Political Quotes

“Mr. President, anyone who knows Coach Ken Leonard knows that he cares deeply about football, but more than that, he cares deeply about people. As Illinois' most successful high school football coach, Coach Leonard has left his mark on our State by leading Sacred Heart-Griffin High School to six State football championships and harnessing the power of sports to build confidence in young athletes. He never let any challenges get in his way and always inspired others to follow his lead. Ken Leonard was born July 7, 1953, in Lexington, IL, to John and Iona Leonard. He was one of six children in his family, along with his two brothers and three sisters. He graduated from Chenoa High School in Chenoa, IL, where he was a four-sport athlete. Following high school, Ken was a 2-year starter for the Hawks of Harper Junior College football team in Palatine, IL, and a 1-year starter for the Trojans of Dakota State University in Madison, SD. Ken then graduated college from Illinois State University, but his career as a player was just the beginning of his legendary legacy. In 1980, Ken took his first football head coaching job at Gridley High School, in a community of fewer than 2,000 people. A former smalltown kid himself, Ken felt right at home at Gridley, but the school struggled to recruit enough student players to field a football team. And they were forced to shut the program down. This setback, however, did not stop Ken from pursuing his passion for football.…”