MCC to honor former student athlete at basketball game

Submitted by McHenry County College

McHenry County College will honor National Junior College Athletic Association Region IV and Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Hall of Famer Tony Bacci at approximately 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at halftime during the MCC’s men’s basketball game against South Suburban College. The presentation will take place in the MCC Gym, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.

He will be presented with honoree plaques for both inductions. Bacci played baseball at MCC during the 1995 and 1996 seasons, leading the Scots to the school’s first NJCAA Region IV title in his sophomore season. Tony, a southpaw, was an NJCAA All-American his sophomore year, leading the nation with 139 strikeouts in 86 innings, sporting a 2.39 ERA, and having 17 pickoffs, while finishing with an 8-3 record. In addition to his pitching prowess, Bacci hit .439 as an outfielder with 21 stolen bases, 43 RBI’s and 58 runs scored, in garnering NJCAA All-Region IV and All-Skyway College honors, as a two-position player, leading to his NJCAA All-American selection.

After his MCC career, Bacci pitched in the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball organization for three seasons going 15-14 before continuing his professional career nationally and internationally, over several additional years, in the Northern League and in Australia. Bacci now makes his home, along with his family, in Western Australia.