Reece Rutland- RLC Media Services 

INA, IL – Mainstay might be a bit of an understatement for the next of the 50 influencers. There aren’t many who could tell you their first-hand account of the Rend Lake College groundbreaking or transferring classes from Mt. Vernon to the new campus, but come to a home basketball game, and I’m sure Wayne Arnold would be happy to oblige.

Arnold, a Bonnie native, graduated from Goode-Barren Township High School (now Sesser-Valier High School) in 1950 and is a longtime resident of Mt. Vernon.

Wayne Arnold (RLC Media Services)

After serving in the U.S. Air Force for four years he returned to the area. He earned an associate’s degree from Centralia Junior College — now Kaskaskia College — and went to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education. He later earned a master’s degree in recreation and outdoor education from SIU-C.

Following college, Arnold got his start by coaching and teaching at Dahlgren High School — now Hamilton County Senior High School — for three years before accepting a health and driver’s education teaching position at Mt. Vernon Township High School.

The long time Mt. Vernon resident stayed there for a year when in 1963 he went to Mt. Vernon Community College where he helped develop the school’s P.E. program and taught hygiene in its science program. He has never left.

Like several of his colleagues at MVCC, Arnold made the transition from MVCC to RLC when that change occurred on July 1, 1967, and served professionally with the college for 22 years. For the past 26 years (and still counting) following his retirement he has remained active on campus, volunteering with several athletic, service and wellness projects.

In addition to being a decorated member of the Rend Lake College faculty and a seasoned coach for a bevy of Warrior programs, Arnold might be best known as the father of the Fitness Center and the RLC Sports Hall of Fame.

For those contributions, he was granted a place in campus immortality by being inducted into the Hall of Fame with the Class of 2008. During the fall of 1995, the fitness center attached to the newly-christened James E. “Hummer” Waugh was officially named the Wayne Arnold Aerobics Super-Circuit Fitness Center.

He headed the Sports Hall of Fame Steering Committee of seven individuals in the summer of 1999 to establish the constitution and by-laws of the group, which were approved by the Board of Trustees in the fall of 1999. The first class was selected and inducted in the spring of 2000.

RLC File photo

Arnold also had his share of successes in the classroom. During his tenure, he served as Health, Physical Education and Recreation Instructor; as well as Department Chair. Speaking of tenure, he was in the first group of faculty members to receive that honor in 1968. The 1980 Student Senate also gave him the “Teacher of the Year” award. He was also the keynote speaker at the 23rd Annual Commencement Ceremony on May 11, 1990.

But, the accolades didn’t stop there. He was recognized May 1982 with the Faculty Service Award. And, during the 1988-89 school year, the Rend Lake College Foundation presented him with the Faculty Excellence Award. At the state level, he was honored by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association in June of 1989 for his contributions and commitment to quality education.

On the diamond and hardwood, Arnold served as head coach of the men’s basketball team at Mt. Vernon Community College from 1963 to 65, and then served as assistant coach under Hummer from 1969 to 71.

He is credited with establishing the MVCC Baseball Program in 1963, serving as head coach for two seasons. He also had a one-season stint and the RLC assistant baseball coach during the 1970-71 season.

By Jim Muir

As I walked down the sidewalk at WQRL on Saturday morning, carrying an old blue suitcase and a small satchel, I realized this was the last few steps of a 25-year journey.

You see, the suitcase and satchel contained my radio equipment and I was turning it in, leaving it behind. And while the equipment belongs to WQRL, for the past quarter century it has been ‘my equipment.’ I babied it, took care of it, and took great pains to keep it working properly. Not one time in 25 years did I ever leave it in my truck overnight, not once. Even if I arrived home at midnight from a Friday night game and I was heading out at 6:30 a.m. to do my Saturday show, I carried my equipment in the house and carried it right back outside a few hours later.

And those that have worked with me through the years know that I was more than a little particular about the way the equipment was packed and unpacked. My theory was simple: ‘if I put everything back in the exact (and I mean exact) same place then the next ballgame I will know exactly where it’s at.’ During the past 25 years I have packed and unpacked that suitcase and satchel for more than 3,000 ballgames and 1,200 Saturday morning shows. In short, there’s more than a little mileage on the suitcase, satchel and me!

As I took a quick picture and one last look at the old, worn out suitcase and satchel I thought of how many miles we had traveled together. At venues from Peoria to Cairo and Quincy to Mt. Carmel, I’ve dragged that suitcase and satchel behind me. And without exception every one of those miles was traveled with excitement, anticipation and enthusiasm.

When I turned to walk away, I thought to myself, ‘if I had a dollar for every mile I traveled with that old blue suitcase I would be a rich man.’ But, then I quickly realized I am a far richer man because of the friendships I’ve made and the relationships I’ve forged while dragging that old blue suitcase around. It’s been a wonderful journey where I had the privilege to tell the story about thousands of athletes that gave all they had, every ounce of effort and talent that was in them for nothing more than pride in their school and community. What a blessed man I have been to witness that!

It’s an interesting and unique feeling of ‘knowing that you know’ when it’s time to walk away … because I am completely at peace with my decision. Through the years I watched people in many different professions stay too long, and then leave on bad terms. I think there is much to be said about walking away from something that has been a huge part of your life on your terms and with no regrets.

As I turned and parted company with my old suitcase and satchel I said a prayer for those that follow me. A prayer for God’s blessings, safe travels, exciting ballgames and that same joy and enthusiasm that I found in doing something that I absolutely loved.

Oh … one last thing – I prayed they take care of the equipment! That old suitcase has a lot more miles left in it!