About Us
OUR FOUNDER
Chawn Wilson, Sr., affectionately and respectfully known as Coach Wilson, was born in Harvey, Illinois, in September 1972. He was a young man who experienced a lot of life at a young age as a result of growing up in poverty-stricken, gang-infested environment, and not having a present, active father. Coach was determined to be better than his situation. He carried a dream to not only change his life, but the lives of those around him. He was determined to be a great son, brother, father, friend, husband, coach, grandfather; he was especially determined to be man of God.
Coach Wilson ran track, played football, and wrestled until he attended college at Texas A&M Commerce, at which point he decided on track and football - with aspirations of going to the NFL - until God redirected his path and led him to teaching and coaching student athletes.
After having his five beautiful children by the age of 30 and rearing them to run track as well, he was ready to turn his dreams into a reality. So, in 2007, he moved back to Chicago to start a new life and something that would turn out to be bigger than himself. By 2008 he started his first summer track program in Country Club Hills, Illinois, with a load of athletes coached by the great Ben Averyheart (who also coached Coach Wilson since the age of four). That program would come to be known as the Warrior Athletic Club.
Over the years, Coach Wilson found success not only in coaching but in growing his relationships with athletes, not only in Illinois, but around the United States. Coach Wilson found major success in his track program, sending 100 plus athletes to college with track scholarships, producing National qualifiers and even National Champions in Summer Track and in college. Even today, Warrior Alumni come home from college to help coach during the summer.
The Warriors was more than a track club to Coach Wilson, it was a family. Though we miss Coach Wilson and his loving heart very much, we are all a product of his legacy. He was more than a coach, he was a great father figure, a great mentor, a great friend, and a true man of God - a man of honor, integrity and love. He gave pieces of his heart to all of us and that is why we are still beating as we have combined the love he gave to us and made a full heart. His love carries on through us all. Coach Wilson is gone but will NEVER be forgotten.
We will forever live by his quote:
"I'll see you at the TOP because the bottom is DEFINITELY TOO CROWDED!"
The W.A.C. Philosophy
The amateur athletic program of the Warrior Athletic Club strives to develop each athlete academically, physically, emotionally, socially, morally, and creatively. The Warrior Athletic Club believes that participation in amateur athletics is an integral part of the development of young men and women, and provides a wholesome physical outlet to complement a rigorous academic schedule. Participation on a team promotes desirable attitudes towards teamwork and team unity, social growth and maturation, and preparation for young people to meet the responsibilities of adult life. Every athlete has an opportunity to become involved in the athletic club not just as an athlete but as a member of a family. The Warrior Athletic Club is an effective method for teaching and practicing responsibility, self-reliance, and leadership. It is the Club’s philosophy that coaches, participants, and parents should strive to develop and display attitudes of good sportsmanship, good citizenship, and loyalty to achievement on and off the track. We believe that winning and losing are important only when considered in the context of how we play the game, and how we represent ourselves and the Club under the pressure of competition.