Dec 16, 2011
For nearly a quarter of a century local sports guru Tom Wheeler takes two days in October and turns it into a treat for coaches, officials and plain old sports fans from throughout Southern Illinois.
A former teacher and coach and a monthly contributor to SISC, Wheeler heads up a coaching/physical education panel at the annual Mt. Vernon Teacher’s Conference, held on the campus of Mt. Vernon High School.
And to say that Wheeler has been innovative and creative would be an understatement. During his 23 years of bringing guest speakers to the annual event Wheeler has brought the who’s who of Southern Illinois sports to the two-day conference. The list includes McLeansboro’s Carl Mauck, former Du Quoin and SIU standout Nick Hill, Nashville and former San Francisco pitcher Kirk Rueter and former Benton and SIU coach Rich Herrin just to name a few.
This year’s event turned into a ‘family affair’ as Wheeler outdid himself by landing members of two families that are synonymous with athletic success. Joining Wheeler on the panel was former Du Quoin coach Bob Karnes and his sons Jason and Jarod, who coach football at Herrin and Murphysboro respectively. Also on the hot seat was former McLeansboro and West Frankfort coach David Lee, his son Darin who had great success at Nashville before moving on to Collinsville, Roger Lee, veteran track/cross country coach at Hamilton County High School and Brad Lee, superintendent of Carmi White-County High School.
During the event Wheeler compiled a ‘bet you didn’t know’ list about his guests.
Bob Karnes, legendary football coach of Southern Illinois
1. Son Jeff passed on coaching to become a doctor at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
2. Played baseball and basketball in college, but didn’t play football.
3. Three sons won 11 varsity letters at DuQuoin, (1982-88)
Jason Karnes, varsity football coach at Herrin High School
1.Quarterbacked Du Quoin to the state championship in 1992
2.Bad shoulder stopped a baseball career with the New York Yankees
3.Advice for coaches: keep it simple and make good choices
Jarrod Karnes, varsity defensive coordinator at Murphysboro High School
1.Started coaching career as a baseball coach at Meridian high School
2.Played in same backfield with brother Jason at McKendree University
3.Last time Murphysboro beat DuQuoin at DuQuoin was Jarrod’s senior year
David Lee, basketball guru of southern Illinois
1.Was a walk-on at SIU who became MVP of the basketball team
2.Was going to assist Jerry Sloan at University of Evansville prior to the 1977 plane crash that killed the entire Aces team but Sloan switched to the Utah Jazz
3.Athlete of the year at SIU as a senior
Darin Lee, varsity basketball coach at Collinsville High School
1.Only year as an assistant was a year at Rend Lake College
2.Spent a semester at the Air Force Academy
3.Advice to coaches: take care of business in the classroom
Roger Lee, veteran cross country/track coach at Hamilton County High School
1.Ran a 4:14 mile in college at the Florida State Invitational
2.Member of Hall of Fame at Flager College, St. Augustine, Florida
3.Advice to coaches: give the kids a chance to be kids
Brad Lee, Superintendent at Carmi White County High School
1.Had a tryout in St. Louis with the Cardinals thanks to scout Virgil Melvin
2.Taught Uncle David about the importance of ‘first day of deer season.’
3.Advice for coaches: Spend time on fundamentals “because there is no short cut to success.”
