Schools
Palos 118 Employee Inducted Into Sandburg Athletic Hall of Fame
Mike Probasco, a District 118 and D230 alum, was inducted into the Carl Sandburg Athletic Hall of Fame in November.
Mike Probasco, head custodian at Palos 118 West Elementary School, has been inducted into the Carl Sandburg Athletic Hall of Fame for his work as a volunteer and president of the school’s Athletic Booster Club.
At the induction ceremony, which took place in November, Mr. Probasco was recognized for the impact his volunteerism has had on the organization after 12 years of service, and over a decade as its president.
During those dozen years, the Athletic Boosters Club raised over $1.3 million dollars for the athletics department. That includes $300,000 in scholarships that have been delivered to 300 college-bound seniors over the years.
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Probasco, who has worked for Palos 118 School District for over 28 years, is also a 1979 graduate of District 118 and a 1983 alum of Carl Sandburg High School.
Probasco said he coached a travel baseball team for many years which lead to him helping run concessions with the high school’s athletic boosters back in 2008. Two years later he became the group’s president, in charge of 500 parent volunteers and another 500 student athletes who he credits for the group’s success.
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The booster club’s center piece fund raiser has been its annual weekend-before-Thanksgiving craft show which he said raises around $100,000 annually.
Mr. Probasco was previously recognized with the award of Meritorious Service for a Community Volunteer from the Illinois State Board of Education in 2020 for his work as booster club president.
“I wasn’t looking for a pat on the back,” said Mr. Probasco of his time as a volunteer, adding, “I just wanted to give back to the kids in the community.”
Steven Schanz, Athletic Director at Carl Sandburg High School, credits Mr. Probasco as the driving force behind several athletic facility improvements during his tenure as the booster club president.
“Our athletic programs are much stronger because of his work, and we are truly grateful for his contributions to Carl Sandburg High School,” said Schanz.
