After 33 years of teaching and coaching at the high school level, former Morris head softball coach John Mackinson enters his fourth season on the Lewis University softball coaching staff.
Mackinson, who retired from Morris in 2008, served as the Redskins' head softball coach from 1978-96 and accumulated over 400 victories. During his tenure, Mackinson led Morris to the 1992 IHSA Class AA state championship, as well as six regional and nine conference championships. In 2002, Mackinson was inducted into the Illinois Coaches Association Softball Hall of Fame.
Former Lewis pitchers Roxanne Rude (1984-87) and his daughter Kim Mackinson (1998-2001) pitched for the Redskins during that time.
Along with his teaching responsibilities, Mackinson served as the school's head trainer and assistant basketball coach.
Mackinson also spent time in the dugout during the summer, as he managed both the 18U and 16U Orland Sparks from 1997 through 2002.
From 2003-09, he coached both the 16U and 18U Morris Rowdie Katz and helped the 18U squad to a third-place finish in the ASA "B" National Tournament.
Mackinson and his wife Kathy reside in Morris. The couple has three grown children, John, Kim and Jason.
