Coaches

Jim Lewis

Year Inducted: 1992

Category: Coaches

Schools / Organizations:
Pekin Community High School

Biography:   The late Jim Lewis (he died in 1977) did almost everything in his 25 years of devoted service at Pekin Community High School (PCHS).  After 10 seasons as an assistant basketball coach, “Big Jim” as he was known,  succeeded Frenchy Haussler as head basketball coach (also head football coach and athletic director) while retaining his position as head baseball coach.

Lewis coached basketball for 8 seasons (174-68) at Pekin.  The first five teams that he coached reached the finals of the state tournament–which consisted of the final 16 teams at that time.  In 1947, the team finished in 4th place; in 1948 they finished in 3td place; and in 1949 they gained the quarterfinals.

Lewis served as head football coach for 11 seasons, producing 71 wins, 30 losses and 7 ties.  His 1951 team was undefeated.  He served as head baseball coach for 13 seasons with a 98-72-1 record.

It should be remembered that the Pekin squads competed and won basketball titles in the Illini, Big 12 and Greater Peoria conferences. 

This anecdote illustrates how Jim was known to not fuss over the details.  In an overtime game, the game was still tied after the first overtime.  Before the next overtime, the officials delared the rule at that time–the next team to score 2 points would win the game.  The Pekin squad scored 2 free throws.  The opposing coach was upset and demanded that the game continue since no field goal had been scored.  Jim Lewis, knowing the rule, simply grabbed the ball and led his team off the floor and into the locker room.