GALESBURG, Illinois—Long time baseball coach James R. "Jimmy" Isaacson passed away on Friday, December 21. Jimmy was the head coach for the Knox College baseball team from 1989-97, winning 119 games. He then served as associate head coach under his son, Jami, for another 13 seasons before retiring after the 2012 season.

"The game was his passion and the players and the kids were his love," said Jami Isaacson. "He got great joy of watching young men become men."

His leadership on the field was unmatched. He demanded excellence, but was the first to congratulate players as they walked off the field. Baseball wasn't just a game to him, it was a way to teach life lessons. His players always knew that he cared for them and in turn they cared for him.

Former player Colin Davis '11 is extremely grateful to have played for Jimmy. "Of the many gifts he had, Jimmy's greatest gift was the ability to teach and reach players. He'd firmly remind you that you'd messed up, then immediately be ready with a gentle hand and a wry smile that helped you quickly move on to the next play," said Davis. "He never stopped teaching you on the field, and never let you believe—not even for a second—that he didn't unconditionally love you both on and off the field. Jimmy was one of the finest men I've ever known, and both he and his son have done as much as anyone outside of my family to shape me into the person I am now."

Jimmy was named Midwest Conference Coach of the Year twice and led the Knox baseball team to five conference tournament appearances. His 1997 team won 20 games, a Knox record until the 2013 team won 22 games. He was also an assistant coach when the 2008 team won the Midwest Conference Championship.

"Coach Jimmy was an inspiration to many ball players throughout his coaching career," said former Knox assistant baseball coach and Galesburg High School graduate Shad Steck. "There is not a player he had that didn't walk away a better person. He challenged every player to become better at the game, but more importantly taught them to be successful in the game of life. 'Jimmy Ball' will still be around baseball dugouts for years to come."

Jimmy's baseball legacy also continues with his son and grandson. His son Jami remains the head baseball coach at Knox and recently won his 300^th collegiate game. Jimmy's grandson Peyton won a national championship with the Coastal Carolina baseball team in 2016 and led the nation in saves in 2018 at Division II Saint Leo.

"I got to meet Jimmy at the celebration for Jami's 300^th win," said director of athletics Daniella Irle. "You could see that smile that everyone talks about, he was genuinely happy and proud of his son. Our thoughts are with his family and the Galesburg and Knox community as we mourn the loss of a great coach, mentor, friend and family member."

Jimmy coached baseball for 48 years, all in the Galesburg area. He won 1,172 games while coaching for the Galesburg Post 285 legion program, Carl Sandburg College, the Galesburg Pioneers, and Knox College.

Former athletic director Harley Knosher hired Jimmy in 1988 to lead the Knox College baseball program. "As just about everyone in Galesburg knows Jim Isaacson was the best baseball man the town and the college will ever hope to see," said Knosher. "His knowledge of the game and his ability to teach it were only exceeded by his great regard and respect for his players. We were proud and very fortunate to have Jim as our coach during my time at Knox."

Jimmy graduated from Galesburg High School in 1958 and won the state legion tournament as a player that summer. He began his coaching career with Post 285 in 1964. He coached with the legion for 26 years, making nine state tournament appearances and winning a state title in 1971. He was named the Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year in 1971 and District Coach of the Year in 1974. He was also named to the Galesburg High School Hall of Fame in 2013 and the American Legion Hall of Coaches.

Jimmy took the reins of Carl Sandburg College in 1969 and coached there for 15 years. He also coached the Galesburg Pioneers in the Central Illinois Collegiate League from 1972-75, winning the league championship in 1974.

Jimmy also co-founded the Galesburg JFL program and served as a board member for 30 years. He coached JFL, YMCA basketball, and the Traveling Streaks. Jimmy served as an associate scout with the Cleveland Indians from 1972-77 and with the Tampa Bay Rays from 2002-10. He was the Galesburg Jaycees "Community Man of the Year" in 1980.

The visitation will be on Thursday, December 27 at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home from 4:00-7:00 p.m. The service will also take place at Watson-Thomas on Friday, December 28 at 11:00 a.m. Watson-Thomas is located at 1849 North Seminary Street in Galesburg.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Compassus or the Knox College Jimmy Fund.