LLCC is celebrating homecoming Saturday, Feb. 14 with a special recognition of Dick Dhabalt, former LLCC athletic director and founding faculty member. Women’s and men’s basketball games and a dance are planned. All events are taking place at the LLCC-Springfield campus.

In acknowledgement of his dedication to education, athletics and students at LLCC, Dick Dhabalt will receive special recognition with the Dick Dhabalt Athlete of the Year Award, which is being established in his honor. The award will recognize annually both one LLCC male and female athlete.

During his tenure at LLCC, Mr. Dhabalt served 20 years as athletic director, 20 years as head men’s basketball coach and 25 years as a faculty member teaching physical education and math. He was selected by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) to serve as the Region IV assistant director and then director of Region XXIV. He was inducted into the NJCAA Region XXIV Hall of Fame in 1991, and is an athlete Hall of Fame member at LLCC, as well as his alma mater, Bradley University.

Mr. Dhabalt will be recognized with the award during half-time of the women’s basketball game, which will begin at 2 p.m. when the Lady Loggers take on the Lincoln College Lynx in Cass Gymnasium. The men’s game will follow at 4 p.m. Admission for the games is $5 for adults, $3 for students K-12 and is free for LLCC students, faculty and staff with an LLCC ID.

The homecoming dance is being held from 8 to 11 p.m., along with the coronation of homecoming king and queen at 9 p.m. in the Student Union, Menard Hall. The dance is open to LLCC students, alumni, faculty, staff and their guests. Various activities with the theme “Peace, Love and LLCC” are being planned for the week leading up to homecoming.

Homecoming activities are being sponsored by the Logger Activities Board, Alumni Services and the Athletics Department. More information is available by calling the LLCC Student Life Office at 786.2241.