Coaches

Tony LaScala, Sr.

Year Inducted: 1996

Category: Coaches

Schools / Organizations:

Illinois Benedictine College (Now Benedictine University)

Biography:

Tony LaXcala of Lisle, spent 29 seasons as the head men’s basketball coach at Illinois Benedictine College before retiring in 1995.  Prior to his days there, he coached five seasons at high schools in the state of Michigan.  Tony led Illinois Benedictine to 439 wins against 382 losses.  During his tenure at the Lisle school, the Eagles claimed 9 Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Conference championships.  His 1991-92 team reached the final eight of the NCAA Division III tournament.

In 1973 Tony served as an assistant coach for a USA All Star team that competed in the first Peruvian World Tourney.  He served as a basketball clinician in 6 cities in the state of Sao Paulo in Brazil in 1979 representing the Partners of America.

Tony was named the NAIA District 20 Coach of the Year in 1975 and was the NIIC Coach of the year in 1991, 1992, and 1993.  In 1991 and 1992 he was the Kodak NCAA Division III District Coach of the Year.

In 1995, Tony earned a distinguished service award from the Doug Collins Coaches Clinic.  Several former players have followed Coach LaScala into the coaching ranks at the high school level.  In 1998, he was inducted into the Benedictine University Hall of Fame as a coach.

Coach Tony LaScala died on November 9, 2025 at the age of 91.