[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 190 (Wednesday, December 7, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7025-S7026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO KEN LEONARD

  Mr. DURBIN. 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.
  Later that spring, Ken received a call from Sacred Heart-Griffin High 
School, where he would go on to become the winningest high school 
football coach in Illinois history.
  After 39 seasons with Sacred Heart-Griffin and 43 total seasons 
coaching high school football, Coach Leonard is set to retire this 
December. By the time he leaves the locker room for the last time, he 
will have coached 500 games and taught countless young athletes how to 
work as a team.
  As a parent of Sacred Heart-Griffin alumni and a fan of high school 
football, I feel lucky to have met Coach

[[Page S7026]]

Leonard. Even after my kids graduated, I would catch as many games as I 
could. I even had the opportunity to attend a celebration for the 
Cyclones after they won one of their many State championships.
  From my visits to Sacred Heart-Griffin, it was evident that Coach 
Leonard's impressive 419-81 record reflects his deep passion for the 
sport and tireless dedication to his athletes. If you ask Coach 
Leonard, he would tell you that he has not worked a day in his life 
because he loved what he did. And his impact extended well beyond the 
gridiron.
  Coach Leonard did not just coach football; he coached character. His 
players have gone on to become All-Americans, college football players, 
and even NFL stars. But Ken knew that life was more than tackles and 
touchdowns. He believed that what mattered more than developing players 
was developing good citizens, and he spent as much time in the 
classroom and chapel as he did on the field and in the weight room.
  His coaching style also inspired a legacy. My former staff member's 
son, Brendan Daly, played for Coach Leonard at Sacred Heart-Griffin. 
After playing and coaching collegiate football, Brendan joined the 
ranks of NFL coaches--going onto win three Super Bowl championships 
with the New England Patriots and another with the Kansas City Chiefs.
  Ken's own son, Derek, now coaches at Rochester High School in 
Rochester, IL, and has already won State championships of his own--
sometimes even facing off against his dad. When Ken started coaching 
against Derek, Ken and I would exchange letters recounting the familial 
showdowns. Now, it is possible that Derek may one day surpass his Dad's 
record. And I know Ken will be proud as ever when that day comes.
  Despite his long record of accomplishments, Coach Leonard would be 
the last to take credit for his team's success on the field. Luckily 
many of his friends and colleagues in the Sacred Heart-Griffin 
community will be the first to give him the credit he deserves. It is 
rare for stadiums to be named after people during their lifetime, but 
in 2017, Sacred Heart-Griffin officials surprised Coach Leonard with a 
ceremony and announcement that the turfed field would, from that point 
forward, be known as Ken Leonard Field. Standing together with the 
community and his wife, Liz, in the final year of her life, Coach Ken 
Leonard was speechless. And today, we in Illinois are thankful.
  Ken Leonard is a reminder that committing yourself to what you love 
will shine a light for those around you. It is an honor to know Ken, as 
he is an inspiration to so many.
  After many accomplishments, including being named the two-time 
National Coach of the Year and inducted into the Illinois Football 
Coaches Hall of Fame, Ken Leonard will retire from coaching Sacred 
Heart-Griffin's football team on December 31, 2022. In true Ken Leonard 
fashion, he ended his career by coaching the Cyclones to defeat New 
Lenox Providence Catholic 44-20 and bring home their sixth State 
championship.
  It is with great pride that I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing Coach Ken Leonard. I offer my best wishes and 
congratulations to both Ken and his family on this important milestone.

                          ____________________