2 Former Coaches At Oakton College Inducted Into NJCAA Region 4 Hall Of Fame

DES PLAINES, IL — Two former Oakton College coaches have been inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association Region 4 Hall of Fame.

"We are honored to induct Neal Sipkovsky and Patrick Savage into the NJCAA Region 4 Hall of Fame,” Oakton Athletics Director Christine Paciero said in a statement following a ceremony Tuesday in Des Plaines.

“Their coaching success and their team's successes are indicative of their unwavering commitment to their athletes, their sport, and our Oakton College community," Paciero said.

Sipkovsky was the men's tennis coach from 2003 to 2015, leading his teams to the NJCAA national championship tournament nine times. Sipkovsky has previously been recognized as the Region 4 coach of the year in 2004 and 2009 and as the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference coach of the year in 2009 and 2010. He also spent a dozen years coaching with Maine West High School.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity Oakton College provided,” said Sipkovsky. “Many thanks to the exceptional support staff and the talented student-athletes that allowed me to be successful.”

Savage served as Oakton's head coach for men's and women's cross country and track & field from 1971 to 2003. From 1979 to 2002, he also served as marathon coach, winning the national championship in his final year.

“I’m very humbled by this, and I am honored,” said Savage. “To be in the Hall of Fame is amazing.”

An eight-time winner of the regional coach of the year award, Savage also spent more than three decades coaching at Niles West High School and has previously been inducted into the Illinois Skyway Conference, DePaul University Athletics and the Illinois High School Track and Cross-County halls of fame.

"Aside from all the victories, their greatest impact has been on the lives of their athletes," Paciero said. "Over the last month, many have reached out to share their special memories of Neal and Patrick.”