Schaumburg cross country course will bear coaches' names
Schaumburg High School's cross country course will be named Macnider Cross Country Trail in honor of retiring coaches Jim and Jon Macnider and their service to the school.
The decision, made by the Schaumburg Park District board Thursday, came at the behest of Schaumburg High School Principal Tim Little and cross country team members seeking to honor the longtime coaches.
The course is located in Hoover Park, behind Hoover Elementary School, 315 N. Springinsguth Road.
Jim Macnider coached cross country at the school for 37 years, leading the boys team to three state titles, 13 Mid-Suburban League championships and 17 divisional titles. He coached 125 all-conference athletes, five of whom were Mid-Suburban League champions. His boys cross country teams made 22 state meet appearances, with 13 top five finishes.
“Although Jim is an accomplished coach and well-known throughout our state for his accomplishments, you would never know it when you talk to him,” Little write in a letter to the park board. “Jim is a student-centered coach. His focus has always been on the academic and athletic development of the student athletes that have come through his program. It has been an honor for me to work with Jim Macnider.”
Jon Macnider is stepping down after 31 years of coaching cross country at Schaumburg High, leading the girls squad since 1980. Like his brother, Jon led teams to three state titles, in 1982, 1999 and 2010.
Officials plan to formally dedicate the renamed course in the fall.