Bill Text: IL HR0395 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizes and celebrates the birthdate of the late Gene "Coach Ping" Pingatore on October 25, 2023. Remembers the legacy he created and the many lives he touched during his lifetime.

Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 32-2)

Status: (Passed) 2023-10-25 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy [HR0395 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HR0395-Introduced.html

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HR0395 LRB103 34160 LAW 63980 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives wish to recognize and celebrate the birthdate
of the late Gene "Coach Ping" Pingatore on October 25, 2023;
and
WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore was born on October 25, 1936 and
passed away on June 26, 2019; he was raised in Cicero; he
graduated from St. Mel's High School in 1954; he earned his
Bachelor of Arts in History from Loyola University of Los
Angeles, known today as Loyola Marymount University, in 1958;
and
WHEREAS, Following his college graduation, Gene Pingatore
returned home and began working as a freshman boys basketball
coach at St. Joseph High School in Westchester in 1960, the
school's first academic year; he became the head varsity coach
of the St. Joseph High School boys basketball team, the
Chargers, in 1969; he served as head coach for 51 years and was
the most successful basketball coach in Illinois High School
Association (IHSA) history; he further served the school in a
number of roles, including as a social studies teacher, the
director of recruitment, the assistant principal, the dean of
students, the director of development, the acting principal,
the director of building and grounds, the special events

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coordinator, and the alumni director; and
WHEREAS, Under Gene Pingatore's guidance, the St. Joseph
High School boys basketball team was one of the best in the
State, winning 34 regional championships and 13 sectionals,
advancing to the state finals six times, and winning two state
championships, Class 2A in 1999 and Class 3A in 2015; he
possessed a record of 1,035-383, becoming the only coach in
Illinois to accomplish 1,000 wins in 2017, making him one of
only 15 coaches in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore received many accolades for his
work, including being named Educator of the Year by the
Illinois State Crime Commission/Police Athletic League of
Illinois in 2008, Coach of the West for the McDonald
All-American Game in Chicago in 2011, Coach of the Year by the
Central Officials Association in 2016, and Coach of the Year
by Pioneer Press and Suburban Life in 1978, 1979, and 1999, and
again by Suburban Life in 1981, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1999,
and 2004; he also received the Ellie Hasan Award from the
Central Officials Association in 2005, the De La Salle Award
for Service and Leadership in the Community from Lewis
University in 2010, and the 2018 Morgan Wootten Award for
Lifetime Achievement in Coaching High School Basketball from
the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; and

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WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore was affectionately known as "Coach
Ping", and he became nationally known for his starring role in
the critically acclaimed 1994 documentary Hoop Dreams; his
leadership and guidance positively impacted an immeasurable
number of students; and
WHEREAS, Gene Pingatore was the son of the late Frank and
Annette Pingatore; the brother of the late Sandra Pingatore;
the father of Lisa; the grandfather of Erin, Kelli, and Jack;
the fiance of Jill Oakley; the uncle of Frank, Nick, and the
late Robert; and the great-uncle, godfather, cousin, and
friend of many; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we recognize and celebrate the birthdate of the late Gene
"Coach Ping" Pingatore on October 25, 2023, and we remember
the legacy he created and the many lives he touched during his
lifetime; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Gene Pingatore as an expression of
our esteem and respect.