[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4318]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING COACH GENE PINGATORE OF ST. JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL ON HIS RECORD-
                     BREAKING 827TH WIN IN ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2009

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Coach Gene 
Pingatore for his outstanding and inspirational career as head coach of 
the St. Joseph High School boys basketball team in Westchester, 
Illinois, as well as to recognize his achievement as the all-time 
winningest boy's basketball coach in Illinois high school history.
   Always considered one of the most fabled coaches in the storied 
history of Illinois basketball, Coach Pingatore's legacy reached a new 
level on January 16th, 2009 when his St. Joseph's squad faced Carmel 
Catholic High School. Their 49-26 victory gave Pingatore his record-
breaking 827th win as a head basketball coach in Illinois.
   What especially sets Gene Pingatore apart, however, is not his 
incredible record but rather his winning philosophy and his 
perseverance. His legendary program was not built overnight. In 1969-
1970, Pingatore only managed three wins in his first season as a coach. 
The next year St. Joseph's managed seven wins, and Coach Pingatore only 
enjoyed 3 winning seasons in his first 7 seasons. Coming through that 
difficult stretch, however, Pingatore's work ethic and undeniable 
coaching ability spawned a dynasty. Since 1976, St. Joseph's has only 
suffered once losing season.
   Only two other coaches in Illinois men's basketball history have 
passed the elusive 800 win barrier. Even before setting the all-time 
wins mark, Pingatore's outstanding accomplishments were recognized by 
the East Suburban Catholic Conference as they made him a member of 
their inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2006.
   Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Gene Pingatore for the positive role 
model that he is to the young men of St. Joseph High School and for his 
continuing commitment to excellence from his players, both on and off 
the court. As the Representative of the 3rd District of Illinois, I 
would like to say that we are proud to be home to the state's 
winningest coach, in every sense of the word.

                          ____________________