Coaches

Bob Beals

Year Inducted: 1980

Category: Coaches

Schools / Organizations: Hampshire High School
Mendota High School
Illinois Valley Community College

Biography: In 22 years of high school basketball coaching, the late Bob Beals produced a 363-296 record while coaching at Hampshire High School and Mendota High School. His teams featured five all state players, 3 of which were already in the IBCA Hall of Fame when Bob was inducted himself in 1980: Leo Binz (Hampshire, Quincy College), Willie Hanson (Mendota and Northern Illinois), and Don Hamel (Mendota and Northern Illinois). Beals’ running style of basketball moved to Mendota in 1960 from Hampshire. Two years later, with Hanson at the controls, Mendota won its first regional title in 19 years. Bob’s record at Mendota numbered 9 holiday tournament titles (including DeKalb and Pekin); 2 North Central Conference championships and 2 Illinois Valley titles to go along with 4 regional successes. In 1975, Beals became the head coach at Illinois Valley Community College. As an original member of the IBCA Board of Directors, he attended the group’s first meeting and served the organization as secretary-treasurer for several years.