You might recall Jay Price from seeing him on the bench next to former Illini head coach Bruce Weber. But when Weber left town and headed to Kansas State, his former assistant — Price –decided to stay right here in Champaign-Urbana. After graduating from the University of Kansas, Price’s coaching career included stops at the University of Oklahoma and Purdue before coming to Illinois. He has been to three Final Fours and won one national championship. He also was a manager for the 1992 U.S. Olympic “Dream Team”. Price and his wife, a teacher, have a 12-year-old daughter, Katherine. The family has lived in Champaign since 2003. Currently Jay is one of several candidates for King of the Eastern Illinois Foodbank’s annual Prom Benefit. You can support Jay’s campaign for prom king here: http://www.crowdrise.com/JAYPRICEFORPROMKING
See why we think Jay Price is a Chambana Dad to Know.
My high school was a very small high school in Oklahoma City. We did not even have Prom King or Queen. Our prom was always in our cafeteria with a band and bad food. The highlight was getting a group together and renting a Winnebago and going to a fancy dinner. It seemed like you always just went with a group of friends. On the plus side, I did go to two proms and had dates for both. After prom, the real party happened usually at a friends house. The best part was having my midnight curfew lifted and getting home in the wee hours.
Because I don’t know how to say no. However, I was very honored when they asked me to be a part of the event. I feel that it is important to stay involved in the community and to give back as much as possible. The Eastern Illinois Foodbank serves a very important purpose in this community. I firmly believe in helping children which is also why I am also a part of the YMCA Strong Kids Committee. EIF serves a very important purpose which is making sure children do not go hungry. It is a pleasure to have the chance to help them!
After getting out of basketball I was able to work for Peter Fox for nine months. I really enjoyed learning from him. From there I was fortunate to land my current position which is Associate Director of Development with the College of Business here at the University of Illinois. I really enjoy my new position because I believe in what the CoB does, and the great alumni that have been educated here. I work with an outstanding staff that is teaching me the ropes daily. I really enjoy getting to meet with very successful graduates of the college.
After making a very difficult decision to decline going to Kansas State my wife and I decided that Champaign-Urbana was where we wanted to stay. There were many factors in this decision. Her parents live in Lafayette, Indiana which is only 90 miles away. Our daughter, Katherine, was very well adjusted to living here and she enjoys it very much. We have been fortunate to have made some of the best friends that we have ever had and felt very happy here. This community has really embraced us and made us feel like we have lived here forever.
Q: Do you miss basketball?
I don’t miss when we lose or the message boards! However, I do really miss the camaraderie of a team and the fact that I was able to help many young people earn degrees. I made relationships that will last a lifetime through basketball and I am very fortunate to have those. I am a competitive person so I miss the competition aspect of basketball. I still play and compete and was able to coach my daughters 6th grade team this past season.
Q: How have you embarrassed your daughter lately?
There are too many to mention, but a few that come to mind are the fact that I actually talk to her friends when they come over. I guess I am only to be seen and not heard (or run out for pizza.) During the basketball season I embarrassed her many times with my yelling and foot stomping!
Q: What is your favorite way to have fun with your family in C-U?
We enjoy hanging out together as a family. Whether it be attending Katherine’s games or playing tennis together. We really enjoy the time that we can spend at the pool or having cookouts at our friends’ houses!