TEUTOPOLIS EVENT RECAP OCTOBER 11, 2023
“So Happy Together” would have been a great theme song to play for our October 11th event in Teutopolis.
Nearly 200 people attended our museum event to honor coaching greats, Ron Felling and Lawrence Carie.
Highlighting the event were speakers Jay Shidler, Larry Wilson, Chet Reeder, and Bruce Firchau. Ken Crawford, former Teutopolis Boys Coach and community icon was the MC. They were at their best and the audience was captivated by their stories and history. The audience engaged our speakers with questions, picture taking, purchasing their books, and getting autographs.
The night was to conclude by 7:30, however, many people stayed until midnight, sharing their Illinois basketball experiences.
Featured speaker, Larry Wilson (left) with IBCA Hall of Fame Official, Babe Champion of Granite City (right)
Larry is a Media IBCA Hall of Famer and a legendary Effingham broadcaster. His book “41 Seasons, 41 Stories” is on its third printing and shares stories on his fascinating career. The stories both could tell would be fascinating.
Our goal was for the people attending the event to have fun and that they did!
Jay Shidler
Jay played for Coach Ron Felling at Lawrenceville and was an electrifying player. His shooting range was extraordinary, and this was before the 3-point arc was put in. No one could elevate off the floor with his jump shot like Jay did. Illinois Basketball fans called him the “Blonde Bomber” which is the name of his book.
Cammy & Ron Ferguson
Ron won four Class A Boys State Championships at Lawrenceville and his teams won 68 consecutive games which, is still a state record. Ron was an honored guest.
Doris Carie & her father, Lawrence Carie
Lawrence was also honored at our event and was a successful Boys Coach at Teutopolis back in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He and Doris are IBCA Hall of Famers. Doris was the first Ms. Basketball of Illinois.
Chet Reeder
Chet opened up the evening speaking about Teutopolis Basketball. Chet is the Boys Basketball Coach at Teutopolis.
IBCA Hall of Fame Friend, Ron Hampton (left) and IBCA HOF Player Rich Essington
Rich also coached Venice High School to a Class A State Title.
Dennis Schickedanz (left) and Dave Toler
Two great basketball fans and supporters of the Basketball Museum of Illinois.
Dennis Schickedanz with Coach Ron Felling
Jay Shidler (left) with IBCA Hall of Fame Friend of Basketball, Dennis Schickedanz, and Coach Ron Felling.
MC, Ken Crawford
Ken is an IBCA Hall of Fame Coach and led Teutopolis to an undefeated State Championship in 1986.
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