The Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Kahok Hall of Fame announced the 2026 class of inductees during a ceremony at the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament in Fletcher Gymnasium at Collinsville High School.   

The Hall of Fame was established in May 2022 “to recognize athletic and personal accomplishments, exemplary citizenship, contributions to society and actions that brought distinction and honor to all associated with Collinsville Community Unit School District #10.”

The 2026 group is the fourth to be enshrined in the Kahok Hall of Fame. Forty-five individuals and teams have earned a place in the Hall of Fame since the first ceremony in February 2023.  

Beginning in June 2025, nominations for the 2026 class of inductees were solicited from the public.  In September, members of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee chose this year’s Kahok Hall of Fame inductees from a lengthy list of worthy individuals and teams.  

To be eligible, a candidate must have graduated from Collinsville High School, worked for Collinsville CUSD 10 or be affiliated with the CUSD 10 communities. Individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame must be at least 30 years of age prior to being inducted.

The Collinsville CUSD 10 Kahok Hall of Fame has two divisions:

• Distinguished: Individuals are recognized for community service, academic achievement, professional accomplishment and/or school district employment.

• Athletic: Individuals, teams and coaches are recognized for their success and accomplishments.

Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich said, “The district is proud to honor our alumni, residents and employees for their community service, academic excellence, professional achievements, dedication to the district and athletic accomplishments.”

“Year four brings another outstanding class. On behalf of the committee, we are incredibly proud of this year’s inductees and look forward to celebrating their achievements with our community in February.”

The 2026 inductees will be celebrated February 19, 2026 at the Gateway Center in Collinsville, Illinois.  Doors open at 5:00 p.m.; followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m.  The inductee presentations begin at 6:45 p.m.  The cost is $50 per person.  Tables seating eight can be requested. Tickets for this event are limited and must be purchased in advance. Ticket sales end on February 1, 2026.  

Tickets for all previous dinners have sold out quickly.  The public is urged to purchase tickets early to ensure availability.  

The link to purchase tickets is posted on the Hall of Fame website: kahokhalloffame.kahoks.org.  

2025 Collinsville CUSD 10 Kahok Hall of Fame Inductees:

1991 Boys Soccer Team (Athletic Achievement):  The 1991 Collinsville Kahok Soccer team entered the season with unfinished business and delivered a storybook run, rebounding from early setbacks to dominate the postseason and claim Collinsville’s third state soccer championship. After defeating long-standing rivals and snapping major winning streaks, the Kahoks powered through the state tournament and secured a dramatic 1-0 victory in a frigid title match. Finishing 24-2-3 for the season, the 1991 team cemented Collinsville High School’s place as one of Illinois’ most respected soccer programs.

Rodger Bohnenstiehl (Athletic Achievement):  A 1964 Collinsville High School graduate, Rodger Bohnenstiehl was a standout three-year Kahok Basketball starter who earned multiple All-State honors and All-American recognition.  His prowess on the court helped power Kahok Basketball to long-standing home and conference winning streaks.  He set several individual shooting records, and still ranks among the program’s all-time scoring leaders. At the University of Kansas, he continued his excellence as a team captain and two-time All-Big Eight performer who led the Jayhawks to an NIT title game. Drafted by the New York Knicks and later playing professionally with the Pittsburgh Pipers, he went on to a long teaching and coaching career across multiple Illinois high schools.

Patrick Gauen (Distinguished Achievement):  Patrick Gauen, a 1968 Collinsville High School graduate, built on his early experiences in student journalism and debate to launch a distinguished five-decade career in reporting, editing and commentary. After writing for SIUE’s Alestle, he joined the Collinsville Herald, where he spent eight years as a reporter and photographer before moving on to major roles at the St. Louis Globe-Democrat and a 32-year tenure at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. His career spanned political reporting, public safety coverage, television commentary, teaching and book editing.  Widely honored, including a Pulitzer Prize nomination, Gauen earned recognition from numerous state and national organizations for his impactful contributions to journalism.

Col. Olin Gilbert (Distinguished Achievement): Colonel Olin Gilbert, a 1934 Collinsville High School graduate, put aside his pre-med studies and followed his passion for aviation when he entered the Officers’ Reserve Corps in 1941. During World War II, he served with distinction in multiple fighter groups, eventually commanding the 83rd Fighter Squadron in the European Theater. He survived a forced landing in Belgium and earned recognition as a flying ace. Col. Gilbert retired after the Vietnam War with more than 5,800 flight hours.  He was a member of aviator organizations such as the Escape and Evasion Society, Quiet Birdmen, and Daedalians. Over his long military career, he flew a wide range of aircraft, and received numerous honors, including the Silver Star, Legion of Merit and Purple Heart. 

Franklin C. “Prof” Kreider (Distinguished Achievement):  Franklin C. “Prof” Kreider, born in Collinsville in 1895, rose from early violin lessons in a Main Street barbershop to become the city’s first high school band director and one of the nation’s leading music educators. After leaving high school to teach violin, he went on to direct local bands, lead theater orchestras during the silent-film era and organize the Collinsville Township High School Band in 1930. Kreider built the concert band program into a national powerhouse, winning three consecutive National Band Contests from 1938 to 1940. He performed with and directed major St. Louis area ensembles  and earned numerous honors, including membership in the American Bandmasters’ Association.  He retired from teaching in 1962. Collinsville CUSD 10 later recognized his legacy by naming the Webster Elementary School auditorium in his honor. 

Lois (Welch) Metzger (Distinguished Achievement):  Lois Welch Metzger, a 1955 Collinsville Township High School graduate and lifelong Collinsville resident, has devoted her life to preserving and celebrating her community’s history. After earning an education degree from Southern Illinois University, she returned home to teach in Collinsville CUSD 10 as a kindergarten, first grade and substitute teacher for many years.  She became a tireless volunteer, sharing her deep knowledge of local heritage through programs, tours and public service.  A driving force behind the restoration of the DD Collins House and an active member of organizations including the Historic Preservation Commission, DAR, Friends of the Collinsville Historical Museum, Rotary and Collinsville Junior Service Club, Lois has spent decades supporting educational, cultural and civic causes. Her dedication has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Studs Terkel Humanities Award, Collinsville Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Excellence Award, and CHS Alumni Achievement Award, as well as special recognition from the City of Collinsville for her many years of service to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Harry Parker (Athletic Achievement): Harry Parker, a 1965 Collinsville High School graduate, excelled as a straight-A student, multi-sport athlete and starting forward on the Kahoks’ 1965 Illinois State Championship basketball team. Though a key contributor on the court, baseball was his true passion, and after dominating at CHS and in American Legion play, he was given the opportunity to attend the University of Illinois and play baseball.  Instead, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals to begin an eight-year minor league career, posting a 69–54 record and 3.31 ERA. Parker went on to pitch in the majors for the Cardinals, Mets and Indians, enjoying his best season with the 1973 National League champion Mets, appearing in both the NLCS and World Series before shoulder issues ended his playing days. He later completed a computer science degree at the University of Illinois and enjoyed a successful career with Texaco designing and implementing computer systems.

Deana Wallace (Athletic Achievement):, A 1984 Collinsville High School graduate, Deana Wallace was the Kahoks’ first standout girls soccer player. She went on to a remarkable career at SIUE, where she set numerous scoring and assist records and later became the first women’s soccer player inducted into the SIUE Hall of Fame. Named an alternate to the inaugural U.S. Women’s National Team, she was also selected twice for Olympic Festival teams. Wallace returned to Collinsville to teach fifth grade for 32 years and to coach the CHS girls soccer team for 18 seasons, earning 187 wins, multiple conference, regional and sectional titles, two state tournament appearances and Coach of the Year honors in 2002.

Cory Wilson (Athletic Achievement):  Cory Wilson, a 2000 Collinsville High School graduate, was a three-sport letterman and standout football player who helped lead the Kahoks to a school-record run of success, earning first-team All-Conference, All-Area and Class 5A All-State honors. Wilson continued his career at McKendree College as a four-year letterman, record-setting tackler, two-time All-Conference honoree and 2003 NAIA second-team All-American. He served as a student coach at McKendree and a volunteer coach at Collinsville High School. He died in 2010 at age 27 in a workplace shooting, but his legacy endures through the Cory Wilson Scholarship Association, which has awarded more than $220,000 in scholarships and community support.

Collinsville CUSD 10 Kahok Hall of Fame

For more information about the Kahok Hall of Fame,  including profiles of past honorees,  visit: kahokhalloffame.org

Collinsville Area Community Foundation

The Collinsville CUSD 10 Kahok Hall of Fame is supported through the Collinsville Area Community Foundation. 

CACF works to enhance the quality of life for the communities of Collinsville, Maryville, Caseyville, Fairmont City and surrounding areas by promoting impartial, unbiased and ethical philanthropy, with a commitment to inclusiveness and diversity, by bringing together people and resources that identify and address present and emerging school and community needs.

CACF is a public charitable organization as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  All contributions and gifts are tax deductible. To learn more and make a donation, visit the Collinsville Area Community Foundation website: collinsvillefoundation.com