Joliet Catholic Academy Boys Varsity Basketball Head Coach, Joe Gura, will be inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. This prestigious award recognizes coaches who have provided selfless efforts and long standing commitments to improve high school basketball in Illinois.

In 42 years of teaching and coaching basketball, Gura has touched the lives of hundreds if not thousands, of students. His exuberance and love for the game is reflected in the genuine care and concern he has for the students in his classroom and the players on his team.

During his illustrious career, Gura started basketball programs, was named IBCA Coach of the Year four times, captured nine conference championships, and qualified for the Sweet Sixteen three times. He taught history and coached basketball for several high schools including Bromberek, St. Rita, Lockport, Thorton Fractional South, Pontiac, and Plainfield North High School before his retirement in 2008.

Gura came out of retirement and returned to the court as the Head Basketball Coach at Bishop MacNamara High School. Gura held his position at Bishop Mac for three years before moving to Joliet Catholic Academy.

When Gura joined the JCA family in 2011, he said he felt that “God led me to JCA.” His goals for the boys basketball program are to improve every year and for the players and the program to continue to grow and progress. Under Coach Gura, Hilltopper Basketball won their first regional championship in 34 years and qualified for the Sweet Sixteen during the 2013-2014 season.

Honored for his success off the court as well, Gura is the recipient of three Teacher of the Year awards and received the Great Teacher Award from the Joliet Chamber of Commerce for his work at JCA.

Gura has become an integral part of the JCA family. In addition to teaching and coaching, he joined the JCA Admissions Office for the 2014-2015 school year. Gura truly enjoys the opportunity to encourage students to consider enrollment at JCA. “I try to get families to come to a place I think is great for them. JCA is a sound and good opportunity for students. I enjoy looking for ways for students to come to JCA.”

Coach Gura will be inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame during a ceremony to take place at Illinois State University’s Bone Student Center in Normal on Saturday, May 2, 2015.

For more information, visit the IBCA website by clicking here.