Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Jeff Flater of the GHS class of 1981.
Jeff is another one of the class of ‘81 to be featured. There were many remarkable people in that class. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Jeff and his classmates is their strong connection and loyalty to each other.
Jeff spent his career as a teacher, coach, and athletic administrator. His love of sports, and support of athletes and coaches has been most impressive.
GHS Sports and Activites
Football, wrestling, track, Youth & Government
Favorite Teachers/Classes
Coach Kane, Mr. Hawes, Mrs. Eisemann, Coach Bob Morgan and Outdoor Living with Coach Bruington where I got a B!!!! (I have the report card to prove it. Still a sore spot with me! lol)
Some of Favorite Memories from Growing Up in Galesburg & GHS
Galesburg was a wonderful place to grow up as a kid. Everyday, I walked to Bateman Elementary school with Jay Redfern, Tom Waters and Jim Bailey, played ball until the street lights came on, went to Kiddyland to ride the swings or bumper cars, and even walked to Swedo’s to get a chocolate milk and donut.
In high school, I was a very average athlete, but I had the opportunity to play with outstanding individuals and be a part of Hall of Fame teams. You’ve highlighted a number of individuals from the Class of ’81. I may be biased, but I think that has been one of the best classes to go through GHS. Not sure how many, but I think it would be hard pressed to find a class with more GHS Hall of Famers than the Class of ’81. And that is not by accident. We truly had outstanding individuals. And I got to have a front row seat and witnessed that greatness. Many of whom are close friends of mine.
And these teams were led by coaches/teachers, both high school and junior high, that were truly outstanding educators and better people. They all seemed to work together to create a culture of excellence and really drove home what it meant to be a Silver Streak. These friendships and connections I developed while growing up in Galesburg have really shaped who I have become.
Education after GHS
I received my undergraduate from Indiana State University and my Masters in Educational Administration from Western Illinois Univ.
Your Career
I started off at Olympia HS in 1988. In 1991, I was a teacher/Head football coach at Union (Biggsville) HS. After Union, I went to Bushnell-Prairie City HS as a PE teacher/AD/Head Football Coach. This was the first place I was an AD, and knew I wanted to follow that path. In 2000, I earned my Masters degree and spent the next 21 years as an Administrator serving in the roles of Assistant Principal & Athletic Director. I retired in 2021 from Farmington Central School District.
You worked in athletics for a long time as both a coach and an AD. During your time and in your experience, have parents changed in their approach to HS sports, the coaches, and athletes. What recommendations would you have to get back to a healthier situation?
A lot of people say kids have changed. I don’t think kids have changed that much in my years as an educator. Frank Martin, So. Carolina Univ. boys basketball coach put it perfectly. In short, he says kids haven’t changed, adults have changed in what we expect from kids. I think this is true.
Kids inherently want to be coached and held to a standard. When parents go to coaches/teachers to fight their battles for them, they steal learning opportunities from their kids. Life is hard. Kids have to learn how to deal with working through the hard. Kids have to learn how to advocate for themselves.
My recommendation to parents is when your son or daughter comes home upset, help them work through it and cook them their favorite meal. Give them the tools to solve the problem for themselves. When they asked who wants to go out for the basketball team, it wasn’t the parent that signed up, it was the student. So, whenever there is an issue, it is up to them to work through it. That’s the best thing a parent can do for their child.
What other ways do you see that HS sports have changed in either a positive or negative way thru you career?
One of the most impactful changes in youth/HS sports is the evolution/impact of club teams and the specialization of today’s prep athletes. These organizations have grown immensely popular and have had an impact/influence on interscholastic athletics. It seems colleges will focus on recruiting kids from club programs more than high school teams.
I understand it, but I strongly believe that interscholastic teams provide for a more complete athletic/educational experience. Interscholastic teams are made up of kids you have grown up with, gone to school with for most of your life, experienced all those things kids do. So, usually, a strong bond is created.
And if students participate in more than one interscholastic activity, they are exposed to different experiences and situations, different styles of coaching, and create a lifetime of memories. I can’t tell you how many kids have told me that one of the most memorable parts of the high school athletic experience is the bus ride to and from games. That is just one example I think you don’t get with club teams.
What Are You Up To Today
Since retirement, I substitute teach at Farmington, Knoxville, and United school districts. Also for the past 2 years, I have worked at MC Sport and More in Monmouth, IL selling sporting goods to local school districts. In addition, I volunteer coaching football at Farmington HS. I get to keep that contact/connection with coaches and kids and it keeps me busy.
I have a son, Jake, who graduated from Rockridge HS in 2009. He is 35 yrs old and works in the Quad Cities.
Advice to today’s students and athletes.
Take advantage of all that high school has to offer. There are lots of opportunities, and not just athletic. School is an opportunity to build relationships, absorb all the experiences you possibly can, and grow. It’s not always going to be warm and fuzzy. But that’s part of the learning experience. You make it what you put into it and will grow from everything you do.
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