How far ahead was this brilliant mind with conference alignments and general advancement of student athlete development. SICA was just one example of his forward thinking which we sure could use about now. Please share stories of this great man.
George Egofske- genius
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He brought the three pointer to Illinois. Brought the shot clock to Illinois. Built one of the best tournaments in the state.
I can’t wait to get his book. Great man great coach. His 1987 Rich South team made the semifinals. Thing about that is is that they were the last team to get in the playoffs & only did so because CPS was on strike for weeks & only sent 1 team to the state playoffs
There in Park Forest the RE "field WAS tilted," in a manner of speaking, since it ran E/W. Regardless, always hated playing and coaching down there, particularly since the site never had lights either.
Where did you play & coach? Reportedly it was built in a marsh so the ground was sinking & wouldn’t support lights. They did play a night game one time with the Frosh as they used portable lights & also used them a few times to practice for the playoffs. 1985 team should have won state but were cocky & lost in OT vs Forest View in the semifinals. I’m sad it’s closed & the combined athletics now & the once gem Central & South no longer as such but they call them something else now
Book Signing for Not Good,Not Great, but Fantastic will be the 26th at Smiths Crossing in Orland Park. Hours listed are noon to 4. You won’t find a better impact person in your lifetime in Illinois High School sports in general. EDGY is a close second but is limited to IHSA football.
RIP Coach E.
Was a great man, better person, and a dear friend.
www.kurtzmemorialchapel.com
Was a great man, better person, and a dear friend.
George E. Egofske Obituary 2025 - Kurtz Memorial Chapel
View George E. Egofske's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
I hope George Egofske was able to take some recent satisfaction from the gradual return to prominence of the Big Dipper holiday hoops tournament which started in 1973, early in his tenure as AD at Rich South. Some great teams and players populated that tourney over the decades.
Rich East and Rich Central neither had lights but not because of the field structure nor swamp conditions. The District 227 never had the know it all to see the value, as many other south suburban schools as well.
George Egofske had the backing to have Rich South lead the district in finally having lights installed and then eventually Rich Central. Rich East had crotchety old neighbors that would not allow the night games and shot down the proposal. Park Forest also had a no industry approach for years and bragged about that fact…years later you can see the impact to the tax base. Making George Egofske even more valuable to see what he dealt with during the Rich South roll out. RIP
All things considered over decades of seasons without lights when most others had them, Rich East seemed to turn that into a home field advantage over the tenures of several head coaches.
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