Coaches

Mike Small

Year Inducted: 1990

Category: Coaches

Schools / Organizations:
(Wilmette) Regina Dominican High School
IBCA

Biography:  Mike Small is truly a pioneer of girls’ high school basketball coaching.  Girls’ basketball was adoptedby the IHSA in 1977 and by the IBCA in 1986.  Mike had been coaching winning girls’ teams beginning in 1969.  He originated the Girls’ Chicagoland Basketball League in 1969 and immediately used the 5-player rule and put pressure on the high schools to follow suit.  (Note that much of the nation played 6-player girls’ basketball at that time.)  During 10 seasons at the junior high school level, Mike and his staff posted 509 wins against just 43 losses; winninig 10 Chicagoland Titles.  In 1978, he continued his success at (Wilmette) Regina Dominican High School.  There his teams posted a 24-3 record during his first season.  His total Regina record is 218-87.  His teams won 7 IHSA Regional Titles, 3 IHSA Sectional Crowns and placed 3rd in the 1985 IHSA State Tournament.  Along the way, Mike founded and organized the annual  City/Suburban All-Star Game sponsored by the Chicago Sun Times.  His persistance led to the acceptance of Girls’ coaches into the IBCA.  Mike has continuted to coordinate the IBCA Girls’ All State Selection Committees and is instrumental in the choosing of each year’s IBCA Hall of Fame class.  Mike coached the North squad in the 1989 IBCA All Star Game.