Hall of Fame
Jean was a three-sport athlete who earned All-Conference softball honors in both seasons at RVC, and won conference MVP for softball as a sophomore.
After graduating from RVC, Jean attended Rockford College where she was named first team All-Conference in her junior year in all three sports (volleyball, basketball, and softball). In her senior year of softball, she made first team All-Conference and won conference MVP.
She was also a starter on the 1986- 87, nationally ranked Rockford College basketball team that went 25-2. That team was later inducted to the Rockford College Wall of Fame.
Jean has worked as an Occupation Technician at Woodward for over 27 years. She coached softball at East High School for eight years and volleyball at East for seven years. She has been the volleyball coach at Harlem High School for the last three years and is in her tenth year of coaching club volleyball for Rockford Volleyball.
In the community, she has been Woodard's representative for the Rockford Industrial Athletic Association (RIAA) for over 20 years and has been secretary of the association for over 17 years.
“My passion is to pass on my love of sports and teamwork to the kids I get a chance to work with,” said Jean. “It is such a great feeling when you see the kids you are coaching be successful using things we have been working on and have positive results.”
Jean has three children. Her two daughters, Kristen and Shannon, are current RVC students, and her son, Ryan, is a junior at Harlem. Her grandson, Gabe, will be in kindergarten in the fall.
In her spare time, Jean loves to travel and tries to go somewhere new each year.
“I am humbled to be considered a Hall of Fame member when you look at all the past great athletes to attend RVC,” said Jean. “I loved the time I attended RVC. The professors were so accessible and helpful. We have one of the best campuses and facilities around. I loved being close to home so I could continue playing all three sports and my family and friends could come and support me.”
