Valparaiso High School Basketball Coaching Legend Virgil Sweet was recognized and honored during a special ceremony on December 27, 2011, during halftime of a game against one of Valpo’s long time arch rival, Chesterton High School.
Virgil Sweet coached basketball at Valparaiso High School from 1954-1974, an outstanding 20-year career for the Valparaiso Basketball Program. During that time, Valparaiso won 11 straight sectional titles and two regional championships.
Not only was Coach Sweet instrumental in achieving great success for Valparaiso High School basketball, but he would develop a national reputation as the inventor of what came to be known as the Valpo Free Throw Method. Coach Sweet was also one of the founders of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.
Many of Coach Sweets former athletes came out to see the coach once again and see one of their favorite coaches honored. Steve Meyer, Class of 1976 was one along with Ken Jankowski, Class of 1962. Jankowski wore his letterman sweater, letterman jacket and sported an old gym towel. Jankowski had a laugh with the coach as they remembered the discipline that would have come from the players not covering their head with a towel in bad weather: “Laps!”
Some of Sweets very first players were in attendance as well. Jon Oglesby, Class of 1955, was a senior in high school when Sweet arrived. Oglesby said, “We enjoyed getting a new coach. We felt like we finally got something stable in our community and as a basketball coach.”
Sweet proudly gathered a few of his first players for a quick photo, proud of all the guys today as he was back when they were playing for him. Joining him in the photo were Dale Gott (starting guard, Class of 1959), Fred Doelling (starting guard, Class of 1956), Gary Collins (starting guard, Class of 1956), and Oglesby (Class of 1955) who played point guard for Sweet.
Sweet said that he remembers proudly the dedication of the players and willingness to sacrifice and follow the rules. Sweet said, “I enjoyed seeing the reputation of Valparaiso spread throughout the state. We had our team all over the state spreading the name of Valpo.”
Sweet doesn’t take full credit for having such a successful run. He gave credit to his Assistant Coach Dale Ciciora of 15 years, saying “Many of the ideas in coaching came from Dale. We developed a free throw method with 20 steps and many of the steps were Dale’s suggestions. The method was a great improvement and we noticed a big difference on the team. We wrote a book about it and it sold in all 50 states and in 5 countries.”
During halftime of the Varsity game, Head Coach Joe Otis thanked Coach Sweet for setting such a precedent for the Valparaiso Basketball Program, including developing the Free Throw Method. He exclaimed, “Valpo is known as the Free Throw Capital!” Otis then mentioned a former player of Sweet’s, Mike Copper, who managed to hit 409 consecutive free throws using that method.
Sweet thanked everyone for the honor and humbly gave credit once again for an outstanding fellow coach in Dale Ciciora. Sweet said, “All the coaches that came after me enhanced the program Dale Ciciora, Skip Collins, Bob Punter and Joe Otis.”
Sweet was then presented with his own Valparaiso High School jacket and a newspaper article highlighting his Hall of Fame status.
The honor came on a good night as well, as the Vikings took home a 51-39 win over their rival Trojans. Despite a sluggish first half, Valpo was able to keep Chesterton at bay with some timely shooting and solid defense.
The Viking scoring was shared by many on the team, with Bret Boetel leading the way with 12 points. Brody Wilson added nine points, while Quentin Palmer and John Mosser each added eight.
Click here for photos of the game & ceremony! | Click here for photos of the JV game!
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