Du Quoin football coach Al Martin among Hall of Fame inductees

By Jeff Profitt, GateHouse News Service
Friday, February 15, 2008 11:45 AM CST

CHAMPAIGN — The Illinois High School Football Coaches Association (IHSFCA), in conjunction with their annual Spring Clinic, will induct a group of high school football coaches into its Hall of Fame. The coaches will be honored during a lucheon at Hilton Garden Inn of Champaign on Saturday, April 5. The luncheon/banquet begins at 12 noon.

"The list of 17 retired, deceased and active coaches include some truly great individuals," said IHSFCA Secretary-Treasurer Phil Salzer.

"They were selected for their contributions to the profession and impact on the school and community they serve."

The 2008 list of inductees includes Du Quoin's Al Martin, who's compiled a 203-41 record in 20 years. Entering his 32nd year of coaching this fall, Martin has led the Indians into the Class 3A Playoffs a state-record 20 consecutive times while reaching the state title game five times and the final four in 11 more seasons. Du Quoin teams have won or shared 16 conference championships during Martin's reign with six undefeated regular season's.

Also scheduled for induction are deceased coaches Dick Isaacson (Peoria Manual) and John Venturi (Washington).

Assistants earning enshrinements are Bill Breeden (Aledo) and Ben McIntosh (Monmouth Warren).

Retired coaches are Tom Cerasani (Palatine), Denny Diericx (Geneseo-Darnall), Dale Grawe (ROWVA), Jim Proud (Fulton) and Hud Venerable (Normal).

Martin leads a group of active coaches that includes Deab Cappel (Braidwood Reed-Custer), Dick Duval (St. Joseph-Ogden), Bill Evans (Red Hill), Frank Lenti (Chicago Mt. Carmel), Stan Wienke (Tuscola) and Steve Graves (Canton).

Venturi will receive the Ray Eliot Award.

The emcee for the Hall of Fame event is University of Illinois broadcaster Brian Barnhart. Special speaker is Fighting Illini football coach Ron Zook.

To order tickets for the event, write to Phil Salzer, 3101 N. Old Trail Road, Peoria, 61604.

Al Martin will join Bob Karnes, the late Whitey Miller, Don Anderson and Paul Restivo as Du Quoin grid coaches named to the IHSFCA Hall of Fame.

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Here is the information. If anyone else is planning to attend, let me know. Any vans headed up?

Saturday, April 5th, 2008

12:15-2:00 Hall of Fame Banquet
Speaker: Ron Zook Head Coach University of Illinois

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

The emcee for the Hall of Fame event is University of Illinois broadcaster Brian Barnhart. Special speaker is Fighting Illini football coach Ron Zook.

Tickets are $25 and you can contact Phil Salzer at (309) 251-4868 or by mail at Phil Salzer, 3101 N. Old Trail Road, Peoria, 61604.

Retired Coaches
Tom Cerasani (Palatine)
Denny Diericx (Geneseo-Darnall, East Peoria High, Lincoln)
Dale Grawe (ROWVA and Union)
Jim Proud (Fulton)
Hudson Venerable (Normal)

Active Coaches
Dean Cappel (Braidwood Reed-Custer)
Dick Duval (St. Joseph-Ogden)
William Evans (Red Hill)
Steve Graves (Canton, Monmouth Yorkwood)
Tim Jobst (Hall, Wethersfield)
Frank Lenti (Chicago Mt. Carmel)
Allen Martin (Du Quoin)
Stan Wienke (Tuscola)

Deceased Coaches
Richard Isaacson (Peoria Manual, Woodruff, Central)
John Venturi (Washington)

Coaching Assistants
Bill Breeden (Aledo)
Ben McIntosh (Monmouth Warren and United/Alexis)

Ray Elliot Award
John Venturi (Washington)