COACH JESSON
Photo by Bob Carey
You started coaching over 40 years ago
Darby Junior High-You made that program grow
Beverly Hills would have kicked your rear end
That's because they had a better coach-- Coren
Soon Penn Wood decided to bring you up to the high school level
You yelled and cajoled and as always tried like the devil
That cinder track could not slow Penn Wood down
You often wore the DelVal and Delco crown
Glen Mills was your #1 foe back in the day
Richie and Barry and the judges helped their athletes stay
But you had coaches like Bob Furman, Arnie, and Roger Kennedy
But you really knew what you were doing when you hired me
Boy you had athletes like Mark, Champ, Whitsett, Larry and Cliffy too.
Even Coach Styer once vaulted for you
Let's not forget Leroy Burrell who won all four at States
Yeah-You coached him and he went on to be one of the Olympic greats
Then there was the strike and we wouldn’t cross the picket line
Coach Jesson knows how to move on-You’ll be just fine
Dr. Slick at Strath Haven then made a great move
Coach Jesson was the man to help Haven’s track team improve
Twenty years later history tells the story
Strath Haven track has had lots of glory
But not just with the boys team did Coach Jesson give it a try
Your girls in XC and your female sprinters (especially Liz) all had a good cry
“Take Lane 6” you would later yell to the girls, the Boys have lanes 1 to 5
But truthfully you really did care about the girls and helped our program thrive
Coaching with Jim Connor, Cathy Dunn, and Woolery to name a few
Ryan, Condrati, Carla, Styer, Ronnie and Thea were your recent crew
Certainly we can’t forget your hiring of Coach Ed
Thank God you’re retiring or one of you would most likely be dead
And yes, Coach Coren and you had an occasional confrontational shout
But both of us respected each other-there was no doubt
As for your athletes, there’s way too many to name
All of them helped you reach a deserved Hall of Fame
Jamir was first and Khari was not far behind
St James closed and we got Lamar, Melvin, and Harvey-Quite a find
Don’t forget Pagano, Kellen, Ptah, Tony, Mark, Manny and Jamie Vetter
Calling yourself ‘the luckiest coach in the world” you still made them better
This year’s group was probably the best by far
Many State medals-of course Chris left his in the car
“Tradition” is one of your favorite words to use when you want your way
But for Strath Haven track you made it a party every day
Pizza for the boys, speed suits, intervals, and school record boards
Some of the reasons kids came out for your team in hoards
It was fun arguing with Sandy and Ron, and battling George and Dan
Even your competitors respect you as a man
Boy we will miss you, especially your constant advice
And I’ll miss you reminding me “You do nothing for the party-At least get the ice”
On a serious note, you are retiring as the 2012 PA Coach of the year
Bob--We will all miss you--You’ve had an awesome career!!!
By Bill Coren, Strath Haven HS