EIU assistant coach passed away Nov. 4, 2009
A native of Windsor, Ontario, Jackie played her college ball at Christian Brothers in Memphis. A visitation and funeral were held Nov. 13 and 14 in Windsor. Eastern coaches Brady Sallee and Quacy Timmons and the team's five seniors -- Marie Baker, Maggie Kloak, Dominique Sims, Lauren Sturtevant and Ashley Thomas -- attended the funeral a day after the season-opening game at Ohio State.
The Panthers compiled a 43-22 overall record and 30-8 mark in OVC play during Jackie’s two years as an assistant coach. Eastern also reached the OVC Tournament title game in both her seasons on the bench.
In lieu of flowers, donations towards the Jackie Moore Memorial Scholarship are being accepted by the EIU athletic department, which announced that the scholarship will be awarded to a rising junior on the women’s basketball team each season. A number of EIU athletic teams, headlined by women's basketball, will be wearing memorial "J.M." patches or stickers during the remainder of the 2009-10 school year.
Contributions to the Jackie Moore Memorial Scholarship can also be mailed to:
Eastern Illinois University Athletics Department
Re: Jackie Moore Memorial Gift
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
Please make checks payable to: EIU Athletics
Ashley Thomas – EIU Senior Guard
“Jackie was our coach, more than that she was our friend. 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.”
Brady Sallee – EIU Head Women’s Basketball Coach
“Clearly we are shocked and sadden by this devastating news. 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.”
Rachel Galligan – Former EIU All-OVC Performer
“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.”
Scott Groninger – Christian Brothers Head Women’s Basketball Coach
“When I think of Jackie, I think first and foremost what an outstanding teammate she was. 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.”
