Mike Trueblood, former sports editor of The Register-Mail. (JAY REDFERN/WGIL)
For the second straight year, a member of the Galesburg media has been elected to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Former longtime Register-Mail sports editor Mike Trueblood will be inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame at the annual IBCA Hall of Fame Banquet on May 4 at Illinois State University.
Trueblood started at The Register-Mail in 1978, and served as sports editor of Galesburg’s daily newspaper for 40 years from 1979-2019. He continued to cover sporting events through 2022.
Trueblood is just the third media member who will represent Galesburg in the IBCA Hall of Fame. Former longtime Galesburg Register-Mail sports editor Joe Morrissey received the honor in 1984, and longtime WGIL Radio play-by-play announcer Brad Bennewitz — voice of Galesburg Silver Streaks sports for nearly 30 years — was inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame earlier this year.
The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame was founded in 1973 to honor the best and most influential players, teams, coaches, media, officials, and friends of basketball in Illinois history. Since then, a new Hall of Fame class has been inducted every year.
It marks the second hall of fame honor for Trueblood this year. He was enshrined into the Galesburg Athletic Hall of Fame on Nov. 25.
“I’ve been to that IBCA Hall of Fame event several times, and it’s a good one to be in,” Trueblood said. “They honor a lot of great people, and I’m glad to be in the mix.”
Trueblood added, “Basketball was probably always my favorite sport to cover. I was fortunate enough to cover a lot of great teams, coaches and players over the years. It was fun going to so many state tournaments and seeing all the great teams in Illinois — both boys and girls.”
Two coaches with ties to Galesburg also will be honored by the IBCA.
Former Streaks boys basketball coach Mike Reynolds will enter the IBCA Hall of Fame as a coach. Reynolds now coaches at DeKalb High School.
And former Streaks sophomore coach Thom Sigel, who went on to lead both Rock Falls and Rock Island to IHSA state boys championships, is the recipient of the the IBCA’s Herrin Award. The Herrin Award is named after both Ron and Rich Herrin, longtime successful basketball coaches in Illinois.
Other notable players and coaches among the IBCA Class of 2024 include:
- Acie Earl of Moline
- Brent Carmichael of UT
- Pete Mickeal of Rock Island
- Amanda Clifton of Alleman
- Jennifer Youngblood Shay of Rock Island
