This proud group of young men is the State IPRS High School Basketball champions from St. Charles.

The Women's Volleyball state championship was won by Oak Park (kneeling) while Arlington Heights (standing) came in second.

1972 IPRS SPORTS & ATHLETICS

A resume of activities

A total of 51 agencies from throughout Illinois participated in the IPRS Winter and Spring sports program and 117 participated in the recently completed Summer Activities. Through these agencies, hundreds of boys, girls, men and women competed in the various activities sponsored and conducted by the IPRS Sports & Athletics Committee.

The following is a brief recap of the events:

WINTER AND SPRING EVENTS

The High School State Boys Basketball Tournament was won by St. Charles. They emerged winners by defeating Peoria who placed second. Hosting the tournament was the Lake Forest Recreation Department.

Women's Volleyball State Tournament was won by Oak Park. They won it by defeating Arlington Heights in a play off after the two were tied at the end of the regular competition. Franklin Park was host for this tournament.

Men's Basketball championship was captured by Highland Park by defeating Morton Grove for the state championship. They won it with a commanding 95 to 82 score. The Schaumburg Park District was host for this tournament.

Men's Volleyball State Tournament was won by Des Plaines who won it by working themselves through the 10 team field and defeating Arlington Heights in the finals. Des Plaines who won the event, also served as host.

Table Tennis state tournament was swamped with 109 entries from 22 different departments. Naperville came out on top by edging out Addison who came in second. The Homewood/Flossmoor Park District served as host.

SUMMER EVENTS

The Tennis tournament was hosted by the Sterling Park District with 23 different districts participating.

The two day event had play both indoor as well as outdoor because of rain.

The team championship was claimed by the Dixon Park District. A total of 193 individuals participated in one of the largest events sponsored by the Sports and Athletics Committee.

Boy's 16" High School softball tournament had a total of nine teams entered with Evanston fighting its way to the Championship with a victory over Des Plaines. Elmhurst served as hosts for this event.

Men's 12" Softball tournament had a record 30 teams entered which was hosted by the Peoria Park District.

The two day event was won by Peoria Prospect Florist who defeated another Peoria team, Keenan Sporting Goods. Waukegan came in third by defeating Springfield.

Men's 16" Slow Pitch tournament was won by South Stickney who came out on top of a field of 32 entries from throughout the Chicago area. Des Plaines played host for the event which saw Park Ridge taking second.

IPRS held its first Golf tournament with St. Charles hosting the event which had 18 entries.

It was St. Charles all the way with Mark Vitali winning the Boy's division with a 74 and Paul Lousek, also of St. Charles, winning the Men's division with a 73.

Next year will find the tournament expanded to include girls and womens competition if present plans are carried out.

Lassie League tournament again proved popular with 15 teams entered in the St. Charles hosted event.

St. Charles walked off with the championship with Westchester taking second. The Lassie League provides an opportunity for girls to compete in organized softball competition at both the local and state level.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 14 September/October, 1972