Congrats to all of the winners especially my guy Scott Slocum......who has been a a HUGE mentor for me and as supportive as anyone has been over the years for me.
Four To Be Honored With The IHSA Distinguished Media Service Award In 2026-27
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is proud to announce its 12th class of recipients of the IHSA Distinguished Media Service Award.
The 2026-27 honorees encompass two active media members, as well as a recent retiree.
Millie Lange, who has enjoyed a decorated career in the Effingham area in print and radio, becomes the first female winner of the award, while the voice of high school sports in Will County, WJOL’s Scott Slocum, is also being recognized. Dave Rigg, who retired in February, will be honored after a career in radio and streaming that spanned almost 60 years.
The fourth and final member of the class, veteran radio voice Jim Teckenbrock, passed away in 2025 and will be the first honoree to receive the award posthumously.
The IHSA Distinguished Media Service Award was created to recognize media members who have covered high school sports and activities in Illinois for a significant period of time, while maintaining perspective on the amateur events they report on. See past winners by clicking here.
“Congratulations to each of these individuals on this well-deserved honor,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “Millie is truly a trailblazer in her field, and we are proud to be a part of her making more history in being the first female honoree for this award. This year’s class certainly exemplifies the special connection that we have with those who bring us high school sports over the airwaves. Dave, Scott, and the late great Jim Teckenbrock, were all the voices of high school sports in their respective areas of the state and have made a lasting impact on their communities. We look forward to bringing special recognition to each during the 2026-27 school year.”
IHSA member school personnel and veteran media members in the state are eligible to nominate individuals for the award. Beginning in 2024, the IHSA began to honor at least one retired media member as a part of what is traditionally a class of four honorees.
The IHSA’s media advisory committee, and a select committee of past honorees in the state vote on the nominees. Each winner will be honored at a high school event of their choosing during the 2026-27 school year.
“A vital element of this award is the recognition within the community,” said Troha. “We look forward to seeing this year’s winners being recognized in front of the students, coaches, and communities they have impacted with their exceptional work.”
SCOTT SLOCUM
Scott Slocum has spent nearly four decades covering high school sports in the Joliet area, building a career that has included radio and television broadcasting while creating opportunities and memorable experiences for generations of student-athletes. A 1984 graduate of East Peoria Community High School, Slocum was a two-time All-Conference basketball player in the Mid-State 8 Conference, led the league in scoring and free-throw shooting as a senior and earned honorable mention All-State honors. He continued his playing career at North Central College, where he led the CCIW in three-point shooting as a junior.
Slocum began his broadcasting career in 1988 as a sports reporter at WJOL in Joliet, quickly becoming the station's Sports Director. From 1995-1999, he also worked as an afternoon sports reporter and anchor at WBBM Newsradio 780 in Chicago, where he covered the city's professional sports scene. In 1999, Slocum became Program Director and Morning Show Host at WJOL, positions he continues to hold today.
His broadcasting career has also included extensive television work. Slocum has worked with IHSA TV broadcasting the Girls Basketball State Finals and Girls State Volleyball Finals, as well as with Comcast SportsNet, SportsChannel, CBS in Peoria and Lakeshore Public Sports.
For Slocum, the appeal of high school sports is rooted in tradition, community, and relationships. He appreciates the role athletic programs play in the identity of their communities and the lifelong friendships created through competition. His career in the Joliet area has allowed him to broadcast numerous memorable moments, including the careers of standouts such as Gary Bell, Roger Powell Jr., Alando Tucker, and Mike Alstott. He has also been part of 18 state championship broadcasts involving Joliet Catholic and Providence football.
Some of Slocum's most meaningful contributions have come through creating and organizing high school tournaments. He started the WJOL Boys Thanksgiving Classic, WJOL Girls Basketball Classic, WJOL Don Ladas Memorial Baseball Tournament and WJOL Softball Tourney, with all four continuing to provide memorable experiences and opportunities for student-athletes. His goal has always been to create events that give young athletes lasting memories while allowing schools to compete for local bragging rights and tournament titles.
Away from broadcasting, Slocum remains active in youth basketball. He serves as the head coach of the Channahon sixth-grade boys team, conducts basketball clinics for hundreds of children each year and runs a first- and second-grade boys and girls basketball league. An avid golfer, he also completed four marathons before retiring from distance running. Slocum has served as a Channahon Village Trustee since 2008 and serves on the boards of the Will County Children's Advocacy Center and People for Channahon Parks.
Award Presentation: On Friday, December 18 at Joliet West High School during the Joliet West vs. Joliet Central varsity girls and boys basketball games. Presentation to follow the girls game at approximately 6:30 PM.
Four To Be Honored With The IHSA Distinguished Media Service Award In 2026-27
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is proud to announce its 12th class of recipients of the IHSA Distinguished Media Service Award.
The 2026-27 honorees encompass two active media members, as well as a recent retiree.
Millie Lange, who has enjoyed a decorated career in the Effingham area in print and radio, becomes the first female winner of the award, while the voice of high school sports in Will County, WJOL’s Scott Slocum, is also being recognized. Dave Rigg, who retired in February, will be honored after a career in radio and streaming that spanned almost 60 years.
The fourth and final member of the class, veteran radio voice Jim Teckenbrock, passed away in 2025 and will be the first honoree to receive the award posthumously.
The IHSA Distinguished Media Service Award was created to recognize media members who have covered high school sports and activities in Illinois for a significant period of time, while maintaining perspective on the amateur events they report on. See past winners by clicking here.
“Congratulations to each of these individuals on this well-deserved honor,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “Millie is truly a trailblazer in her field, and we are proud to be a part of her making more history in being the first female honoree for this award. This year’s class certainly exemplifies the special connection that we have with those who bring us high school sports over the airwaves. Dave, Scott, and the late great Jim Teckenbrock, were all the voices of high school sports in their respective areas of the state and have made a lasting impact on their communities. We look forward to bringing special recognition to each during the 2026-27 school year.”
IHSA member school personnel and veteran media members in the state are eligible to nominate individuals for the award. Beginning in 2024, the IHSA began to honor at least one retired media member as a part of what is traditionally a class of four honorees.
The IHSA’s media advisory committee, and a select committee of past honorees in the state vote on the nominees. Each winner will be honored at a high school event of their choosing during the 2026-27 school year.
“A vital element of this award is the recognition within the community,” said Troha. “We look forward to seeing this year’s winners being recognized in front of the students, coaches, and communities they have impacted with their exceptional work.”
SCOTT SLOCUM
Scott Slocum has spent nearly four decades covering high school sports in the Joliet area, building a career that has included radio and television broadcasting while creating opportunities and memorable experiences for generations of student-athletes. A 1984 graduate of East Peoria Community High School, Slocum was a two-time All-Conference basketball player in the Mid-State 8 Conference, led the league in scoring and free-throw shooting as a senior and earned honorable mention All-State honors. He continued his playing career at North Central College, where he led the CCIW in three-point shooting as a junior.
Slocum began his broadcasting career in 1988 as a sports reporter at WJOL in Joliet, quickly becoming the station's Sports Director. From 1995-1999, he also worked as an afternoon sports reporter and anchor at WBBM Newsradio 780 in Chicago, where he covered the city's professional sports scene. In 1999, Slocum became Program Director and Morning Show Host at WJOL, positions he continues to hold today.
His broadcasting career has also included extensive television work. Slocum has worked with IHSA TV broadcasting the Girls Basketball State Finals and Girls State Volleyball Finals, as well as with Comcast SportsNet, SportsChannel, CBS in Peoria and Lakeshore Public Sports.
For Slocum, the appeal of high school sports is rooted in tradition, community, and relationships. He appreciates the role athletic programs play in the identity of their communities and the lifelong friendships created through competition. His career in the Joliet area has allowed him to broadcast numerous memorable moments, including the careers of standouts such as Gary Bell, Roger Powell Jr., Alando Tucker, and Mike Alstott. He has also been part of 18 state championship broadcasts involving Joliet Catholic and Providence football.
Some of Slocum's most meaningful contributions have come through creating and organizing high school tournaments. He started the WJOL Boys Thanksgiving Classic, WJOL Girls Basketball Classic, WJOL Don Ladas Memorial Baseball Tournament and WJOL Softball Tourney, with all four continuing to provide memorable experiences and opportunities for student-athletes. His goal has always been to create events that give young athletes lasting memories while allowing schools to compete for local bragging rights and tournament titles.
Away from broadcasting, Slocum remains active in youth basketball. He serves as the head coach of the Channahon sixth-grade boys team, conducts basketball clinics for hundreds of children each year and runs a first- and second-grade boys and girls basketball league. An avid golfer, he also completed four marathons before retiring from distance running. Slocum has served as a Channahon Village Trustee since 2008 and serves on the boards of the Will County Children's Advocacy Center and People for Channahon Parks.
Award Presentation: On Friday, December 18 at Joliet West High School during the Joliet West vs. Joliet Central varsity girls and boys basketball games. Presentation to follow the girls game at approximately 6:30 PM.
