Sidelines: After 25 years of Vernon Hills football, a hall of their own
The last time Tony Monken appeared at a Vernon Hills village board meeting came in 2001, when seniors from that Cougars football team were recognized as the first class to reach the state quarterfinals.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years,” said Monken, the 26-year-old program’s first head coach and since 2019 a top assistant to Bill Bellecomo.
On Tuesday, Monken returned to village hall seeking financial assistance for the Vernon Hills Football Alumni Association and Football Hall of Fame he established in 2024 as a 501(c) (7) nonprofit organization. He’s got a banquet coming up.
“What I’m trying to do is fundraise for the programs at dinner, plaques, the venue and enough so the (inductees) don’t have to buy their own tickets,” said Monken, who does get some money from sponsors.
As noted here many times, Monken is part of a family that’s seen 12 of them — fathers, brothers, cousins — coaching football from high school to professional levels.
“Last year was the 25th year of us playing football at Vernon Hills, and I thought, why not do it,” said Tony Monken, 62, of establishing a hall of fame.
He’d also been inspired by his best friend, the late Chris Noble, proud to have been selected for a hall of fame at his high school in Quincy, Massachusetts.
By scheduling the hall of fame ceremony annually on the first Saturday in December, this year on Dec. 6 at Post Time Sports Bar & Grille in Libertyville, Monken hopes football alumni can circle that date on their calendar and make it a yearly reunion.
The 2024 inaugural class honored DaVaris Daniels, Vince DeFrancesco, Keith Heerdegen, Jason Newburger, Evan Spencer and Andy Wenman.
This year’s class is Kyle Hull, Matt Leffler, Ryan Mann, Connor McNamara and Andrew Smith. Inductees then join the committee that selects future classes.
Monken is working on creating a website for all of this. He may be reached for information on the alumni association, hall of fame and Dec. 6 event by email at vhfootballalums@gmail.com.
Perhaps due to the “Vernon Hills gear” he wore at Tuesday’s village board meeting but more likely his friendliness and the cause, on Wednesday Monken said, “they’d come up with a contribution” to the hall of fame dinner.
“I’m just trying to get enough donations to make it a great night and try it again next year,” he said.
This just in
Trying to reach Tony Monken, we called Bill Bellecomo, where he’s a team leader, or dean, at Vernon Hills High School.
Stating some news of his own, also the outgoing head football coach.
Tendering his resignation as Cougars head coach effective Nov. 11, it became official at Monday’s Community High School District 128 board meeting.
“I was contemplating it last year. This year it felt right,” said Bellecomo, 55, who felt like he needed time away from the game.
“We finished great, I’m really happy where the program is at. We had 50 freshmen, they went 7-2, and we’ve got some good young blood in our program and that was kind of my objective. I wanted to leave the program in a great spot and with a bright future.”
Vernon Hills athletic director Justin Cooper said a new head coach will be ready to lead the Cougars into 2026 summer camp.
“We’re very grateful for all that Bill did for our program, he’s a great guy,” Cooper said.
Vernon Hills’ head coach the past 13 years — 5-5 this season, the Cougars won their last four regular-season games before losing to Class 5A power Prairie Ridge in the playoffs — the Willowbrook High School graduate had been in the program since it began.
Monken’s offensive line coach and assistant head coach until taking over the program in 2013, Bellecomo started in the football program at Addison Trail under retired hall of famer Paul Parpet Sr.
Bellecomo recalled that 10-2 team of Daniels and Spencer, the Cougars’ 2016 state-runner up, and the 5-0 team of 2020 “robbed by COVID.”
He admired the culture of a football program where many coaches have been there from the start, and a school where players, parents and administration are a joy.
“It's a place where you come every day and your colleagues are your friends,” Bellecomo said.
He won’t rule out a return to coaching, he’s already had offers. But before he fully retires in four years Bellecomo plans to do what he hasn’t had the chance to do — go to some college football games. Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Alabama are on his itinerary.
“I’m in a good place and very happy with the relationships I made with the boys I got to coach,” Bellecomo said. “I’m very lucky with the career I’ve had, and I’m blessed.”
doberhelman@dailyherald.com