Basketball Coach Bob Newton named Mike Small Coach of the Year

Regina Dominican High School is pleased to announce that basketball coach Bob Newton is the recipient of the Mike Small Coach of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year.

Newton’s basketball team finished 4th in Class 2A this season as the Panthers went down state for the first time since 2003. This marks the 2nd time that Newton has won this award, as he also won the inaugural award during the 2020-2021 school year. Newton has also been recognized by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association multiple times as a coach of the year and is a member of their hall of fame.

Outside of basketball, you will often see Bob at other Regina Dominican events. His wife, Meg '86, is a graduate of Regina Dominican, as is their daughter Maeve '21. Their son Liam is a graduate of Notre Dame College Prep in Niles.

“Congratulations to Coach Newton on winning the Mike Small Coach of the Year Award”, said Athletic Director Brian Mancuso. “Coach Newton is an outstanding representative of Regina Dominican. I speak on behalf of the entire coaching staff as they are in agreement that honor is well deserved."
 
Established in 2020-2021 school year, the Mike Small Coach of the Year Award honors the legacy of former Regina Dominican High School Coach and Teacher, Mike Small. Mike established a legacy of excellence during his 37 years at Regina Dominican H.S. and has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues, students and players.  Some of his honors include:
  • Teacher – nominated for the Golden Apple Award (3 times)
  • Civil Rights Activist since his teen years
  • Only Girls Coach to receive the prestigious Illinois Basketball Coaches  Assn. “Chuck Rolinski  Award” with  his wife Tina (2013)
  • IBCA Girls Chairman since 1985.
  • 2nd Girls Coach to be inducted into the IBCA “Hall of Fame” (1990)
  • Inducted into the GCAC “Hall of Fame” (1992)
  • As an American Sports Education instructor, he has certified more coaches than any other instructor in the Nation, Pat Swigan Award (1994)
  • Founder/Director of the Girls Chicagoland Basketball League (25 years)
  • “Founding Father of Girls Basketball in the Chicagoland Area” Chicago Sun-Times” (1989)
  • Winningest Basketball Coach in Regina Dominican History.  
Coaches nominate individuals for the award and a committee makes a decision from the nominations.