TOLONO — Dave Ellars stood on the Rocket Center court alongside his wife and two children on Jan. 29 as a commemorative video started playing on the scoreboard. On one side of the screen was a picture of Ellars in a shirt and tie on the sideline.
On the other was a compilation of videos from former players, fellow coaches and family members congratulating him for his recent induction into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame with kind words like “nobody more deserving,” “you rock” and “couldn’t have happened to a greater guy.” “I was very, very surprised and very, very appreciative,” Ellars said. “There were a couple former players who made a little speech, so that was very special.
” What made the night even more enjoyable for the then-Unity girls’ basketball coach was the Rockets beat Warrensburg-Latham 54-46 in comeback fashion. Following this past basketball season, Ellars decided to call it a career. The 1973 Unity graduate coached for 30-some years, including the last six for the Rockets’ girls’ basketball program, amassing a 96-72 record and winning a Class 2A regional title in 2020.
He said he thought it was time to give someone else a chance. “It’s been very, very enjoyable,” Ellars said. “It’s been a pleasure to coach at Unity.
” Some of Ellars’ favorite memories with the Rockets go all the way back to his senior year, when he contributed to the wrestling team’s 18-0 season in dual meets. More recently .