dpammer retweetledi
In the spotlight: As we enter 2026, there will be great stories of high school student athletes, families, schools and communities working together - on AND off the courts and fields.
One of the biggest stories of the year will be the retirement of Rob Zvonar, the only head coach Lincoln-Way East football has ever had in school history. The program, which kicked off a mere two weeks before 9/11 in 2001, is one of the most-respected high school football programs around.
Not just in Illinois, but the U.S.
Zvonar has led the Griffins to six IHSA title games during that span, three of which they ended the season on top.
All the praise, recognition and stories set to come Zvonar’s way in 2026 will be so well deserved. Just think about all the time he has put into kids, families, community programs and the school since 2001?
Hopefully when people talk about Zvonar’s historical run, they also spotlight longtime assistant coach Joel Pallissard, who has been there every step of the way with Zvonar.
In this photo from August 24, 2001, Zvonar hands the game ball ahead of Lincoln-Way East’s come-from-behind home victory over Bishop McNamara 21-20 as Pallissard (far left) looks on.
Think about this: That photo was taken ahead of the first of 253 wins, qualifying for the state playoffs every year and suffering a mere 48 losses since that Friday night in Frankfort at the turn of the 21st century.
The coaching duo, whose sons went through the program, has truly experienced the thrill of victory and agony of defeat together.
Head coaches get a lot of the praise and take the heat from the community, but there’s no doubt longtime assistants deserve so much more recognition than they receive from most throughout high school communities.
#MoreThanJUSTGames
English
