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The minute you meet him you can tell he's a normal person, remembering where it all started and not what he has become.
In an era when some former teachers and coaches lose touch with reality when they climb the overly too political world of education, I truly believe Tim Kilrea is still the same person he was the day he walked in to teach his first high school history class.
The Good Doctor, as I and many others refer to him as, has shown that just like President Obama, you don't have to stick your nose up someone's backside to make it in this world. His people skills are second-to-none, and I've always told people that he and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan are a lot alike when dealing with media issues.
I can already see puzzled looks on your faces: "So Trost, what does this have to do with soccer?" As Mr. Kilrea once said to a young Joe Trost in his 8 a.m. freshman history class at Lincoln-Way: "Joe, history tells the story."
And for the recently announced new superintendent at Lyons, it all began on the soccer sidelines years ago. (Pictured from left: Former Providence coach John Kovatch, Lincoln-Way East coach Brian Papa, former Lincoln-Way coach Tim Kilrea, Joe Trost and H-F coach Todd Elkei at the Michele Bingham Golf Outting.)
If you want to meet one of the main reasons why the Lincoln-Way soccer program rose to its high level in the 1990s, look no further than Kilrea. From leadership, dedication and channeled competitive spirit, the Lincoln-Way girls soccer program advanced Downstate four of five years in the early 1990s under Kilrea's direction.
If you want to meet who some consider to be the main reason behind the Lincoln-Way/Sandburg rivalry, look no further than this man. As a sophomore coach, a young Kilrea was buried 8-0 by Sandburg under the direction of current Lewis men's coach Evan Fiffles. After that embarrassment, Lincoln-Way only lost to Sandburg once during Kilrea's varsity tenure, showing that pride and dedication actually meant something.
He led Lincoln-Way to its first state quarterfinals in 1990 and was drilled 8-0 by Libertyville. The next time the Knights advanced Downstate, they were ready and suffered a heart-breaking 2-1 2OT loss to Buffalo Grove. Kilrea also played a huge part in helping build the Lincoln-Way soccer club. He trained numerous players, who went on to star for the Lincoln-Way boys soccer program.
In the classroom, he was the same person - always pushing and finding a way to get your attention just like the 8-0 defeats to Sandburg and Libertyville grabbed his. I'll never forget during the winter of my freshman year when Kilrea wanted to see more enthusiasm from his 8 a.m. class. A kid name Brian, one of the three lone sophomores in the class, kept falling asleep.
"It's too warm in here, it makes me feel like I'm still in bed and that's why I'm falling asleep," said Brian, who may be starring in Wayne's World II for all I know these days. "Well, Brian, you know something, I'm going to help you with that problem," Kilrea said.
Moments later, the window in the classroom was wide open, welcoming the brisk 20-degree wind to freely breeze through the room. "How's that Brian," Kilrea asked. "I just want to help you succeed. You can't do that asleep."
Kilrea has shown he's a winner on and off the field and maybe that explains why he's a New York Yankees fan. Just like George Steinbrenner, he expects the most from himself and everyone around him. As noted in the official press release from Lyons, Kilrea has a wealth of experience with more than 20 years in education, from teacher to dean of students and principal to assistant superintendent. Prior to joining Lyons in 2007, Kilrea served as an assistant superintendent at TF North and South and was a principal at TF South for one year before that. He worked in the Lincoln-Way district for 15 years, as a history teacher, assistant dean of students, social science department chair, coordinator of deans/director of student activities and associate principal for Curriculum and Instruction.
While it wasn't easy to leave Lincoln-Way, Kilrea did what far too many folks in education are afraid to do - become diversified. Lincoln-Way was cozy, but Kilrea grew as an educator and leader far more than he ever would have had he stayed close to his Frankfort home at Lincoln-Way. When you dig deeper into Kilrea's background, you realize that you don't need to go to Harvard, Yale or Northwestern to be a true leader.
Kilrea holds a bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from Illinois, a master's degree in Educational Administration from Governors State and a doctorate in Educational Administration from Illinois State. After reading that, I have a question for you: Do you think Kilrea believes in Illinois education?
From former students, players, co-workers and parents, this man is admired by many. The married father of two also donates a lot of time to different events throughout the year. And if Lyons thought it was a well-respected district before, the sky is the limit in the classroom and on the athletic field now.
Good Doctor - this is your standing ovation. As much as you may not want to - smile and take a bow. You deserve it.
If you want to send congrats, drop him an email at tkilrea@lths.net.
And hey Hinsdale...enjoy your final wins against Lyons this spring. I have a feeling you'll only have "history" to smile back on beginning this fall.
Trust me.
- Joe Trost
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Nice article! If Tim is like his brother Jeff and family, LT is very lucky!!!!