‘Coach Pop’ touched many via track, humor

HUNTLEY — The influences of beloved former track and field coach Joel Popenfoose could be felt by many at the final indoor track and field meet this season.

Area teams – Kaneland, Jacobs, Hampshire, Burlington Central and Lake Zurich, gathered to compete at Huntley’s Field House one more time before heading outside, but more importantly, saluted a legendary coach.

Popenfoose, aka “Coach Pop” and the great memories was evident through the classic rock songs playing, the t-shirt with his picture and one of his favorite characters – big foot. There was competition, of course, but also a lot of fun on March 15.

“This is the best way to honor “coach Pop,” said Kim Doyle, Popenfoose’s widow. “Tomorrow, March 16, is the one-year anniversary of his death. I continue to be astounded by the number of families touched by ‘coach Pop’ and his legacy.”

Popenfoose died one year ago after a sudden illness at age 64. He resided in Auburn, Alabama at the time of his death, but had long-standing contributions to Huntley. In addition to serving as assistant boys track and field coach, and assistant football coach, he was the founder of Westlake Community Church. After HHS, “Coach Pop” also served as athletic director, track and field and cross country coach at Judson University in Elgin from 2013-21 and coached at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa. The Popenfoose’s children are Adam, Casey, Marcus, Myra and Luke (deceased).

“This was a huge event for our program to honor the loss of a great man who helped get Huntley track and field to the level it is today,” HHS boys track and field coach Chris Maxedon said. “Big foot is the theme of the night.”

Maxedon said the event was a huge success.

“He was instrumental in helping our programs grow to the success we have had over all of these years,” Maxedon said. “He was an amazing man who just knew how to click with kids. The highlight of the meet for me was the running of the weightman’s (field event competitors) relay – one of the last events on the track. Those guys poured their heart and soul into that event and worked all week to prepare. They wanted so badly to win that race and they were awesome.”

Popenfoose’s sons Adam, Marcus and Casey are HHS alumni and competed in track and field. Marcus finished second at the IHSA State Track and Field Meet in both the discus and shot put in 2010. Casey caught the coaching bug and is head boys track and field coach at Brownsburg, ID. Marcus’s success also included college track and field. He competed for Auburn University at the Southeastern Conference track meet and finished second at discus his junior year.

“It was great for coach Maxedon to do this, to organize a meet at the end of the (indoor) season,” Marcus said. “Track and field meant so much to dad. He used to take us to the IHSA State Meet at Eastern Illinois University.”

Huntley was much different when the Popenfoose family moved here in the mid-1990s. His new church, Westlake Community, gathered at a school which is now Huntley Park District headquarters.

Family members told of shoveling snow off the Huntley High School track for March practices.

Myra Popenfoose, HHS Class of 2012, recalled how enjoyable her dad made track and field. She teaches at a Lincoln, NE high school.

There also is the “Coach Pop” humor.

“He was just a goofy guy,” HHS alumnus Mike Dollar said. “He would always tell jokes during a practice, like when it was snowing he may build a snowman. But he was one of my top supporters in middle distance running.”

“Coach Pop” also was a big believer in big foot. So there was a double meaning when someone donned a big foot costume. Burlington Central’s distance coach uses the big foot theme as a motivator. Also, many knew why someone had donned a big foot brown costume, checked in at the bullpen area, and readied for the 60-meter run. The Burlington Central runner next to him, maybe used to the scene, did not flinch, as the funny-looking competitor readied to do his best. “Big foot just finished his personal best,” the announcer told the crowd.

“Dad would have loved this,” Myra Popenfoose said.