Hall of Fame
A Vietnam veteran, Gary Moore was the architect of one of the most successful runs of success in any sport during his time at Benedictine.
Moore served as the head men's tennis coach from 1974-1978, transitioning the program from a club sport to a varsity sport. Under his guidance, the men's tennis team did not drop a single match in the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference, claiming four consecutive conference titles. The 1976 team became the first team in school history to qualify for a national collegiate tournament and is also slated to be inducted into this year's hall of fame.
Moore posted an overall record of 86-15 during his tenure. The 1976 team won the NAIA District 20 Tournament and finished 13th in the nation. Moore was named as the NAIA District 20 Coach of the Year in 1974 after the team finished third in the district. The 1975 squad finished second in District 20. The men's tennis team won 42 of a possible 45 championships in singles and doubles.
"About 15 years ago at one of our reunions, the boys expressed their idea that I belonged in the Hall of Fame," Moore said. "Just knowing that they felt so strongly about it put me there in my mind. The fact that my induction has actually come to be is truly icing on the cake and an incredible honor. I am so grateful that the 1976 team is being inducted in its entirety and that we are all still on this earth to enjoy it."
Moore remains active in the sport in New York at the high school and club level. The time at Benedictine influenced who he has become.
"When I was coaching at IBC, it was an intimate atmosphere," Moore said. "The team became a family. That set a precedent for how I have chosen to coach, teach, and conduct my personal life. Strong bonds are the key to success and happiness."
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