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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Terrance J. "T.J." Shirley was a dedicated athlete
3with an outstanding understanding of sports, and it translated
4into exposing his students to all types of experiences that
5promote dedication, leadership, and academic prowess; and
 
6    WHEREAS, T.J. Shirley's lifetime goal is to continue to
7help each and every student achieve success; and
 
8    WHEREAS, T.J. Shirley has been an educator in Thornton
9Township High School District 205 and has made substantial
10contributions to the district, the State, and the country
11through an unyielding dedication to education that has touched
12the lives of generations of Thornridge Falcons; and
 
13    WHEREAS, T.J. Shirley, in his role as a varsity track
14coach, has become nearly legendary at Thornridge High School
15and in Thornton Township, as his great success over the decades
16is indicative of his mastery of the sport; and
 
17    WHEREAS, The faculty, staff, and community of Thornridge
18has submitted over 575 signatures in support of T.J. Shirley
19and has heard testimony from over 50 students, parents, faculty
20members, and community members; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Before coming to Thornridge High School, T.J.
2Shirley was a student athlete at Dubuque University, where he
3earned his Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1981 and was an
4outstanding track athlete, setting many school records, 2 of
5which he still holds today; and
 
6    WHEREAS, T.J. Shirley was an outstanding physical
7education teacher and coach of multiple sports at Thornridge
8High School, ultimately becoming athletic director; and
 
9    WHEREAS, T.J. Shirley has had very successful programs and
10coached 2 varsity conference championships and 2
11freshman-sophomore conference championships; he coached 62
12individual varsity conference champions, 67 individual
13freshman-sophomore conference champions, and 36 State
14medalists, including 3 individual State champions, 5 indoor
15track school record holders, and 14 outdoor track school record
16holders; and
 
17    WHEREAS, T.J. Shirley has developed many student athletes
18who went on to college or university athletic programs, and he
19has mentored thousands of grateful students and athletes; and
 
20    WHEREAS, T.J. Shirley was well known for his annual
21athletic field event known as "Blue Smoke" to the community;
22and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Thornton Township High School District 205's
2Board of Education has received a resolution from the Student
3Board of Education in support of renaming the track at
4Thornridge High School in honor of T.J. Shirley; therefore, be
5it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
7NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
8urge Thornton Township High School District 205 to rename its
9track in honor of Terrance J. "T.J." Shirley; and be it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11presented to the Thornton Township High School District 205
12Board of Education.