President Trump likes to refer to the “media” in a negative way, and to “fake news.” He has never met Jay Redfern. When you mention Jay Redfern in Galesburg, the Quad Cities, or Quincy, there is unanimous agreement that Jay stands for integrity, class, fairness, and hard work. He is an all-star in the newspaper business.
I learned important lessons about coaching and the media from George Lundeen and Jay Redfern. My first year as a cross country coach, Mr. Lundeen (the AD) came down to my class one morning because I hadn’t sent in my results to the Peoria paper. Lundeen said, “The team lost didn’t they?” When I confirmed it, he told me I needed to submit results whether we won or we lost.
About ten years later, Jay Redfern as a young reporter gave me more advice. I was wanting to get the girls basketball coverage moved to the front page. Jay explained the more info I gave them, the more they could write. There were no faxes or email back then. I would go home and type up stats, game details, and even some quotes- I drove them down and put them in the mail slot each night. We didn’t always make the front page of sports but girls basketball got more and more attention in the paper.
I have had the opportunity to work with many sports reporters in my years coaching. Jay is an all-time favorite, Galesburg is so fortunate to have him. Jay is a great reporter because:
· He listens. He doesn’t have his story already written, he listens to the people he is interviewing.
· He is fair. There are times a reporter interviews you as a coach, and when you read your quotes in their stories- it isn’t at all what you said and certainly not what you meant. Jay is one of the best at nailing your quotes accurately.
· He is skilled. His work with design and front pages made state runs a real collector’s item.
· He is creative. I really wish he would start back his column of “Silver Streaks Insider.” I loved reading the articles he came up with on Saturday mornings. Every week he came up with a person or topic that was outstanding.
· He gets it. He understood he was writing about high school sports.
When I was first coaching girls basketball, I sometimes scouted for boys basketball, and I really enjoyed going to Quincy and watching the Leggett teams. Every night was a clinic from their warmups on thru the games. And then Duncan Reid came to Rock Island, and created such a great rivalry between the two coaches and the two schools. As a reporter, what are your memories, both in watching their teams and also interviewing the two coaches?
Despite the hundreds of great players who have starred for Western Big 6 Conference teams — including all-staters, all-Americans and a handful who went on to the NBA — I’ve always said the Big 6 was a coaches conference. I’d argue the number of great coaches who led programs at Big 6 schools is really unparalleled in the state. But you are right to ask about Quincy and Rock Island. It goes without question those two program are elite and standout for some of the same, and some very different reasons.
No disrespect to anyone else, Quincy is just the epitome and class of Illinois boys basketball, in my opinion. While they often left disappointed, every player and coach in the state wanted to experience playing at Quincy. The mystique of the Devil running around with his lit pitchfork before a packed and loud crowd intimidated numerous players and coaches, even those who had been through it before.
But like you said, the rivalry between Jerry Leggett and Duncan Reid was legendary. It shows how completely different — in some ways opposite — personalities and philosophies can still wind up with huge success. I interviewed both for years, both via pregame phone calls, and of course after games. Both were accommodating and and engaging, but as far as a reporter-coach relationship, I found Coach Reid much more loose and friendly. Don’t get me wrong, I truly admired Leggett and he was always willing to talk, but Reid just seemed more down to Earth.
One funny story I can tell some 30 years later is when Leggett was being courted behind the scenes to possibly coach at GHS. When I asked Leggett in general what it would take to draw a top-notch coach to GHS, he said something like a country club membership and other perks. A day later, Leggett — through some advice I believe from Galesburg people — called me to walk that back a little.
The Reid-Leggett battles were fully visible to fans, and while they undoubtedly respected each other, I really don’t think there was any love lost between the two. The cracks and barbs traded between the two — primarily Reid toward Leggett — made for some hilarious times at the annual pregame WB6 Coaches dinner.
You got to interview a lot of coaches during your time in sports. Who were some of your favorite coaches to interview?
The players came and went, but many of the coaches stayed the same during my almost 20 years covering sports. Needless to say, I developed many very good, and in many cases lasting relationships with many GHS coaches. Quite a few of those coaches were teachers/coaches when I was a student at GHS, so I felt like I had already established relationships with many of them.
While it doesn’t directly pertain to the question, I’d be remise if I didn’t give credit right off the top to Gary Bruington and Barry Swanson — the two men I credit with indirectly getting me into the newspaper business in the first place. It was those two who recruited me as a high school sophomore to keep statistics for their respective teams. Stat-keeping led to part-time and eventually full-time sports reporting for The Register-Mail, so I’ll forever be indebted to those two. They were great coaches, and are even better human beings.
Interestingly (this makes me sound old), there was no email, no faxing capabilities when I first started covering GHS sports in 1985. That meant I was on the phone regularly with every coach at GHS. So I was talking with golf coaches like Mick Hickey and John Chapman as frequently as I was talking with varsity football coach Bill Allison or basketball coach Dave Peck. Galesburg has had so many what I like to call “professional” coaches. Forgetting wins and losses on the field, these were coaches who were perfect role models for the athletes they coached. They were/are men and woman you wanted to be around your kids. It’s the type of people these coaches were that stand out far more in my mind than what they said or how many games or championships they won. Guys like Tim Mackey, Bill Sergeant, Jerry Albright, Gene Fisher … the list is long, and I feel bad for leaving anyone out.
No disrespect to anyone else, Quincy is just the epitome and class of Illinois boys basketball, in my opinion. While they often left disappointed, every player and coach in the state wanted to experience playing at Quincy. The mystique of the Devil running around with his lit pitchfork before a packed and loud crowd intimidated numerous players and coaches, even those who had been through it before.
But like you said, the rivalry between Jerry Leggett and Duncan Reid was legendary. It shows how completely different — in some ways opposite — personalities and philosophies can still wind up with huge success. I interviewed both for years, both via pregame phone calls, and of course after games. Both were accommodating and and engaging, but as far as a reporter-coach relationship, I found Coach Reid much more loose and friendly. Don’t get me wrong, I truly admired Leggett and he was always willing to talk, but Reid just seemed more down to Earth.
One funny story I can tell some 30 years later is when Leggett was being courted behind the scenes to possibly coach at GHS. When I asked Leggett in general what it would take to draw a top-notch coach to GHS, he said something like a country club membership and other perks. A day later, Leggett — through some advice I believe from Galesburg people — called me to walk that back a little.
The Reid-Leggett battles were fully visible to fans, and while they undoubtedly respected each other, I really don’t think there was any love lost between the two. The cracks and barbs traded between the two — primarily Reid toward Leggett — made for some hilarious times at the annual pregame WB6 Coaches dinner.
You got to interview a lot of coaches during your time in sports. Who were some of your favorite coaches to interview?
The players came and went, but many of the coaches stayed the same during my almost 20 years covering sports. Needless to say, I developed many very good, and in many cases lasting relationships with many GHS coaches. Quite a few of those coaches were teachers/coaches when I was a student at GHS, so I felt like I had already established relationships with many of them.
While it doesn’t directly pertain to the question, I’d be remise if I didn’t give credit right off the top to Gary Bruington and Barry Swanson — the two men I credit with indirectly getting me into the newspaper business in the first place. It was those two who recruited me as a high school sophomore to keep statistics for their respective teams. Stat-keeping led to part-time and eventually full-time sports reporting for The Register-Mail, so I’ll forever be indebted to those two. They were great coaches, and are even better human beings.
Interestingly (this makes me sound old), there was no email, no faxing capabilities when I first started covering GHS sports in 1985. That meant I was on the phone regularly with every coach at GHS. So I was talking with golf coaches like Mick Hickey and John Chapman as frequently as I was talking with varsity football coach Bill Allison or basketball coach Dave Peck. Galesburg has had so many what I like to call “professional” coaches. Forgetting wins and losses on the field, these were coaches who were perfect role models for the athletes they coached. They were/are men and woman you wanted to be around your kids. It’s the type of people these coaches were that stand out far more in my mind than what they said or how many games or championships they won. Guys like Tim Mackey, Bill Sergeant, Jerry Albright, Gene Fisher … the list is long, and I feel bad for leaving anyone out.
During your lifetime of following Galesburg boys as a student, as a reporter, and as a fan – can you pick your top boys games?
1-1976 regional final, Galesburg defeats Richwoods at GHS Gym. This is a hands-down winner. Overflow crowd, top-ranked teams, two Division I players for each team. The atmosphere was electric, and the game lived up to the hype.
2. 1990 sectional semifinal, a Galesburg team led by Jason Shay, Elmer Dickerson, Todd Kyser and Sean Kane forgot its losing record and upset the No. 1-ranked and unbeaten Rocks at Wharton Field House.
3. 1998 had lots of great games, but the one that stands out is a super sectional win over Rockford Boylan at Rockford Metro Center. The Streaks came from behind to defeat Titans and earn their first trip to state in 22 years.
4. 1984, Galesburg defeats Morton 99-92 in an epic 7-overtime thriller.
I am not thinking about particular games, but rather gyms. If the gym is full, what are 3-4 gyms that are just really fun to watch a high school game?
Honestly, every gym in the Western Big 6 has its own charm. But Wharton Field House would be my top pick, empty or full. That place just exudes basketball history. Obviously, you can’t beat the atmosphere at Quincy, and Rock Island Fieldhouse could really rock when it was packed back in the day.
I honestly think in most years if you replayed the IHSA tourney 10 times, you might easily have 7-8 different teams capable of winning the state title. During your time following boys basketball - 1976 and 1998 made great runs but got knocked off. They are the obvious teams to consider for winning a state title, so we are going to not even consider them. From 1975 thru today (besides '76 and '98), is there a Galesburg boys team or teams that if the ball had bounced differently you feel they might have won a state title?
That’s a really good question. And for me, it’s easy: it’s the Barry Swanson-coached Streaks teams of 1980 and 1984, but especially 1983. I wasn’t with the paper yet, but I was a team statistician and I watched all three of those teams lose heart-breaking, season-ending games to Peoria Richwoods. The 1982-83 team led by all-staters Eric Johnson and Byron Thierry was definitely a state title contender.
2. 1990 sectional semifinal, a Galesburg team led by Jason Shay, Elmer Dickerson, Todd Kyser and Sean Kane forgot its losing record and upset the No. 1-ranked and unbeaten Rocks at Wharton Field House.
3. 1998 had lots of great games, but the one that stands out is a super sectional win over Rockford Boylan at Rockford Metro Center. The Streaks came from behind to defeat Titans and earn their first trip to state in 22 years.
4. 1984, Galesburg defeats Morton 99-92 in an epic 7-overtime thriller.
I am not thinking about particular games, but rather gyms. If the gym is full, what are 3-4 gyms that are just really fun to watch a high school game?
Honestly, every gym in the Western Big 6 has its own charm. But Wharton Field House would be my top pick, empty or full. That place just exudes basketball history. Obviously, you can’t beat the atmosphere at Quincy, and Rock Island Fieldhouse could really rock when it was packed back in the day.
I honestly think in most years if you replayed the IHSA tourney 10 times, you might easily have 7-8 different teams capable of winning the state title. During your time following boys basketball - 1976 and 1998 made great runs but got knocked off. They are the obvious teams to consider for winning a state title, so we are going to not even consider them. From 1975 thru today (besides '76 and '98), is there a Galesburg boys team or teams that if the ball had bounced differently you feel they might have won a state title?
That’s a really good question. And for me, it’s easy: it’s the Barry Swanson-coached Streaks teams of 1980 and 1984, but especially 1983. I wasn’t with the paper yet, but I was a team statistician and I watched all three of those teams lose heart-breaking, season-ending games to Peoria Richwoods. The 1982-83 team led by all-staters Eric Johnson and Byron Thierry was definitely a state title contender.
In 1998 both the girls and boys teams went to State. The tournaments were separated by just two weeks. The Register-Mail did story after story leading up to the tourneys, and then did a huge spread right before each tourney. It had to be a real challenge. As you look back on that, what things stand out about that effort?
It was the best of times for GHS and actually the entire Galesburg community. From a newspaper standpoint, it was a challenge giving equal and deserved attention to both programs, but I don’t really remember it being a hassle. If I can brag, we had an all-star sports staff at the time, both covering the team as writers, and also behind the scenes with editors and page designers. Not many schools received the media coverage that Galesburg received back then, not only from game reporters, but from special sections, pregame articles, columns and photos. It was an honor to be part of a group of talented co-workers that was able to chronicle Silver Streaks history.
You are a huge Cardinal fan. I am not a Cardinal fan, but I certainly respect what they have done over the years. I am amazed by small market teams like the Cardinals, the Packers, and the Spurs, who figured out ways in their sports to just keep winning. Besides being in a weak division with the Cubs in it, what do you think has enabled the Cards to win decade after decade?
A lot of non-Cardinals fans (Cubs fans) laugh at it, but it’s called the Cardinal Way. Really ever since I can remember, the Cardinals have had a strong teaching/fundamental structure from the lower minor leagues, all the way up. Couple that with ownership who is for the most part committed to winning, and would never settled for a total rebuild, and of course talented players and some luck, and the Cardinals have been one of the most competitive teams in baseball for a few decades.
Besides high school athletes and coaches, you have had opportunities to interview some high profile college and pro athletes and coaches. Do any of them in particular standout to you as having been really classy people?
Honestly, some of the most high profile people I have interviewed have been the least classy. Willie Mays, who appeared at a baseball card show at Carl Sandburg College back in the 1980s, tops that list. Pete Rose wasn’t much better.
One of my most memorable interviews was with St. Louis Cardinals closer Todd Worrell during the 1985 National League playoffs. We were both rookies, so to speak — he was in his first year in the majors and I was just months into my tenure at The Register-Mail. I was fortunate enough to be covering that series and tasked with doing a feature story. I approached Worrell for what I thought would be a couple on-field questions during pre-game batting practice. Instead, he said, “let’s get off the field and we’ll talk in the clubhouse.” He was extremely kind, articulate and classy, and the gesture was rather unexpected for a major leaguer and an unknown rookie reporter from a small newspaper.
I don’t know why this stands out, but I also had a great interview with former NBA player Craig Hodges who was attending Milwaukee Bucks summer camp at Knox College. Again, we talked one-on-one in a coaches’ office in Memorial Gym, and he was just very down to earth and engaging.
It doesn’t exactly fit your question of seeking a classy high profile person, but I interviewed former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz over the phone after GHS had hired one of his former grad assistants, Chris Stiles, as varsity football coach. The interview was one question, and resulted in three responses. Holtz said some like “Galesburg is very fortunate to get Chris. He’ll do a great job. I wish I had the future of Chris Stiles.” It stands out because Holtz was a pretty big deal back then, but also because I heard him describe number other people with that “I wish I had the future of …” in several other interviews throughout the years.
Last question - if you could invite three people (living or dead) to supper, who would you pick and why?
You saved the best, and hardest question for last. You’ll end up being a reporter yet, Evan!
• (This is a given) My late dad. Gone since 2006, I miss him every day. He was the best.
• The late Bumpy Nixon. Bumpy, just what really led to you and your family moving from Quincy to Galesburg in the 1950s?
• George Washington Gale. What led you to settle in Galesburg? What do you think of current-day Galesburg? And what do you think of the current-day world?
• Andy Griffith. If there were more Andy Taylor’s in this world, and there were more towns like Mayberry, we would be a lot better off.
It was the best of times for GHS and actually the entire Galesburg community. From a newspaper standpoint, it was a challenge giving equal and deserved attention to both programs, but I don’t really remember it being a hassle. If I can brag, we had an all-star sports staff at the time, both covering the team as writers, and also behind the scenes with editors and page designers. Not many schools received the media coverage that Galesburg received back then, not only from game reporters, but from special sections, pregame articles, columns and photos. It was an honor to be part of a group of talented co-workers that was able to chronicle Silver Streaks history.
You are a huge Cardinal fan. I am not a Cardinal fan, but I certainly respect what they have done over the years. I am amazed by small market teams like the Cardinals, the Packers, and the Spurs, who figured out ways in their sports to just keep winning. Besides being in a weak division with the Cubs in it, what do you think has enabled the Cards to win decade after decade?
A lot of non-Cardinals fans (Cubs fans) laugh at it, but it’s called the Cardinal Way. Really ever since I can remember, the Cardinals have had a strong teaching/fundamental structure from the lower minor leagues, all the way up. Couple that with ownership who is for the most part committed to winning, and would never settled for a total rebuild, and of course talented players and some luck, and the Cardinals have been one of the most competitive teams in baseball for a few decades.
Besides high school athletes and coaches, you have had opportunities to interview some high profile college and pro athletes and coaches. Do any of them in particular standout to you as having been really classy people?
Honestly, some of the most high profile people I have interviewed have been the least classy. Willie Mays, who appeared at a baseball card show at Carl Sandburg College back in the 1980s, tops that list. Pete Rose wasn’t much better.
One of my most memorable interviews was with St. Louis Cardinals closer Todd Worrell during the 1985 National League playoffs. We were both rookies, so to speak — he was in his first year in the majors and I was just months into my tenure at The Register-Mail. I was fortunate enough to be covering that series and tasked with doing a feature story. I approached Worrell for what I thought would be a couple on-field questions during pre-game batting practice. Instead, he said, “let’s get off the field and we’ll talk in the clubhouse.” He was extremely kind, articulate and classy, and the gesture was rather unexpected for a major leaguer and an unknown rookie reporter from a small newspaper.
I don’t know why this stands out, but I also had a great interview with former NBA player Craig Hodges who was attending Milwaukee Bucks summer camp at Knox College. Again, we talked one-on-one in a coaches’ office in Memorial Gym, and he was just very down to earth and engaging.
It doesn’t exactly fit your question of seeking a classy high profile person, but I interviewed former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz over the phone after GHS had hired one of his former grad assistants, Chris Stiles, as varsity football coach. The interview was one question, and resulted in three responses. Holtz said some like “Galesburg is very fortunate to get Chris. He’ll do a great job. I wish I had the future of Chris Stiles.” It stands out because Holtz was a pretty big deal back then, but also because I heard him describe number other people with that “I wish I had the future of …” in several other interviews throughout the years.
Last question - if you could invite three people (living or dead) to supper, who would you pick and why?
You saved the best, and hardest question for last. You’ll end up being a reporter yet, Evan!
• (This is a given) My late dad. Gone since 2006, I miss him every day. He was the best.
• The late Bumpy Nixon. Bumpy, just what really led to you and your family moving from Quincy to Galesburg in the 1950s?
• George Washington Gale. What led you to settle in Galesburg? What do you think of current-day Galesburg? And what do you think of the current-day world?
• Andy Griffith. If there were more Andy Taylor’s in this world, and there were more towns like Mayberry, we would be a lot better off.
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