MacArthur
| MacArthur Generals | |
| Location: Decatur, Illinois | |
|---|---|
| Coaches | Tom Durbin |
| Program Status | Unknown |
| School Size | Unknown |
| NAQT Page | link |
MacArthur High School (also called Decatur MacArthur or Dmac) is located in Decatur, Illinois, which is not far from Champaign. Throughout the 1990s and into the beginning of this century, they were one of the top teams in Illinois.
The team has been coached since its founding in 1985 by Tom Durbin, the first Chair of IHSSBCA and a member of the IHSSBCA Hall of Fame. For a few years, Durbin probably was the most active coach in Illinois, taking his teams to tournaments all over the state and occasional national tournaments, as well as hosting several high school and junior high tournaments. He has slowed down in recent years as he has taken on more of an administrative role within the school. Durbin was the first coach in Illinois history to win one thousand matches. Though the team never won IHSA State, they did have a few 2nd and 3rd Place finishes.
For several years during the 1990s, MacArthur hosted what probably were the best tournaments in Illinois. Many of the tournaments used questions written by team members, and there were also a small number of tournaments affiliated with IHSSBCA. More than any other program, MacArthur was instrumental in introducing Illinois to pyramidal questions.
Several students from MacArthur have gone on to play for Illinois over the years, including, most recently, Donald Taylor.
Noted Team Accomplishments
- IHSA Regional Titles (3): 2004-05, 07
- IHSA Sectional Titles (9): 1991-96, 98-99, 2004
- IHSA Championship Tournament Runner-Up: 1996, 99
- IHSA Championship Tournament Third Place: 1993, 98
IHSSBCA Individual Awards
The following were honored by the Illinois High School Scholastic Bowl Coaches Association (IHSSBCA) for outstanding play through their All-Sectional/All-State Program. Each sectional comprises roughly 24 geographically concentrated teams, and thus roughly 125 starting players. Through the 2006-07 season, the top ten players were recognized in each sectional,(starting with 2007-08, the number was raised to 15) with teams restricted to no more than two nominations (three nominations starting in 2007-08). There are twenty All-State awards given each year (10 First Team, 10 Second Team) in each of Illinois' two classes.
All-Sectional Honorees
- 2003-04: Donald Taylor
- 2004-05: Donald Taylor
All-State Honorees
- 2003-04: Donald Taylor (1st team)
- 2004-05: Donald Taylor (1st team)
Playing for Team Illinois
- Stephen Moore (2000, 2001)
- Donald Taylor (2005)