the way he trained kids, and he wasn't afraid to try something new, wasn't afraid to be innovative.
"The other part of it is he treated kids nice. He was a good person. He was a very calm, pretty even-keel type of guy. I think the kids who swam for him respected him an awful lot. They worked hard for him."
Along with six state-champion relay teams, Carlson coached individual champions Kelly McNichols and Amy Prestinario, now swimming at Georgia and Notre Dame, respectively. Carlson also coached the Redhawks boys from 1988-1992.
"Jon was really like a second father to me," said McNichols, a junior at Georgia who said Carlson was unparalleled at stroke diagnosis and correction. "I don't think there's anyone in the world that can replace Jon Carlson. He's absolutely one of the most amazing people I've ever met in my life."
Not even Bee had the number of DuPage Valley Conference titles Carlson's teams had won, because the man seems less interested in career-boosting stats and facts than simply enjoying the camaraderie.
"A lot of people probably coach their whole life without getting a trophy," Carlson said, "so I feel very fortunate that I had such great kids to work with, mainly."
He'll miss coaching those kids, and following them after graduation. He admits he may get an itchy stopwatch finger come August, but he can do without the steady grind and the time commitment.
"It's still fun, but it's been getting a little bit harder as I get older," Carlson said. "The daily 4:50 a.m. alarm going off, I don't have to do that - but on the other hand I do have to do that if I want to coach."
Pancake master
Glenbard West's Chris Watt, captain of the 2008 Daily Herald DuPage All-Area Football Team, started at left guard for the West team at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 4. The Notre Dame recruit did not allow a sack.
Run, no gun
Rely too much on the 3-pointer? Witness Wheaton College's 130-109 win last Saturday over Grinnell.
The Thunder put up 65 shots but only 4 from beyond the arc. It was 0-for-4 from 3-point range yet made 52 field goals for an astounding 80 percent from the floor.
Three Wheaton players scored at least 20 points, including former Timothy Christian stalwart Jake Carwell with 25 points on 12-of-14 shooting.
Happy Old Year
A variety of local individuals recently earned recognition through coaching associations.
The Illinois Swimming Association named Tom Schweer and Bob Barber - girls coaches at Waubonsie Valley and Hinsdale Central, respectively - as swimming coaches of the year.
Adrienne Bicek of Downers Grove North, who won the 200 individual medley, was second in the 500 freestyle and swam on two all-state relays, was named senior swimmer of the year.
The Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association will induct Naperville North coach Carl Hunckler and Downers Grove South coach Phil Fox into its hall of fame, while Robin Renner (Neuqua Valley), Dan Schoessling (Wheaton North) and Mike Riley (Glenbard South) have been selected among 2008 coaches of the year.
And outstanding Naperville Central pitching coach Phil Lawler will be presented with the IHSBCA's President's Award.
Dave Racey of Naperville North and Stan Reddel of York will receive North Division coach of the year awards at the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association honors luncheon Saturday at Oak Park, while Neuqua's Jamie Janota will receive a Dave Pasquini Award for achievement as an assistant coach.
No locals will inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame this season, but there is a familiar name.
Glenn Monken - uncle to Metea Valley hire Ted Monken and one of four brothers to be inducted, including former Lake Park coach Bob Monken - will represent Highland and Breese Mater Dei, where he remains an assistant coach.
doberhelman@dailyherald.com