Walt Tylicki Memorial Award
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He never coached a state championship, in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew him, Walt Tylicki was truly a champion. The star of the team, the 12th man, the academically gifted, and the academically challenged, all were equal in his eyes. He was their coach. Walt’s abiding faith in the basic goodness and worth of every person was a transforming power in the lives of thousands of young men and women, on and off the court. Walt Tylicki’s legacy serves as the template for selecting recipients of this award.
The GKCBCA established the Walt Tylicki Memorial Award in 2006 to recognize longtime educators and coaches who have devoted an entire career to helping people become better athletes and students. Tylicki, a graduate of Rockhurst University, turned his love of basketball into a long career as a teacher, counselor and assistant coach, spending 29 years at Bishop Miege High School.
2024 Recipient
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Bob Harbour just completed his 27th season as Assistant Girls Basketball Coach at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School. When joining the program, he was the Freshman coach. The following year, Rick Hetzel took the position of Head Coach and Coach Harbour moved to JV and Varsity Assistant Coach. For the next 15 years he continued in both roles until Jon Novacek took over as JV Coach and Coach Harbour become the full time Varsity Assistant.
27 years later, the Girls’ program at St. Thomas Aquinas has 30 straight State Tournament appearances, 11 State Titles, 6 Runner-up Titles, and 20 Final Four appearances. 36 players have gone on to play at the collegiate level and two former players (Samantha Paradise and Allie Dierks) have returned to the program to serve as Assistant Coaches.
The most rewarding aspect of being a part of this program is seeing players come back to games and practices, share their experiences and successes and continuing to take pride in the program.
Bob Harbour resides at Lake Quivera with his wife Patty. He has a son (Casey) who also attended St. Thomas Aquinas and lives in Wichita with his wife Sarah. He has two grandsons (Dayton and Cooper). After owning Harbour Construction for 40 years, he is now retired and devotes his time to the basketball program.
2023 Lewis Smith
2022 Rob James
2019 Jim Page
2018 John Morris
2017 Kevin Harrison
2016 Richard Murphy
2015 Jude Gerstner
2014 Tim Bishop
2013 Kevin Levetzow
2012 Mike Nelson
2011 Kelly Ponzer
2010 Jack Smith
2009 Larry Park
2008 Bill Reardon
