B-Side: Finally, The Boys Satisfy The Palate Bob Jelks Jun 02, 2015

The B Side has enjoyed himself the last couple of weeks at O'Brien stadium chillin' with my guys TJones, Abe Jones, and Jeff Bryant. You put us all together and the jokes in the press box should have us opening for Kevin Hart. Every time I walk in the stadium I get all hyped up like I'm about to run and it's 1986 all over again. You realize that you are at the State Meet and it's put up or shut up time. This is my view on both state meets and what's to come. I'm sure nobody will believe this, but this was the first boys state meet I've been to since 2010. The girls meet was just more interesting to me; they had better match-ups and story lines especially in sprinting. If you know me personally or have read my blogs you know that I'm hard to impress. I was impressed this year. Yeah, we knew the outcome of a lot of events (at least I did). I tried to tell you after indoor.

The B-Side: Girls 2A/3A State Predictions by The B-Side Bob Jelks May 21, 2015

It's that time again... whew time flew by quick when you are focused and set on your goals. The annual B-Side sprint flat races and relay predictions are in order. These are purely my picks and my thoughts alone. I hope you enjoy them and good luck to all of you this weekend!

The B-Side: Sometimes The Journey Is As Good As A Title Bob Jelks May 13, 2015

The next three weeks of track and field in Illinois will be at its peak. There will be seniors running their last races at sectionals and it can be a sad day for some coaches as their athletes move on to college to continue their track and field careers. These final weeks, the coaches are focused on getting the best performances out of their athletes. Some will win conference, sectional and even state titles. In most cases the athlete won't end up on the podium or break a record.

The B-Side: The Golden Era... Child Please! Part 1 Bob Jelks Apr 22, 2015

Golden Era - "The Period when a specific art or activity is at its peak"

In the article by Jeff Miller, The Nine Ways to Recognize a Golden Age, the very first rule was to "ignore predictions". "Those who predict one is coming are always wrong because a Golden Age can't be foreseen." The third rule is a big one. "A real Golden Age is not marked by a single endeavor". The seventh rule: 'one person cannot single-handedly transform a moment into a Golden Era, let alone sustain it.'

The B-Side: 'Who's The Man (Or Woman)' Bob Jelks Mar 25, 2015

Usain, Lebron, Tom Brady, Serena and Tiger are all athletes who are the "The Man or Woman" in their respective sports. In 1993 one of my favorite cuts, 'Who's The Man?' by House of Pain was the main song to a classic movie "Who's The Man?" featuring Ed Lover, Doctor Dre & my all time favorite Bernie Mack. This weekend is the Top Times meet and the question will be asked and answered as athletes from around the state vie for the title as best of the indoor season. "Who' the Man or Woman?"

The B-Side: This Is... New Balance Indoor Nationals Bob Jelks Mar 18, 2015

Athletes are being directed to the track quickly. As they set their blocks, the announcer reads each ones name and resume of accomplishments earned prior to this meet, like a current U.S. ranking or state title. You soon realize this is not a regular meet.

The B-Side: Sectionals Bob Jelks May 14, 2014

I can't wait as state is coming closer by the blog. This week sectionals has arrived for the girls and conference meets for the boys. "Pressure busts pipes" as I always say and these last couple of weeks will tell the truth on every track and field athlete in the state.

The B-Side: Money May Bob Jelks May 07, 2014

There are two things that are guaranteed in the month of May --- Floyd “Money” Mayweather having a big boxing match and winning it; and times will drop as well as jumps and throws will increase.  It happens every year.

The B-Side: The Meeting Bob Jelks Apr 30, 2014

The older I get and the more coaches I speak with whether its club or high school, I have come to realize that no matter what level of coach, what color they are or where they live -- amazingly nationwide -- they all say and deal with the same issues.

The B-Side: The Voice Bob Jelks Apr 16, 2014

The outdoor season is about to pick up as more meets on the boys and girls side take steps closer to the state meet. There are athletes with different levels of confidence and skill sets but there is one thing all athletes must deal with and that is the "Voice.”

The B-Side: The Championship 4x100m Relay-1986 Bob Jelks Apr 02, 2014

Editor's introductory note: The 1980's produced some of the fastest times in terms of sprints throughout the Midwest and more specifically in Illinois. I986 was a special year in which the state 100m and 200m all-time records were reset.  But on this occasion one of the state's best ever quartets was assembled and poised for history of their own.  But sometimes the best don't win. B-side puts a gut wretching spin on what happened to his fabled Decatur Mac Arthur foursome.

The B-Side: C'Mon Man! Bob Jelks Mar 19, 2014

A lot of coaches and athletes found out the hard way what nationals and New York was all about. There were many who should've stayed home....

The B-Side: New York, New York Bob Jelks Mar 12, 2014


This week’s blog is a little different from my usual.  This is an inside look at my club team’s experience competing at one of the biggest meets in the country – National High School Championships in New York.

The B-Side: The Varsity Bob Jelks Mar 05, 2014

Varsity – the principal team representing a school, university or college in sports, games or other competitions.  I was reading the preview to the Thornwood Open last week. It said it was involving as many athletes as possible; this was not going to be a limited meet.  It got me to thinking about my days of running “varsity” in high school.  Things were done differently then.  You “earned” a spot on the varsity squad it was not automatic.

The B-Side: The Hunter And The Hunted Bob Jelks Feb 26, 2014

Athletes and teams all over the world, in my opinion, are put into 2 categories – the hunter and the hunted.  I have coached on both sides of the fence and get slightly more enjoyment out of being the hunter. 

The B-Side: Stay Or Go? Bob Jelks Feb 12, 2014

The high school indoor season has finally arrived! There are some athletes who have been training for a couple of months and some who have had meets with their clubs as far back as late December. The indoor season on the national scene will pick up as early as this weekend with big meets like the Simplot Games in Idaho, University of Kentucky High School Invitational, and the New Balance Indoor Nationals in New York City. Prior to these meets, there were contests hosted by Texas A&M University and the University of Arkansas. What are the benefits, if any, in attending these meets?

The B Side: Are Parents Allies Or Enemies? Bob Jelks Feb 05, 2014

Last week I touched on the subject of club coaches vs. school coaches. The topic probably got a few people riled, as I am sure this week’s topic will too. I want to touch on the subject of track parents. Some can be allies supporting their kids and the team while others can be the enemy and appear to be sabotaging their own child’s success.