HR0556 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0556 LRB103 35140 LAW 65104 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize and celebrate the birthdate of the late Gene "Coach Ping" Pingatore on October 25, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore was born on October 25, 1936 and passed away on June 26, 2019; he was raised in Cicero; he graduated from St. Mel's High School in 1954; he earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from Loyola University of Los Angeles, known today as Loyola Marymount University, in 1958; and

WHEREAS, Following his college graduation, Gene Pingatore returned home and began working as a freshman boys basketball coach at St. Joseph High School in Westchester in 1960, the school's first academic year; he became the head varsity coach of the St. Joseph High School boys basketball team, the Chargers, in 1969; he served as head coach for 51 years and was the most successful basketball coach in Illinois High School Association (IHSA) history; he further served the school in a number of roles, including as a social studies teacher, the director of recruitment, the assistant principal, the dean of students, the director of development, the acting principal, the director of building and grounds, the special events coordinator, and the alumni director; and

WHEREAS, Under Gene Pingatore's guidance, the St. Joseph High School boys basketball team was one of the best in the State, winning 34 regional championships and 13 sectionals, advancing to the state finals six times, and winning two state championships, Class 2A in 1999 and Class 3A in 2015; he possessed a record of 1,035-383, becoming the only coach in Illinois to accomplish 1,000 wins, making him one of only 15 coaches in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore received many accolades for his work, including being named Educator of the Year by the Illinois State Crime Commission/Police Athletic League of Illinois in 2008, Coach of the West for the McDonald All-American Game in Chicago in 2011, Coach of the Year by the Central Officials Association in 2016, and Coach of the Year by Pioneer Press and Suburban Life in 1978, 1979, and 1999, and again by Suburban Life in 1981, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1999, and 2004; he also received the Ellie Hasan Award from the Central Officials Association in 2005, the De La Salle Award for Service and Leadership in the Community from Lewis University in 2010, and the 2018 Morgan Wootten Award for Lifetime Achievement in Coaching High School Basketball from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore was affectionately known as "Coach Ping", and he became nationally known for his starring role in the critically acclaimed 1994 documentary Hoop Dreams; his leadership and guidance positively impacted an immeasurable number of students; and

WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore coached many talented student athletes who played professionally in the U.S. and abroad, including Indiana All-American and NBA's Isiah Thomas, Indiana All-American Daryl Thomas who played in Europe, Kansas State All-American and CBA's Deryl Cunningham who played in Europe, Clifford Scales who played in Finland, Carl Hayes who played in Europe, Marty Clark who played in South America, NBA's Amal McCaskill, Gerald Eaker who played in Europe and Mexico, Marlon London who played in Europe and Latin America, Brandon Watkins who played in Europe, and 2010 College Player of the Year and NBA's Evan Turner, as well as Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears offensive lineman Andy Fredrick and Chicago Bears wide receiver Cameron Meredith; and

WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore also coached several players who led rich collegiate careers, including Robert Morris' Kenny Williams, Marquette's Tony Reeder, University of Illinois at Chicago's Tony Freeman, Northern Illinois' Brian Molis, Marquette's William Gates, Dayton's Rodney Horton, Bowling Green's Jabari Mattox, Iowa and Southern Illinois' Tony Freeman Jr., Notre Dame's Jonathan Peoples, Illinois' Demetri McCamey, Nebraska's Glynn Watson, Northwestern's Jordan Ash, and University of Southern California's Nick Rakocevic; and

WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore was the son of the late Frank and Annette Pingatore; the brother of the late Sandra Pingatore; the father of Lisa; the grandfather of Erin, Kelli, and Jack; the fiance of Jill Oakley; the uncle of Frank, Nick, and the late Robert; and the great-uncle, godfather, cousin, and friend of many; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare October 25, 2023 as Gene "Coach Ping" Pingatore Day in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we remember the legacy Gene Pingatore created and the many lives he touched during his lifetime; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Gene Pingatore as an expression of our esteem and respect.