On the recordApril 4, 2011
I want to congratulate a native southern Illinoisan and a living legend in the sport of basketball, Mr. Jerry Sloan of McLeansboro, Illinois, who retired recently as head coach of the NBA's Utah Jazz. Jerry never forgot his humble roots. Throughout his playing and coaching career, he exhibited a hard-work ethic, a down-to-Earth demeanor, and an unassuming style. Jerry ended what was the longest tenure with the same team of an active head coach in the four major sports leagues. He is third on the all-time NBA wins list with 1,221. Jerry was an outstanding athlete at McLeansboro High School and played college basketball at the University of Evansville, leading the Purple Aces to consecutive Division II national championships. He was drafted into the NBA by the Baltimore Bullets and then went to the Chicago Bulls in the expansion draft. He played 10 years with the Bulls and has his No. 4 jersey retired by the team. In 1979, Jerry was named head coach of the Bulls. He resigned in 1982 and joined the Jazz as an assistant coach in 1984. He became the Jazz head coach in 1988. Jerry led the Jazz to the NBA finals twice. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. Jerry is a gracious, honest, tractor-loving guy. He will be missed in Utah, but those of us in southern Illinois will welcome the chance to see him more often. ____________________
