Denise excelled in varsity basketball and softball all four years at RHS, along with one year each in golf and cross country. As a starting guard for the Lady Maroons, she scored an impressive 1,362 career points and was a member of the Varsity 30-Point Club in 1991 and 1992. Denise set a school record with 51 points in a game against Oblong in 1991.

In her senior year, she received the prestigious Betty Graves Outstanding Female Athlete Award, the highest honor for an athlete at Robinson. Denise went on to continue her basketball career at Lakeland College, where she was a starting guard for two years and tied the school record for career three-point goals with 95. Her remarkable achievements and contributions to athletics will always be remembered!

As one of only two Maroon players to be inducted into the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame - alongside teammate Mike Steele in 1995 - Robin has left an indelible mark on RHS basketball. He set a record during the Danville Holiday Tournament by scoring an incredible 46 points in a single game, a record that still stands today. Robin earned All-State honorable mention and was voted MVP for the 1971-72 season. He also received the prestigious Allison Award in 1972, the highest honor for an athlete at Robinson.

Continuing his basketball journey, Robin played for the Purdue Boilermakers for four years, leading the varsity reserves in scoring and rebounding as both a freshman and sophomore. Robin's legacy in basketball is truly remarkable!

As the winningest coach in the history of the Robinson High School Baseball Program, Mike Shimer achieved nearly 300 victories and guided the team to an impressive eight regional championships. During his 16 years at the helm, he also secured a sectional win and led the team to become state qualifiers. His remarkable contributions to the program and his dedication to the players have left a lasting legacy in Maroons baseball!

A dedicated radio commentator since the early 1980s, Mike has been the voice of the Maroons for the past 25 years on WTYE. Over his impressive career, he has called more than 1,000 broadcasts across football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball for both NMS and RHS. Mike has proudly announced at home and on the road, including the thrilling 2010 State Championship victory for the RHS Boys Basketball Program and the 2024 State Finals games for the RHS Girls Basketball Program. His passion and commitment to local sports have made a lasting impact on the community!

With over 40 years of announcing Maroons athletic events and more than 5,500 games under his belt, Jerry became a beloved voice for fans all across the United States. His passion for the Maroons and dedication to bringing the games to life on the airwaves transformed the local sports experience. By introducing a new FM radio format at WTAY AM, he ensured that fans could enjoy the excitement of the games from the comfort of their homes, regardless of the weather. Jerry's contributions to the community and Maroons athletics will not be forgotten!

Any state championship is an amazing accomplishment for our school and community, but 2010 was a season for the history books! It was Robinson's first state championship in basketball and second in any sport. It was also Robinson's first state-final appearance since 1916 and the first state championship in eight trips to the tournament.

Player Warren Whithaus summarized the season for the Robinillo:

“There were many remarkable achievements during the 2009-10 basketball season. Obviously, winning the IHSA Class 2A Basketball tournament was an achievement that most teams only dream of. What an experience! During the games, we experienced many unforgettable memories, such as Derek’s 3⁄4 court alley-oop to Meyers, Ben’s first dunk, Hannahs’ nine three-pointers against Charleston, Meyers’ 70-foot three-point shot to end the first quarter of the state championship game, and the unforgettable dunk by Meyers at the super sectional game.

However, there were other noteworthy achievements. A benchmark for high school basketball players has been to score 1,000 points in your high school career. This might be achieved once every few years. However, our team was fortunate to have three players - Ben Jones, Meyers Leonard, and Derek Hannahs - all become members of the 1,000-point club in the same season.

Our team also had the opportunity to participate in four shootouts, competing against some of the top teams in the Midwest. We were champions of the inaugural Bulldog Classic hosted by Effingham St. Anthony during the Christmas break. Back-to-back Apollo Conference Champions was also an accomplishment that our team should be extremely proud of.

But while all of the individual and team achievements will fade, we will always have the memories of sharing Robinson High School’s first basketball State Championship with our teammates, classmates, parents, and the entire community! What a ride!”

Winning a state championship is a challenging feat, and this team and coaching staff are very deserving of this nomination.

Coaches

• Head Coach Bob Coffman
• Assistant Coach Dave Holubek
• Assistant Coach Dick Muston
• Assistant Coach Les Wilson
• Athletic Trainer Scott Rawlings

Manager

• Jasmyne Thomas-Sneed

Athletes

• #23 Ben Jones
• #32 Meyers Leonard
• #5 Derek Hannahs
• #12 Austin Siler
• #15 Devan Dirks
• #21 Cody Chamblin
• #20 Aaron Siler
• #42 Eli Wright
• #33 Warren Whithaus
• #13 Jimmy Stevens
• #34 Zach Danks
• #10 Zach Shipman
• #30 Alex Bruner
• #40 Andrew Schroeder
• #50 Ryan McCray

As an RHS alumni, Lade Akande was a 3-sport letter winner for 3 years and was a varsity letter winner in all sports (volleyball, basketball, track) from her freshman through senior year. She was also All-Conference in basketball for 3 years in the Apollo Conference. In girls basketball, Lade is the leading female point scorer with 1,949 points. She is also one of the top 5 scorers in school history for both boys and girls basketball. She is the leading rebounder in school history, recording 1,125 rebounds, and is the only female to have over 1,000 rebounds in her career. Lade was the season scoring leader in 2002, 2003, and 2005. She belongs to the Varsity 30-Point Club, scoring over 30 points in 11 games throughout her career as a Maroon.

Lade Akande is also the first female athlete from Robinson High School to sign a Division I basketball scholarship to continue her playing career. She continued her career at Butler University, where she was recently inducted into the Butler Hall of Fame, and we are honored to also induct her into our own Hall of Fame.

During his tenure, Coach Reeder had three 20-plus win seasons, won two Regional titles and a sectional crown, and won the Apollo Conference title three times. Some of his records against area teams were: Newton 22-4, Charleston 18-5, Mt. Carmel 12-4, Oblong 12-1, Casey 12-0, Effingham 3-0, and even with Olney and St. Anthony.

Coach Reeder remained the winningest coach in school history, with a 175-115 record, until surpassed this past season by current coach Mack Thompson. After leaving the head coaching position at Robinson, Coach Reeder continued to share his coaching expertise at Oblong. He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Museum Hall of Fame in 2014 after having coached a total of 35 years, with a 192-123 head coaching record and a career mark of 645-457.

Despite all of the aforementioned statistics, Coach Reeder was a father figure to his players, concerned with teaching about life and how to deal with adversity as well as success, without losing self-respect. Coach Jack Reeder embodies everything good about athletic competition, and he is, as they say, “a great coach, and a better man.” That is why he is so deserving of this recognition today.

As an RHS alumni, Jennifer “Jenny” Saad earned 11 varsity letters in four sports and was named MVP three years in volleyball and three years in softball. She lettered all 4 years in basketball and was named MVP of her basketball team all four years. In an 83-game basketball career, she scored 1,768 points. As a four-year starter, Jenny averaged 21.1 points per game, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Jenny was the season scoring leader in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984 - all before the 3-point shot was added to Illinois High School Basketball in 1987.

She belongs to the Varsity 30-Point Club, scoring over 30 points in 8 games throughout her career as a Maroon. She was a Margaret Wade Trophy winner when she topped 1,000 points and 1,500 points. Jenny Saad was also named a national All-Star Athlete by the Milky Way Foundation. Her impressive statistics only scratch the surface compared to her impact on the young girls she coaches at both Nuttall Middle School and Robinson High School. She continues to positively influence young female athletes and instills in them the lessons of dedication, determination, and work ethic.

Over the last three decades, Mike Uptmor has been a staple volunteer for RHS Athletics, starting when his oldest child, Chris, was in high school and continuing to the present day. The jobs he has done over these years range from being a basketball announcer, a JV baseball coach, a member of the chain gang, working the scoring table at wrestling meets, and keeping the book for countless RHS basketball teams (many years with his wife, Jona Uptmor, right beside him keeping the clock/scoreboard).

Mike is a proud graduate of RHS - Class of 1972. He has done many things outside of the schools, including coaching several Little League teams, being a member of Kiwanis, and volunteering for St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. You won’t find a harder worker than Mike Uptmor - he takes pride in his community and is proud to be a Maroon.

Any state championship is an amazing accomplishment for our school and community. Winning a state championship is a challenging feat, and even more so in a sport like track and field. The team and coaching staff are very deserving of this nomination. At this time, please recognize the following coaches and team members:

Coaches

• Head Coach Tony Cork
• Assistant Coach Bob Sornberger

Athletes

• Rick Goff – 3200 meter run
• Hank Hill – Shot put and discus. In 1980, Hank would win the discus, setting a new state record.
• Jeff Montgomery – 3rd place in 3200 relay. The 3200 relay time is still a school record.
• Mike Bachelor – 3rd place in 1600 relay
• Chip Sagaser – 3rd place in 1600 relay and 3200 relay
• Dick Andrus – 3rd place in 1600 relay and 3200 relay
• Don Weber – 2nd place in 1600 meter run and 3rd place in 3200 relay
• Joe Snyder – 4th place in 110 meter high hurdles, 3rd place in 1600 relay, and state champion in 300 meter hurdles. Joe’s times in both hurdle races are still school records.

Coach Cork is a name synonymous with Robinson Cross Country and Track. It is also a name synonymous with helping student athletes be the best they can be. His coaching records and accomplishments are unmatched, but Coach Cork’s influence goes beyond the starting block or the finish line. His guidance stays with student athletes throughout life. That is why he is so deserving of this induction. It is not always about the victory; it is about giving your best, and that is exactly what Coach Cork does.

Coach Joe Cunningham has been a staple in RHS athletics for 25 years. His involvement began in the fall of 1966 when he became an assistant on the RHS football team. He has been on the sidelines of Crosby Field every year since. Coach Joe also got involved with RHS wrestling in 2006. In his 15 years with the wrestling program, he was a constant presence and helped keep the program alive as it cycled through head coaches, even taking over as head coach for several years himself. Coach Joe is also heavily involved with the youth of the community and has been an FCA leader for 15 years.

With all of his coaching titles, community involvement, and personal accolades, his character, impact on students, and love for the youth make Coach Joe Cunningham truly special and deserving of this honor.

Coach Muston is a passionate person who genuinely cares about every athlete he has ever coached. He treated everyone with dignity and respect and always wanted the best for every athlete, both on and off the floor. He achieved the rare feat of being extremely competitive while sincerely caring for everyone he encountered. Coach Muston coached at every level (Junior High, Freshman, Sophomore, and Varsity) for 38 years and served as head coach for six of those years. During his six years as head coach, he won three regional titles. Coach Muston came out of retirement to volunteer with the boys basketball program in 2008. Just a few years after rejoining, he helped the Maroons to the 2010 2A State Championship, offering strategy, support, and enthusiasm every night.

Coach Muston has positively impacted fellow coaches and student athletes throughout his career. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential coaches, and he has instilled Maroon Pride not only at Robinson High School but also throughout the community. Coach Dick Muston is truly deserving of this award, and we congratulate and thank him for his contributions and successes.

Jack Kaley made his mark at Robinson High both on the football field and the basketball court. In 1944, he rushed for 1,337 yards, led Illinois in scoring with 149 points, and earned All-State honors in football. On the basketball court, he averaged 23 points per game, showing the same drive and skill he brought to every sport.

After high school, Jack served two years in the Army, continuing to play basketball until 1947. He went on to play football at Georgia Tech for a year before transferring to Drake University, where he played football, basketball, and baseball.

Jack’s love of sports led him into coaching. In 1951, he became the basketball coach at Estherville Iowa Junior College and later served as assistant football and head baseball coach at Eastern Illinois University. While at EIU, Jack also answered a calling to ministry, becoming a United Methodist pastor. His congregations affectionately referred to him as “Coach,” a nod to both his leadership on the field and in life.

Jack believed in more than just winning. “Winning is a sweet cut,” he said, “but success depends a lot on attitude.” That mindset guided both his coaching and his ministry, leaving a lasting legacy in every community he touched.

David Steele was a true all-around athlete at Robinson High, lettering in football, basketball, and track. On the football field, he earned All-Wabash Valley and All-Eastern Illinois Conference honors. In 1945, he ran a 107-yard touchdown, one of many memorable plays in his high school career.

David’s speed was legendary. He set the school record in the 100-yard dash with a time of 10.79 seconds, a record that stood until 1983.

Years later, Coach Sockler remembered David not just for the touchdowns he scored, but for the ones he set up for others. In one famous play against Oblong, David ran the ball all the way down the field and stopped at the one-yard line, letting his teammate Jack Kaley score and set the state record for touchdowns. “He was the most unselfish athlete I ever coached,” Coach Sockler said.

David’s combination of talent, speed, and team-first attitude made him a standout in Robinson High’s athletic history.

Mike Steele was a standout on the basketball court from the moment he stepped onto it at Robinson High. Over his four-year career, he racked up 1,232 points and led the team in rebounds every single year. Mike served as co-captain for three years, showing leadership both on and off the court.

He earned first-team honors in the Eastern Illinois Conference in 1970, the Apollo Conference in 1971, and was named First Team All-Southern Illinois by the Evansville Courier. In his senior year, he was selected All-State in 1972.

After high school, Mike went on a basketball scholarship to Purdue University. He was part of the 1974 Purdue team that won the NIT Championship and later earned a spot on the All Big Ten Academic Team in 1976.

Coach Jack Reeder, reflecting on three decades of coaching, called Mike “the best player I ever coached.” He was not just a great player, but a true leader on the court and a coach on the floor. In 1995, Mike was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Justin Stone was a standout on the Robinson High baseball team from his sophomore through senior years, helping the Maroons compile a 63-28 record. He played a key role in winning regional championships in 1993 and 1994, a sectional championship in 1993, and reaching the state finals in 1993, with a return to the sectional finals in 1994.

A consistent performer at the plate, Justin led the team with a .446 batting average going into the state final game. As a junior, he was the starting shortstop on a team that won 15 of 16 games heading into the Elite Eight.

Justin went on to play baseball at Indiana State, and he has remained connected to his hometown. Former coach Mike Shimer recalls, “Justin Stone is recognized as one of the finest baseball players to ever come through the Robinson High School Baseball program. He was a leader on and off the field and has gone on to great things while still giving back to the baseball program here in Robinson.”

Daniel Midgett excelled at Robinson High School as a two-sport athlete, playing football and wrestling all four years. He capped his high school wrestling career with a fourth-place finish at the state tournament in his senior year.

After graduation, Daniel continued wrestling at Southern Illinois University for four years, showcasing the same drive and dedication he had in high school. He has since served in the United States Army, earning several commendations for his service.

Currently stationed in California, Major Midgett is unable to be here in person to accept his award, but his achievements in athletics and service reflect the same commitment and excellence that earned him a place in the Robinson High School Hall of Fame.

Coach Terry Roche dedicated 29 years to Robinson High School, serving as a math teacher, Dean of Students, and Athletic Director, in addition to his long tenure on the football field. He was the head football coach for 21 years, compiling a 122-87 record and guiding 10 teams to the state playoffs.

Under his leadership, the Maroons finished second in the state in 1992 and reached the final four in 1993. His teams also claimed four Apollo Conference championships. Known for his knowledge, leadership, and ability to inspire players, Coach Roche left a lasting impact on Robinson athletics. He was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007.

Don Smith was a standout athlete at Robinson High School, excelling in both football and basketball. During his junior year, he led the state in football scoring with 155 points and helped the basketball team to a 21-7 record. As a senior, he was second in the state in football scoring with 156 points and played on a basketball team that went 29-5 and reached the Elite Eight in the one-class system era.

Don earned All-State honors in both basketball and football his senior year, a rare achievement in Robinson High history. After graduation, he served four years in the United States Navy, continuing a tradition of excellence and dedication both on and off the field.

Tim Sparks was a standout athlete at Robinson High, competing in both track and football all four years. Tim made his mark in track, setting the school record in the shot put at the 1965 Charleston High School Regionals with a throw of 59’ 5¼”. Remarkably, that record has stood for over 50 years, a testament to his talent and strength.

Tim’s dedication and athletic achievements remain an enduring part of Robinson High’s sports history.

Deb Whipkey has had a long and impactful career at Robinson High School. A 1971 graduate, she returned in 1977 to begin her teaching career and retired in 2011 as the school’s guidance counselor.

During her time at RHS, Deb coached volleyball, softball, and basketball, but she is best known for her work as the golf coach from 1985 to 2011. Over those years, she built an impressive 299-153 record, claimed five regional titles, and led two teams to qualify for the state tournament. Several of her players also went on to compete at the state level individually.

Deb’s dedication as a coach and mentor left a lasting mark on countless students, both on the course and in the classroom.