The Joliet Catholic Academy athletic department and basketball program will honor head coach Joe Gura at the conclusion of the sophomore game on Friday, January 21 against Carmel Catholic. The varsity contest tips off at 7:00 p.m.

Joe Gura will retire from coaching basketball at the conclusion of the 2021-2022 season, capping off a 49-year career in coaching with stops at St. Rita, Lockport, T.F. South, Pontiac, Plainfield North, and Bishop McNamara. Gura has been the head coach at Joliet Catholic since 2011, leading the Hilltoppers to 100 victories in that time period, including two regional titles and two Sweet 16 appearances (2014 and 2020).

In 2015, Gura was elected into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He’s also been named a IBCA Coach of the Year four times, and has led programs to four regional titles and four Sweet Sixteen appearances. Gura will remain at JCA as a history and sociology teacher.