Former BC, Marengo coach Hix passes away

Ralph Hix, a former teacher and coach at Burlington Central and Marengo high schools, passed away Dec. 24 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Hix, 71, had been battling a variety of illnesses for the past few years. He is survived by his wife, Sharon.

Hix began teaching and coaching at Burlington Central in the mid 1970s and took over the girls basketball program at Central in 1980. In 1984, he coached the Rockets to a Sweet Sixteen appearance. He also coached football and track.

He left Central for Marengo in 1985 and after one year at the freshman level, coached the Indians' girls basketball team for the next 10 years, taking them to the Class A state final tournament in 1997. In his career, Hix was 331-126 with the two programs.

"I always got along well with Ralph," said Wade Maisto, who was Hix's assistant at Central in 1984 and then took over the program when Hix went to Marengo. "He got me started coaching basketball. He really took me under his wing.

"Ralph had a great passion for everything he was involved with, whether it was his cars, his wife Sharon, his teaching or his coaching. And in coaching it wasn't just the game he was passionate about it was his players too."

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3 at Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State St. in Elgin.

Funeral services will be Friday, Jan. 4 at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are being encouraged to one of two organizations: Anderson Animal Shelter, 1000 S. LaFox St., South Elgin, IL 60177, (847-697-2880), www.andersonanimalshelter.org; or, to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.