Jack Marcoline began his softball career inthe sandlots and playgrounds around Midway Airport when he was twelve. His father, Joe, would often ask him to fill-in for the Chicago Fire Department team. When his family moved back to the West side, he continued playing in the fields at Clark and Moore. In 1954, Bob Snell and Bill Hickey recruited him to play shortstop for Song Lounge. They won many championships at Garfield and LaFollette Parks. In 1956, Nick “Moose”Camillo (HOF) recruited him to play for his team. They played at Kell’s Clarendon, Garfield, LaFollette, and Portage Parks. He had a great career with “Moose,” helping him win many championships and big money games. In the early-60s, he joined the O’Boyle Transfer Team with Hall of Fame teammates Eddie Earl, Denny Migala, Frank Lentine, Wimpy O’Connor, and Lewa Yacilla. He finished his softball career with Bill King in Bellwood, Villa Park and DuPage County. He then moved to central Illinois to take a football-coaching job. Jack graduated from St. Philip High School in 1954 where he was an All-City Lightweight basketball player and an All-City running back. He played football for Kansas State University for four years. After graduation, he coached basketball and football at St. Philip and Little Flower High Schools. He then moved to central Illinois where he coached football for over forty years, twenty-five of those as defensive coordinator at Eureka College. Jack and his wife, Judy, live in Minonk, Illinois, They have four children – Cathie, Pam, Mike, and Jen.
