The "Armour" name has been a staple within the Niles West athletic department for decades and continues to signify greatness within the halls of Niles West. Coach
Jean Armour started teaching physical education in the fall of 1966 at Niles West after graduating from Northern Illinois University. She continued teaching at West until
the day she retired in 1999. During her career Jean worked to develop the dance curriculum and other physical fitness courses for students.

Jean's first coaching position was as the head coach of the Cheerleading team, which she served for 9 years. In the spring of 1973, Girls’ Track & Field was approved by the IHSA as a competitive sport at the state and local level and Jean was assigned to be the head coach with little to no experience. Jean was a quick study under the guidance of future and fellow hall of famer, Coach Ron Campbell who was serving as the boys' track & field head coach. Jean went on to coach the girls’ cross country and girls’ gymnastics teams as well in her tenure.

Jean thanks all the many great assistant coaches and athletes that she had the pleasure of knowing during her days at West and credits them all for her many coaching accomplishments. Jean stated “I was fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and coach so many amazing young women. Making a commitment to the after-school activities and sports programs, gave me a chance to help students in so many ways.”

Since retiring, Jean has remained active in the Women’s Golf Association in her Arizona community and has been responsible for the past 9 years of taking photos and making videos for the organization. She sits on the golf committee for the yearly charity event, “Swing for Hope” which has raised thousands of dollars each year for cancer research at the University of Arizona Cancer Center.

Jean has been married to former Niles West coach and great, John Armour since 1968 and has been a local resident of Morton Grove since 1969. Their daughter Mindy attended Niles West and has followed in her mother’s footsteps by becoming a teacher at West and teaching the dance curriculum at Niles West and Niles North. Soon, their grandsons, Cody and Jake will be students at Niles West too.

Jean and John now spend their winters in sunny Arizona, where they both enjoy an active retirement by golfing, working out, dancing, sight-seeing, and spending time with great friends. She feels extremely fortunate to have been able to teach and coach at Niles West and we congratulate Coach Armour on her induction into the Niles West Athletic Hall of Fame.