Three cheers for Jerry Sloan, the 1960 high school all-stater from Mcleansboro county seat of Hamilton County Illinois, before goihng on to be an Evansville Purple Ace and Chicago Bull. Sloan was inducted this week (along with Michael Jordan) at a ceremony in Detroit.
After scoring more than 10,000 points in an excellent playing career with the Bulls, Jerry Sloan went on to coach the Bulls, then the Utah Jazz to more than 1000 victories. He is the only coach in NBA history with 1,000 wins for one team, and has signed on to coach another year with Utah.
Described as "hard-nosed" with a "fiery attitude" Sloan struck a chord with Chicago fans and made him an instant hero. His No. 4 jersey was the first to be retired by the franchise.
Here's a link to another fine website, Mcleansboro.com for more information on our good neighbors to the South. Here's a good story or two about the 1970's Bulls from Jerry. Way to go Jerry Sloan!
Added quiz: Name another former pro Basketball Player from McLeansboro. He is also an Illinois politician. This 6ft 3in guard outscored Chicago Carver's Cazzie Russel in the 1962 IHSA tournament leading McLeansboro to a respectable 4th place finish.
9 comments:
On the back of Jerry's hoop trading card: Hobbies are raising pigs and fist fights. Jerry holds the UE and Bulls record for broken noses. He and Stormin' Norman make up the meanest back cour in the NBA.
They could never beat the Lakers to get to the finals.
His son was a putz and went to Indiana.
BEP
And what has this to do with Wapella?
McLeansboro is not that far from Wapella, and was a fellow small high school in 1960 at least. There is generally not enough news from downstate in the national media.
Wapella.com is fast replacing the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times as the go to source for news and sports and stain removal tips south of I-80.
JBP
McLeansboro, about 150+miles southeast of Wapella and population about 4 times Wapella, so not so small.
You wouldn't be thinking of McLean in McLean County, would you?
South of I-80 is included by our editorial guidelines, with an exception made for Lionel Ritchie.
Your answer to the quiz?
JBP
Jim Burns. The IHSA website is worth a look.
Did you know Clinton made the Sweet 16 in 1961?
BEP
Clintucky? Wow!
IRBW
Football game at the Powers residence Saturday at 3 PM.
MJ Springman
1987 also clintucky sweet 16.
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