Gary Vicini

Class of 1972 Gary Vicini was a standout multi-sport athlete at Ottawa Township High School, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball. He particularly excelled in football where at the time of his graduation he was the all time leading rusher with 1,821 yards over two seasons, twice rushing for 168 yards in a game, was OTHS’s second leading scorer with 196 points, and finished his career with 2,167 yards of total offense. He went on to become an exceptional running back at Illinois Wesleyan, where he also played baseball. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan, Gary Vicini began a teaching and coaching career at Hall High School in Spring Valley, Illinois. He taught at Hall from 1976-2009 before retiring. After serving at Hall as an assistant football coach he became the head varsity coach in 1984, compiling a record of 195-80, while qualifying for the state playoffs 20 times in his 25 year head coaching career. His teams compiled a 32-18 playoff record, were state 3A runners-up in 1996, and won two state 3A championships in 1995 and 2001. Gary Vicini also was the head baseball coach at Hall for 17 years, winning 3 regional titles during that span; head softball coach for 8 years; and head girl’s track coach for 8 years. In 2004, Gary Vicini was elected into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame and in 2010 inducted into the inaugural Hall High School Hall of Fame.