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St. Charles athletics an all in the family affair for the Poulins

It is approximately 20 minutes before the opening tip and Mary Jane Poulin takes her customary seat at the far west end of the bleachers six rows or so behind the St. Charles North bench.

On this night, like many, Mary Jane is in the gym for a variety of reasons - as part high school sports fan, basketball aficionado, St. Charles athletics enthusiast, and proud parent.

Her son, Tom, serves as the North Stars' boys varsity basketball coach.

The fact that Tom's mom is on hand is not surprising.

"She goes to as many games as she can," said Tom. "She is a fan of St. Charles high school sports. She loves St. Charles and she loves St. Charles athletics."

High school sports have played a major role in the lives of many St. Charles residents throughout the years - and the Poulins are no exception.

Two weeks ago, Tom returned to his alma mater - now St. Charles East - for the annual cross-town showdown between the North Stars and Saints, as well as the St. Charles East Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

"I always enjoy coming back for Hall of Fame night," said Tom, whose cheering section included his mom, fiancee, sisters, nieces, and nephews. "Five Poulins went to that school. It's a part of our home."

Two of Tom's sisters, Ruth and Anne, enjoyed stellar high school soccer careers and are St. Charles East Hall of Fame members.

An older brother, Kris, played baseball at St. Charles while another sister, Elizabeth, was a Saints' cheerleader.

"I love Hall of Fame night," said Mary Jane. "To me, it's seeing history but not flaunting it. It makes me very proud because this is where it all started."

"Ruth and Anne played varsity soccer for four years each and I played varsity basketball," said Tom, who played for legendary Saints coach Ron Johnson. "You can imagine how many games my mom watched us play."

"While they were in high school, I always thought athletics were great," said Mary Jane. "It helped keep them organized and developed their time management skills. It helped them overall in school."

Education has always come first for the Poulins.

"My mom is a longtime educator," said Tom. "She teaches fourth grade at Clinton Elementary School in South Elgin. She loves what she does."

"Our household was very competitive but we learned that it's not worth it when you're not winning the right way. It's about winning modestly and losing graciously - doing things the right way. She has stressed to us as coaches that you're always an educator. Character and image are very important."

Currently in his 10th year as the helm, Tom followed his younger sister, Ruth, into high school coaching. Ruth (now Vostal) spent 15 seasons as the North Stars' girls varsity soccer coach, guiding the team to 13 consecutive regional titles as well as a pair of second-place state finishes (2004, 2012) before stepping down last June.

Anne, who helped lead the Saints to 4 straight girls soccer state titles, was a one-time North Stars' assistant coach.

"I'm very proud of them," said Mary Jane. "Coaching is a big responsibility. It's a way of giving back to the community."

"My mom loved it when Anne was Ruth's assistant," said Tom, who doubles as the North Stars' varsity softball coach in the spring. "She's going to miss seeing Ruth on the soccer sidelines. She loves St. Charles soccer."

"I'll probably spend more time watching softball now," joked Mary Jane.

Coaching varsity basketball at St. Charles North is very special for Tom.

"I'll never forget when (former North Stars athletic director) John Rutter offered me the varsity basketball job," said Tom. "When I got home and told my mom, she hugged me and started crying.

"Coaching is my life - it is what I love to do. It is also very important to our family."

While the North Stars are going through a trying season from a win-loss standpoint (currently 4-13), Tom often receives motivational ideas from his mom.

"She's great with messages before and after games," said Tom, whose dad, Thomas, trains horses in Florida and was an original member of the American Dressage Institute who fielded the U.S. Olympic Bronze-medal winning Dressage Team in 1976.

"She throws out words of wisdom. She believes that everyone has a role and it is all about the team. She used to leave notes in my lunchbox that simply said, 'play tough.' "

Mary Jane enjoys watching her son coach high school student-athletes.

"There are so many lessons learned in every game - the ups and downs," she said. "It is much like the real world."

Having his mom close by makes coaching even more valuable for Tom.

"Turning and seeing her sitting in the stands is very special," he said. "We're a close family because of our parents. We're lucky to have them in our lives.

"My mom is the most loving person. She's sincere and real. There's nothing fake about her. The way she has lived - she's an angel."

Craig Brueske can be reached at csb4k@hotmail.com.

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