On the Sidelines: A Muffin Pan and the Lives of Two Great Du Quoin Indian Managers
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Dressed in matching clothes--red and black for the Du Quoin Indians of course--Dave Eaton and Linda Paris go far beyond a typical high school sports manager.
First, Eaton and Paris have helped take care of sideline duties at Du Quoin High School basketball (boys and girls), football and volleyball for a combined 35-plus years. Eaton has more than 20 years as manager and Paris, his girlfriend of 22 years, has 15 years.
Du Quoin Superintendent Gary Kelly said Eaton has been a fixture on the sidelines even before he became the school's top administrator back in 1993.
"They were helping before I got here," said Kelly. "They both have an interest in sports and really enjoy helping. They are both just very good people and they want to help and contribute to the athletic department. They take their job as manager very seriously and we're happy and fortunate to have them."
Eaton grew up in Thompsonville and went to West Frankfort High School where he also served as a manager in baseball and basketball. He made his way to Du Quoin several years ago when he started working at Five Star Industries, a not-for-profit organization that primarily serves Perry County and provides vocational opportunities and life skills for individuals who had not previously had those opportunities. It was at Five Star that Eaton and Paris met more than two decades ago and the two have been a "couple" ever since.
"It's very gratifying to me and I really like working with the athletes," said Eaton. "I wasn't ever able to play sports because of the disability that I have so this is the next best thing. I really love what I do and being on the sidelines."
Paris, who gave credit to Dave for the idea about the matching outfits, said she loves being a part of the team.
"I fill the water cups and Dave give them to the players," said Paris. "I feel really good about the work I do as manager. It's very rewarding work for me."
Legendary Du Quoin football coach Al Martin gave Eaton and Paris high marks for their many years of work with Indians' football.
"First of all they are both very conscientious as managers," said Martin."They just do a super job of taking care of the athletes."
Martin said on many instances Eaton and Paris have come to him with ideas to improve their jobs.
"I think it's a talent they have but they have thought of a lot of things through the years to make things better for all of us," said Martin. Sometimes it's just something simple that's slipped our minds. They're just good folks and we're happy to have them involved in our program."
"Longtime WDQN play-by-play man Seve Marek has known the couple for more than 20 years. Marek noted that Dave and Linda were named "Fans of the Year" by the Du Quoin Elks in 2010--an honor he said was "well deserved." Echoing Coach Martin's words about bringing innovative ideas to their role as manager, Marek gave an example that involved of all things, a muffin pan.
"I saw a muffin pan on top of the water cooler and I asked Dave, 'what in the world is this?'" Marek said."He showed me that the holes in the pan were the exact same size as the cups of water...so he could take 12 cups of water to the team all at the same time. It fit perfectly...who else would have thought of that."
Marek said he has watched Eaton and Paris for more than 20 years faithfully do their volunteer job at both home and away games.
"I can't say enough superlatives about them," said Marek. "They both have had challenges in their lives and have overcome a lot of obstacles. They are two very good Indians' fans and are both just fine people. And, they both do a great job and are a true asset to the sports program at Du Quoin High School."