Joe Champley

Joe Champley graduated from Taylorville High School in 1985, after having an outstanding career in both basketball and baseball. Not only did he earn three varsity letters in basketball, but he was also a three year starter. During those three years the Tornadoes were a combined 46 and 31 and won an Apollo Conference Championship and a Regional Championship. For his Career, Champley scored 891 points, placing him 16th on the all time Tornadoes scoring list. During his senior season he led the Tornadoes with 380 points and 15.8 point per game scoring average. As a junior, Champley was selected to the All-Apollo Conference second team, and he finished off his senior year being selected to the All- Conference First Team. He was also chosen as WTIM/WTJY Player of the Year and was also selected team MVP.

Following graduation, Joe Champley elected to attend Belleville Area College where he was a two year starter on the Basketball team. During his career at Belleville, Champley averaged 15.0 points per game. Following two years in Belleville, Champley joined former Taylorville standout and coach of the Aurora University Spartans, James Lancaster , where he was a two year starter. Scoring 630 points and pulling down 260 rebounds, Champley was selected to the Northern Illinois-Iowa All Conference Basketball Team following the 1989-90 season and was selected team captain the following year.

During the spring of 1984, Joe Champley played first based for the Tornadoes baseball team. During that year the Tornadoes advanced to the final four in the IHSA State Baseball tournament for only the second time in school history. The following year, he continued as the Taylorville’s first baseman.

Joe Champley currently teaches at Taylorville Junior High School and lives in Taylorville with his wife Debra and their sons, Tanner and Evan.