Illinois Valley Community College’s men’s basketball head coach Chris Herman was named 2023-24 All-Arrowhead Conference Coach of the Year, and three of his players earned All-Conference Team honors.

Conference coaches selected freshmen Wade Simms and Roderick Watson-Pearcey to the first all-conference team and freshman Qu’Amar Hobbs to the second team.

The Eagles led the conference last season with a 4-2 conference record.

“It’s a good feeling,” Herman acknowledged the honor. “I’m very pleased.”

He credited his young team for playing well against more experienced opponents on squads that were top-ranked in the division, and for battling back from defeats to take the next victory. “We had a good season. They played hard, and I’m proud of them!”

IVCC Athletic Director Cory Tomasson congratulated Herman, noting “this is the first time that IVCC men’s basketball has won the Arrowhead Conference and the first time an IVCC men’s basketball coach has won Coach of the Year! We’re really proud of how this young team came together so quickly to have such a successful year. Coach Herman and the players really earned these athletic honors.”

Herman expects most of his players to return as sophomores and create a strong nucleus, coupled with promising recruits. “I’m looking forward to next season!” Herman has been the Eagles head coach for 10 years.