Salem High grad and Centralia Annies head women’s basketball coach Katie Meador-Steffen has been chosen to be inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a player. Meador-Steffen was only the 3rd Salem basketball player to go over 2,000 scoring 2230 and following high school, she played basketball and Florida Gulf Coast University.
The following is Katie’s social media post announcing her induction.
“Well, since the cats out the bag…
I have been chosen to be inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a Player. I do not know who nominated me, but I am extremely blessed and honored to be going into the IBCA Hall of Fame!
I would not even have this opportunity or honor, if it weren’t for numerous people in my life. My parents and brothers constantly pushing me to be better, believing in my ability, talking basketball or life conversations, listening to me rant or just being there in general through it all! I would not be as tough as I am if it were not for them (mostly my brothers- I couldn’t play if I couldn’t keep up.. and I wanted to play!). My family for always coming to games, High School or college, supporting me and always being there! My head coaches, assistant coaches and volunteer coaches for constantly believing I was capable of more, and helped me push physical and mental boundaries to break barriers, and become a better player for my team! My team for being there through the thick of it, being by each others side through it all!! Through all the late night practices, early morning practices, the running, the winning and the losing and so much more! For never taking it easy, always pushing me to be better and believing in our team and our ability to be one of the best teams and programs in Southern Illinois. I would be nothing without them. To the opposing teams who I constantly battled, laughed with running up and down the court, and truly enjoyed playing against throughout HS! Also to all the other individuals who came in and shot with me on off days, stayed late after practice and would beat me up in the post or rebound. Thank you to the janitors who probably got tired of me taking an extension cord to plug in the shooting gun (i always asked and returned it) or listening to my music as they cleaned. There are soooo many people I could thank and I’m sure I’m missing so many (which is why I’m not naming names- I would forget someone). Thank you to the Good Lord himself for always being there! During the National Anthem I would pray for strength, health, guidance, determination, will, and courage for me and my team. For listening to my numerous rants, why’s and what to dos! I would be nothing without the guidance of Him, my family, my coaches, my teammates and my friends!
This is such an incredible honor and I am completely blessed to be a part of the 2023, 51st induction class into the IBCA Hall of Fame as a Player!!
Side note: excited to be inducted with a friend and rival from Mater Dei, Brooke Schulte!
Also side note: I don’t know HOW IN THE WORLD she is just now being inducted into the HOF, but I am SOOO completed excited, and mildly fangirling to be inducted with one of my biggest idols since grade school, Candace Parker!! I watched her play in orange and blue for my all time favorite coach and team!! I am being inducted into the HOF with Candace Parker, who played under Pat Summitt and the Tennessee Lady Vols!! Like I said, I‘m mildly fan girling, but I also thinks it’s God’s way of being like “here you go- you’ve earned this”
Again, thank you all so very much!!”
I had the pleasure of calling every minute of every game of Katie’s career at Salem and she was one of the most competitive athletes I’ve ever covered and made it exciting each and every night we went to the gym, not knowing what kind of show she and her teammates were going to put on. Thank you Katie!
