The Hinsdale Central boys soccer team poses with the Minuteman Trophy.
Photo by Army National Guard
The fourth-annual MaxPreps Soccer Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard visited
Hinsdale Central (Ill.) on Jan. 9 to honor the Hinsdale Central boys soccer team on its successful season and national ranking. The Red Devils shut out Normal Community 1-0 for their first state title since 1975 and finished the season with a 19-4-4 record. Out of 15,000 boys soccer programs, Hinsdale Central finished ranked No. 36 in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings.
At halftime of the boys basketball game, all the gymnasium lights were turned down and two spotlights remained: one illuminating the five new Hinsdale Central rafter banners which represented their five state championships from the fall athletic season (girls golf, boys golf, boys cross country, tennis and boys soccer) and the other spotlight on the boys soccer team, which stood facing family, friends and fans. Then with a roaring crowd of over 5,000 people chanting "Red Devil nation," Sergeant First Class James Wayne of the Illinois Army National Guard presented coach Michael Wiggins and the nationally ranked Hinsdale Central boys soccer team with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy for its outstanding season.
As Sergeant First Class Wayne presented coach Wiggins and the team with the prestigious trophy, he reminded them that the award represents "dignity, honor, hard work, and team work" which each of them had displayed throughout their 19-4-4 season. The crowd responded in a lively chant of "U.S.A., U.S.A. U.S.A." The team's final MaxPreps ranking along with their first state title in over 40 years placed them in the position to earn this prestigious honor in high school sports. Four members of the 1975 state championship team were also in attendance to congratulate the men on their notable season and see them receive the Army National Guard national ranking trophy.
With many returning players for next year's season, we are sure to see great results again from the Red Devils of Hinsdale Central High School.
