This scholarship is for graduates of East Aurora High School attending a four-year college or university. Students must demonstrate involvement in one or more of the following activities:
- Tennis
- Basketball
- Track and Field
- Scholastic Bowl
- Mathlete Competitions
Susan and James Skelley were longtime educators and coaches dedicated to the students of East Aurora Schools District 131.
James began his career teaching math and coaching basketball and track at Waldo Junior High for 7 years. He then moved to East Aurora High School where he taught math and physics. James, at one time or another, taught every math course from general math to calculus. James’ coaching career included being assistant boy’s basketball coach for 9 years, girl’s varsity basketball coach for 11 years and boy’s track assistant coach for the jumping events for 10 years. He was also the coach for the Scholastic Bowl and Mathlete teams. Retiring after 36 years of teaching, James continued his involvement with East High by being a reader for scholastic bowl contests for several years and a volunteer after school math tutor for 14 years. This totaled 50 years that he was working with students at East High.
Susan taught physical education at East High for 34 years. She also held many positions within the athletic department, and was a trailblazer for interscholastic girls sports as the became part of the athletic program. Susan was Assistant Athletic Director for 31 years and served a total of 4 terms as president of the Upstate Eight girls sports program. She was the first girl’s tennis coach, and held this position for 34 years, during which she served several terms on the IHSA Tennis Advisory Board. She also was involved with the boy’s tennis team, first as an assistant for 3 years and then after retiring from teaching, she was the head varsity coach for 13 years. She retired after coaching tennis for 47 years.
Susan was also the first girl’s varsity basketball coach during which time her teams won three UEC, five regional, two sectional, and two super sectional championships. In 1982, the team finished 4th in the state tournament. In 1984, the team advanced to the Elite 8 where they lost their only game of the season by 1 point. Susan was the varsity coach for 13 seasons, and then returned to be the assistant varsity coach for 10 seasons. Susan also was the varsity girl’s track coach for one year. Susan was honored in 2015 when School District 131, the City of Aurora, and the Fox River Park District name the East Aurora/Phillips Park tennis courts as the Susan Skelley Tennis Courts.
