When Hinsdale Central athletic director Dan Jones worked at DeKalb, he was the director of the Chuck Dayton Holiday Classic, which in December conducted its 87th annual boys basketball tournament.
Now in his third year with the Red Devils, Jones was looking to create a similar experience in Hinsdale.
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On March 1, Jones announced 13 teams that are slated to compete in the inaugural Hinsdale Central Holiday Classic Dec. 26 and Dec. 28-30. Jones said he is actively seeking three more teams to complete the field.
Jones discussed the possibility of hosting a tournament with boys basketball coach Nick Latorre during the past year.
The new tournament is one of several projects Jones has introduced since coming to Hinsdale Central.
Hinsdale Central boys basketball began hosting the annual Chicago Hoops Showdown and a Class 4A supersectional. The school will again be the site of the state boys gymnastics meet in the spring.
“I’m not the type of guy who sits around and goes through the motions,” Jones said. “I like to promote our facilities and promote our teams. I like to give us as much of a home-field advantage to our athletes as possible.”
One of the appeals of the new tournament is that longtime Proviso West tournament director Joe Spagnolo will be the manager, while Jones will be tournament director.
Tournament organizers have already received commitments from five teams that are leaving Proviso West. The addition of Spagnolo was one of the reasons Maine South coach Tony Lavorato was willing to make the switch after two years at Proviso West.
“We were invited to return to Proviso, but chose to decline their invitation since Joe is running Hinsdale Central,” Lavorato said. “I believe that Joe will be successful getting state-ranked teams and highly rated officials at Hinsdale Central. I truly believe it will become one of the top tournaments in Illinois. Maine South is proud to be a part of this new tradition.”
Stevenson coach Patrick Ambrose was an assistant coach at Proviso West, but is switching to Hinsdale Central after winning the last two Proviso West tournaments.
The other teams departing Proviso West are Hinsdale Central after 11 years, Rockford Auburn after four years and Homewood-Flossmoor after 17.
“For me, the main reason going [to Proviso West] were the tremendous people that I worked with and the relationship I built up,” Ambrose said. “I know it’s not all about me, but our players and coaches like to try new ventures along the way.”
Hinsdale Central also received commitments from Crespi Carmelite of Encino, California, Crete-Monee, DePaul Prep, Lincoln Park, Perspectives, Richards, St. Charles East and Westinghouse.
The new tournament has launched a website, hcholidayclassic.com, Twitter feed @hinsdaleclassic, a Facebook page and a tournament preview video on YouTube.
Twitter: @geomwilcox