Central’s Bobo gets Hall-of-Fame nod

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Updated: March 24, 2012 8:07AM

At Hinsdale Central, Carol Bobo knows she’ll always be in select company. The boys swimming and diving program has produced three Hall of Fame coaches.

But Bobo is just the second Hall of Famer in her own family. Her mother, Carolyn Lambert, 91, was inducted into the Illinois Swimming Association’s Hall of Fame in 2003 for her dedication to swimming at the AAU level.

It was a matter of time before Bobo was honored for developing the Hinsdale Central girls program into a statewide power.

Bobo’s record is awe inspiring. During her 21 years as coach, Bobo’s teams finished in the top five at the state meet 13 times. Her teams won six championships (1979-80, 1990-93), were runners-up in 1981-82, 1989) and third two other times.

Bobo was inducted Dec. 5, joining previous Hinsdale Central coaches Don Watson (1970), Leif Erickson (1983 for diving) and Tom Schweer (2010).

“What’s more important is the cast of characters,” Bobo said. “All of the girls played an important piece, from divers to swimmers all the way up to the varsity. Some of the young ladies have even babysat my kids.”

Bobo remains at Hinsdale Central as a guidance counselor. She was a former health teacher, but gave up coaching and teaching at the same time for a new position in the guidance department.

Bobo started out by serving as an assistant coach to Nancy Prentice in 1978 and then took over the program the following year. Unlike other coaching organizations, the ISA honors only one coach per season for its Hall of Fame.

The only other ISA Hall of Famers from the West Suburban Conference are Downers Grove South’s Mark Antonoff (1998 for diving) and Lyons Township’s John C. Weber (1998).