Galesburg, IL - A baseball coach for nearly five decades, Jim Isaacson is calling this year as the associate head coach at Knox College his last.

Isaacson’s career began in 1964 as an assistant for the Galesburg American Legion Post 285 team.  He later became the head coach and led the squad to nine appearances at the state tournament, including a state championship in 1971.

Isaacson also coached at Carl Sandburg College, the former Galesburg Pioneers of the Central Illinois Collegiate League, and he served as the head coach at Knox College from 1988 to 1997.  Jim Isaacson has been the associate head coach of the Knox baseball team, under his son and head coach Jami Isaacson, since 2000.

Jim Isaacson, who said he’s been coaching for 48 years at one level or another, said it’s time to step aside for health reasons.

“That happens.  At 71, 72 years old your health declines a little bit and that’s been weighing on my mind,” he said.  “I haven’t been able to help the staff as much as I’d like to have helped.”

Isaacson admits he thinks about his decision to quit coaching every once in a while and he’ll miss it, although he also made it a point to note that he will not miss the cold weather.

“I’ll miss the camaraderie with the kids and stuff like that,” he said.  “I’m sure I’ll be in the bleachers watching.”  He said he’ll definitely try to attend the games against Monmouth College, Illinois College, and Grinnell College.

Isaacson won a staggering 1,067 games in his coaching career.  Even though he had a full-time job and for many years he coached over 100 games, Isaacson said he enjoyed it. 

“I looked forward to coming to the ballpark every game.  I would probably be there a half-hour before the kids were so I could collect myself and get ready for the game.”

April 28, when the Prairie Fire hosts Illinois College in a doubleheader at Blodgett Field, is being referred to as “Jim Isaacson Day.”

The Prairie Fire will honor its three senior baseball players - David Jewell (Spring Grove, IL, Richmond-Burton), Dexter Brown (Saint Joseph, MN, St. John's Prep), and Kyle Grimes (Lawrence, KS, Lawrence) – followed by a ceremony to recognize Isaacson.

A reception for Isaacson will also be held after the baseball games between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. in Memorial Gymnasium.