MEET OUR COACHING STAFF

The Aurora Sundowners coaching staff is made up of dedicated mentors, former athletes, educators, and experienced track professionals committed to helping every athlete succeed

Head Coach, ASTC Vice President

Coach Davis brings more than 25 years of coaching experience to the Aurora Sundowners Track Club, where his journey began as a young athlete in the very same program. A proud Aurora Sundowners alumnus, Coach Davis combines firsthand experience with decades of coaching knowledge to help develop the next generation of athletes. Specializing in sprints and relays, he is dedicated to building speed, discipline, teamwork, and confidence in every athlete he mentors. Coach Davis also serves as an IHSA Certified Official, bringing valuable technical expertise and a deep understanding of the sport to the program.

Legacy Coach, President ASTC Board of Directors

Phillip Edvard Van Lear has been a member of the ASTC since 1970. He was mentored and coached by ASTC's Founder and President Emeritus, the legendary Wilbert Walters. He began his 56-year track & Field coaching career with the club as an assistant coach along with Sinclair Davis. In 1974 Phillip became the first ASTC boys coach. Two of his first boy athletes was the ASTC long-time and current Head Coach Troy Davis, and Assistant Coach Todd Drew. Since that time, he has coached for the Fox Valley Park District, West Aurora High School, North Central College, Chicago Park District, Mather High School, and Saint Ignatius College Prep High School. Upon retiring from his 35 year career as a professional Actor / Producer / Director / Spokesperson / Writer; Phillip earned his Masters Degree in Biblical Spiritual Formation and Discipleship from Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago. He also serves as a Deacon and leads the Men's Ministry at Harvest Bible Chapel in Aurora. He serves on the Aurora Civic Center Authority Board, the Auror Civic Commission on Disabilities, and the Riverfront Playhouse Board of Directors. He has lived with Acute Open-Angle Glaucoma since 2000, and serves as a Patient Advocate for the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Phillip is a 2025 Hall of Fame Inductee to the Waubonsee community college Class of 1970 basketball team. He is also a 2026 inductee into the West Aurora High School Hall of Honor. He and his wife Heather and their three children live on the westside of Aurora. To God Be the Glory.