Glenwood High School announced latest Hall of Fame class

The Hall of Fame honors those with ties to Glenwood and the former Ball High School for actions or achievements in their chosen fields. It was created in 2006.

A selection committee chose six individuals and one team for the newest class.

According to a press release, this year’s nominees are:

For performance: Ben Bedford – Since graduating from GHS in 2000, Bedford has established himself as a rising star in the folk music world.

In 2010, Rich Warren of WFMT-Chicago listed Bedford as one of the “50 Greatest Folk Singer-Songwriters of the Last 50 Years,” placing him alongside the likes of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. He has spent the last 15 years collecting awards and touring throughout North America and Western Europe. In January 2023 he released his sixth studio album Valley Of Stars.

For the service: Dan Rourke – Athletic Director/Head Football Coach – Rourke came to Chatham in 1993 and quickly formed the Chatham Community Football League. During his 23-year career at Glenwood High School, Rourke averaged 159-88 overall and 115-54 in the Central State Eight Conference. Glenwood reached the postseason 18 times, going into the playoffs 23-17 in that span.

In 1998 Glenwood Football defeated Kankakee Bishop McNamara 28-21 in the State Championship Game to cap an unbeaten season. During his tenure as athletic director, Glenwood teams have appeared 16 times in their last four games, including a state championship in girls’ soccer, boys’ soccer, baseball and softball.

For individual sporting achievements:

Kip Provines – Provines graduated from Glenwood High School in 1994 as one of the most accomplished athletes Chatham has ever seen. A four-sport athlete and record-holder, Provines received 10 varsity letters. During his senior year, he earned All-Conference honors in football, soccer, basketball and baseball. The culmination of his athletic endeavors in high school was winning the inaugural State Journal-Register CS8 Conference Athlete of the Year in 1994.

He then played college baseball at Indiana State University, where he holds Indiana state records for first baseman in career field percentage, season and career assists, and career putouts. No Indiana State athlete has surpassed the 1998 Provines batting average of .414. After graduating, he played two seasons for the Springfield Capitals of the Frontier League.

Tricia Criswell – Criswell (1987) was one of the pioneers of girls’ sports at Glenwood High School, where she was a member of the boys’ soccer team, girls’ basketball team and track and field team. Criswell was later a 4-year starter on the women’s soccer team at Methodist College in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Criswell served in the United States Air Force before joining the Los Angeles Police Department. She spent 10 years as Detective III investigating child murder, abuse and sexual abuse.

For sporting team success: girls soccer team 2013 – These champions were part of the first GHS group to win a state title in a girls’ team sport, and they did so convincingly. After finishing runners-up in the 2012 season, the Titans went into the 2013 season with something to prove. Led by a great senior class, the Titans finished the season with 14 straight wins in a 21-1-1 and beat eight postseason opponents for a 35-3 aggregate score. In the state finals, the titan scored twice in the first 13 minutes of the game and never looked back as he earned the 4-1 win over Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge behind two goals from Abby Klintworth.

Posthumous Recognition: Frank & Cinda Edwards – The Edwards were both Glenwood High School graduates known for their community service. Cinda served on the LLCC Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2013 and served as Chair for two years. She was appointed Sangamon County Medical Examiner in 2011. Frank served in the Illinois National Guard and worked for the Springfield Fire Department, retiring as chief in 2002. He then served as Councilor of Springfield Ward 1 and as interim mayor from December 2010 to April 2011.

The Hall of Fame Ceremony will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at the GHS Commons and Auditorium with lunch at 1:00 p.m. followed by the ceremony at approximately 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for K-12 students, and free for younger children.

For tickets and more information, visit the HOF website at https://www.chathamschools.org/glenwood-hall-of-fame.