Keith Laughary followed in the footsteps of his father Joe
Several years ago, author Loren Bryan published a book of quotes. One of his famous works was one entitled, "JUST LIKE HIS DAD".
When I was doing research on my article for this week on Keith Laughary, I found a perfect quote and it goes in part like this, "Well, what are you going to be, my boy, when you have reached manhood's years? A doctor, a lawyer, or actor; moving great throngs to laughter and tears?"
But he shook his head as he gave reply In a serious way he had: "I don't think I"d care to be any of them; I want to be like my dad!"
That pretty much sums up Keith Laughary's life. He just wanted to be like his dad, Joseph Laughary, teacher and coach.
Keith has been around athletics and schools all of his life, from just a toddler up to the present time.
Joe Laughary is part of Morris High School athletic history and so is Keith. Both gentlemen were head basketball coaches and won regional titles. Joe did the trick in 1951 and Keith had the last regional trophy in the 1992-93 season. The records published by the IHSA and Morris
High School are not correct. They say Morris won a regional under Chuck Nelson in the 1994-95 campaign. That is incorrect. Keith Laughary had the last regional title in 1993. I'm finding alot about the teams of the past in just doing my research and talking to coaches and people in the community, along with going through newspaper articles and school yearbooks.
Chuck Nelson had a great coaching career at Newark high school for 17 years, but did not capture a regional title at Morris.
But now, the Redskins have another regional title, as Coach Joe Blumberg and his squad captured the La Salle-Peru Regional championship, whipping through the likes of Sandwich, La Salle-Peru and Streator.
If you followed the Redskins over the years, you will remember the 1992-93 team that won the regional trophy. They were probably the most slam-dunking team Morris has ever had with the likes of Jeff Bankowski (6-8) Kelly Dransfeldt (6-3 but he played liked 6-8 with his jumping ability), Mike Darlington (6-5), Ted Schuler (6-7) and Paul Kindelspire. Jordie Walker and Dransfeldt were the guards, Darlington and Kindelspire the forwards and Bankowki the center. Ted Schuler and Shawn Babcock were key reserves. Jason Hecht played a prominent role
as a defensive specialist. Juniors seeing action were Ed Harseim and Ron Hadaway.
In the regional championship game, Morris beat Moline when Ted Schuler hit a jumper at the buzzer and as the saying goes, the crowd went wild at the Morris gym.
The Redskins lost the Sectional opener to La Salle-Peru in a game played at Moline. Walker picked up three fouls early in the game and Dransfeldt was hampered by a shoulder injury, both excellent guards on the squad.
Coach Laughary said, "This squad had great chemistry, size, great guard play and in general, outstanding athletic talent."
The team was 23-4 for the year, losing to Flanagan, Herscher, Minooka and La Salle-Peru.
The Redskins went through the Little Seven Conference 15-1 and captured the league title.
Laughary said every player on the team had a role and any given night, any player could lead in points. An example of hot shooting occurred when Morris played Plainfield Central at Joliet Catholic High School, because Plainfield's new gym was not ready. Kindelspire scored 17 points in the first quarter.
Keith was raised in Morris and played basketball, football, golf and track in high school. He was a member of the undefeated football squad that finished 8-0-2 under coach Larry Kane.
Laughary went off the college, starting with two years at Illinois Wesleyan before transferring to
Morehead State College and then joining the United States Marines.
After the service, he played football and wrestled for two years at Illinois College in Jacksonville. Keith was in the building trades for 4 1/2 years in Bloomington with former Morris and Illinois State University football great Jed Waters, along with his brother Pat Laughary and Chad Waters.
While at Jacksonville, he met his fuure wife, Betty, who was a cheerleader. Keith carries on with the story, "There was a school dance and I met Betty at the dance and the rest is history."
The Laugharys have been married since 1977 and have three boys. Brian is the oldest and a pharmacist. Twins Kevin and Kurt pilots are in the U.S. Navy. Kevin flies P3's and Kurt is a helicopter pilot. The three boys were all excellent athletes.
In 1978, when Keith's father, Joe, passed away, he returned to Morris. He was hired to teach
at Center School and also Morris High School football as an assistant. He coached at Shabbona School in girls basketball and track. He was, of course, a very important member
of the Morris Redskins football coaching staff for many years. In 1984, he became the head
basketball coach at Morris high school for 10 years and again in 1996 until 2002 for four more
years.
More recently, he coached at Plainfield North for three years before currently coaching and teaching at Plainfield South. Keith has been a history teacher for 18 years.
When we were concluding our interview, I asked Keith if he had any regrets during his career thus far.
"The only regret is circumstances played out with the politics involved that happens a lot, because education is politics. You just have to go through those struggles,” Keith added, “I got into coaching and have been around it all my life with my dad up to today. I was at every practice when I was little with my dad coaching. I have always been one to give back to the community and that’s why when I retire some day, you see me back around town again."
Keith has been coaching Nettle Creek basketball for several years. Keith said in closing that he would like to congratulate this year's team for its success.
So, father like son, the two Laugharys, Joe and Keith, were true champions at Morris Community High school.
Setting the record straight as far as regional championships are concerned. Regional titles
were won in 1938-39, 1950-51, 1979-80 under Dwayne “Moose” Roe, 1983-84 under Vern Sloan, 1992-93 with Keith Laughary and 2009-2010 under Joe Blumberg. And hopefully, many more in the future.
