Lake Park High School to dedicate stadium to coaching legend Bob Monken
On Friday, Oct. 13 before the varsity football game vs. St. Charles North, the Lake Park school community will proudly dedicate the West Campus stadium the Lake Park High School Bob Monken Field to honor Lake Park coaching legend and Illinois Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee.
It will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the west campus stadium, 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. in Roselle.
Bob Monken served as the head varsity football coach at Lake Park High School for a total of 30 seasons from 1964 through 1993. During his tenure he accumulated a program record 151 wins and led the Lancers to the IHSA playoffs five times, including the 1986 team which finished with a record of 10 wins and one loss.
Coach Monken's teams captured conference championships in 1967, 1975, 1976, 1982, 1986, and 1987. In recognition of his outstanding career, Bob Monken was named to the IFCA Hall of Fame in 1990. To generations of Lake Park football players, Coach Monken laid the foundation of the program. Truly, he was known to bleed navy and white.
Over the years since his retirement, the Monken name has become well known in football circles. His son Todd Monken is the current offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens NFL team after serving in the same capacity at the University of Georgia during their back-to-back NCAA Division I National Championships in 2022 and 2021. His son Ted is on the staff at Glenbard South High School and son Tony is a long-time coach at Vernon Hills High School. His nephew, Jeff Monken, is the current head football coach at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Coach Monken's impact on Lake Park High School extended beyond his work on the football gridiron in multiple leadership roles. He served as the district athletic director early in his tenure from 1963-1964.
Additionally, he was the first department chair of the physical education department, a position he held for 25 years supporting teachers in his department and providing opportunities for students.
Between his football career and teaching and department leadership roles, Monken positively impacted the athletic and educational experiences for thousands and thousands of students at Lake Park High School.
For these reasons, Lake Park High School District 108 feels it is appropriate to formally name the Lake Park West Campus stadium Lake Park Bob Monken Field to keep alive for future generations of Lancers the name of this Lake Park coaching and teaching legend.