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Thursday, November 5, 2009 11:32 PM CST
EIU shocked by death of assistant women's coach
By JG/T-C staff
sports@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON -- Sports came to a sad halt this week at Eastern Illinois, where the athletic program was stunned by the death of assistant women’s basketball coach Jackie Moore.
The 28-year-old Moore, who was in her third year at Eastern, died Wednesday night after collapsing while working out.
“Jackie was our coach; more than that she was our friend,” EIU senior guard Ashley Thomas said. “She was someone who believed in us and pushed us to be our best everyday. You never know how important something like that is until you don’t have it. We are going to miss her in so many ways. She was a talented person who had so much to offer. There was no one way to describe her unique personality. Jackie left a lasting impression on everyone she met.”
Rachel Galligan, who completed her college career as Eastern’s scoring record holder the past season, said: “Jackie was the glue that held this team together, if you had to pick a way to describe her. She took care of us as individuals and as a team. Thinking about the impact she had on my life and the Eastern Illinois program last night and this morning, she genuinely cared for each and every one of us. She would do anything for our team from running to the store to get something on the road or serving as a tutor for the players who needed help. Jackie was the person who brought our team together and it worked because of her. I am saddened and heartbroken by the loss and Jackie will be someone I will never forget.”
Eastern’s women’s and men’s basketball teams were scheduled to play exhibition games in a doubleheader Saturday night but those have been canceled as have home volleyball matches scheduled for today and Saturday.
A memorial service for Moore is scheduled at 2 p.m. Sunday in Lantz Arena. At that time EIU head coach Brady Sallee is to address the public.
Sallee issued a statement on Thursday.
“Clearly we are shocked and sadden by this devastating news,” the head coach said. “For as bad as we feel, we feel worse for her family. We feel like we were her Charleston family and that feeling was genuine. Jackie was somebody from day one that was loyal as an assistant as I have ever had or will ever have. To watch her grow as a young assistant was a lot of fun. I was inspired by her willingness to grow and try to be great in this profession. It is no coincidence that our two most successful years were with Jackie on our staff. As a father, Jackie was someone you want your kids to emulate. She was just an incredible role model for our players. I guarantee you that not a day will go by that we don’t make Jackie proud.”
EIU athletic director Barbara Burke said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Moore family at this time. Jackie was a great young person with a bright future ahead of her. She will be dearly missed. Out of respect for Jackie, her family and friends, we have canceled all athletic contests for this weekend.”
A native of Windsor, Ontario, Moore played at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn., where she was an all-conference player. She then played professionally in Austria for a year.
“When I think of Jackie, I think first and foremost what an outstanding teammate she was,” Christian Brothers women’s basketball coach Scott Groninger said. “We have been reaching out to her former teammates today and they have been really crushed by this loss. Our Christian Brothers family loved her. She was a player who played hard everyday and would just challenge you with her intensity on the court. She was on the right path to be successful both in her professional career and personal life. She was way too young to be leaving us.”
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