IHSA honors two Central coaches

Naperville Central's Bill Salentine was recently named Boys Water Polo Coach of the Year by the Illinois High School Association.
(Mary Beth Nolan/For The Sun)

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The 2009 season was a banner year for Naperville Central water polo teams.

The girls team under coach Jeff Plackett finished second in the state, and the boys under coach Bill Salentine followed a runner-up 2008 season with a third-place finish at state in 2009.

Recently, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) recognized these two successful programs by naming Plackett as the Girls Water Polo Coach of the Year and Salentine as the Boys Water Polo Coach of the Year.

"This is a great honor for both Jeff and Bill," Naperville Central athletic director Marty Bee said. "It's also an honor for Naperville Central to have both our girls and boys water polo coaches recognized. They've both worked hard to develop outstanding programs, not just from the standpoint of winning water polo, but also because their teams exhibit great sportsmanship and a commitment to academics. They and their teams represent all the positive things that go with being involved in athletics."

Plackett, 30, is in his 7th year of coaching the Redhawks girls water polo team. He also teaches English and creative writing at Naperville Central. He's a graduate of Naperville North and Western Illinois University.

"It's exciting to win this award," Plackett said.

"It was a great surprise, especially at the beginning of the year when the water polo season is so far off. It's also thrilling to share this award with my wife, Megan, who has been my assistant coach the past four years."

Megan Plackett teaches English and American Studies at Naperville Central. The Placketts live in Naperville. Salentine, 43, who has been the boys water polo coach since the program started as a club team in 1992 and then became a full varsity program in 2000, had previously won the IHSA award in 2005 when the Redhawks finished second in the state.

He also won the Illinois Water Polo Coaches Association Coach of the Year Award in 2005.

"It means a lot to me that the IHSA believes that Jeff and I have the kind of quality programs that deserve this honor," Salentine said "They look at more than our won-loss records and state finishes. They consider our teams' attitude and sportsmanship throughout the season. We have good teams with terrific kids who are responsible and treat everyone with respect. Both of us have been fortunate to have so many great student-athletes playing for us throughout the years."

Salentine, who teaches physical education and serves as assistant athletic director at Naperville Central, is a graduate of Glenbard West High School and Eastern Illinois University, He and his wife, Tami, and their son, Liam, live in Aurora.