Coach will be tough to replace
Long-time Adam Scott Lions coach Linda deJeu retiring after 30 years; field house at school’s main field has been named after her
Adam Scott Collegiate is bracing for “Life after Linda.”
It will be tough to replace what Linda deJeu has contributed to the school and its students for 30 years. She’s been a fixture not only with Lions teams but on local, regional and provincial boards governing high school athletics. At the end of June, deJeu, 54, is retiring. Colleagues hosted a reception for deJeu with past students and coworkers at Peterborough Golf and Country Club on Friday night.
Jenny Knox was in Grade 11 when deJeu arrived at Scott in 1987 and became her basketball and volleyball coach. In recent years deJeu coached Knox’s daughter Aly in track and field. Knox, who followed deJeu into the education field, is vice-president of OFSAA and will assume the president’s role in September. She says deJeu remains a mentor.
“She is a wonderful role model to all kids and a mentor to all teachers,” Knox said. “She puts kids first and has the most integrity of anyone I know. She’s a wonderful coach and teacher.”
Judy Kitchen was also part of deJeu’s entry class.
“My favourite quote is that a good coach can change a game but a great coach can change your life. She was that to us,” Kitchen said.
“She was competitive but she was humble and she could motivate you in a really caring way. She was approachable. Teenage girls look for mentors they can share things with. She made time for everyone.”
Tasha Deline was an early student of deJeu and is now a teacher at Chemong Public School and her husband Steve is deJeu’s colleague at Scott. “One of her mottos was ‘make a difference every day.’ She is a woman who has certainly done that,” Deline said. “She’s in that school before 7 o’clock every morning. She acknowledges how everybody contributes on staff to make it a wonderful working environment. She’s there for the students.”
At the school’s recent athletic awards, the field house next to the main field was named the Linda deJeu Field House.
“She is one of the most wonderful role models I have ever met,” said Adam Scott vice-principal Mike Burke. “If my daughters grow up to be anywhere near the person Linda is, I would be a very proud father.”
Adam Scott was deJeu’s first and only teaching job coming out of Queen’s University after an undergrad degree at McMaster University. The Innerkip native excelled in javelin, discus and shot put at Mac. She was inducted into the Marauders Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003.
She coached girls basketball, rugby, softball, track and field and once led volleyball teams to three straight OFSAA appearances. She taught math, geography, worked in the library and guidance but will be most remembered for teaching physical and health education.
“There are not many schools around that can boast having a five sport coach,” said fellow teacher coach Sandy Keay.
“Her student-athletes know her as an organized, efficient leader who routinely focused on developing the athlete, no matter what their natural ability, rather than placing an emphasis on wins and losses. On the bench she was the picture of composure and she instilled a sporting code of behaviour in her players that they could carry forward into their lives.”
DeJeu has been Kawartha District rep for 25 years and on the COSSA and OFSAA executives since 2004 and 2002, respectively.
At the 2001 provincial volleyball championships deJeu was presented the Leadership in Sport Award. She was awarded the Ministry Service Award in 2009 and this year received a recognition award for long service.
“It’s been my second home,” deJeu said, of Adam Scott. “It’s been unbelievable. Great students. Great parents. Great staff to work with and wonderful administration. It’s been awesome.”
She was touched to see students from her first year back to honour her.
“That crew I had my first couple of years was phenomenal. It kind of reaffirmed I’d made the right decision to teach. Their energy and enthusiasm made me think if this is what high school and education is about, I’m loving it. I loved coaching and being with the kids. It’s a different relationship from the classroom. Being around the kids was always so much fun.”
While she plans to take a break in her first year of retirement, deJeu expects to keep a hand in school sports.
“I think I’d like to stay on with OFSSA in an advisory (role). Kawartha District is dear to my heart so I’ll definitely still be involved in that whether I’m a volunteer at track meets or become a volleyball official, I don’t know yet. I love the kids so I’ll probably go back and help with track and field.”