Special Basketball Event At Teutopolis Oct. 11

The Special Event is scheduled from 6-7:30 p.m. Featured speakers include Jay Shidler, Larry Wilson, Chet Reeder, Bruce Firchau and Ken Crawford. Special guests include Lawrence Carie and Ron Felling.

To attend, RSVP via email to: info@basketballmuseumofillinois.com.

Larry Wilson -- Was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in the Media category in 1991. He began his athletic broadcasting in August of 1963 and through a span of 41 years broadcast approximately 2,875 basketball games and 365 footbll games. In addition, he did sevreal baseball and softball games throughout his career. Recently he turned his talents to writing. His new book "41 Seasons-41 Stories: is a must-read for high school athetic followers. He will have books on hand to sell.

Jay Shidler -- Sophomore starter on 1974 state champion basketball team. Averaged 14 points per game. He was two time First Team All-State, the 1976 state scoring leader with 32.6 points per game and led his team to an IHSA third place finish. Set state tournament single-game scoring record with 48 points and all-time scoring record with 157 points in four games. He was 1976 Parade Magazine All American. Signed wit University of Kentucky where he started every game as a freshman on a team that went 26-4.He was ninth round draft pick  by the Chicago Bulls in 1980 NBA draft. Played professionally in Europe. Inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame in the player category in 1982.

Chet Reeder -- Chet is beginning his season as the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes varsity coach. He began his varsity career at Sullivan High School where he coached the Indians for five years. During his five years at Teutopolis, his record is 121-37 with four sectional championships. His 2023 team reached the state finals in Champaign and finished third.

Bruce Firchau -- Throughout his career, he earned the reputation of being a "builder of basketball programs" as he turned around several losing programs. For instance, his 1984-85 Harvard team reached the Final Four in Class A state tournament and won 27 consecutive games. At Westminster Christian he inherited at program that had gone 13-67 and had lost 28 games in a row. Ten years later, his teams were 174-109 and won three regional titles. In 38 years as a varsity coach, his teams won 557 games. Seven times he received Coach of the Year awards and in 2007 he was inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame. He has served on the IBCA Board of Directors, the IBCA Executive  Board, the IBCA All-State boards and is presently the IBCA Hall of Fame selection chairman and Basketball Museum of Illinois chairman.

Ken Crawford -- Coached varsity basketball for 30 years which included four years at Rossville-Alvin and 26 years at Teutopolis. His varsity career record is 662-201. While at T-town, his record was 612-150 which included seven sectional championships and six trips to the state finals. His team won the 1986 state championship with a 33-0 record, The 2000 team finished second and the 2007 team finished third. He was inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame in the coaches category in 1998. He was chosen as the IBCA Class A State Coach of the Year in 1986. He served on the IBCA Class A All-State and All-Star selection committees, the IBCA Board of Directors, IBCA president for two years and was assistant exceutive director for two years. He was awarded the Chuck Rolinski Lifetime Achievment award in 2018 and currently serves on the IBCA Hall of Fame selction commitee and is the state tournament hospitality room coordinator.

Ron Felling -- Won a four-year state championship at Lawrenceville High School. His 16 year record at Lawrenceville was 388-77. He was assistant coach at Indiana University for many years. He was inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame in the coaches category in 1982.

Lawrence Carie -- Teutopolis varsity coach from 1959-81. His career record is 443-173. He was inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame in the coaches category in 1988.