Peg Kopec (Illinois High School Association photo)

Peg Kopec, the long-time girls’ volleyball coach at St. Francis High School in Wheaton and the winningest coach in IHSA history, has been named as a 2016 NFHS National High School Hall of Fame inductee.

“No coach in state history has had more success than Peg Kopec, and few have done it with more class,” said Craig Anderson, the Illinois High School Association’s executive director. “If you didn’t know anything about Peg from a wins and losses perspective, and simply watched her coach, you would say that she epitomizes what a high school coach should be.

“She is a teacher who genuinely cares about her players, fostering their development as players and people.”

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) annually bestows an honor — regarded as the highest achievable accolade in high school sports and activities — upon 12 individuals with their respective enshrinement into the NFHS National High School Hall of Fame.

Kopec, the 26th individual representing the IHSA to be honored in the national Hall, will be formally honored at an enshrinement ceremony in July in Reno, Nev.

“Being inducted into the NFHS National High School Hall of Fame is a very special honor,” said Kopec. “To be nominated by my state association (IHSA) is so rewarding because this is recognition by those who really know both me and my work. I feel most humbled, grateful and affirmed to be nominated and selected to such a prestigious group.”

Kopec’s career began at St. Francis in 1972 and concluded this past November (2015) at the IHSA State Finals, where she guided the Spartans to their fourth consecutive state championship and the 12th overall in her career.

In 42 seasons at St. Francis, she amassed a career record of 1,248 wins, 260 losses and 2 ties (.827%), while qualifying for the IHSA state finals 20 times.

Her teams earned seven other trophies (two 2nd place, four 3rd place, one 4th place) that accompany the dozen state titles in the school trophy case.

Her career victories, state final appearances and state championship wins are just a few of the Illinois high school coaching records she holds regardless of sport. She retires with the fifth-most career wins in high school volleyball history according to the NFHS Record Book.

“Peg’s 1,000 plus wins really speak for themselves. She knows the ins and outs of the game of volleyball and willingly shares her knowledge with her colleagues,” said three-time state champion coach of Joliet Catholic Academy Chris Scheibe. “One of the things I admire most about her is that she has created a winning atmosphere, yet it is not all about winning. She has created a program where girls want to play for her because of how special she makes the experience.”

Kopec’s countless career accolades include induction in the Illinois Coaches Association (ICA) Hall of Fame, being named Coach of the Year by both the NHSCA and the NFHS, as well as being selected to the Chicago Sky’s Title IX Team in 2012, which honored nine women who were pioneers and leaders in girls’ athletics at all levels.

— St. Francis’ Kopec named to national high school Hall of Fame —