In essence this week’s reflection is a college notebook. More accurately, it is a focus on excellence, with the late football coach Bob Reade, and, wrestling coach, Justin Pearch.
A starting note includes a realization that COVID-19 reached into Division III football, 2019 National champion North Central College in Naperville.
The Cardinals’ opening game September 5 at Christopher Newport in Newport News, Va. has been canceled because of travel restrictions. North Central will seek to find another game at this late time.
• Bob Reade, who started his football coaching career at Plano High School more than 60 years ago, died Sunday, July 5. His won-loss records at Geneseo’s Darnell High School and at Augustana College in Rock Island may never be matched.
• Justin Pearch, Sugar Grove, following four successful years in starting the wrestling program at Aurora Christian High School, recently was named the head coach at Aurora University to start programs in both men’s and women’s wrestling.
Coach Reade’s legacy will be as much or more the fine testaments from former players as a leader and teacher than his won-loss records, however his winning percentages are astounding. In 17 seasons in Geneseo, 1962-1978, his teams’ records were 146-21-4 with three consecutive State championships, 1976-1978 and a 52-game unbeaten streak, 1965-1971. At Augustana College in 16 years, 1979-1994, his teams put together a record of 146-23-1, with four consecutive National championships, 1983-1986. His teams won 12 CCIW championships at Augustana. The 33-year, two-school totals were 292-44-5, 146 victories at each school. Nonetheless, tributes to his excellence as a leader, person, and a man exceeded his football success. He was respectful, kept it simple, and basic.
Coach Pearch will have one season to begin the programs at Aurora University. Teams will begin competition in the 2021-2022 school year. In four years at Aurora Christian High School, he started the program and captured one State championship, a second place in State, and a third place in State. With a thin roster in the second year at Aurora Christian, a State championship, he made the most of his roster.