Coach Boatright's Bio

Thomas Boatright graduated from East Aurora High School in 1970. During four years at East Aurora, he played football for 2 years on the varsity and ran varsity track for 3 years. He qualified for the state championship in the 100m and the 4x100 meter relay. He also played varsity basketball for 2 years.

 In 1969 for the first time in 21 years, East Aurora went to the State Championship. They placed fourth in the state and in 1970, their team qualified for state again. In 1970, he was voted athlete of the year and received a scholarship for football and track at Northeast State in Oklahoma. During his freshman year, he led the nation in punt returns. He also played semi-pro for the Rockford Rams from 1973-74. The Chicago Bears invited Boatright to their training camp in 1975. Unfortunately, he did not make the team. Shortly after, he began working for Commonwealth Edison Company. Although he did not become a professional athlete, he decided to better prepare student athletes for high school and college.

            In 1983, he started coach track and field for the Aurora Sundowners, which is a summer program for kids ages 8-18. He then founded the Aurora Flyers track club in 1986. They have local outdoor track meets in the area from Niles to Skokie and as far west as Sterling, Illinois which start in May. In the middle of June they have their state championship where the top six in each event qualify for the regional championship. The top 4 in each event then qualify for the National Junior Olympics which is held at a major University each year. The Flyers have had numerous Junior Olympic Champions since the club has been in existence.