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IBHS - "The Oak"
Pat O'Connor Gymnasium
The high school gym is named after long-time teacher and wrestling coach Pat O'Connor.
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Pat O'Connor - 1945-2011
Pat O'Connor was a teacher and coach at Illini Bluffs for 35 years. He started the high school wrestling team in 1970, and the kids wrestling program in 1974. Coach's career included over 500 team wins, was named the 1982 IHSA Class A wrestling coach of the year, was named Central Illinois Class A Outstanding Coach of the Year 8 times, and was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2009. Coach passed away in 2011, but his legend lives on at IB and where the high school gym is dedicated in his honor.
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IB legends Vic Durchholz and Dick Kelso remember Pat O'Connor
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