Coaches

Bill Ebenezer

Year Inducted: 1989

Category: Coaches

Schools / Organizations: (Lincolnshire) Stevenson High School
Elburn High School
Vernon High School
(Maywood) Proviso East High School

Biography: Bill Ebenezer was a varsity head coach for 24 years before retiring in 1985 after his 12th season at (Lincolnshire) Adlai E. Stevenson High School. Ebenezer served as head coach at Elburn High School from 1951-57 (90-26); at Vernon High School from 1957-1963 (61-70);  Kaneland High school from 1963-1965 (19-26); and Stevenson High School from 1973-1985 (148-153). From 1965-1969 he served as an assistant coach at (Maywood)Proviso East High School when that school went 62-2 and was state champion in 1969. Ebenezer also served from 1969-1973 as Proviso East sophomore coach with a 65-6 record and four Suburban League Championships.

One of Ebenezer’s peers said of Ebenezer, “Bill Ebenezer is without a doubt, one of the most outstanding coaches I’ve known. His knowledge and dedication to the sport of basketball are second to none. I have never known anyone that cared so much and did so much for their players as Bill Ebenezer.  Not only did he care for them as basketball players, but more important(ly), he cared for them as individuals.  This was evident by the number of past players who would come back to see him and thank him for everything he did for them.  I know that I am not only a better coach, but also a better person due to the influence of Bill Ebenezer.”  Bill Ebenezer died on December 22, 1993 at the age of 64.