Galena coach Ron Jenkins inducted into Illinois Scholastic Bowl Coaches Hall of Fame

At a Galena City School District meeting, the board and staff honored Ron Jenkins following his induction into the Illinois High School Scholastic Bowl Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Mrs. Hawkins introduced the recognition and read statements from current and former Scholastic Bowl students praising Jenkins’s leadership and mentorship. "Mr. Jenkins always encouraged us to do our best no matter the circumstances," one testimonial read, and another said Jenkins "has provided numerous amounts of support to us, encouraging us to do our best of all time." Mrs. Hawkins said the honors reflect both Jenkins’s competitive record and his impact on students’ growth.

The district’s JV coach summarized Jenkins’s career accomplishments, stating Jenkins has "amassed more than 800 wins and counting" with an "overall win rate approaching 75%." The coach listed program milestones including 21 NUIC West division titles since 1997, nine conference tournament championships in 16 editions, 16 IHSA regional titles, 10 Masonic sectional wins and a fourth-place finish at the IHSA state meet in 2004; the coach also noted the team won the WCCI radio tournament earlier the same day.

Jenkins accepted the honor and thanked family and colleagues, singling out his wife, Tracy, and multiple assistant and JV coaches who helped sustain the program over decades. He invited family and current team members to join him for a group recognition onstage.

The board’s agenda and the presentations emphasized both Jenkins’s competitive record and the personal mentorship he provided to students; no formal action or vote was recorded on the recognition itself. Additional individuals named during remarks included Ed Sitchi, Ben So, Mary Calie and Mr. Hila, referenced as contributors to the program’s history.