Yet another award for Lisle's deserving Nalley

What brings Carlin Nalley back?

At age 72 he's had two rounds of heart bypass surgery, in 1980 and in 1995.

He's enshrined in the halls of fame of both the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and the Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association for the decades he coached at Lisle.

He's got eight grandchildren. He could spend his time relaxing at home with his wife, Nancy - or watching either his friend Ken Jakalski coach Lisle's boys track team or one of Nalley's own sons, John, do the same at Palatine. He's also got an open invitation at Conant, whose football coach, Bill Modelski, is married to Nalley's daughter, Karla.

Still, having contracted to officiate 34 track meets this year and on tab as head finish line judge for this year's boys outdoor state meets, which he'll have done 34 straight years, Carlin Nalley keeps coming back.

Depending where you are in the conversation, ask him why and you get different answers that are short and simple.

"I've always liked the sport," he'll say.

"I guess it's been part of my life," he'll say later.

"I enjoy the contact with the kids," is another reason, and its corollary: "It keeps me young."

A Lisle resident since 1966 by way of Kansas and his native Missouri, Nalley's durability, humor, knowledge and ability are reasons why he was among 18 honorees named 2009 Officials of the Year by the Illinois High School Association.

Along with former Naperville North Golden Apple winner Jim Effinger of Wheaton (girls track) and Dave Donaldson of West Chicago (boys gymnastics), they'll be honored at the 2009 IHSA Officials Convention on July 18 in Peoria.

"I was surprised when I got this," said Nalley, who was nominated for the honor by 2008 Illinois Track and Cross Country Officials Association President Owen Fuller.

In an e-mail Jakalski said, "I believe he continues to officiate because he's having as much fun as we are."

Jakalski said maybe even more important than Nalley being "conscientious about rules and procedures" is the personality he brings to the track. It belies his image as a gruff grandpa.

"I always try to build on the positive, not the negative," said Nalley, who from 1980-82 was president of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association and was the 1984 National High School Coaches Association athletic director of the year.

Nalley said he gets the most humor out of monitoring what jewelry athletes wear on the track, in accordance with state rules. He'd rather rid a runner of a Lance Armstrong bracelet than have him suffer a disqualification later.

"I'll say, 'Save it for the prom. You probably don't have a date yet, do you?' "

Nalley has a date - 34 of them and counting, starting with a girls indoor track meet Saturday at Glenbrook North.

"I've always tried to look at the positive side," he said. "Maybe I'm a people person."

Four more years

We decree there be a courtside seat reserved in perpetuity for that brave Glenbard West basketball fan who pours himself into a shimmering green bodysuit and wriggles like Shakira.

Scholars, administrators, counselors - please hold this student back so he can return, year after year, to cheer on the Hilltoppers.

If you and the student are unwilling to curtail graduation, please extend the suit as a legacy to a younger classmate.

So shall it be written. So shall it be done.

doberhelman@dailyherald.com