Published on May 14, 2025
Jon Rivers, the first baseball coach at John A. Logan College who laid the foundation for one of the nation’s top community college programs, died this week at 81.
Rivers launched the JALC baseball program in 1969 and guided it through its formative years, helping transform the Vols into one of the top programs in the country. Known for his dedication on and off the field, Rivers later served as Chair of the Career and Technical Education Department, where he taught Drafting and Computer-Aided Design until his retirement in 2000. He spent a total of 32 years in service to the college.
“We appreciate the foundation Jon Rivers set for John A. Logan College,” said current JALC baseball coach Kyle Suprenant. “We had the pleasure of honoring him recently, and I know he was proud of all the program has accomplished.”
A graveside service is scheduled for Friday, May 16, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. at Rosehill Cemetery. Attendees are asked to arrive shortly before the service begins.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Rivers’ memory to the John A. Logan College Foundation/Baseball.