Corn steps down as St. Edward softball coach
The priorities of life sometimes leave coaches with tough decisions when it comes to continuing their coaching careers.
St. Edward softball coach Jaci Corn has had to make one of those tough decisions.
Due to full-time job commitments, Corn has resigned her position at St. Edward after 5 years as the Green Wave's head coach and 8 years in the program.
"It was a very difficult decision but one I had to make," said Corn, 31, an Elgin High graduate and former three-sport standout for the Maroons who went on to play softball at Elgin Community College and Judson University.
Corn, who also played and coached for 11 years with the Northern Illinois Lightning travel softball program, was 80-66-1 in her 5 years as the Green Wave's head coach, including 21-9-1 this past season when her team recorded its first 20-win season in 10 years. She joined the St. Edward staff in 2008 and assisted coach Mike Rolando's supersectional team that season. In 2011, she guided the Green Wave to a Class 2A regional championship and a Sweet Sixteen berth.
"I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart," said Corn, who also coached girls basketball and girls tennis during her time at St. Edward. "The parents have been the most supportive, easygoing and enjoyable people I've ever been around and I want to thank them for all their support of the school, the softball program and the players. Our teams have made the game so much fun and I can't thank them enough for all their hard work and dedication and all of the memories I will hold dear to my heart forever.
"This has been the most difficult decision of my life, not only to walk away from the game I've been a part of for 24 years but to no longer be a part of the players' and families' daily lives in the spring. It's been an honor coaching them. I won't say I'll never coach again but for now, this is a decision I had to make and I wish them all the best of luck in the future. St. Edward is a family, we are still a family and I hope to be around as much as possible."