Carlin “Coach” Nalley
The Lisle Alumni Carlin Nalley Foundation was saddened to learn of the passing of our namesake and inspiration, Carlin "Coach" Nalley earlier today. During this challenging time, we are with his wife Nancy, his children (John, Karla, and Alan), the large extended family of which he was extremely proud, and the thousands of people who loved and admired him.
Since he and his family arrived in Lisle in 1966, no one else has had a larger positive influence on the Village of Lisle and its schools than Coach Nalley. He achieved enormous success as a teacher and football and track coach, was named National High School Athletic Director of Year in 1984 and served as District 202 Superintendent of Schools until his retirement in 1996. He was an exceptional educator and mentor to young people and an unmatched example of loyalty and leadership for those whose lives he touched.
Our foundation is very proud to carry on his vision for our schools by serving the current and former students of Lisle through the charitable organization that carries his name. As we gather the alumni of Lisle for our events and award scholarships to outstanding Lisle students in his name, we are so grateful that Coach Nalley got to enjoy his legacy so richly and frequently during the last two decades. He rarely missed an alumni event or award ceremony, and we will miss his legendary presence more than we can express.
Please remember the Coach and the Nalley Family in your prayers, and we will share information on services as it becomes available.
The Lisle Alumni Carlin Nalley Foundation Board of Directors
Since he and his family arrived in Lisle in 1966, no one else has had a larger positive influence on the Village of Lisle and its schools than Coach Nalley. He achieved enormous success as a teacher and football and track coach, was named National High School Athletic Director of Year in 1984 and served as District 202 Superintendent of Schools until his retirement in 1996. He was an exceptional educator and mentor to young people and an unmatched example of loyalty and leadership for those whose lives he touched.
Our foundation is very proud to carry on his vision for our schools by serving the current and former students of Lisle through the charitable organization that carries his name. As we gather the alumni of Lisle for our events and award scholarships to outstanding Lisle students in his name, we are so grateful that Coach Nalley got to enjoy his legacy so richly and frequently during the last two decades. He rarely missed an alumni event or award ceremony, and we will miss his legendary presence more than we can express.
Please remember the Coach and the Nalley Family in your prayers, and we will share information on services as it becomes available.
The Lisle Alumni Carlin Nalley Foundation Board of Directors
“BE A LION, BE A LEADER”
“True Yesterday, True Today, True in Years to Come.
Thank you Lisle, You are #1, Always!”
Carlin and Nancy Nalley moved to Lisle in l966 from Kansas where he taught and coached for seven years in Pomona and Council Grove High Schools. Carlin then served Lisle for thirty years in the classroom, athletic arenas, district leadership, and as a community leader. In 1968 Carlin accepted a leadership role as Athletic Director for Lisle schools as well as being the first Director of the newly formed Lisle Park District. Carlin established park programs utilizing a symbiotic relationship between school and park districts, which helped launch park programs for all community members and eliminated any duplication of resources. To his credit, the community saved money while building programs. Numerous honors have been bestowed upon Nalley over the years.
Carlin has been named:
Carlin Nalley was also a leader in state and national athletic, physical education, and coaching organizations. He served two terms as president of the Illinois Athletic Directors and served as president of the National High School Athletic Directors in 1986. Carlin’s contributions were honored locally by the renaming of the Lisle Invitational Track Meet to the Carlin Nalley Track and Field Meet. He was also honored at the Lisle Alumni All Years Reunion. When asked about his proudest moment of his career he is quick to mention an honor given to the school system he helped build, the l995 MONEY magazine naming of Lisle School District #202 as one of the top 100 school districts in the nation! Only five Chicago area school systems appeared on this list. In the same year, Lisle schools won the Bright Red Apple Award. Carlin commended the school administrators, staff, Board of Education and the cooperation of the Village, Park District and overall citizens of the community.
Upon his retirement, the local newspaper stated, “Carlin personified a quality that the Lisle School District has always shown, an ability to change with the times while still maintaining the human touch. He was the roll-up-your sleeves-and-get-to-work, old fashioned leader who knew the most important part of any organization were the people who work for it.”
Carlin retired in l996 from the position of Superintendent of Schools. His wife, Nancy had retired from her Kindergarten teaching position in the Woodridge Dist. #68 the year before. They continue to live in the Lisle area and stay involved in their school and church activities as well as attending as many activities that their eight grandchildren are involved in. Carlin continues to serve as an IHSA track and field official for many events in the area and assists in some of the current local programs.
When asked to leave comment, Carlin stated, “The community of Lisle has been a great location for Nancy and I to raise our three children. Their educational success in Lisle was due to the caring and active role that their instructors, coaches, and sponsors all took in their development. Nancy and I see this same enthusiastic and caring educational experience in our grandchildren today. We have appreciated the cooperation and support of all of the Lisle community through the years that we have been part of the community.”
“True Yesterday, True Today, True in Years to Come.
Thank you Lisle, You are #1, Always!”
Carlin and Nancy Nalley moved to Lisle in l966 from Kansas where he taught and coached for seven years in Pomona and Council Grove High Schools. Carlin then served Lisle for thirty years in the classroom, athletic arenas, district leadership, and as a community leader. In 1968 Carlin accepted a leadership role as Athletic Director for Lisle schools as well as being the first Director of the newly formed Lisle Park District. Carlin established park programs utilizing a symbiotic relationship between school and park districts, which helped launch park programs for all community members and eliminated any duplication of resources. To his credit, the community saved money while building programs. Numerous honors have been bestowed upon Nalley over the years.
Carlin has been named:
- The Suburban Life All Area Football Coach, 1973
- Illinois Track Coaches Hall of Fame, 1982
- National H.S. Athletic Director of the Year, l984
- Illinois H.S. Football Coaches Hall of Fame, 1989
- Honorary Referee for the Illinois High School Association’s State Track Meet, 1997
Carlin Nalley was also a leader in state and national athletic, physical education, and coaching organizations. He served two terms as president of the Illinois Athletic Directors and served as president of the National High School Athletic Directors in 1986. Carlin’s contributions were honored locally by the renaming of the Lisle Invitational Track Meet to the Carlin Nalley Track and Field Meet. He was also honored at the Lisle Alumni All Years Reunion. When asked about his proudest moment of his career he is quick to mention an honor given to the school system he helped build, the l995 MONEY magazine naming of Lisle School District #202 as one of the top 100 school districts in the nation! Only five Chicago area school systems appeared on this list. In the same year, Lisle schools won the Bright Red Apple Award. Carlin commended the school administrators, staff, Board of Education and the cooperation of the Village, Park District and overall citizens of the community.
Upon his retirement, the local newspaper stated, “Carlin personified a quality that the Lisle School District has always shown, an ability to change with the times while still maintaining the human touch. He was the roll-up-your sleeves-and-get-to-work, old fashioned leader who knew the most important part of any organization were the people who work for it.”
Carlin retired in l996 from the position of Superintendent of Schools. His wife, Nancy had retired from her Kindergarten teaching position in the Woodridge Dist. #68 the year before. They continue to live in the Lisle area and stay involved in their school and church activities as well as attending as many activities that their eight grandchildren are involved in. Carlin continues to serve as an IHSA track and field official for many events in the area and assists in some of the current local programs.
When asked to leave comment, Carlin stated, “The community of Lisle has been a great location for Nancy and I to raise our three children. Their educational success in Lisle was due to the caring and active role that their instructors, coaches, and sponsors all took in their development. Nancy and I see this same enthusiastic and caring educational experience in our grandchildren today. We have appreciated the cooperation and support of all of the Lisle community through the years that we have been part of the community.”
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Coach Nalley's Reaction to Lisle Mayor Chris Pecek's Proclamation Naming September 12, 2020 "Carlin Nalley Day."
Click link to the right to read the proclamation.
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Coach Nalley instructing Steve Woltmann daughter how to place the blocks correctly from his walker on May 2, 2018.