Buffalo Grove plans tribute for Dineen on Thursday

Tom Dineen, girls basketball head coach at Buffalo Grove with 671 career wins, will be honored Thursday by the high school.

The special tribute will take place on the night of the last girls basketball game hosted by Buffalo Grove in Dineen's career before his retirement in June.

Buffalo Grove will host the 7:30 p.m. regional championship game Thursday, and the school plans to recognize Dineen's many contributions to Bison athletics.

An open-house reception will be held in the school's Pat Cassidy Community Room at 6 p.m. for friends, family, former players and well-wishers to congratulate Dineen for his 29 years of coaching.

Refreshments will be available, and memorabilia will be on display.

The IHSA 3-point contest will take place at 6:53 p.m., and then at 7:05 p.m. Dineen will be introduced to the crowd, along with his family and many former players.

The regional title game is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. Following the game, complimentary cake and beverages will be provided in the gym, and anyone attending will have an opportunity to talk to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Famer.

Dineen has coached 17 MSL divisional titles, 9 MSL titles, 24 regional titles, 10 sectional titles, 8 supersectional titles and a Class AA state championship in 2000 with a 60-51 overtime win over Chicago Washington.

He coached his 600th victory on Jan. 20, 2006 and now ranks No. 3 on the all-time list of coaching wins in Illinois girls basketball behind Dorothy Gaters and Dave Power.

For more information on the Dineen event, call (847) 718-4000 during school hours.