Former Lincoln-Way East AD, Teacher, Named Basketball Tourney Chair

From Lincoln-Way High School District:

Retired assistant athletic director and Lincoln-Way East teacher John Piazza has been named the Medieval Classic Honorary Tournament Chair at the 2013 event.

The Medieval Classic Tournament started Monday runs through Friday with all games at Lincoln-Way East High School.

Piazza has worked in education from 1974 until he retired in May 2012. For the last 10 years of his career Piazza served as assistant athletic director, assistant football coach and physical education instructor at Lincoln-Way East.

“John was a dedicated worker in all aspects of his job at Lincoln-Way East," said East Athletic Director Mark Vander Kooi. "The countless hours he put in were very much appreciated by all of his colleagues in the district.”

The Medieval Classic Tournament will feature girls’ basketball matches between Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way North, Andrew, Minooka, Plainfield South, Providence Catholic and Shepard high schools.

Piazza will be honored and help distribute awards to the recipients on the championship day of the tournament. The retired athletic director joins a long list of distinguished honorary tournament chairs. They include:

• 2012 David Brost, first Athletic Director for Lincoln-Way East High School
• 2011 Greg Rigoni, Hickory Creek teacher and coach
• 2010 Brenda Jensen, Lincoln-Way East principal
• 2009 Jeff Boubelik, Frankfort Park District director
• 2008 Bob Romadka, retired Lincoln-Way District 210 teacher
• 2007 Jim Randall, executive director Frankfort Square Park District
• 2006 James T. Fagan, Lincoln-Way District 210 school board member
• 2005 Jim Kohlbacher, former chair Citizens for Lincoln-Way referendum committee
• 2004 Michael Gardner, Lincoln-Way North principal
• 2003 Dennis Hardy, Lincoln-Way East Athletic Booster
• 2002 Michael Kelly, former Lincoln-Way counselor
• 2001 Darrell Sanders, Frankfort police chief
• 2000 Dennis Michels, Lincoln-Way athletic director
• 1999 Bill Dowling, former Athletic Booster president
• 1998 Jim High, math teacher
• 1997 Sam and Sandy Baughn, Lincoln-Way Athletic Boosters
• 1996 State Rep. Renee Kosel
• 1995 Gene Morrall, school volunteer who videotaped athletic events
• 1994 Jackie Panagos, District 210 Advisory Committee chair
• 1993 Pat Quigley, former teacher
• 1992 Bob Sturgeon, Frankfort newspaper editor
• 1991 Lawrence A. Wyllie, Lincoln-Way District 210 superintendent