Hall of Fame
The IHSSBCA Coaches’ Hall of Fame was established in 2005 to recognize the career achievements of Illinois coaches. Each Hall of Fame class is selected by the vote of the IHSSBCA’s Hall of Fame voting committee. The Hall of Fame coaches are honored each year at the IHSSBCA Awards Banquet. Download the Hall of Fame policies page for more information about the Hall of Fame process.
Hall of Fame Coaches
Class of 2024
Sharon Robinson Lorinskas
Varsity Coach, Carbondale High School 2001-
IHSA Regional Champions 2001-
IHSA State Champions 2009
IHSA State Runners-Up 2006
IHSA State Third Place 2014
IHSA State Fourth Place 2010, 2012, 2024
Masonic State Champions 2009
Masonic State Runners-up 2008, 2011
Masonic State Third Place 2012
Masonic State Fourth Place 2013
PACE National Scholastic Championship Fifth Place 2012
Team Illinois Coach 2012-2014, 2016, 2023
Team Illinois National Champions 2016
IHSSBCA Steering Committee 2008-
IHSSBCA Chair 2014-2018
IHSA Advisory Committee 2023-
Yousef K. Matariyeh
Scholastic Bowl Coach of Lisle Senior High School 2004-2024
Five IHSA State Tournament Appearances
IHSA State Champions 2009-2010
IHSA State Champions 2010-2011
IHSA State Runner Up 2013-2014
Two Masonic State Tournament Appearances
Masonic State Champions 2011
Masonic State Runner Up 2004
Titles, record, and recognitions pale in comparison to the lives impacted by Scholastic Bowl
David Reinstein
Coached great students for 17 years at New Trier
Over 1000 wins
IHSSBCA Chair for 10 years
Hosts a lot of tournaments
Writes a lot of questions
Grateful to the Illinois Scholastic Bowl Community
Class of 2023
James Campbell
Riverdale High School Coach
Over 500 Career Wins
5 IHSA Sectional Titles
2016 IHSA State Fourth Place
2015 Masonic State Second Place
2017 Masonic State Champions
Marcia Nelson
Hoffman Estates High School Coach
1995 IHSA Sectional Champions
Hundreds of Career Wins
Countless Students Inspired
Ann Propheter (1949-2024)
Newman Central High School Coach
Six IHSSBCA All-State Honorees
Eight IHSA Regional Titles
IHSA State Third Place 2014 and 2015
Masonic State Champions 2014 and 2015
Class of 2022
Brian T. Courtney
Centralia High School Scholastic Bowl Coach 1991-2000
Over 300 Career Wins
4 IHSA Sectional Titles
IHSA State Champions 1991
Texaco Star National Tournament 1991
Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl Runner-Up 2001
Charles “Skip” Lee
Rock Falls High School Head Scholastic Bowl Coach 2000-2011
Rock Falls High School Assistant Scholastic Bowl Coach 1997-2000
IHSA Regional Champions 2002, 2005
Masonic Bowl Regional Champions 2001, 2010
Masonic Regional Champions 2002
Masonic Sectional Fouth Place 2010
Coached 2002 IHSSBCA All-State Player Logan Bell
Member IHSSBCA Steering Committee
Moderator and Tournament Host
Dr. Noah Prince
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy Scholastic Bowl Coach 2009-2014
Normal Community High School Scholastic Bowl Player 1998-2002
IHSA State Champions 2011-2014
Top-Four Finishes at PACE NSC, NAQT HSNCT, and National History Bowl
Writer and Editor for IMSANITY and IHSA State Series
To an outsider, my legacy will be described by numbers: around 500 wins, a History Bowl State title, two NAQT State titles, two Masonic State titles, four straight IHSA State championships, and some nice finishes at Nationals. To me, my legacy is [my players].
Class of 2021
Barbara Amster
Coach, Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School 1998-2013
Over 300 team wins and 25 top-four finishes in large tournaments
15 IHSA Regional Championships
IHSA sectional champions and state qualifiers in 2004, 2005, 2010
Southwest Suburban Conference Tournament Champions 2006, 2013; 2nd Place 2011, 2012
4 SICA Conference Championships
Masonic Sectional Champions and State Qualifiers 2008, 2012
Sister Elaine Freund, ASC
Coach, Gibault Catholic High School 1987 –
Over 450 team victories
2nd in Scholastic Hi-Q 2003, 2019
Catholic Schools Tournament Champions 2013, 2020
8 IHSA Regional Titles 1994, 1995, 2003, 2006, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021
4 IHSA Sectional Titles 1994, 1995, 2003, 2019
Masonic Sectional Champions, 2020
IHSA State Fourth place in 1994, 1995, 2003; State Qualifier 2019
Dr. Todd J. Koehl
First Coach of Normal Community High School 1986-1999
Team Record 336-148
3 IHSA regional titles
3 IHSA sectional titles
IHSA State Qualifier in 1988, 1994, 1995
The honor of this moment belongs to the students from whom I learned so much,
with whom I laughed so hard, and for whom I hold the deepest gratitude for
sharing their time with me. It was always fun.
Class of 2020
Kevin Palmer
Coach, William Fremd High School (Palatine) 1995-2020
During his career, Kevin accumulated an aggregate record of 1,347 wins and 530 losses. He coached his team to ten championships in the Mid Suburban League spanning his entire career, winning in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2018, and 2019. His teams claimed 18 IHSA Regional championships and advanced to IHSA State in 2006, 2013, and 2015, claiming the Class AA IHSA State championship in 2006 and third place in 2015. His teams have also had great success at Masonic State, taking home the championships in 2005 and 2006; placing fourth in 2011 and second in 2014 in Class 2A; and taking third in 2014, fourth in 2016, and fourth again in 2018 in Class 3A. Throughout his career, Kevin hosted large tournaments at Fremd that contributed significantly to the annual tournament schedule in his area.
Jim Stankevitz
Coach, Wheaton-Warrenville South High School 1995-2017
During his 22-year coaching career, Jim’s team accumulated 752 wins and 14 championships in the DuPage Valley Conference. Jim coached his teams to 13 championships at IHSA Regionals, and they advanced to IHSA State in 1996, where they took third place. Jim was a frequent host of IHSA Regional and Sectional tournaments, and of Masonic Sectional tournaments. Outside of coaching, he has served as a moderator at the IHSA State Championship tournament.
Christina D. Tracy
Coach, Rossville-Alvin High School 1988-2004
Christina D. Tracy coached at Rossville-Alvin High School from 1988-2004, ending her coaching career just before the school closed. Her teams accumulated a record of 539 wins and 118 losses. They won 14 Vermillion County championships and eight championships at invitational tournaments. Christina coached her teams to five IHSA Regional championships; they won Sectionals and advanced to the IHSA State Championship in 1995. Her teams also found success at Masonics, winning five Sectional Championships over her career. She is a charter member of the IHSSBCA.
Class of 2019
David Boersma
Coach, Evergreen Park 1987-2008
David Boersma coached at Evergreen Park for 21 years, starting in 1987 just after the Masonic and IHSA Tournaments got started. His teams won over 200 matches, including two Suburban Prairie Conference Championships. David was an outstanding host of IHSSBCA Turnabouts at Evergreen Park for seven years, attracting interest to IHSSBCA tournaments from South Suburban schools.
Kay Dyer
Coach, Quincy High School
Kay Dyer coached middle school Scholastic Bowl for five years before becoming the coach at Quincy High School in 2003. Her teams consistently competed at a high level and were also known for their sense of fairness. Kay worked with a booster team that raised funds for her team in order to be able to travel to tournaments.
Debbie Martin
Coach, PORTA (Petersburg)
Debbie Martin started out as a Scholastic Bowl participant at Waverly High School. She then coached at PORTA during the 1990s before moving to Tennessee. Her team finished 2nd in the 1999 IHSA State Tournament. Debbie served on the IHSSBCA Steering Committee back when IHSSBCA was a new organization, and she helped coach Team Illinois at the Panasonic Academic Championship. Debbie also helped run Masonic State and several other tournaments.
Class of 2018
Frank Bellucci ( -2021)
Coach, Saint Ignatius College Prep School 1996-2010
Assistant Coach, DePaul College Prep School 2015-2018
Over 400 career wins
7 conference championships
3 IHSA Regional titles
Illinois Masonic Academic Bowl Tournament Champions 2010
PACE 2010 National Scholastic Championship Tournament 15th place
Moderator and reader at IHSA Regional and local tournaments
Linda Greene
Coach, Rockford Auburn High School 1993-2017
More than 2200 career wins (Varsity A team)
NIC-10 conference champions 19 times
IHSA Regional champions 19 times
IHSA Sectional champions and final four at IHSA State 16 consecutive years 2002-2017
IHSA State Champions in 2008 and 2015; Masonic State Champions in 2008; NAQT State Champions six times between 2008-2016
Finished in the top 8 at PACE and NAQT Nationals 7 times between 2009-2016
Hosted Knights’ Challenge tournament for 18 years, HFT Mirror tournament for 9 years, and Loyburn tournament
IHSSBCA charter member and secretary 2004-present
IHSA Advisory Committee 2012-2014
Question writer and certified moderator
Donna Robinson
Coach, Niantic-Harristown and Sangamon Valley High School 1988-2010
Over 440 career wins
3 IHSA State appearances
IHSA Class A State Champions 1996
Created and hosted the Niantic Open for over 10 years
Hosted multiple IHSA Regionals and Sectionals
Moderated IHSA, Masonic Sectionals, and local tournaments
IHSA Moderator 1997-2011
IHSA Advisory Committee member 1994-1998
Class of 2017
Dave Adkins
Scholastic Bowl Coach Springfield High School, 2001-2015
Varsity Record 795-301
Nine Conference Championships
IHSA Sectional Champions 2008, 2009, 2014
4th Place IHSA State Tournament 2008
3rd Place Masonic State Tournament 2007
Co-coach of Team Illinois – 2008 National Championship Team
Anna Morris (1944-2020)
Scholastic Bowl Coach Herrin High School, 1980–1994
More than 500 career wins
Helped organize Williamson County Scholar Bowl and SIU Scholastic Hi-Q Tournaments
Played in South Seven and River-to-River Conference
Tournaments: Masonic State, IHSA State, SIU, Williamson County, WPSD, KSDK, SIU-HQ, John A. Logan College, Vanderbilt University University of Illinois, and Rice University
Member of the IHSA Scholastic Bowl Advisory Committee
John Rathbun
E.N. Woodruff High School (Peoria) 1993-2000
Masonic State Champions, 1997
IHSA State Tournament Manager for 15 years
Founding Member of IHSSBCA and First Treasurer
Co-founder of the Peoria Area Scholastic Bowl League
Coordinator of the Peoria Area Scholastic Bowl League, 2003-present
Class of 2016
Mark A. Grant
Coach at PORTA High School (Petersburg) 2004-2015
Record: 408-67
IHSA Class A State Champions, 2008
3rd Place in 2007, 4th Place in 2011
Masonic 4th Place in 2008 (one-class system)
Masonic Class A 3rd Place in 2011
PORTA Tournament Director 2004-2015
IHSA State Finals Moderator 2014, 2015
Suellyn Rieckelman
Coach at Macomb High School, 1995-2016
Class A IHSA State Qualifiers in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011
IHSA Class A 2nd Place in 2011, 3rd Place in 2010
Class AA IHSA State Qualifiers in 2012, 2013, 2016
IHSA Class AA 2nd Place in 2012, 3rd Place in 2013
Masonic State Qualifiers 2010-2013, 2015-2016
Masonic Class A 2nd Place in 2011, 3rd Place in 2010
Masonic Class AA 2nd Place in 2013
Masonic Class 2A 2nd Place in 2015, 3rd Place in 2016
Dr. Jane A. Simmons
Coach at Maine East High School (Park Ridge), 1987-1993
Record: 268-50
Founded school program, founded conference, hosted tournaments
IHSA Sectional titles in 1988 and 1993
Excelled as a teacher and counselor for almost 30 years at Maine East
Class of 2015
Tom Draski
Varsity Scholastic Bowl Coach, Fenwick High School 1999-2011
594-202 Record
IHSA State Series 4th Place (2001, 2004), Final 8 (2005)
3 Sectional Championships
8 Regional Championships
10 League Championships
Bob Pierce
Breese Central High School for 9 years
345-90 Record
Most Wins on Scholastic Hi-Q through 1991
Three-Time Conference Champions in Cahokia Conference
Three-Time Conference Champions in South Central Scholastic Conference
As Answers Plus A+, supplied questions to the IHSA State Series, the Masonic Academic Bowl State Series, Show Me Academic Bowl, Michigan State Quiz Bowl, and the IESA State Series
Deb Voorhees
Bloomington High School Varsity and JV Coach 1998-2008
508-175 Record
IHSA Sectional Champion 2006, 2007
IHSA Regional Champion 2003-2008
IHSSBCA Secretary and Treasurer
Hosted Conference, Regionals, Sectionals, Masonic Tournaments, and Team Illinois Tryouts
Class of 2014
Christine Beem
Coach, Stillman Valley High School, 1997–2004
Record: 262–98
IHSA Regional Winner: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
IHSA Sectional Winner: 2002, 2003
IHSA Class A State Tournament Champion: 2003
Illinois Masonic Bowl: Regional Winner 2002, 2003; State Third 2003, Fourth 2001
Mid-Northern Conference Champions: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
Kristi Robertson
Libertyville High School, 1992–2010
525 Wins
3rd in State, 1997
4th in State, 2007
State Qualifier, 1996, 2002
4 Sectional Titles
8 Regional Titles
8 Conference Titles
Jeff Vallosio
Peoria Heights High School, 1977-1979 and 1987-2013
Helped establish PHHS Scholastic Bowl
Coached 28 years with 1105-570 varsity record
1 PAL, 17 conference, 3 Peoria County Championships
Third at IHSA in 1996
Second at Masonic in 2006 (one class) and in 2012
Hosted 40 tournaments
Leroy “Lee” Weinbrenner
Coach, Chicago Latin School, 1983–1999
Waukegan High School, 2001–2007
This honor is shared with many students who were competitive, full of information, willing to travel;
administrators and colleagues who shared ideas, time, organizational skills, and financial resources;
and especially the parents who trusted us with their wonderfully bright and precious offspring.
Class of 2013
Joe Bayless (1935-2024)
Coach, Oblong High School, 1981–1990
Record 220–51, won conference and conference tournament
in 8 of the 9 years
Participated in national tournaments, 1988–1990
My thanks to Jean Heyduck who coached the Junior Varsity teams, the principal and faculty who provided hundreds of questions for practice and matches
Brenda Kay Bratcher
Head coach, Carterville High School, 1981–2003
Co-founder of Carterville High Scholastic Bowl
Over 350 career victories (all winning seasons)
Helped start the Williamson County Scholastic Bowl Tournament,
the first tournament in Southern Illinois
Winner of Hi-Q TV Scholastic Bowl, 1995
IHSA Regional winner 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003
IHSA Sectional winner 2001, 2002
IHSA State Tournament second place, 2002
Michael H. Hendricks (1947-2014)
Scholastic Bowl Coach
Blue Ridge High School
1982 to 2012
Many thanks to our program supporters and players
Joan Herron
Eureka High School Scholastic Bowl 1979–2009
30 years of competition — a lifetime of memories
Class of 2012
Brenda Berg
Coach, Carbondale Community High School, 1984–2001
2nd in state 1997
4th in state 1994, 1996
State qualifier 1990
Multiple terms IHSA Scholastic Bowl Advisory Committee
Host of conference, regional, sectional,
and Masonic Scholastic Bowl tournaments
Kathleen Brooks-Juergens
Coach, Richwoods High School, 1986–2005
IHSA AA State Championship 1993
Charter member IHSSBCA
Mary Fisher-Miller
Coach, Wenona High School and Deland-Weldon High School, 1972–1999
Founder of Wenona Rotary Bowl
Charter member, IHSA Scholastic Bowl Advisory Council
Advisory committee, Tri-County Scholastic Bowl
Donna Pinson
Coach, Byron High School, 1990–2001
Over 350 victories
IHSA State Champions 2000
IHSA second place 1997
IHSA fourth place 1998
IHSA elite eight 1999
IHSA sweet sixteen 1990
Class of 2011
Gene Kruse (1945-2020)
Momence High School, 1972–1976
Bradley Bourbonnais High School, 1976–1995
IHSA Class AA Runner-Up 1992, 1994
Helped organize SICA Bowl conference.
Wrote questions for SICA and other tournaments.
Taught students that if they had fun and learned something new, the tournament was a success!
Nick Pitz (1947-2023)
Moline High School 1993–
Masonic State Champions, 1999; 3rd in 2001; 4th in 2007
Co-Coach of Team Illinois, 2006–2008
National Champions 2007, 2008; Over 600 career wins
Wrote articles, ran tournaments
Charter member, IHSSBCA; State Committee member
David Riley (1956-2015)
Head Coach, Loyola Academy, 1993-
Charter member, IHSSBCA
President, IHSSBCA 1998–2004
Over 800 career wins
Coach, Team Illinois, 2002–2006, 2010–2011
IHSA Advisory Board Member 1990–93
Dennis Scobbie
Litchfield High School
Head Coach 1992–2011, Coaching record 635–184
Assistant Coach 1983–1991, record 165–45
IHSA 11 Regional titles
3 Sectional titles
2nd State 2009
Masonic State champs 2010
Charter Member IHSSBCA
Class of 2010
Dale Boyd
Coached at Robinson and Chatham Glenwood,
each for about ten years. Has 900 career victories and hosted Masonic State Championship.
Mike Gaither
Hosted tournaments when doing so required
building your own buzzer system. Played major role in
convincing IHSA to sponsor Scholastic Bowl.
Phyllis Kidd
Along with Susan Martin, coached some of the most successful teams in Illinois history.
Hosted many tournaments and played an active role with IHSSBCA.
Larry Schnorr
Coached at Pecatonica and Byron,
each for about fifteen years.
Established Mid-Northern Conference and had several State Finals appearances.
Class of 2009
Norma Anderson
Scholastic Bowl Coach Oakwood High School, 1980–2007
Over 600 career Varsity wins
Thanks to all the student participants, assistant coaches, athletic directors, and principals.
What an educational, challenging, competitive, and memorable experience we had!
Michael Cleary
H. L. Richards H.S. Scholastic Bowl Coach 1986–2007
Over 350 victories
Hosted tournaments and wrote questions
Several conference and regional championships
Privileged to coach over 700 Richards players
Bruce Fitzgerald
Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Head Coach for 16 years; Assistant Coach for 5 years.
IHSA State Champions 2000, 2005
IHSA 2nd place 2004, 2008,
3rd place 2001, 2009
Masonic Bowl State Champions 2000
I love coaching this sport!!!
Dennis Wyatt
Maine East High School, 1993-2006
Career Record 541–166
Won Masonic State and many Invitationals throughout Illinois
Finished 4th in IHSA State and served on IHSA Board
Taught at ACE and moderated GAT and IHSA State Tournaments
Class of 2008
John T. Burke
Coach 1989–2003, 2007-
IHSA State Championships 1997, 2001
IHSA Sectional Championships 1990, 1994, 1997, 2001
Okaw Valley Conf. Championships 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2001
James L. Carney (1930-2023)
Scholastic Coach, Wethersfield
Tournament Organizer
Question Writer
Judge and Moderator
Lockout Board Builder
Jane Carney (1940-2018)
Scholastic Coach, Wethersfield
Q: Why did we do Scholastic Bowl for twenty-five years?
A: It was CHALLENGING, INNOVATIVE, REWARDING, EDUCATIONAL, EXCITING, and just plain FUN.
Linda Monge
Fairfield Community High School
Scholastic Bowl Coach 1989–2002
14 years of enjoyment with high school students
Over 400 career wins
Five IHSA Sectional Championships
Placed 4th in Class A State 1997
One term on IHSA Scholastic Bowl Advisory Committee Representative on the IHSSBCA Committee
SIAC Conference President 2 years
Larry Varner
Founder and coach at Galva High School, 1973–2008
Winner of 584 varsity matches
Wrote questions and hosted 22 tournaments
Formalized match procedures and introduced the rebound bonus format in Illinois.
Class of 2007
Cheryl Christianson (1947-2024)
Sterling High School Scholastic Bowl Coach 1989-
Second place at Masonic State 1998, 2003
Over 600 Varsity victories
Hosted Fresh-Soph, Varsity, and Conference tournaments and Coaches’ Kickoffs, IHSA Regionals and Sectionals
State Committee member and ombudsman
Tom Holbrook
Scholastic Bowl Coach University High School 1983–2003
1999 IHSA Class A State Champion
Over 600 career victories
Owner of the Intercity Bell
Pioneer Classic tournament host
Ken Johnson (1946-2023)
Founder of Sullivan High School Scholastic Bowl
562 career victories
Director of Ultimate Scholar Tournament
Harold “Bud” Lachel
Cary-Grove High School
Founder and Coach of Scholastic Bowl
1968–1975; 1985–2001; winner of 413 matches
Second in State, 1991; State Qualifier, 1996
Founder of Scholastic Bowl and All-Conference Team for Fox Valley Conference
Host of Conference, Sectional, Masonic Bowl Tournaments
Class of 2006
Sister John Baricevic, SSND
Founder of Scholastic Bowl at Mater Dei High School, 1986–1999
Winner of 357 matches
Charter Member of IHSSBCA
Served on the IHSSBCA Board
Moderator for IHSA State Series
Host of Conference, Masonic, and State Tournaments
IHSA and conference question writer
Karen Niemeier
Founder and Coach of Scholastic Bowl at Winnebago High School 1981-2013
Winner of 878 Matches; Masonic State Champion 1994; 8 Sectional Championships
IHSA State Champion 1993, 1995; IHSA 3rd. place 1994, 2006
Helped found and Charter Board Member IHSSBCA; Hosted first Masonic tournament
Champions, National Scholastic Showdown, St. Louis, 1994
Hosted Winnebago Invitational for 15 years
Roma Reed (Smith) (1944-2013)
Founder and Coach of Scholastic Bowl, Rockridge High School 1974–2001
Championship of Inaugural Masonic State Tournament
Championship of Inaugural Class A State Tournament 1992
IHSA Advisory Board Member 1990–93
Jerry Vandemark
Scholastic Bowl Coach at Streator High School 1972–1997
Winner of over 500 matches; 2nd Place in the Masonic State tournament in 1997
Charter Member IHSSBCA; IHSA Advisory committee; founded conference tournament
Class of 2005
Tom Durbin (1948-2017)
Founder of Scholastic Bowl at MacArthur High School, 1985 – _____
Jim Fenton (1937-2017)
Scholastic Bowl Coach at Carlinville 1987–2005
Winner of almost 700 Matches, Coach in four IHSA Final Fours
Helped found IHSSBCA and served on IHSA Advisory Committee
Hosted 3 Class A State Tournaments and managed 8 Class A State Tournaments
Rob Grierson
Scholastic Bowl Coach at the Latin School 1984–1996
IHSSBCA Founder, Newsletter Editor, Membership Chair
Coach of Team Illinois 97, 98 (5th), 99, 00 (4th), 01
Cathy Groesch
Scholastic Bowl Coach at Springfield Southeast 1982–2001
Winner of 619 Matches
IHSSBCA Secretary, 1994–2000
Susan Martin
Wheaton North Scholastic Bowl Coach 1985-_____, West Richland 1980–85
Winner of 700+ matches; Masonic State Champion 2003,2004
IHSA State Champion 2002,2003,2004, 2nd 2001, 3rd [tie] 1991
Founded DuPage Valley and Midland Trail conferences
Will Oldaker (1939-2021)
Homewood-Flossmoor Scholastic Bowl Coach 1987–2001
Winner of over 500 Matches, Six IHSA Sectionals, Masonic State Championship
Hosted Tournaments, wrote questions, served on IHSA Scholastic Bowl Advisory Committee
Beth Young
Quincy High School, 1978–2001
991–167 State; 19–12 National
IHSA 1st Place: 1987, 1988, 1993; IHSA 3rd Place: 1994, 1995; IHSA 4th Place: 2000
Charter Member IHSA Advisory Council; Charter Board Member IHSSBCA
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