FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/13/98

CONTACT:
Robyn Florian
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Greenville College
(618) 664-2800, ext. 4536

GREENVILLE, IL— A retirement reception, held this past Saturday in honor of Jack Trager and his 22 year commitment to Greenville College athletics, proved a highlight of the 1998 Homecoming/Parents’ Weekend. Family, friends and former students joined the campus community in Armington Center to celebrate the faithful service of this husband, father, coach, professor, athletic director and friend.

Coach Trager arrived on the campus of Greenville College in 1953 after completing an A.A. degree in General Education at Central College in McPherson, Kansas. He graduated from Greenville in 1955 with a B.S. in Physical Education and completed additional coursework at the University of Minnesota. He later received his Masters of Science Education in Physical Education in 1966 from Witchita State University in Witchita, Kansas.

Coach Trager’s began his notable career in 1955, spending twelve years teaching and coaching in Kansas area high schools. In 1967 he accepted an opportunity at Bethel College in Minnesota to instruct and coach at the collegiate level.

While at Bethel, Coach Trager served as assistant professor of physical education, head basketball coach and head baseball coach until he returned to Greenville in 1976. His myriad of responsibilities at GC have included head basketball coach, head golf coach, chairman of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, associate professor of physical education, Athletic Director and chairman of the Division of Educational Arts and Sciences.

A memorable program defined the impact Coach Trager’s attributes and actions had on many individuals with whom he lived, worked and coached. Following greetings made by President Robert E.Smith, Dean of Assessment and Planning and acting Athletic Director, Sharon Alger, presented Coach Trager with a book of memories containing photographs and warm wishes from many college friends and family.

Tributes were given by Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Recreation and Men’s Basketball Coach Doug Faulkner ’86, Faculty Emeritus John Strahl, Professor and Head of the Department of Physical Education and Recreation and Women’s Soccer Coach Robert Johnson ’68, Vice President of Student Development Tom Morgan ’60, and Board of Trustees Member Robert Briner ’56.

A tearful and joyful tribute by his children Ken Trager ’82, Kim Trager Zitzloff, and Karla Trager Conard ’88 voiced the words of many as they spoke of the H-U-M-B-L-E qualities of their father. Using this acronym, they described these important attributes: Honesty, Unyielding Prayer, Meaningful Roles, Beliefs, Loving, and Encouraging.

Coach Trager offered a response to the words of encouragement and gratitude expressed by many in attendance, an audience which was comprised of former students and colleagues, college community, family and the B.T. Roberts Sunday school class, a "Seniors" class in which Coach Trager has taught for last five years. He shared his appreciation for his family and the support of his wife throughout his coaching career as well as his enjoyment of students, faculty and staff with whom he has worked.

Prior to closing remarks and the benediction, given by President Emeriti Richard Stephens, Sr., James Plett, Dean of Academic Affairs, and President Smith presented Coach Trager with a new set of golf irons with which to celebrate this season of retirement.

The tone of the reception was capped by Richard Beans performance of "Find Us Faithful," written by Christian music artist, Steve Green. Following this song, Jack Trager reiterated its meaningful chorus, cementing these words of encouragement in the minds of each attendee.

May all who come behind us,

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