Sangamon Sun

The Illinois College athletic department is featuring an Athletic Staff Spotlight series throughout December, highlighting members of its athletic staff. The current focus is on Jason Haynes, the head coach for men's and women's track and field and cross country teams.

Haynes hails from Monmouth, Illinois. He began his coaching career immediately after graduating from Illinois College (IC) by working part-time at Knox College while pursuing a master's degree. He eventually became the Head Track & Field coach before returning to IC just before the 2014 cross country season.

When asked about his favorite movie, Haynes shared that he could watch "Mad Max: Fury Road" every day. His preferred food is chips and salsa, while in Jacksonville, Illinois, he frequently visits McAllister's but considers Leo's and K's Creek as top choices.

Reflecting on his time as an athlete, Haynes recalled the motivation to work hard because of his teammates' efforts. As a coach, he finds excitement when athletes exceed expectations or achieve their goals through hard work.

Haynes describes himself as a fairweather Chicago sports fan supporting teams like the Blackhawks, Bears, and Sox. However, he notes that his household supports the St. Louis Cardinals due to his wife’s preference.

In his spare time, Haynes enjoys technology and science-related activities and built his first computer last summer. He read "Game of Thrones" books before they gained widespread popularity and enjoys Halloween for its horror movies.

A personal fun fact about Haynes is his middle name. His favorite sports venue is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers stadium because of the atmosphere during the 2015 Women's World Cup games held there.

Haynes appreciates Illinois College for its sense of home and aims to be successful while enjoying his role within its athletics staff.