 "Photo: N/A")
Phyllis Sackett, the wife of former cross country and track and field Head Coach, Jim Sackett, died of a heart attack on May 18. She was 69.
Jim Sackett was the cross country and track coach at Cal Poly from 1980 to 2007. It was under Sackett that the cross country team won the NCAA Div. II National Championship title in 1983.
Sackett earned the Div. II National Coach of the Year award two times, the national Coach of the Year award four times and also won both the West Region Coach of the Year and CCAA Coach of the Year awards four times each during his career.
Shortly after announcing his retirement in the summer of 2007, Sackett was inducted into the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
“I think Coach Sackett’s success over the years is a prime example of how well the two of them were able to show their love for each other, their passion for the sport, their passion for the young men and women at Cal Poly,” said Tony Reyes, assistant coach of the cross country and track and field teams.
Sackett was a committed and supportive wife who taught special needs children in Orange County. She was described as having an outstanding ability to reach out to kids who were physically or mentally challenged.
Reyes said Phyllis Sackett was also known for being a great hostess. She knew how to make people feel welcome and loved planning parties down to the last detail.
She also spent time at home raising her children alongside her husband.
Sackett’s impact on the Bronco Athletic family was tremendous.
“I think the old saying goes that ‘behind every outstanding man is probably a more outstanding woman’ and I don’t think there is any coach [who] would argue with that,” Reyes said.
Sackett and her husband were married for more than 30 years. She was described as one of coach Sackett’s biggest supporters.
“Coach Sackett made a comment that he routinely made regarding Phyllis’ support for him, [that] throughout his coaching career, she was completely committed to his job, to what he did,” Reyes said.
The funeral service was held last Tuesday. Those in attendance included Cal Poly Alumni and members of the Bronco Athletic Department.
All were given the opportunity to share what they remembered most about Sackett.
“I think she’ll be remembered as somebody who supported Coach Sackett throughout those 26 years in making the program what it is,” Reyes said.
Sackett was in Sun City West, Ariz. when she died.
Reach Kirk Hemans at: sports@thepolypost.com
Be the first to comment on this article!