The Craig Freels Tennis Courts were officially dedicated during a program attended by several hundred at Centralia High School on Saturday.
Superintendent Chuck Lane said the courts were a real tribute to Craig and a long time coming as money was not available until the school aid formula changes and the one-cent sales tax to support schools was approved by voters.
School Board Vice Chair Keith Kessler, who played under Coach Freels, said he would be so proud of the facility.
“The #1 contributor to our rich tennis history here at CHS is Coach Freels. Coach would be so pleased to see all of you here today. And #3 coach was a very special person and we are all lucky he has touched our lives. Today has been a long time coming, but the wait is over and it has been worth it.”
Freels’ widow Nancy pushed for the new courts for years.
“He would just be so proud. So the new memories are here and the old memories are in our hearts. So I want to celebrate the tennis program today that he was so proud of.”
Freels emphasized the courts were not just a tennis facility but also a physical education facility.
Four members of Freels’ first team in 1978 returned for the dedication including Steve Herrmann who now lives in Florida.
“He set the example for how to play and act. He takes over and we had never been to state, and we went to state so you figure out the common denominator there. He took it and was just awesome.”
Charlie Uluhogian returned from Canton, Michigan.
“The great thing was you had a coach out there that was 10 times better than we ever could be and he was showing us how to do things the right way.”
Freels was the first Centralia High School tennis player to qualify for state, went on to be part of a state doubles team champion while playing at Kaskaskia College, and also moved to national competition while playing at Eastern Illinois University. He then returned to teach and coach at Centralia High School in 1978. Freels remained as a teacher until 2007 and as tennis coach until 2009. He then coached tennis at Kaskaskia College. Freels has been inducted into both the Centralia and Kaskaskia College Sports Hall of Fame.
Centralia High School Board Vice-Chair Keith Kessler, Nancy Freels, and Centralia High Superintendant Chuck Lane with a plaque honoring Coach Craig Freels. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Plaque Honoring Craig Freels that will hang above the concession stand area at CHS football stadium. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
