Chad Jones, women’s basketball coach, has reached another milestone in his career at LLCC. With the Jan. 25 Homecoming win, he became the all-time leader in LLCC women’s basketball coaching victories with 109. He also holds the record for most wins leader for the LLCC men’s basketball team with 243 victories.
Congratulations!
LLCC announced the 2023 royals and honored its founding athletic director during homecoming games on Wednesday, Jan. 25, capping off three days of activities.
This year’s LLCC Homecoming Royals Josh Hughes and Marley Smith were announced during halftime of the women’s basketball game. Hughes is a history major pursuing a career in secondary education. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa academic honor society and a peer tutor and student worker in the LLCC Center for Academic Success. Marley Smith is an education major and member of the women’s basketball team. She plans on pursuing a career in administration.
Students were nominated for homecoming royalty by LLCC faculty, staff and students based on their involvement and contributions to the college, then selected by a vote of the student body.
Also Wednesday, Springfield Deputy Mayor Kathleen Acorn read a proclamation honoring Richard E. “Dick” Dhabalt, the college’s founding athletic director, who passed away in September of last year. The proclamation declaring Jan. 25, 2023, as “Dick Dhabalt Day” in Springfield was accepted by Mr. Dhabalt’s sons Dan and Rick and several other family members.
As a founding faculty member of LLCC, Dick Dhabalt’s service to the college included 20 years as head men’s basketball coach and athletic director and 25 years as instructor of physical education and mathematics. He was selected by the NJCAA to serve as the Region IV assistant director and then director of Region XXIV. The NJCAA inducted him into the Region XXIV Hall of Fame in 1991. In 2015, Dick was inducted into the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame and the next year, LLCC inaugurated the Dick Dhabalt Athlete of the Year awards.
The proclamation read in part that “Dick was a faithful Logger and a gifted leader by example who was known to be fair, honest, understanding, dedicated, patient and selfless. We are grateful to Dick and his family for the sacrifices, dedication and commitment he gave to the students and staff at LLCC.”
LLCC Head Volleyball Coach Hannah Werth has been named the college’s first sports information specialist.
In addition to her coaching duties, she will handle sports information, expand social media, create digital media, assist with the athletics website and other communication regarding LLCC’s seven athletics teams.
Werth began at LLCC as a volunteer assistant with the volleyball team in September 2021 under Coach Jim Dietz and Interim Head Coach Kaylee Beekman. Following Dietz’s retirement, Werth was promoted to head coach in February 2022. The Loggers reached the championship game of the NJCAA DII Central A District Tournament and ended their winning season with a 32-18 record. Read more.
Upcoming home games include:
Sat., Dec. 10, 3 p.m. v. Carl Sandburg
Wed., Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. v. Rend Lake
Sat., Dec. 17, 1 p.m. v. Waubonsee
Today’s Superfans matchup features both women’s and men’s basketball versus Illinois Valley. The women’s game starts at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s game begins at 7:30 p.m.
This Superfans event will have a beach/Hawaiian theme. Red, white and blue leis will be available to fans on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be free popcorn for all. Also, anyone can get a ticket for a chance to win Logger gear during each of the halftimes. The winning ticket will have the chance to shoot a layup, free throw and three pointer for a chance at Logger gear!
Be sure to come out with your friends, family and colleagues to help cheer the Loggers to victory! As always, admission to LLCC athletic events for LLCC students, staff and faculty is free.
The next Superfans matchup will feature both women’s and men’s basketball versus Illinois Valley tomorrow, Nov. 15. The women’s game starts at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s game begins at 7:30 p.m.
This Superfans event will have a beach/Hawaiian theme. Red, white and blue leis will be available to fans on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be free popcorn for all. Also, anyone can get a ticket for a chance to win Logger gear during each of the halftimes. The winning ticket will have the chance to shoot a layup, free throw and three pointer for a chance at Logger gear!
Be sure to come out with your friends, family and colleagues to help cheer the Loggers to victory! As always, admission to LLCC athletic events for LLCC students, staff and faculty is free.
The next Superfans matchup will feature both women’s and men’s basketball versus Illinois Valley on Nov. 15. The women’s game starts at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s game begins at 7:30 p.m. Be sure to come out with your friends, family and colleagues to help cheer the Loggers to victory! As always, admission to LLCC athletic events for LLCC students, staff and faculty is free.
This Friday, Nov. 11, from 4-7 p.m., come to the Cass Gym lobby next to the esports arena to cheer on the esports athletes!
This SuperFan event is sponsored by the LLCC Computer Science Academy (CSA). You can also join the event on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/loggersesports.
On Saturday, Nov. 12, the women’s basketball team plays Prairie State at 1 p.m. and men’s basketball at 3 p.m. vs. Lewis & Clark.
Congratulations to Jim Dietz, former LLCC head volleyball coach, for his recent selection to the NJCAA Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame! Coach Dietz led the Loggers for 16 seasons. During that time, he accumulated a 505-220 record as the head coach of the Loggers. He led the program to two NJCAA Division II Volleyball Championship finals appearances, three NJCAA Division II Volleyball Championship semifinal appearances and an elite eight appearance. Read more.
Come cheer on the Loggers! Men’s basketball will face Moraine Valley Community College in a 5:30 p.m. game on Thursday, Nov.3.