George E. Egofske

George Egofske, former long-time high school Athletic Director, coach, teacher and mentor in the south suburbs passed away peacefully Wednesday at the age of 93.

Egofske has been recognized at the highest levels in the state of Illinois for his success as a high school athletic administrator, football coach, and as an athlete in his earlier years. 

He served over 40 years in education and athletics primarily in the south suburbs of Rich Township at both Rich East and Rich South High Schools. Twice elected to the Illinois Sports Hall of Fame separately as a multi-sport athlete at Illinois State University and again as high school coach/administrator. Egofske was well known throughout the area as a successful head football coach, and as a trailblazer in high school athletics as well as a visionary Athletic Director. 

Egofske graduated Illinois State University (ISU) in 1953 after a stellar two sport athlete/captain in football and wrestling. After serving two years in the Army including winning the all-army wrestling championship, he obtained his master’s degree as a football graduate assistant at ISU in 1956. He started his successful coaching career at Central Catholic High School (Bloomington, Il) for two seasons then continued to Rich Township high school in Park Forest in the fall of 1958. 

Egofske was both a motivator and innovator on and off the field. He was one of the top winningest head football coaches in the State during the 1960’s at Rich East High School recording four individual undefeated seasons. He moved to Rich South when the Richton Park high school opened in 1972. As an administrator, he was Division Chair of Athletics, health education, driver education, physical education and special education. 

As an athletic administrator, he pioneered and started long-standing sports tournaments, newly created athletic conferences, and educational programs. While at Rich South, he launched the Big Dipper Holiday Basketball Tournament in 1973 and became a pioneer by introducing for the first time ever both the shot clock and three-point play into Illinois High School basketball many years before it became adopted at the state level. As Athletic Director he was a key advocate in rolling out girls’ athletics, including winning the first ever Illinois softball championship in 1976.  

George Egofske’s positive high energy touched thousands of students, parents, faculty, peers and made many lifetime relationships and friends with them all! He dedicated his recently released book accordingly: “I dedicate this book to all the students, athletes, teachers, coaches and faculty that I have worked with. I love you all! You all have made everyone not good, not great, but fantastic!” 

George Egofske is preceded in death by two wives, Josephine Egofske and Elizabeth Martin, a son Jim (Anna), and a daughter Mary Therese; he is survived by his loving family, sons Dave (Ruth), Peter (Barb), Mark (Susan), John (Louise) and his daughters Julie (Kevin) Cassidy, Maggie (Mark) Jager; cherished grandfather and great grandfather of many lovely grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Anna (Jim) Jack Morrissey, Kayla (Greg), Sophie, Charlie Opperman, Leah (Shane) Eloise, George Snyder, Jack and Julia Egofske, Anna (Vincent), Dean, Emmett Vitalie, Julienne and Elise Egofske, Nolan, Brayden and Kaitlin Cassidy, Madi, Josephine and William Jager, and Ryan Egofske. 

The family will receive friends Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E Francis Rd, New Lenox, IL on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from 3 pm – 8 pm. Funeral Services Thursday, January 23, 2025, with prayers at the funeral home at 10:30 am then to St. Jude Catholic Church, New Lenox, IL for Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Interment will be private on Friday, January 24, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Bloomington, IL.