Players

Dennis Kagel

Year Inducted: 1992

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations: 
Octavia High School
Illinois Wesleyan University

Biography:  Dennis Kagel was a member of an Illinois small school dynasty at Octavia High School during his 3-year career.  Kagel averaged 22 ppg in Octavia’s controlled offense as a junior and senior.  Octavia posted a 68-6 record in those seasons.  Only one of those losses came on their home floor.

In the one class system, Octavia won IHSA Regionals in 1963 and 1964.  In 1963, they lost to East Peoria HS.  In 1964, they lost to Stephen Decatur HS, who finished 3rd in that year’s state tournament.    In 1964 and 1965, Dennis was named to the Chicago American’s little all-state team.  

He accepted a full scholarship to play basketball at LSU but ended up at Illinois Wesleyan University before the end of his freshman year.  By the time of his graduation, Dennis had set the career scoring mark for the Titans.  His teams won 2 CCIW conference titles.  In 1966, the team advanced to the NAIA national tournament.  In 1968 and 1969 Dennis was the Titan captain.  

He played in the 5th Army championship team which missed the AAU nationals by one game.