about the coach

Qualifications:
- Involved in shot put and discus since 1986
- Competed in track and field for 1 year in junior high school, 4 years in high school, 2 years in college (including javelin), and occasionally in open/masters competitions. 
- Willowbrook High School's team tri-captain, 1990
- Has been a high school shot put and discus coach for 27 years: at Willowbrook H.S. in Villa Park, Riverside-Brookfield H.S., Carl Sandburg H.S. in Orland Park, IL., and Benet Academy H.S. in Lisle, IL.  He is currently the boys throws coach at Downers Grove North H.S.
- Has coached over 10 junior high school state qualifiers, 14 high school state qualifiers, including eight receiving All-State honors, and one state champion.   -  Five athletes are their school's record holders in shot put or discus.  Has also coached numerous high school conference champions.
- Spent 10 years as a shot put and discus official for the IHSA (Illinois High School Association) state championship track meets, held at Eastern Illinois University:  10 years as an official for the boys' meet, 8 years for the girls' meet.

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Certifications:
ACEP certification (American Coaching Effectiveness Program, now American Sport Education Program), May 1992
USATF Level 1 certification, January 1999
USATF Level 2 certification in throwing events, July 2015

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