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Jim Jenkins 1936-2025
As we say goodbye to Mr. Jim Jenkins, we find comfort in knowing that his spirit will never fade. His dedication to Aquin, his athletes, and his community has left a lasting mark that continues to inspire. Though we have lost a man whose life was devoted to service and to the development of so many, his legacy lives on in the values he instilled, the generations of athletes he mentored, and, most importantly, in the hearts of his children and grandchildren. Jim’s impact will echo through the lives of those he touched—each of us carrying forward the lessons of kindness, dedication, and a deep love for family and community.
Jam the Gym for Jim-Tribute for Coach Jim Jenkins 02.16.2018
Back in February 16, 2018 we held a tribute to honor Coach Jenkins before the boys senior night game.
For the video click here
For photos click here
Here is the speech read during the video:
"Good evening. Tonight we, the Aquin Community, have the opportunity to celebrate an incredible honor with someone who has been a significant fixture of Aquin for over 75 years. This icon of Aquin attended grades 1-8 at St. Joseph’s Grade School. He played football and basketball in grades 6, 7 and 8. He attended Aquin High School and played football, basketball, and baseball for the Bulldogs and graduated from Aquin in 1954.
However, his involvement in and love for Aquin didn’t stop there. This outstanding Aquin alumni began coaching basketball in the early 60’s with Ron Richter at St. Thomas Grade School and moved over to St. Joseph’s to coach his oldest son, Mike, in the mid-60’s. He continued coaching St. Joseph’s Grade School team until his second son Bret started playing Church League in the early 70’s and coached through the ’74-‘75 season.
In 1975, he became the head coach for St. Joseph’s middle school 6th grade boys team. He moved to the Aquin Jr. High 7th grade team the next year. When the Catholic Schools reorganized, he became coach of the 8th grade team in 1977-78. He has coached Aquin Jr. High 8th grade boys basketball ever since. In 1975, Greg Timlin, the Aquin Superintendent, asked him to become Athletic Director for St. Joseph’s Middle School. He retired from that volunteer position at Aquin Jr. High in 2016--41 years later.
At this time, I would like to ask Mr. Jim Jenkins, his beautiful bride of 56 years, Linda, and children to come to half court.
Tonight, Coach Jenkins, we honor and celebrate your induction into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame. It is also important to note how many lives you have impacted in over five decades as a coach of Aquin basketball.
We ask all former and current players to please stand and hold up your basketball with your name and years you played for Coach Jenkins. (pause)
And, for those who had the privilege of coaching alongside this great mentor and coach--please stand and hold up your basketball with your name and years you were on the bench with Coach Jenkins (because we all know you weren’t allowed to stand!).
(pause)
Congratulations Coach Jim Jenkins on your induction to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in recognition of the positive impact you have made in the Aquin and Freeport communities.
At the conclusion of the varsity game, there will be a small reception in the cafeteria with cake for Coach Jenkins. We invite former players and coaches to leave your ‘basketball’ with Jim as a reminder of the impact he has had on so many--through this orange ball.
Thank you. We will now begin our Senior Night Introductions."
Hall of Fame-Jim Jenkins
. Jim and Lynda Jenkins .
Jim and Lynda Jenkins were married July 8th, 1961, and will be celebrating their 57th wedding anniversary this year. They will also celebrate their 57th anniversary of owning Jenkins Service Body Co. Jim began working with his Dad at the shop when he was in high school, and started full time upon graduation. He became a partner at 18, bought the shop at age 24 in 1961 and is still working full time at the shop today.
Jim and Lynda had children in the Catholic Schools for 30 years, from 1961-1991 and are the parents of 5 Aquin Alumni: Mike ’73, Jaime ’81, Bret ’82, Craig ’84 and Ryan ’91. They have 6 grandchildren.
Jim and Lynda still attend almost every Aquin athletic event (their kids say that Jim has attended more Aquin games than anyone, Lynda would be second). The only time they miss is if Jim is coaching a game or if their grandchildren, who live in Marengo and Belvidere, are playing or cheering in a game.
Lynda was on the Catholic School Board for 8 years and V.P. for 2. She worked on most of the Aquin fundraisers from the 1960’s through the 80’s.
Jim attended grades 1-8 at St. Joseph’s Grade School. He played football and basketball in grades 6, 7 and 8. He attended Aquin High School and played football, basketball, and baseball for the Bulldogs and graduated from Aquin in 1954.
Jim began coaching basketball in the early 60’s with Ron Richter at St. Thomas Grade School and moved over to St. Joseph’s to coach his oldest son, Mike, in the mid-60’s. He continued coaching St. Joseph’s Grade School team until his second son Bret started playing Church League in the early 70’s and coached through the ’74-‘75 season.
In 1975, Jim became the head coach for St. Joseph’s middle school 6th grade boys team. He moved to the Aquin Jr. High 7th grade team the next year. When the Catholic Schools reorganized, he became coach of the 8th grade team in 1977-78. He has coached Aquin Jr. High 8th grade boys basketball ever since--and will complete his 40th year as head coach this year. In 1975, Greg Timlin, Aquin Superintendent at the time, asked Jim to become Athletic Director for St. Joseph’s Middle School. He retired from that volunteer position at Aquin Jr. High in 2016--41 years later.
In 1976, Jim and Dick Maurer, Aquin Head Basketball Coach at that time, spearheaded the formation of the CBA, the Catholic Basketball Association. The initial meeting was attended by Jim, Dick Maurer, Ron Richter, Larry Casey, and Deno Schirmer. The CBA went 40 years strong, until ending in 2016.
Jim also coached football on and off for almost 20 years at Aquin Jr. High. He coached the first 16 of those years with George Hiveley, Art Krieger, and Ron Richter.
Jim coached Freeport Little League teams for 26 years. He was part of a group that implemented new Little League rules, including one that all players get to bat whether playing in the field or not.
--In 1954, Jim turned down a football scholarship to Loras to work on cars with his dad.
--In 1960, Jim played baseball, softball, basketball and flag football in city and park leagues
--In 1961, Jim started coaching basketball, later added baseball and then football. He started eligibility requirements for basketball players
--in 1993, he was named Junior High Basketball Coach of the year by Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.
