Media

R.J. Drazkowski

Year Inducted: 2000

Category: Media

Schools / Organizations: Chicago Heights Star
Harvey Tribune
Joliet Herald-News
Morris Daily Herald

Biography: Morris resident R.J. Drazkowski celebrated 50 years covering high school sports in 1999. He started as a stringer for IBCA Hall of Famer John E. Meyers at the Chicago Heights Star and after graduating became Meyers’ assistant. Two years later, Drazkowski moved to the rival Harvey Tribune to start a sports section and worked closely with legendary Thornton player and coach Tom Nisbet.  Ten years later Drazkowski went to the Joliet Herald-News and became Copley Newspapers’ first four-time Copley Ring of Truth Award winner for Best Local Sports Story. He also began a Mokena-Frankfort sports section for Star Publications. Freelance assignments for the Economist took Drazkowski to Chicago’s Public League and Catholic League and he also did extensive work for the Morris Daily Herald.  During the 1978-79 season he was co-founder, with John J. Jones, of the Lemont Christmas Classic, the first with a combined Class A and AA format. He served as tournament coordinator until his death on October 13, 2000.