An already incredible coaching resume for Gene Heidkamp reached a high point this boys basketball season. Heidkamp not only was the head coach for the storied Benet Academy program’s first state championship, March 15, but earlier this season he found out he would be inducted into the Illinois Boys Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame Saturday in Normal.
Heidkamp has been Benet’s head coach since 2008-09 and just completed his 20th season as a head coach and 32nd in high school boys basketball. Heidkamp’s first head coaching opportunity was at Nazareth Academy for three seasons (2002-05).
“I do consider [IBCA Hall of Fame] to be quite an honor. I’m very appreciative of all of the players that I’ve coached and obviously the assistant coaches I’ve worked with,” Heidkamp said. “When you receive an honor like this it’s really an honor that recognizes everybody involved with the program. You would not be in this point without so many great players and assistant coaches that I’ve been so lucky to work with.”
Nazareth was the start for Heidkamp as a head coach after nine seasons on various levels at St. Patrick, his alma mater.
The Roadrunners were a combined 24-56 (11-17 his final season) as they transitioned into the tougher East Suburban Catholic Conference.
“I worked with great kids [at Nazareth]. That experience was a tremendous one for me. It helped me develop as a coach,” he said. “We didn’t always have the biggest or the most athletic kids, but we had the kids who were committed and worked hard. We played a tremendous schedule. That experience shaped me for what I was fortunate enough to be a part of in the future. [Those players] set the table for me to have success in the future.”
At Benet, Heidkamp’s record of 421-108 has included 10 seasons of at least 25 victories and two with at least 30 – this year’s 33-5 Class 4A champions and the program-best record 35-2 team that lost in the 2023 state final to Moline 59-42.
Last month’s 55-54 state title victory truly was a crowning moment.
“For our program, I think it was a milestone. It kind of captured 50 years of Benet basketball,” he said.
The Redwings had lost two other times in the 4A state championship in 2016 and 2014 with Heidkamp coaching. Even with two great preceding longtime coaches Marty Gaughan and Bill Geist, the Redwings’ only other state trophy has been third in Class AA in 1979. The 1982 and 1983 teams lost in the AA downstate quarterfinals. Geist coached all three teams.
Past players, many from the 1970s, were among those at the school’s official celebration. Benet still holds a remarkable 102-match winning streak on its home court from Nov. 26, 1975 to Jan. 24, 1987.
“I don’t know if that record will ever be broken or touched, at least in my lifetime,” Heidkamp said. “To finally win the state championship, I think it was a great feeling, not only for our players now but all of the players who have played in the past. It wasn’t just about this group. It’s really a representation of all 50 years and for me personally, the great players and teams that have come before when I was here. A lot of different emotions, all really good.”
After Nazareth, Heidkamp returned to St. Patrick for three seasons as a varsity assistant under legendary coach Mike Bailey, head coach since 1994.
In his previous five seasons with the Shamrocks, he was the varsity assistant and sophomore or freshman head coach. Heidkamp played for the school’s previous legend, Max Kurland, head coach from 1969-94, and coached under him one season.
“Both of those guys are IBCA Hall of Famers. Very fortunate to learn under some of the best coaches in the history of the state,” he said. “They’re the only two coaches in the last 60 years at St. Pat’s. Two of the best ever. That’s the upbringing I had.”