Streaks Alumni Profile: Jim Schaefer 1983

Today’s “Streaks Alumni Profile” is Jim Schaefer from the GHS Class of 1983. 

Jim is a great example of the importance of passion. He was a very good runner for GHS because of his passion for running. I know a lot of people cannot imagine running 10 miles on the road or doing 15 x 400 meters in a workout. Most would immediately respond, “I would hate that, that is WORK.” I am not sure how many days that Jim viewed cross country or track as work- he always seemed to truly love to run. 

That passion not only made him a great runner, but it made him a GREAT leader. His passion for running became infectious. Not only did we have a good team when he ran, but the success of the later years was due to what Jim and the runners his age did. 

My guess is that Jim has had that impact on the people in his life. It is really great to hear what he has been doing. 

What were some of your favorite classes and teachers?

With my love for science and running, those are the teachers/coaches who had the most impact on me during my time at GHS and afterwards: Mr. Maurizi, Mr. Hood, Mr. Self in the classroom where I first took to the sciences and Coach Albright and Coach Massey for guiding my running throughout my high school years.

What are some of your favorite memories from school and athletics at GHS?

Mmmmm there are a lot of them!!! I agree with my friend Brandon Mink on the cross country meet where we beat Moline!!! Time and time again our senior year Brandon and I ran incredibly well together. However, there were also those morning runs with Brandon, Brian Ortlieb and Keith VanderMeulen as we ran the streets of Galesburg nice and earlybefore school. I loved the interval workouts at Lincoln Park and the hill workouts at Lake Story.  Then there were the times,instead of driving the strip on a Friday night we would run from one McDonalds to the other and back as well as the group runs where we incorporated a little jaunt through the mall. And the winter runs around and on Lake Story and the fun summertime sprinkler runs!!! Also, there was the JV track meet where the coaches allowed a few of us to announce the meet, which included us doing a play by play of a few of the races. All in all my time at GHS was full of incredible teachers/coaches,friendships and fun that laid the foundation for my furture.

 

What did you do after GHS? Education, sports, career?

After high school I got my associates degree from Carl Sandburg Junior College while working at the Athlete’s Foot at the mall. Then I went to Northern Illinois University for my bachelor’s in science degree. Following undergraduate I was accepted in the physical therapy program at Des Moines University, where I received my Master of Science in Physical Therapy in 1992. Since that time, I have worked as a physical therapist in a variety of settings. Following high school, I continued to run and in PT school began racing bicycles which I did for about 5 years. Being married and having children did not blend well with bicycle training 2-3 hours a day and significant travel on the weekends to race so I stopped racing. Our first child, Madison, was born with neuroblastoma and was treated at the St. Jude Childern’s Hospital Midwest affiliate in Peoria, Il. Thanks to the amazing physicians, nurses and staff of St. Jude our daughter won her battle with cancer and is a beautiful, intelligent and fun 27-year-old. This was the catalase for my wife and I to get involved in the St. Jude Runs, which is an annual fundraiser for St. Jude Childern’s Hospital. This past year was our 26th year planning and running raising money for St. Jude Childern’s Hospital. All four of us participate in the Run and a few years ago Kristen Waters-Adams join our Run. I continue to run and have finished 10 marathons, most recently this past October I ran the Detroit Marathon which was extremely special as it was my son Logan’s first marathon. Over the years I have coached at various levels and been involved in local running clubs.

 

What are you and your family up to today?

My wife of 30 years, Kelly, and I along with our 2 dogs, live in Peru, Illinois. Kelly is a speech language pathologist and works in schools primarily working with preschoolers. Lol, then comes home to me an older preschooler. I am currently working in an outpatient clinic treating a variety of patient diagnosis. Our two children live in the Chicago area. Our daughter is in Chicago and currently working on finishing up her PhD from the University of Akron in Industrial Organizational Psychology. Our son Logan graduated from North Central College in Naperville where he ran cross country and track and is working in Naperville as a Certified Finical Planner.  Kelly and I love having our children so close as we can easily visit them.  We enjoy our family vacations which range from beach, lake to mountain get aways.

Any advice for today’s athletes at GHS?

Enjoy and appreciate the moment you are in. Don’t dwell on the past, learn from it as your previous life experiences have helped you become who you are today.  Also, don’t worry about the future as it tends to reduce your joy of the moment you are currently in. Take the opportunity to learn from all those you encounter in your life. Enjoy the process without putting too much emphasis on the outcome, often it’s the journey where realjoy lies and where accomplishments are found. For example, I have run the Boston marathon twice and both times the race did not go well for me. However, I worked on staying focused on all that I experienced in my preparation, support from my family and friends, traveling to Boston and many other positives that were a result of participating in the races. And finally, Be Kind!!