Bob Hallberg, 1944-2019: Coach Made Lasting Impact On Many

CHICAGO — The number of lives touched by longtime legendary Chicago basketball coach Bob Hallberg continues to grow as tributes continue to pour in just two days after his death. Hallberg died on Nov. 19, 2019 at age 75, just months after retiring as head women's basketball coach and athletic director at Saint Xavier University.

Read Bob Hallberg's obituary via Curley Funeral Home

A coach for more than 50 years in Chicago, thousands upon thousands of basketball players learned from Hallberg at Kennedy High School, Chicago State University, the University of Illinois-Chicago and SXU, where he was revered most.

I was never one of those basketball players he mentored, but I am grateful to say I'm one of the countless others who have learned from him too.

In the mid 2000's I was a journalism student at SXU and worked on the school newspaper and radio station. Hallberg was the first person I ever interviewed and quoted in any published article when I talked to him about progress on the women's basketball season in January 2006 for a story for The Xavierite newspaper.

Over the next few years I'd interact with him often, mostly for insight on newspaper articles but for some radio interviews too. He once had to remind me of the "know your audience" virtue when discussing some criticism of his team on the radio during a loss.

He told me "this isn't ESPN" when some parents thought our radio broadcasts at SXU were too critical of the team.

"These are kids, and you have to know your audience," he said.

Great advice, and he was right. He stood up for his players and helped me develop as a journalist at the same time.

Hallberg knew basketball more than anyone, and was more than open with reporters whether it was after a win or a loss. He would add humor in his coaching at times, too.

Back in 2008 I was on the team bus as the Cougars were preparing for an NAIA National Tournament game in Tennessee. While the team was watching film on the opponent, the camera angle froze with no players in the frame just as Hallberg was making a comment on how fast the other team ran their offense.

"They are running their offense so fast, you can't even see them," he smoothly said as the film error showed.

Hallberg made an impact on many. Here's a look at a few comments via the Curley Funeral Home Tribute Wall:

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Bob was the inspiration for my son to make a career in coaching as he invited him into locker rooms and let him sit and watch his strategy and motivation style evolve. - Ron Skupien

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Coach Hallberg's record speaks for itself with a total of 1,080 wins and a .720 winning percentage at the high school and college levels, all accomplished at schools within the Chicago area. He was a great evaluator of talent and student of the game. However, the true success of his programs revolved around how much he cared for his players as students and human beings. I will always remember how Coach maintained such grace and humility despite his stature as one of the greatest basketball coaches in the Chicago area and the State of Illinois. - Charlie Sikaras

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Coach Hallberg was a great leader, visionary, mentor, motivator and of course a great caring and compassionate person. He left his positive mark on so many students and athletes long after their high school or college days. - Dolly and Rob Fitzgerald

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See more tributes here via Curley Funeral Home