Phil Lawler - CoachOn May 9, 2009, Coach Phil Lawler’s number 29 was retired at Naperville Central’s Varsity baseball field, a testament to his powerful influence and gentle touch. The flag raised in his honor flies proudly today, watching over new waves of student-athletes and their families. It is fitting that #29 continues to bear witness to the stories below, just as those he has left behind work to honor his tremendous example, deep heart, and important legacy. Phil Lawler’s love of sport started early. Raised on a farm in Iowa by parents, Raymond and Elsie, Lawler and his five siblings learned quickly the value of hard work and the importance of education. It was essential to Phil’s father that all of his children graduate from college, an opportunity that he himself did not have. Bolstered by his family’s example, Lawler lettered in four sports – football, basketball, baseball and track & field – in all four years at Wall Lake Community High School. When he graduated in 1968, he headed to Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa, where he lettered in both football and track, and met his wife, Denise, then a cheerleader for the Buena Vista football team. After graduation, Lawler spent three years teaching Physical Education in Iowa, before relocating to Naperville in 1976. He helped open Madison Junior High, where he would spend the next 30 years of his career, cultivating and leading innovative change in PE. Lawler had a deep passion for health and fitness and believed that every child, regardless of athletic ability, should be given a genuine chance to find activities that they can enjoy for a lifetime. While a passionate advocate for all children, Lawler always had a special place in his heart for his own students and athletes. As oldest son, Scott Lawler observed, “My dad always loved to see his former students walking the hallways at Naperville Central and talking about Madison Junior High life with them. He cared for all of his students, not just the athletes.” That level of care, coupled with his bright smile and patient demeanor, touched all fortunate enough to learn from him. In addition to teaching, Lawler worked as the District Coordinator of Physical Education from 1985 until 2003. In this capacity, he and friend, Paul Zientarski, established the DuPage County Institute for Physical Education teachers, featuring speakers from throughout the country and reaching more than 2000 educators annually. An eager teacher of both adults and young people, Lawler found great traction in research that connected physical activity to academic and behavioral improvements. Inspired and innovative, Lawler was committed to expanding the “New PE” vision beyond teaching methods. He was often a consultant in the development of technologies that could be used in PE class to help students fully engage in and own their learning and progress. Working closely with Dr. John Ratey, Harvard Brain Researcher, he helped lead the movement of Learning Readiness PE (LRPE), which uses exercise to help the learning process. Lawler advocated for quality physical education on Capitol Hill many times. He was featured on the Academy Award nominated documentary Super Size Me and his work has inspired several publications, including Game Changer: Phil Lawler’s Crusade to Help Children by Improving Physical Education and Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. Lawler’s enthusiastic advocacy and researched innovation inspired the beginning of the PE4Life organization. He established a PE4Life training institute at Madison Junior High School, where he mentored over 1700 educators, administrators and community leaders from 42 states and 10 countries. His passion for spreading the message of healthy kids, families and community has reached over 2,400 schools and affected more than 2 million children. In 2002, Lawler was named to USA Today’s 1st team All-American Teaching Team, the first PE teacher ever honored. For all of his passion and accomplishments in teaching, Lawler’s true home was the baseball diamond. He shared coaching life with best friend, head coach and fellow Hall of Fame member Bill Seiple, playing a calm counterpoint to his often fiery friend. As assistant coach, Lawler brought out the best in his athletes, understanding a young player’s “struggle through the learning years” and cherishing the opportunity to have a “lifetime of memories and the opportunity to affect young people’s lives.” As Seiple noted at Lawler’s number retirement ceremony, “He always has been the finest baseball coach I’ve ever seen.” The Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association definitively agreed, showering Lawler with awards throughout his career, including the President’s Award (1987), Assistant Coach of the Year (1991), Man of the Year Award (1997), and Co-Coach of the Year Award (2006). In 1997, Lawler became the first assistant coach elected to the IHSBCA Hall of Fame, and in 2006, he was named the National Assistant Coach of the Year by the National Baseball Coaches Association. For all of his well-deserved recognition, Lawler counted most precious the relationships he built with athletes over the years. During his tenure, Naperville Central baseball teams had over 600 wins, including 13 Regional championships, 8 Conference championships, a summer State Championship (1989) and a spring State Championship (2006). Sadly, Phil would lose his fifth and final battle with cancer before seeing his 2010 squad clinch a second state title. According to Kevin Schmit of The Daily Herald, after the Redhawks won, “The team held up the state title trophy with the same pride they held a sign that read ‘29 Lawler,’ representing the jersey number worn by their beloved coach, mentor, teacher and friend.” Seiple gave voice to that team ache in a post-game interview, sharing, "You know what? He was with us all the way through and he's been with us all the way through this season.” Lawler’s presence, heart and spirit are still definitely felt by all who knew and loved him. For all of his accomplishments, the greatest joy of his life was his family: his wife of thirty-six years, Denise, son Scott (Class of 1995; wife, Kim and children Luc, Alexa and Tucker), daughter Kimberly (Class of 1997; husband, Vince Marino and children Brady and Aubrey), and son Todd (Class of 1999; wife, Kat and children Hawke, Easton and Beau). In his honor, his family established the Batting 4 a Cure Foundation, a local charity designed to give aid to individuals and families battling with cancer. While he is deeply missed, Phil Lawler’s story continues to teach, inspire and touch all who witness it; his life is a proud flag flying high, leading the way only #29 could.