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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are pleased to recognize Thomas C. "Tom" Padjen
4on the culmination of a successful 40-year tenure as head
5football coach at Thornton Fractional (T.F.) South High School
6in 2016; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Coach Tom Padjen graduated from T.F. South Class
8in 1968; he returned in 1973 as a physical education teacher,
9special education teacher, division leader, and coach; he
10became head coach in 1977; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Coach Tom Padjen's teams made the Illinois High
12School Association playoffs 21 times, including 19 of his last
1324 seasons; he advanced to the state semifinals twice, in 1994
14and 2004; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Coach Tom Padjen has mentored numerous successful
16college athletes and four NFL players, including Dave Smith, a
17member of the Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl 23 team and Pierre
18Thomas, a member of the New Orleans Saints Super Bowl 44
19Champions; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Coach Tom Padjen was inducted into the Illinois
21High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, The Thornton Fractional Township High School
2District 215 Board of Education renamed the South Campus
3football field, "Padjen Field", effective October 13, 2017; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Coach Tom Padjen's brother, Robert "Bob" Padjen,
5came to T.F. South in the fall of 1993 and served as the
6defensive coordinator under Tom for 25 seasons; Robert's
7arrival at T.F. South marked the Rebels ascension into a
8perennial south suburban football power; he was inducted into
9the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014;
10and
 
11    WHEREAS, In January of 2017, Coach Bob Padjen took over as
12only the fifth head coach in T.F. South history; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Jim Padjen, Class of 1962; Tom Padjen, Class of
141968; John Padjen, Class of 1972; Bill Padjen, Class of 1976;
15Bob Padjen, Class of 1977; Mark Padjen, Class of 1998; Peyton
16Padjen, Class of 2012; and Reis Padjen, Class of 2016 have all
17graced the gridiron for the Rebels; and
 
18    WHEREAS, In all, during the 59 seasons in which T.F. South
19has participated in competitive football, there has been a
20member of the Padjen family either playing or coaching in every
21one of those 59 years; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
2HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
3recognize Coach Tom Padjen on his successful 40-year tenure
4with Thornton Fractional South High School and the history of
5the Padjen family with the school's football program; and be it
6further
 
7    RESOLVED, That we wish Coach Bob Padjen the best of luck as
8he leads the Rebels into the future; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
10presented to Coach Tom Padjen, Coach Bob Padjen, and Thornton
11Fractional South High School.