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The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association has named their annual Organization of the Year recipients for the 2022 year. The three: The Vermilion County Basketball Tournament, the Chicago Catholic League, and the Athletic Officials Association will be honored at the 50th annual Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Redbird Arena on the campus of Illinois State University.
Vermilion County Tournament
Since 1916, this annual event has captivated the East Central Illinois area. That year, eight teams converged on the Danville YMCA to begin what is one of the longest running county tournaments in the state. As many as 26 different schools from 21 communities have participated. The girls’ tournament was added in 1981 and is one of the oldest girls county tourneys in the state. Throughout the years, various venues have played host to the tournament and is now played in the Danville Civic Arena in mid-January. Congratulations to all involved with the Vermilion County Tournament!
Athletic Officials Association
The oldest officials association in the state began operation in 1917 covering Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and Will Counties. With a membership of nearly 400, the AOA oversees basketball, football, softball, and baseball. Many of those members have officiated state tournaments and all of the major holiday and conference tournaments. The IBCA Hall of Fame contains numerous selections from this highly regarded organization. Congratulations to all Athletic Official Association members – past and present!
Chicago Catholic League
Although, not the first athletic conference in Illinois to be formed, the Chicago Catholic League has been in operation longer than any other. Beginning in October of 1912, the CCL first sponsored basketball and indoor baseball. Football was added the next season and other sports followed throughout the years. Playing independently for the first 71 years, the CCL officially joined the IHSA in 1974. Over the years, 35 schools have been associated with the Chicago Catholic League and 15 still participate today. The conference was and is still considered hugely competitive and has provided extremely talented players, coaches, and teams. Congratulations to the Chicago Catholic League!
