Friends of Basketball

Pete Natsis

Year Inducted: 1993

Category: Friends of Basketball

Schools / Organizations:

Moline High School

Biography:

Pete Natsis thought that high school basketball was the best entertainment bargain available for families.  A graduate of United Township High School in East Moline, Pete focused his attention on Moline High School basketball when his family moved there in 1944.  He and his wife Cleo had eight children who graduated from Moline HS.  Pete tried to never miss a Moline game–home or away.  Each year when the Maroons would complete their tournament run, Pete would shift gears and follow the remaining Quad City teams that were still playing.  Pete loved the Maroons but felt that the idea some fans have that you needed to hate your opponenet was dead wrong.  Pete rued the fact that attendance had dropped over the years and yearned for the time when the gyms were full each night.

Pete Natsis died on Fewbruary 9, 2006 at the age of 78.