By Sophia Doan and Sadie York
Jason Ly, Westmont’s infamous sprinting coach, who can often be spotted sporting a bucket hat and sipping on his vibrant yellow Panera Sip Club drink. He’s known for leading the team to create a winning reputation among the district. When he’s not late, he pushes the team through strenuous lactic workouts, yells at freshman, and runs Flying Turtles, his off season club team. While not on the track, Jason enjoys running a staffing company, matchmaking people on the team, and scrolling through Instagram reels.
Come with us to dive into the brain of this iconic man.
How long have you been coaching?
18 years.
What made you want to be a track coach?
I didn’t want to run in college. I wanted to continue in the sport and I didn’t feel like racing anymore so I wanted to coach.
Did you do track in high school?
Yes I did. I did the 4×1 relay, 4×4 relay, the 200, 400 and sometimes the 100.
What were your times?
Fast. 21.84 in the 200 and 49.80 in 400.
Where were you born?
San Jose.
How do you feel about Panera Sip Club?
Great. I’m cheap so I love it.
What is JL staffing?
JL staffing is a hospitality temp staffing company where we send in helpers to events.
How did you start JL staffing?
….That one is a long process where people always asked for help for events so I gave them help and started making money off of it.
How did you start hiring high school students for JL staffing?
Cheap labor. I know that our high school kids are reliable. They’ll show up and do the work. Which I can’t say the same thing for some of my adults.
What is your typical track meet attire?
Whatever polo Paul gives us and comfy pants. Gotta have my bucket hat because I don’t want to burn and tan.
It’s been said that you get all of your coaching techniques from Instagram, is this true?
I get a lot of my supplementary material. Which a smart coach should. The rest come from Youtube, coaching clinics and years of trial and error.
Is your girlfriend supportive of your coaching?
That she is. She shows up and watches a lot even though she stays kind of silent.
What does your typical breakfast consist of?
I usually fast. I don’t eat till lunch.
Is matchmaking your hidden passion?
Only if they listen to my suggestions.
What is your military background?
8 years in the Marine Corps Infantry.
What made you want to join the military?
That is still a decision I don’t know. I wanted to do something different.
Why did you leave?
Cause I found that it actually sucks in the military.
Why Westmont high school?
They were the ones that hired me first.
How do you train your son differently than Westmont athletes?
I don’t to be honest, although I have higher standards for him.
How long do you plan on coaching?
I’ll stop as soon as I can find a replacement.
Have you ever threatened a student?
All the time. I threatened to shot put somebody who mentioned relay this year, oh and I threaten to shoot someone with the starter gun all the time.
What’s your favorite bucket hat?
I guess those gray ones I have. I don’t pay attention my girlfriend just buys a s*** ton of them. She knows I tan and I don’t want to tan any more.
What was your GPA in high school?
3.83, something like that. Crashed a bit in high school. I failed English honors. Honors is stupid.
Did you ever have detention in high school?
Nope. Never got caught. You got to be slick like that, kids.
