The Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Kahok Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 class of inductees. The announcement took place during the Collinsville Prairie Farms Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament at Fletcher Gymnasium in Collinsville High School.
The Kahok Hall of Fame was created in May 2022 to recognize individuals for their athletic and personal accomplishments, community service, and contributions that have brought distinction to those associated with the school district. Since the first ceremony in February 2023, forty-five individuals and teams have been inducted.
Nominations for the 2026 class opened in June 2025 and were accepted from the public. In September, the Hall of Fame Selection Committee selected this year’s inductees from a large pool of candidates. Eligibility requires that nominees must be graduates of Collinsville High School, employees or affiliates of Collinsville CUSD 10, or connected to communities served by the district. Inductees must also be at least 30 years old prior to induction.
The Hall of Fame has two divisions: Distinguished (for community service, academic achievement, professional accomplishment, or school district employment) and Athletic (for athletes, teams, and coaches).
Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich stated, “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.”
He added: “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 celebration event will take place on February 19, 2026 at the Gateway Center in Collinsville. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., dinner is at 6:00 p.m., followed by presentations at 6:45 p.m. Tickets cost $50 per person and must be purchased in advance by February 1; tables for eight are available. Previous dinners have sold out quickly; early purchase is recommended. Ticket information can be found on kahokhalloffame.kahoks.org.
This year’s inductees include:
– The 1991 Boys Soccer Team (Athletic Achievement): Recognized for winning Collinsville’s third state soccer championship after a strong postseason run.
– Rodger Bohnenstiehl (Athletic Achievement): A standout basketball player who later played professionally before becoming a teacher and coach.
– Patrick Gauen (Distinguished Achievement): Journalist with a five-decade career including roles at major newspapers.
– Col. Olin Gilbert (Distinguished Achievement): World War II fighter pilot recognized as a flying ace who retired after serving through Vietnam.
– Franklin C. “Prof” Kreider (Distinguished Achievement): First high school band director in Collinsville who built an award-winning program.
– Lois (Welch) Metzger (Distinguished Achievement): Lifelong educator and volunteer dedicated to preserving local history.
– Harry Parker (Athletic Achievement): Baseball player who reached Major League Baseball after excelling as a student-athlete.
– Deana Wallace (Athletic Achievement): Pioneering girls’ soccer player who became an accomplished coach and teacher.
– Cory Wilson (Athletic Achievement): Multi-sport athlete whose legacy continues through a scholarship fund established after his death.
The Kahok Hall of Fame is supported by the Collinsville Area Community Foundation (CACF), which works to enhance life quality across several communities including Collinsville, Maryville, Caseyville, Fairmont City and surrounding areas through philanthropy focused on inclusiveness and diversity. CACF operates as a public charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3), making all donations tax deductible.
Collinsville Community Unit School District 10 serves Madison and St. Clair counties with schools such as Caseyville Elementary School, Collinsville High School, Dorris Intermediate School among others (source). According to recent data from the Illinois State Board of Education (source), there are over four hundred teachers employed by the district earning an average salary above $60,000; most are women with no teachers recording more than ten absences annually.
Demographically (source), about half of students identify as White while significant portions identify as Black or Hispanic students within the district’s diverse population profile.
In fiscal terms (source), spending per student exceeded $16,800 in recent years with total expenditures surpassing $104 million.
For more information about past honorees or ticket purchases for upcoming events visit kahokhalloffame.org or collinsvillefoundation.com.
