By Greg Myers
The lights were on Monday night at Pierce Field at Sparta High Sccool, but no game was played after popular teacher and the school’s head football coach was killed by a train Monday afternoon in Belleville. It was an apparent suicide, according to Belleville police.
Phillip Watson, 50, of Sparta was struck by an eastbound train at Illinois 159 and Douglas Avenue in the Belleville-Swansea area. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:33 p.m. Death was due to blunt force trauma, according to St. Clair County Deputy Coroner Dan Haskenhoff.
According to police, Watson was reported missing at 1:04 p.m. Monday by his wife and was described as possibly suicidal.
“Witnesses have stated that they saw him (Watson) step up and lay down on the tracks,” according to Belleville police.
Watson was a standout athlete who played college football at Culver-Stockton.
As a coach, Watson started and established the Wesclin program in 2001, compiling a 26-14 record over four seasons.
After spending two years as head coach at Centralia, Watson came to Sparta in 2009.
When hired, Watson described himself as an intense but fun coach.
“I am very intense on the field, but I also like to have fun,” said Watson. “I like to think of myself as a decent football schemer and a player’s coach. You really have to get to know your soldiers before they will go to battle for you.”
Watson’s record at Sparta was 0-17, but he seemed to get the most out of his players each game.
Watson was described by former and current players as a motivator and a role model.
A sophomore game scheduled for Monday was cancelled, but the final home varsity game against Red Bud is still on for Friday night.
During the basketball season, the flamboyant Watson could been seen wearing an old basketball uniform and a wig as he led the team onto the floor carrying a flag. He was also the vocal leader of the student section during the games.
Watson was a physical education teacher at the high school and at Lincoln Middle School.
In a note read to students Tuesday, “As you all probably heard from friends, family or from the news, coach Watson died yesterday afternoon.  This news shocks and saddens all of us. As we hear more information on arrangements from the family, we will keep you informed. “
“There are counselors available today in the conference room and the library. To talk with a counselor, you need to let your teacher know and get a pass. Counselors will be available all day today.”
“People are crying and people are upset,” said Sparta Superintendent Larry Beattie. “Colleagues and students are grieving.”