By Randy Sharer
Special to Illprepvb.com
BREESE – The Breese Central volleyball community today is mourning the passing of one of the true Illinois high school coaching legends.
James K. “Jim” Cook, who built Breese Central into one of Illinois’ premier volleyball programs and guided the Cougars to three state championships, died July 24. He was 75.
Across three decades as an educator and coach, Cook influenced generations of students and athletes through the humility, discipline and composure that defined both his life and his teams. His legacy remains visible in the trophy case at Breese Central — and in the people he taught and coached.
Born August 16, 1950, in Breese to Charles and Imogene Cook, he graduated from Trenton Wesclin High School in 1968 and earned an education degree from Murray State University in 1972.
Cook joined the U.S. Air Force the following year and spent four years working in air traffic control, a role requiring the calm under pressure and sharp focus that later became hallmarks of his coaching.
After his military service, Cook returned home and taught English at St. Rose Elementary School. He entered high school coaching at Trenton Wesclin in 1986, compiling a 102-67-1 record before taking over at Breese Central in 1995.
Over the next two decades, Cook transformed the Cougars into a perennial state contender. He finished 612-212 at Central and recorded 714 career victories, ranking 28th in Illinois history.
His Cougars won state championships in 1996, 2005 and 2007, finished second in 2006 and 2010, and placed third in 1999, 2011 and 2013. In all, his Central teams earned eight state trophies, 15 regional championships, 10 sectional titles and 12 Cahokia Conference crowns.
Cook’s teams, together with crosstown rival Breese Mater Dei, helped establish Clinton County as one of the state’s richest volleyball areas.
His first state championship came in 1996, when the Cougars finished 36-3 and defeated Mount Pulaski in straight sets. The team’s six seniors ended their careers with a 99-8 record, led by all-state selections Lea Beckemeyer and Amy Heimann.
Central’s victory gave Breese its fourth consecutive state championship following Mater Dei’s titles in 1993, 1994 and 1995.
“It’s great for Clinton County,” Cook said afterward. “It shows what kind of volleyball we play down there.”
Cook’s second championship came in 2005, when Central swept Cahokia Conference rival Columbia in the state final behind Brittany Schrage and setter Sarah Barth.
“We were so on,” Cook said after the match. “We tried to keep the pressure on them.”
In 2007, Cook became the sixth coach in Illinois history to win three state championships when the Cougars defeated Hampshire. Seniors Lauren Budde and Jessica Hemann led the attack.
“You expect the seniors to step up,” Cook said. “It was time to just put up or shut up, and we put up.”
Those who knew Cook will remember more than the victories. He led with humility and maintained a deep affection for sports and the communities surrounding them. Even after retiring, he remained a familiar presence at local games, drawn by the energy and fellowship athletics bring to small towns.
The trophies at Breese Central record Cook’s accomplishments. The generations of students and athletes he influenced represent the larger measure of his legacy.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, at Moss Funeral Home in Trenton. Private interment will follow at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Breese Central volleyball team.