Basketball Hall of Fame

Chuck Buescher was one of the most successful coaches in the Tri-County area. After graduating from East Peoria High School, Chuck was a three-year, two-sport letterman as a student at Bradley University, playing both baseball and basketball from 1963 through 1967.

He started his coaching career as assistant basketball coach at Manual High School (1967-70). Then he moved to Washington High School as head coach of the 1970-71 basketball team with a 16-10 record.

In 1971, he answered the calling of his alma mater and became the assistant basketball coach from (1971-79) at Bradley. During the time Chuck was at Bradley he became the head baseball coach (1973-79) with a record of 127-136-1.

In 1979, Chuck accepted the position as head basketball coach at Peoria Central High School. His career spanned 24 years with a collective record of 528-184. He won seven conference titles and 21 regional titles, including 18 in a row to end his career. After earning state runner-up finishes in 1983 and 1989, Chuck ended his high school coaching career by leading the Peoria High Lions to back-to-back Illinois High School Association AA State Championships in 2003 and 2004.

Chuck interrupted his retirement to lend his expertise to the Bradley basketball program for two years (2005, 2006).

Today Chuck spends time traveling and watching the Chicago Cubs.