Posted: 2/12/03

Jack Conley logged 25 years as coach, athletic director at FLHS

Berk Brown

Sports Editor

Whether it was on the sidelines at a football game on a chilly Friday evening, in their usual corner of the gym for a basketball game or in their place for a concert at the high school, Jack and Shirley Conley were always there.

Forest Lake lost one of its greatest supporters and one of the high schoolís finest administrative leaders of the past with the death of Jack Clifford Conley, age 80, on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2003.

Although a massive stroke on Christmas Day of 1992 left Jack confined to a wheelchair he and his loyal, omnipresent wife Shirley were still fixtures at Forest Lake athletic and music events.

Born April 19, 1922, in Verndale to Harlan and Beatrice Conley, Jack developed his passion for athletics and academics from his parents. He was a standout athlete at Verndale in football, basketball, baseball and track and graduated as valedictorian of his high school class in 1939.

He graduated from St. Cloud Teachers College, where he competed in basketball, baseball and track. He joined the Navy and achieved the rank of Lieutenant J.G. and was discharged in 1946.

He started his teaching and coaching career in 1946 at Sauk Rapids High School, where he taught physical education and history and also served as a coach in football, basketball, baseball and track and also was the athletic director.

From 1947-48, Conley played professional baseball at the AA level for Detroit Lakes.

From Sauk Rapids, Conley went to Crosby Ironton High School where he also taught physical education and history while coaching basketball and football.

In 1959, he and Shirley moved with their three sons, David, Michael and Timothy, to Forest Lake where he started as a teacher and basketball coach.

As the Forest Lake boys basketball coach, Conley won his first 21 games ñÝa winning streak which is still a record at the school.

In 1968 he became athletic director at the school, a position he remained in until his retirement in 1984.

During his career in Forest Lake, Conley received numerous coaching honors, guided several successful teams and touched many lives, his youngest son Tim, the athletic coordinator for ISD 831 Community Services, said.

And despite his many successes, Jack would never speak highly of himself ñ only of his teams.

ìIt was never an ego thing with him,î Tim said. ìIt was always about how great his kids were. He always understood youíre only as good as your kids. But, he was also a great coach, I think.î

Tom Hipkins, who Conley hired as the head boys track coach at Forest Lake in 1981, said his former boss was passionate about all of the schoolís programs.

ìJack was a very good man,î Hipkins said. ìForest Lake sports were very important to him and he supported Forest Lake sports until the end.î

Doug Peltier, athletic director at Roseville High School, was hired by Conley to serve as the first boys hockey coach in Forest Lake.

Peltier, who later replaced Conley as the schoolís AD, said Jack was instrumental in providing opportunities for girls in athletics, calling him a ìpioneer,î for his efforts.

He also had high praise for Jackís efforts to stay involved after his retirement and stroke and the dedication of Shirley.

ìJack wanted to continue to be a part of the lives of kids,î Peltier said. ìIt could be freezing cold out for a football game, and there would be Jack in his wheelchair with (Shirley).

ìShe was such a loving and devoted wife to see to it that Jack was still a part of the things he wanted to be a part of. She was such a devoted and loving wife.î

Tim Conley also praised his mother for her devotion and strength.

ìWe never knew how strong she was until Dad had his stroke,î he said. ìIt was always her and Jack.î

His constant companion, Shirley held Jackís hand and talked to him as he died.

Jack received numerous awards during his lifetime, including being named the Minnesota State High School Coaches Association President, entering the MSHSCA Hall of Fame, and being named the 1983 Lions Club Citizen of the Year and the 1983 Athletic Director of the Year by the Minnesota State Athletic Directors Association.

All three sons followed Jackís footsteps into education and coaching with Dave in Elk River, Mike in Little Falls and Tim in Forest Lake.

An intelligent, keen man, Jack remained sharp after his stroke, Tim said. Never selfish, he always made time for his family and friends and was passionate about golf. He and Dave even played golf every month of the year for two consecutive years.

One of the final games Jack and Shirley attended was a boys basketball game against Anoka on Friday, Jan. 31. In that game, one of their grandchildren, Chris, made a free throw late in the game for the Rangers.

ìI swear he came out of his wheelchair,î Tim said. ìHe had a big smile on his face.î

A memorial service was Saturday, Feb. 8, at Faith Lutheran Church, Forest Lake, with a private family interment at Scandinavian Cemetery, Forest Lake.

He is survived by wife of 57 years, Shirley; sons, David (Debra), Michael (Linda), and Timothy (Cheryl); grandchildren, Benson, Caitlin, Erin (Mark), Joshua, Shaun, Christopher and Brian; great-grandchild, Damion; sisters-in-law, Arlene and Patricia; brother-in-law, James D. (Addie) Atkinson; and other relatives and many, many friends.

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