Jack Fabri

Jack Fabri graduated from. Taylorville High School in 1931 and was and outstanding athlete in three sports. Following graduation, Fabri became one of the premier basketball coaches in the state of Illinois. During his high school years, Jack Fabri was a tackle on the Tornadoes Football team. In 1928, as a sophomore, he was a member of Taylorville's only undefeated, untied team. His senior year, he was named All-Conference. He was a guard on the basketball team and contributed to their 11-3 season. In the spring, Fabri threw the shot put and ran the low hurdles. Following graduation, Fabri attend the North Carolina State University on a scholarship.    It was coaching that Jack Fabri excelled. His long and successful career began at Springfield Cathedral High School, where he coached both basketball and football. In his three years at Cathedral, Fabri had two twenty win seasons and took the Cyclones to the "Sweet Sixteen" in 1942. Following that successful season, he entered the Navy, but successfully returned to coaching following his tour of duty. Collinsville was his first stop after the war and he immediately to the Kahoks to the "Sweet Sixteen" in 1946. In the fall of 1946, Fabri moved across the Mississippi for a year and coached McBride High School to a 24-2 season.    LaSalle High School was Fabri's next stop, and in his first year, he again took a team to the "Sweet Sixteen". Following four seasons at La Salle, he moved back to central Illinois and became the head coach at Decatur Lakeview in 1953. After seasons of 21 and 20 wins, Fabri went north again and became the coach at Palatine High School. He completed his career at Niles west High school, retiring in 1962.