'Devastating' send-off forces Hillcrest coaching giant to early departure

A torch has been passed at Hillcrest High School.

More accurately, it was taken away in late May from one man and given to another.

A few months later, former Hawks boys basketball coach Tom Cappel is looking into his empty hands and wondering why it had to end this way.

When we last left Cappel, it was at the United Center on March 13. Hillcrest had just lost to Thornton in a Class AA supersectional, and Cappel was asked if he had plans on coming back for another season.

"Of course I'd like to be back," Cappel said. "You have to talk to (Hillcrest athletic director Lisa Wunar)."

So our reporter did.

"I'd welcome him back with open arms," she said at the time. "There are some contractual issues that have to be worked out. He has a lot of support from a lot of people. Things will play themselves out. He definitely has my vote."

Of course, it wasn't up to either one of them.

Cappel had retired from teaching at the end of the previous school year, which meant that -- according to union rules -- his coaching job technically was open if an active teacher with proper coaching credentials were to apply.

It happened.

Don Houston, a longtime assistant who was the head sophomore coach, was hired as the new head varsity coach.

The process, however, was done in a very sloppy manner. I was hearing rumors and stories about Cappel being in, being out, being in, being out, all through the spring. As late as mid-May it still seemed an unsettled situation.

"I planned the summer (camp and leagues). I planned the "Shootout" to a point," Cappel said. "But they kept fiddling around. I said, 'If you can't tell me by May 1, obviously you don't want me.' So I turned my keys in on May 1 and told them they know where to find me if they want me.

"Then I had contact with Lisa one day and she still seemed to think it was going to be possible. Finally, well past May 1, I got an e-mail saying that the principal wanted to meet with me.''

It was at that meeting, Cappel says, he was given the bad news by outgoing principal Patricia Welch.

"She said, 'Don applied, and it's about time for somebody else to start winning 500 games.'

"To say that to me was insulting. Maybe I was taking it wrong. Maybe I was too sensitive. But I was absolutely devastated because that was my sendoff. There was no 'Thank you,' no recognition of anything that had been accomplished in 23 years.''

Cappel finishes his Hillcrest career with 502 wins, 20 conference championships, and multiples of regional and sectional titles. His 1991 and '99 squads advanced to the Elite Eight.

It's a legacy to be proud of.

"I think I brought stability," Cappel said. "I'm pretty sure I was loyal and honest, and along with that came the idea that we were able to help some kids, along with winning some basketball games.''

Cappel, who caught on as an assistant in the basketball program at Saint Xavier University for this year, says he hasn't spoken with anybody at Hillcrest since that meeting with Welch. Maybe, if he wants some peace of mind, he should talk to Wunar.

Wunar says she's been trying to get in contact with Cappel, to no avail. She wants to rename the "Hillcrest Shootout" the "Cap Classic" as a way of honoring what he has done for the school.

"Tom brought a complete level of credibility and integrity to our kids," Wunar said. "We have so many of his former students and basketball players come back just to thank him for the influence he's had.

"Tom was not consumed about winning. Tom was consumed about doing the right thing for the kid. He was very much the most ethically driven person I've ever met in my life."

Wunar said she stood by her statement on March 13 when asked in May whether efforts should be made to allow Cappel, who is only 60 years of age, another season as head coach.

"I wanted Tom back because of all he's given this program," she said. "But I'm also 100 percent behind Don. Don was my choice for this position when 'Cap' was ready to go."

Don Houston would have been my choice, too. I've met him, like him, and am looking forward to working with him. I hope he's not painted as a job stealer, because I've got it on very good authority that what happened here was not because he forced the issue.

Hopefully, Cappel will get past the hurt and be there for the tipoff of the "Cap Classic." Life's too short to deny himself -- and those who respected him -- the chance to reconnect.

Tony Baranek can be reached
at tbaranek@dailysouthtown.com
or (708) 633-5947.