NPHS grad, TCU coach enters college Hall of Fame

A coach from Tri-City United School was inducted into her college’s Hall of Fame last weekend.

Lora Angileno, who has taught special education for 22 years in Montgomery, coaches basketball, softball and volleyball, joined a roster of athletes from Bemidji State University (BSU) on Saturday for induction into the college’s Alumni BClub/ Athletic Hall of Fame Weekend.

In her acceptance speech, Angileno thanked several people for their support, namely her family and coaches. A three-sport athlete at New Prague High School, the six-foot-tall athlete led the Trojans to their best basketball season ever in 1983, advancing to the Region semi-finals. She made sure to thank her coach, Ron Gunderson in her speech.

“Thank you Ron Gunderson my high school coach at New Prague. Ron has been coaching for 41 years and has more than 650 wins. Ron taught me mental toughness, and always challenged me to give more and never settle for anything less. He taught me that hard work pays rewards both on and off of the court,” she said.

The TCU teacher also thanked her college teammates for their unending support and trust both on the court and off.

“Thank you for believing in my ability and for knowing that once you got me the ball you were not getting it back,” she said.

Angileno’s career was interrupted by a devastating ACL tear her sophomore year. She recalled that back then this was very new to athletics, especially females. Her six hour surgery turned into an 18-month rehab program, during which her teammates were by her side.

“They were with me at every single rehab appointment pushing me and encouraging me to keep working. This very difficult time for me was made much easier because my teammates were unselfish,” Angileno recalled. “As an individual I could....

To see more on this story pick up the February 23, 2017 print edition of The New Prague Times or the Montgomery Messenger.