Coaches

Bob Hallberg

Year Inducted: 1992

Category: Coaches

Schools / Organizations: (Chicago) Kennedy High School
St. Xavier College/University
The University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago State University

Biography:

Bob Hallberg steadily climbed the ladder of success as a college basketball coach. The Chicago Leo graduate got his collegiate start as point guard at Chicago State University in the mid 1960’s.  Following graduation, Hallberg began his coaching career at (Chicago) Kennedy High School in 1966. In five seasons at Kennedy, he produced a 93-16 record. 

That success earned his move to the collegiate ranks when he was named head coach at St. Xavier College in 1971. In the next six seasons the Cougars won 127 games and two conference championships.  The next step up the ladder came when he took the head job at Chicago State University in 1977. That was an amazing run with Hallberg winning 20 or more games in seven of his 10 seasons there. From 1977 through 1984, the Cougars participated in the NAIA and won 175 games and lost 50, including a third place NAIA trophy in 1984.

In 1985 Chicago State went into NCAA Division I ranks and Hallberg’s club was 16-11, followed by a 22-0 record.  With no postseason bid, Hallberg elected to toughen up the schedule and finished with his only losing season at CSU 11-17. Losses went to the likes of Illinois, Oklahoma, Pitt, North Carolina and Oregon State.

In 1987 Hallberg took over at the University of Illinois – Chicago. Although his five year mark with the Flames was only 68-78, the Flames posted upset wins over Illinois in the 1990-91 season along with wins over Michigan State and Iowa State in 1989-90. Bob moved back to St. Xavier University.  At the time of his retirement, Bob was in the rare group of coaches with over 1,000 victories at 1,059.  Bob Hallberg died on November 19, 2019 at the age of 75. (Picture is courtesy of the St. Xavier University Athletic Department).