PROVISO WEST HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
50-YEAR ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

WALT SAWOSKO – The originator of the Christmas classic, Walt Sawosko was Tournament Manager from 1961-1969. The tournament began in 1961 with eight teams and expanded to sixteen the following year.  The event was started to provide an avenue for teams to play locally over the holiday season.  During Sawasko’s reign, the tournament drew state-wide attention as tourney champs won three consecutive state titles in the late sixties.

MARK SCHNEIDER – Mark Schneider served the Holiday Tournament in multiple roles in his twenty years of tournament management.  Schneider was named Tournament Director 1988 and continued in that administrative role through 2001.  Mark was also the head basketball coach at Proviso West for nine tournaments from 1993-2001 and returned as the school’s Athletic Director from 2005-2010.

BERNIE SKUL – Standing the test of time, former Proviso West Athletic Director Bernie Skul, administered over the Holiday Tournament for 35 years.  Under his direction the tournament gained the addition of Public League powerhouses, increased attendance figures and secured nationwide recognition as the finest event of its type throughout the nation.  Bernie continued on the successful tradition of the event, taking the Holiday Tournament to new heights always striving to invite top teams each year.

JOE SPAGNOLO – As the Tournament Director and Media Services Coordinator during the eighties and nineties, Joe Spagnolo has overseen major cutting edge improvements including the implementation of the first three person officiating crew at the high school level, tournament expansion, increased media coverage – including live television production, computerized courtside statistics, and internet cybercasts over the world wide web. The tournament's Executive Director has had some role in every tournament since 1978.