The community of North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, experienced a grieving moment when they heard about the tragic loss of Jeff Thorne, who was widely loved in his former head football club, died on Tuesday night after a hard-fought battle with stage 4 stomach cancer, while he was 49 years old.
People who knew Jeff testified that he had a silent ritual before every game, which was tapping the bill of his cap twice and whispering, “Let’s go, boys.” His teammate observed it, and they said it made them comfortable, as their coach trusted them no matter how tough the game was.
He spent almost 20 years influencing the North Central Football program, initially as an attacking coordinator and later as head coach. His career gained its greatest moment in 2019, when he led the Cardinals to their first NCAA Division III National championship, attaining a dream shared with his father, John Thorne. Ex-players said Jeff didn’t shape athletes, but he shaped good men.
As cancer was making his body weak, he continually encouraged his players and checked them. Numerous honoured the deceased online, calling him a model, a friend, and a steady voice they needed during life’s toughest moments.
His relatives will declare burial plans soon, as both North Central and Auburn communities will unite to honour a coach whose impact goes beyond the field.
