(EDITOR’S NOTE: Citing health reason Jerry Kill retired Oct. 28, 2015 as football coach at Minnesota. Reaction was swift and heartfelt concerning the impact the beloved coach left on players during every step of his remarkable coaching career. This is a story that appeared  in Southern Illinois Sports Connection Magazine in January 2008 — one month after Kill left SIU for Northern Illinois. It was written by former SIU quarterback Joel Sambursky. I thought of this story as I watched Coach Kill’s emotional press conference. It’s a wonderful tribute. I hope you enjoy. — Jim Muir)

By Joel Sambursky

To many Saluki fans, December 13, 2007, the day Jerry Kill accepted the job as the head football coach at Northern Illinois University will be the day that marks the end of an unbelievable coaching era in Saluki football. But to one Saluki fan, and former player, the departure of Coach Kill means much more.

Outside of my mother and father, Coach Kill has done more for me than any other person on this planet. He has taught me how to go from being (using his words) “a long-haired hippie quarterback” to becoming a man. I don’t discount the knowledge I obtained from my brilliant professors when studying for my undergraduate or master’s degree, but it is hard to compare to the life lessons I learned on and off the football field from Coach Kill.

Coach Jerry Kill and quarterback Joel Sambursky during their SIU days.

One of those lessons came on a horribly hot day at a work out session in 2002. We had just come off a one-win football season, and Coach Kill recognized the team lacked any sort of genuine leadership. At that time I was competing for the starting quarterback position and as a freshman I believed I had what it took to be the leader that the coaches desperately needed and the team desperately wanted. However there was one problem; that year, my red-shirt freshman year of college, I didn’t have a proper perspective of what leadership was all about.

After some intense lifting, we had just finished what we expected to be our last running drill, when Coach Kill blew his whistle and told us to get on the goal line. He thanked us for the hard work, but said he wanted us to do a hundred yards of bear crawls because he wanted to see who, if anyone would give up on his teammates. Bear crawls are when you get on your hands and feet, and without touching your knees, crawl across the field. Now keep in mind for a guy like me that weighed 185 pounds bear crawls are tough, but imagine how hard they are for a 330-pound offensive lineman.

Coach Kill blew his whistle and we were off doing our bear crawls. We finished the hundred yards and then turned to cheer on the “big boys” who were lagging behind. After they finished, Coach Kill told us to get back on the goal line and do it over. So we did it again. And after we finished, he put us back on the goal line and we did it again. All while Coach Kill is yelling behind us “who is going to be the guy…who is going to be the guy who gives up on his teammates … I want to know who it’s going to be because if he gives up now, he’ll give up in the fourth quarter.” At this point my hands were bleeding because of the blisters developing on them from the scorching hot turf. I was in every way exhausted, delirious, and begging God to bring all this to an end, but like my teammates I didn’t stop. I didn’t want to be the guy Coach Kill was talking about.

After we cheered the “big boys” across the finish line, Coach Kill told us to get on the line and do it one last time. He told us he wants to know who he can trust in the fourth quarter. With what felt like God’s help I managed to finish the hundred yards of bear crawls, and as my teammates and I had done before we began cheering for the “big boys.” One by one, the offensive and defensive lineman started crossing the finish line, while Coach Kill increased his fiery rhetoric.

Finally everyone finished except for one guy, Brian Akins, also known as “Big B.” Brian was 6-feet-4 and easily over 300 pounds. He was locked up at midfield unable to take another step, but refusing to go down to his knees. The entire team started to gather around him, cheering, encouraging, and hoping to help get Brian across the finish line. He started to take one step at a time, stopping occasionally in agony. Our cheers grew louder, while Coach Kill yelled: “Don’t give up on your teammates Brian … don’t you do it.”

Brian made it to about the twenty five yard line when Coach Kill blew his whistle. He looked at all of us who had gathered around Big B, and said, “We have no leadership on this team. You guys think you are leaders. You think being a leader is sitting off on the sideline cheering your teammates on?” Coach Kill looked at Big B, and told him to get on his back and he physically carried him across the finish line.

“That is what real leadership is all about,” Coach Kill told us.

That day I learned that true leadership isn’t just encouraging a friend in need, but putting them on your back and carrying them across the finish line when they are struggling. Coach Kill was teaching us all something that we will remember long after our playing days would be over; a lesson that had more to do with life than football.

What is most fascinating is my stories really aren’t unique. The stories I share are simply included on a long list of others, embedded on the hearts and minds of every young man who has played for Coach Kill. Coach Kill values the game of life more than football games, and speaks more about the fundamentals of life than the fundamentals of football. The departure of Coach Kill is going to be tough for many players, fans, and friends in Southern Illinois. But at the end of the day, I am just excited for the next “long-haired hippie quarterback” that steps into Coach Kill’s program, and leaves a different man.

Because that’s really what it is all about.

The board adopted the final Fiscal Year 2016 budget, which was provided in tentative form at the August board meeting. A public hearing on the budget was held at 6 p.m., prior to the regular board meeting. There were no comments from the public.

In a related action, the board accepted the 2015 tax levy (payable 2016). The levy represents a slight increase – 2.74 percent – over last year. The Corporate and Special Purpose levy went from $3,083,318 last year to $3,218,520 this year, a increase of 4.39 percent. The Debt Service levy dropped from $1,807,794 last year to $1,806,469 this year, a decrease of 0.07 percent. The total of the two levies rose slightly, from $4,891,112 last year to $5,024,989, an increase of 2.74 percent.

Because the total of the proposed Corporate and Special Purpose and Debt Service levies is not greater than 105 percent of last year’s levy, no Truth in Taxation hearing is required.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems curriculum approved, sent to ICCB for action

The board approved a new Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) curriculum as well as several new classes Tuesday and authorized their submission to the Illinois Community College Board for action. The UAS curriculum is designed to provide not only the hands-on skills to operate unmanned aircraft, or drones, but also the cognitive information which will allow them to understand and operate within federal and state guidelines. It will prepare students to program the unmanned aircraft to operate autonomously while collecting geospatial data.

The curriculum consists of a nine-credit-hour occupational certificate made up of three new courses, also approved Tuesday: Intro to Unmanned Aircraft Systems; Advanced Unmanned Aircraft Systems; and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Law and Test Prep.

In addition, two new business courses – Entrepreneurial Skills and Business Functions – received similar approval, as did the Trauma Nursing Core Course. A new online Statistics course also was given approval for development.

RLC Foundation Children’s Center set to expand

The Rend Lake College Foundation Children’s Center will soon be growing along with the children for whom it provides care, thanks to funding through the RLC Foundation. The board granted permission to advertise for bids to build an addition on the north end of the center. The 1,526-square-foot addition will include a large open floor space for gross motor skill activities, a children’s library with half-height walls for monitoring the children, a restroom, two storage closets and a water cooler. The addition will be connected to the existing building via a small vestibule / corridor with direct access to the playground.

The total estimated cost for the project is $326,255, with construction anticipated to begin in February 2016. In a related action, the board granted permission to submit to ICCB the Locally Funded New Construction Application Form.

South Oasis roof, sidewalk PHS project gets go-ahead

The board granted permission to submit to the Illinois Community College Board a Protection, Health and Safety project to replace the South Oasis roof and sidewalk and to bid the project once approved.

Applied Science’s Jackson becomes Industrial Trainer

The board employed Matt Jackson as Industrial Trainer effective Oct. 1. Jackson currently is employed as the Illinois Green Economy Network Curriculum Coordinator. He holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Architecture from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Architectural Technology from RLC. He recently earned his Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Manufacturing Skill Standards Council instructor certifications.

Title III Project Assistant Position changes accepted

The board accepted with regret the resignation of Morgan Harner, Title III Project Assistant, effective Sept. 15. “I want to give my sincere thanks for allowing me to not only hold my position as Title III Project Assistant, but to also participate in many committees, activities and events at Rend Lake College,” Harner said in her resignation letter.

In a related action, Heather Adams was appointed to the vacancy effective Oct. 1. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and an Associate in Arts in Elementary Education from RLC. She currently serves as a data entry clerk for RLC .

In other business, the board …

• Approved board policy and procedure concerning enforcement of the Smoke-Free Illinois Act and the Smoke-Free Campus policy (first reading).
• Approved revisions to board policy concerning the tenured / tenure-track faculty and staff seniority list (first reading) and non-compliance with directives during an emergency situation (first reading).

Mark your calendars …

• Cruise Nights at the RLC MarketPlace, Mt. Vernon – 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2.
• Fun Fest – Noon-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, on campus.
• 35th Annual RLC Foundation Golf Outing – Thursday, Sept. 17, Rend Lake Golf Course, noon shotgun start.
• Warrior Fest – 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, on campus.
• RLC Art Auction, 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, Rend Lake Resort Great Room.
• Upward Bound Banquet, 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, Rend Lake Resort.
• ACCT Annual Leadership Congress, Oct. 14-17, San Diego, Calif.
• RLC Foundation Scholarship Banquet, 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, Rend Lake Resort.
• Free Certified Nurse Assistant Conference, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, RLC Theatre.
• RLC Fall Open House, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, RLC Student Center.
• Paramedic Accreditation Site Visit – Nov. 3-5.
• RLC Foundation Annual Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, Holiday Inn Mt. Vernon.

On September 14, 2015 Benton Police arrested Dustin R. Stites, age 23, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear.

Police also arrested Jeresa A. Wilkens, age 35, of Benton on an active Franklin County warrant for Identity Theft.

Both were transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 11, 2015 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop in the 600 block of West Main Street.

Through investigation, police arrested Beverly Plumlee, age 34, of Benton for driving under the influence.

Plumlee was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On September 13, 2015 Benton Police were dispatched to the 100 block of N. McCann Street in reference to a noise complaint.

Through further investigation, police arrested Jakeb B. Lambert, age 20, of Benton for unlawful consumption of alcoholic liquor.

Lambert was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

CHICAGO — A state law signed by Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has elevated civics to required course for high school graduation, marking the first time the state has enforced such a requirement in a decade.

Here’s a link to the story.

WASHINGTON — A prominent abortion foe is accusing Planned Parenthood of violating federal laws barring for-profit sales of fetal tissue, while a defender of the group says it’s done nothing illegal as Congress begins long-awaited hearings that are already weaving accusations, emotion and politics.

Here’s a link to the story.

The Benton Rangers are celebrating 100 years of football this season and many special events are planned for throughout the season. On August 21 a banquet will be held at Benton Civic Center to honor former teams, coaches and players. A silent auction will be held and many special keepsake items will be up for grabs and this week received some star-power by Benton’s most well-known former player.

One particular Benton Rangers’ jersey (No. 75) made it to Hollywood when John Malkovich (a former Benton player) used it in the hit movie “In the Line of Fire” – where he starred with Clint Eastwood. Malkovich graciously autographed the three Benton jerseys (all No. 75) along with five 8 X 10 photos of Malkovich in his playing days that were also used in the movie. All the Malkovich memorabilia will be part of the silent auction at the August 21st banquet.

A special ‘thank you’ to former Benton resident Matt Malkovich who did the leg work to get the jerseys and pictures to his uncle. Tickets are still available for the August 21 banquet. Check the Benton Rangers football Facebook page for more details.

Dennis Hastert’s lawyers will try to defend the former U.S. House speaker against allegations that he lied to the FBI and skirted banking laws by first picking apart the indictment unveiled by federal prosecutors in May.

Here’s the link to the story in the Chicago Sun-Times.

INA, Ill. – Graduates of Rend Lake College’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program will have a new, online opportunity to continue their education starting this fall. RLC has teamed up with Chamberlain College of Nursing to give graduates a seamless transition into a bachelor’s degree program.

Under the articulation agreement signed during Tuesday night’s RLC Board of Trustees meeting, Chamberlain College of Nursing, located in Downers Grove, will accept RLC graduates with an Associate of Science in Nursing degree, provided they successfully complete the agreed upon coursework.

The agreement states RLC graduates will be awarded up to 72 credit hours in transfer, and will have to complete a minimum of 47 credit hours with Chamberlain for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (BSN). To participate, students will be required to submit an application to Chamberlain, have a minimum grade point average of 2.0, and hold a current and active registered nurse license.

Melisa Berendson, RLC Director of Nursing, said this agreement has formed out of RLC student interest in the online program and interest from Chamberlain officials.

“Chamberlain School of Nursing has started reaching out to nursing programs because they’re offering more online options. Representatives from their institution came to RLC and visited with our ADN students in class,” explained Berendson. “The agreement came out of our students’ interest and our desire to work with them.”

“The agreement is based on our new curriculum so our graduates next year will be able to take advantage of the transition, but any ADN graduate from Rend Lake can still apply to be accepted into Chamberlain’s BSN program,” added Berendson. “It’s a great opportunity for our students and graduates to continue on with their higher education.”

Kim Wilkerson, RLC Dean of Allied Health, said the agreement brings Chamberlain into the ranks of several other institutions to give graduates more options for their future education.

“We’re adding Chamberlain to a list of four other universities with whom we have close connections and articulation agreements to benefit our students,” said Wilkerson. “By taking advantage of these, our graduates continue down a path to expand on their skill set and experience more research-based learning. Many local facilities are looking to hire BSN graduates, and the bachelor’s degree will help with any movement into management positions and higher pay for those who take advantage of them.”

According to the U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, ADN registered nurses have a median pay of $65,470 and work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, home health care services, and nursing care facilities. The industry is expecting a faster than average growth – 19 percent or 526,800 new jobs – between 2012 and 2022 due to an emphasis on preventative care and an aging population.

Chamberlain College of Nursing offers several online programs ranging from ADN and BSN programs to graduate certificates and doctorate programs. They are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

For more information about the RLC ADN program, contact Berendson at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1705 or berendsonm@rlc.edu. To learn more about the degree programs at Chamberlain, visit www.chamberlain.edu.

SPRINGFIELD — The largest poverty-fighting network in Illinois is turning away thousands of vulnerable residents and laying off an estimated 1,500 workers in response to the state’s lingering budget standoff.

Here’s a link to the story.