In spite of two Chicago area hockey teams, the Wolves and the Steel, the lone bright spots on the professional sports scene, or, perhaps because of it, we turn to awards and honors for coaches in the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA).
The IBCA will hold its evening Hall of Fame Banquet and Coach of the Year Luncheon Saturday, April 30 at Redbird Arena on the campus of the Illinois State University.
• The college men coaches of the year, 13 in all, included John Baines, Elmhurst University; Joe Kuhn, Joliet Junior College; Mile Schauer, Wheaton College; Brad Underwood, University of Illinois; and Dew Valentine, Loyola University Chicago. Many coaches were successful in won-loss in the recently-concluded season, however, none more than Elmhurst head coach John Baines. Ellmhust took second place in the 64-team Division III tournament.
• The college women coaches of the year, included: Doug Bruno, DePaul University; Kristen Gillespie, Illinois State University; John McGinty, University of St. Francis; Stephanie Wheeler, University of Illinois.
• High school boys coaches of the year, included: Brett Porto, Burlington Central; Deryn Carter, Larkin; Bryan Tucker, Barrington; Erin Dwyer, St. Francis; Mike Healy, Wheaton Warrenville South; Gene Heidkamp, Benet Academy; Jason Opoka, Glenbard West; Aaron Sovern, Yorkville Christian; Robert Brost, Bolingbrook; Ryan Velasquez, Oswego East.
• High school girls coaches of the year, included: Collin Kalamatas, Burlington Central; Joshua Foster, St. Charles East; Steve Raethz, Huntley; Todd Fisher, IC Catholic Prep; Shannon Spanos, Montini Catholic; Stephan Bolt, Downers Grove North; David Eaton, Wheaton North; Joe Killbride, Benet Academy; Erin Colletti, Naperville North; Edward Stritzel, Nazareth Academy; PJ McKinney, Newark; Eileen Copenhaver, Providence Catholic; Christopher Smith, Bolingbrook; Dave Campanile, Lincoln-Way Central; John Placher, Joliet West;.
• Oswego earlier this week announced that David Lay was hired as the school’s girls head basketball coach to replace John Carlson who stepped down at the conclusion of the season. Coach Lay was the head coach at Plano High School the previous four years.
• Matt Sinnott, assistant men’s cross country coach at North Central college, and former coach at West Aurora High School for 10 years, will serve as the interim cross country coach while the school conducts a national search for the next men’s head coach of track an field. Sinnott has been a member of the North Central staff since 2013. Head coach in both men’s cross country and track, Frank Gramarasso, recently announced plans to retire June 30 following a remarkable 39-year coach career.
• Ignoring struggles of Chicago teams Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, and White Sox, we take note that playoff-bound Chicago Wolves clinched the best franchise won-loss record, 48-16-5-5, in the American Hockey League. The Wolves were 21 points ahead of second-place Manitoba. Playoffs will begin soon. The Chicago Steel were two points ahead of Dubuque.