HR0972 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate and celebrate Coach Dan Rourke on the occasion of his retirement as head football coach at Glenwood High School in Chatham; and

WHEREAS, In 1993, Dan Rourke was in the midst of his 12th year teaching and coaching football in Plano, Texas; he earned his master's degree in 1992 from Texas A&M - Commerce and was seeking a head coaching and administrative job in Texas; things quickly changed when his uncle, John Rourke of Chatham, was diagnosed with cancer; Dan made the decision, after consulting with his wife Julie, to move back to Chatham and spend time with his uncle; and

WHEREAS, Principal Mike Collins, assistant principal Chuck Hoots, and Superintendent Don Kauerauf among others were instrumental in Dan Rourke's hiring at Glenwood High School; he promised to bring a competitive team to Glenwood within 5 years; and

WHEREAS, In 1993, Dan Rourke arrived in the inaugural season of the Central State Eight Conference; he retained assistant coach Steve Cox and started building a staff whose core would stay mostly intact during his tenure; he got word that Len Onken was interested in getting back into coaching and, after a phone call was made, Onken was immediately installed as a defensive coordinator; he also sought commitment of the administration, and Superintendent Kauerauf and Principal Collins were instrumental in getting additional coaches added to the staff; and

WHEREAS, During Dan Rourke's second season, he brought in Mike Janke and David Hay; during his third year, he brought in Vondel Edgar; all 3 remain on the coaching staff at Glenwood today; and

WHEREAS, There have been numerous assistant coaches over the years at Glenwood during the Dan Rourke era, including Mike McGiles, Dan Sheedy, John Hyde, Josh Crossland, Jared Bruner, Keith Moomey, Trevor Lehnen, and Caleb Cox, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, Dan Rourke kept his promise to bring a competitive team to Glenwood High School; in just 5 years, Glenwood won the Class 4A State title with a perfect 14-0 record; his teams went on to make 18 playoff appearances in 23 years; Glenwood High School was also the runner-up in Class 5A in 2010 and the program qualified for the State quarterfinals in 1997, 2003, 2004, 2011, and 2012; and

WHEREAS, After 35 years coaching football, with the last 23 as a head coach in the same place, Dan Rourke believes it is time to give someone new a shot to get some new blood in there, shake things up, light it up, and do things a bit different that he may not have thought of; and

WHEREAS, Dan Rourke serves as an example of hard work, passion, and dedication; his work throughout his career has benefited the entire Chatham-Glenwood community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank and congratulate Dan Rourke for his many years of service and wish him all the best in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dan Rourke as an expression of our congratulations and appreciation for a job well done.