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
Founder, President, Head Coach Emeritus
Wilbert Walters
Head Coach -
Troy Davis
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.
Assistant Head Coach -
Sharissa McQueen
Coach McQueen brings over two decades of elite coaching experience and competitive excellence to the Aurora Sundowners Track Club. Now entering her 7th season as the throws coach at Benedictine University, Coach McQueen has built an impressive collegiate coaching résumé, mentoring 4 All-Americans in the shot put, 2 NCAA National Runner-Up finishers, and guiding athletes to break NACC Indoor and Outdoor Conference records, as well as the Benedictine University indoor shot put record.
Her impact in track and field extends throughout the Chicagoland area, where she has dedicated 23 years coaching with the Aurora Sundowners, helping develop young athletes into accomplished competitors. She also served as the women’s throws coach at East Aurora High School.
A former standout athlete herself, Coach McQueen competed in the shot put and discus at West Aurora High School, bringing firsthand experience, technical expertise, and a passion for athlete development to every practice and competition.
Phil Van Lear serves as the primary representative and communications lead for the Aurora Sundowners Track Club. With a deep commitment to the Aurora community, Phil has been instrumental in advocating for the program’s role as a non-profit youth organization that fosters mentorship, physical fitness, and discipline. He emphasizes the program’s long-standing tradition of serving nearly three generations of student-athletes in School District 129, helping them build essential life skills alongside athletic achievement