HR0149 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0149 LRB100 11506 MST 21983 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate St. Joseph High School Head Basketball Coach Gene Pingatore on becoming the first boys basketball coach in Illinois history to reach 1,000 wins; and

WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore's historic win came on February 11, 2016 with a 81-71 win against St. Rita High School in the first round of the Catholic League playoffs in Westchester; and

WHEREAS, During Gene Pingatore's 48 years as a head coach at St. Joseph High School, he has achieved a .739 winning percentage and 32 regional championships, 13 sectional championships, six top-four finishes, and two State championships, one in Class AA in 1999 and one in Class 3A in 2015; and

WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore has coached three McDonald's All-Americans, Isiah Thomas, Daryl Thomas, and Deryl Cunningham; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 80, Gene Pingatore says he has no plans to retire and will be back coaching for St. Joseph High School next season; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate St. Joseph High School Head Basketball Coach Gene Pingatore on becoming the first boys basketball coach in Illinois history to reach 1,000 wins, and we wish him many more successful years; and be it further

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