Norman Goodman

Coach Norman Goodman, 82, legendary Illinois high school basketball coach, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at the RUSH Oak Park Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Maureen "Rene"; daughters Debra Overturf, Marcy (Mark) Springhorn, and son Brad (Debra Zapatka); three grandsons, Dr. Andrew Overturf, Alex Springhorn, and Matthew Springhorn; and his granddaughter, Lieutenant Callie Overturf, US Army. Coach Goodman was one-third of the triumvirate that made East Leyden High School the athletic powerhouse it was during the seventies and eighties. Yet to describe him as a coaching legend does not do justice to the term legend. In his 29 years as East Leyden High School's basketball coach, his achievements are monumental and unsurpassed. He compiled a record of 548 wins against just 185 defeats. He amassed 14 conference titles, brought teams to the Sweet Sixteen three times, and currently holds the Illinois state record with 108 consecutive regular season wins from 1974 to 1978, which is an unfathomable .963 winning percentage over four seasons. Among the many honors bestowed upon coach Goodman: The East Leyden basketball court is named in his honor. The section of 25th Avenue immediately outside of East Leyden High School is named in his honor. And he is a member of the Illinois High School Hall of Fame. Coach Goodman grew up in the rough and tumble Jewish section on Chicago's north side during the thirties and forties. He attended Lakeview High School and went on to earn his bachelors and masters degrees from Northern Illinois University. After completing his undergraduate course work, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he attained the rank of captain. Coach Goodman was a true leatherneck through and through, and remained a proud Marine throughout his entire life. Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Coach Goodman began his career coaching at a small high school in Athens, Michigan. In 1957, Coach Goodman accepted a position as a physical education teacher at East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, and in 1961 became the school's head basketball coach � - a position he held until his retirement in 1990. Following his amazing career at East Leyden, Coach Goodman went on to coach five years at Lake Forest College. In 1997 he was hired as a scout for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association, a position he held for the next seven years. As a teacher and coach, Norm Goodman touched and inspired thousands of young men and women over nearly four decades. He has always been well respected and well loved, and he is fondly remembered and reminisced by former students and faculty alike. Norm placed the success of his kids, whether they were players on his team or students in his class, before all other priorities. His endless patience, great wit, and larger-than-life presence will be dearly missed by all who knew him. n lieu of flowers and cards, Norm would rather you contribute to The Jewish Guild for the Blind @ http://www.jgb.org/ Thank you, the Goodman family Coach Goodman's Celebration of Life will be held at Sax-Tiedemann Funeral Home, 9568 Belmont Ave., Franklin Park on Sunday, October 7th from 3:00pm to 9:00pm with eulogies from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. (Jerry Wainwright will be the headliner). For information please call (847) 678-1950 or www.sax-tiedemann.com