By Bobby Narang
In a year full of surprises, Waubonsie Valley High School boys basketball head coach, Jason Mead, delivered his own surprise.
Monday, Feb. 22, in the middle of a shortened six-week season, Mead announced his resignation as head coach of the varsity program effective at the end of the season, March 14.
“It has been my pleasure to serve as the head boys basketball coach at Waubonsie Valley High School for five seasons,” Mead said in an E-mail statement. “I am honored to have been given the responsibility of trying to build a program that exhibits high character and discipline on the court, as well as off the court. I believe we made many strides in both areas, and I am proud of our student-athletes. I am grateful for all the support from families, players, administration, and the community.”
The Warriors were fresh off an impressive weekend which started with a shocking 70-28 blowout over rival and host Neuqua Valley. Saturday, the Warriors defeated St. Francis, 61-46. In the victory over the Neuqua Valley, the Warriors raced to a big halftime lead, and managed to keep Neuqua Valley star senior, John Poulakidas, scoreless for the entire game. Poulakidas, a Yale University recruit, bounced back by breaking Neuqua Valley’s all-time scoring record Saturday, in a 60-44 victory at host Burlington Central.
Five years ago, Mead took over the Warriors’ program after leading Dixon to a highly-successful three-year run that culminated with a 25-victory season. The Warriors won just five games the season prior to Mead’s arrival, the program’s fewest victories since the 1992-93 season. At Dixon, Mead inherited a program that won just four games in his first two seasons, but he compiled an 80-65 record in five season.
He followed the same route at Waubonsie Valley. Under Mead, the Warriors have become a powerhouse in the DuPage Valley. Mead, a 2003 Hoffman Estates graduate, won just eight games in his first season, but the Warriors managed a 13-18 record in 2017-2018. The Warriors won a total of 54 games in the next two seasons, and captured five victories in their first seven games this season.
Waubonsie Valley athletic director Chris Neibch supported Mead’s decision.
“It is with full support for coach Mead that we regretfully accept his resignation as head boys basketball coach of Waubonsie Valley High School,” Neibch said. “Five years ago, coach Mead took over a program that was looking for direction. He provided a winning direction through hard work, compassion for our student-athletes, and the love of basketball. We appreciate everything that he has provided to the Waubonsie Valley boys basketball program and wish him the best of luck through this process.”