Bill Text: IL HR0972 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Congratulates Dan Rourke for his many years of service as head football coach at Glenwood High School in Chatham.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2016-02-11 - Resolution Adopted [HR0972 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-HR0972-Introduced.html

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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

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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

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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.