Coaches

Tom Meyer

Year Inducted: 2000

Category: Coaches

Schools / Organizations: (Chicago) St. Benedict High School
(Chicago) Mt. Carmel High School
Oak Park-River Forest High School
(Skokie) Niles West High School
The University of Illinois–Chicago

Biography: Tom Meyer’s coaching career spaned five different decades as he compiled a 471-407 record in 34 years at five different schools. Meyer graduated from DePaul Academy in 1961. At DePaul University he played for his Hall of Fame father Ray and captained the 1965 Blue Demons before graduating in 1966.  Meyer’s coaching career started at St. Benedict where he won the Parish League title. He moved to Mount Carmel from 1967-70 and led the Caravan to the Chicago Catholic League Lightweight Championship in 1968 and a runner-up finish in 1969.  In 1970, Meyer moved to Oak Park-River Forest and in 1976 he led the Huskies to third place in the Class AA state tournament. He went to UIC for the 1977-78 season and brought the program to the Division I level, going 93-73 in six seasons. In 1987 he took the head job at Niles West and in his second season led the Indians to 16 wins and second place in the Central Suburban South.  Meyer’s high school coaching records were: St. Benedict 27-4, Mount Carmel 68-21 (3 years), Oak Park-River Forest 110-69 (7 years) and Niles West 173-200 (17 years), for an overall record of 378-334.