Coaches

Gary Wagner

Year Inducted: 1990

Category: Coaches

Schools / Organizations:
(Western Springs) McClure Junior High School

Biography: Gary Wagner ended a 21-year coaching career at McClure Junior High School after the 1988-89 season.  His boys’ teams were 214-95.  Under Wagner, the Western Springs school had 3 undefeated seasons, 7 conference championship seasons and 7 second place conference finishes.  3 times Gary was named a District IBCA Junior High Coach of the Year.  He served for 20 years as the assistant director of the LaGrange All-Star Basketball Camp. Lyons Township Coach Ron Nikcevich says of Wagner, “Whatever success we’ve attained here at our high school can be directly attributed to the steady flow of fundamentally sound, well-disciplined players that Wagner has schooled for our program.  When young kids want to learn basketball, it’s Gary Wagner around whom they gravitate.  He’s been a silent, unassuming giant in our coaching profession.”