Thousands of pistol shells, thousands of athletes and 39 years.
Van Steckelberg has been starting track and field events for nearly four decades and counting his time coaching and running himself, his time in the sport is closer to 55 years.
But after running meets at the high school and college levels around the state for so long, following today’s Western Big Six Conference meet he’ll hang up his pistol.
He tells Galesburg’s Morning News on WGIL it’s been a labor of love but it’s time for “someone else to step up.”
“In some instances I’ve started three generations of families,” Steckelberg says. “I’ve had mothers come up to me at meets and say, ‘you can’t quit now, I’ve got another one coming.”
It’s untold how many athletes have come off the starting blocks on cue from Steckelberg but tonight will be the final home meet for another individual who has left an indelible mark in local track and field, Josh Eiker.
The senior who is last year’s Class 2A champion in the 100 meters and 200 meters is in Steckelberg’s view one of the most “incredible athletes you’ll ever lay eyes on”.
“If there was an Illinois track Mount Rushmore his face would be on it because he is that good,” Steckelberg says.
Today’s conference meet starts at 3:30 p.m. at Galesburg High School’s Van Dyke Field.
