Donation to Collinsville Area Community Foundation in Memory of Beloved Kahok Bogie Redmon

The Collinsville Area Community Foundation (CACF) has announced a donation in recognition of Kahok great, Bogie Redmon.

A 1961 graduate of Collinsville High School, George “Bogie” Redmon was an outstanding athlete
and local businessman who always supported his beloved Kahoks and community. To many,
Bogie was the embodiment of Kahok spirit and pride.

The funds, donated in memory of Bogie by his wife, Judie, will support the Kahoks Teaching
Kahoks future teachers scholarship, the Diamonds for Kahoks effort to expand the athletic
complex at Collinsville High School, and the Collinsville Area Vocational Center (CAVC)
endowment fund.

Celebrating a Legacy
Mrs. Redmon’s generosity on behalf of her late husband embodies Bogie’s deep and enduring
commitment to the Collinsville community, Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 (CUSD
10) and Kahok Athletics. As a dedicated alumnus and supporter, Bogie consistently championed
projects to enhance athletic opportunities, enrich community spirit, and foster school and
community pride.

“Mrs. Redmon’s generous donation to the foundation in support of future teachers and athletics is
deeply appreciated. From the very beginning of our conversations, her commitment to honoring
Bogie and supporting our students has been clear,” said Collinsville Community Unit School
District #10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich, “We are truly grateful for her dedication to our
district and for ensuring that Bogie’s name and his love for the Kahoks, will be remembered for
generations to come.”

About Bogie Redmon
Bogie Redmon’s role on the 1961 Kahok undefeated state champion - and number one nationally
ranked - high school basketball team earned him a place in Collinsville High School history, as
well as state and national honors. He was inducted into the Kahok Hall of Fame with the
inaugural class in 2021.

Redmon continued his academic and athletic accomplishments at University of Illinois where he is
listed on the Fighting Illini All-Century basketball team. He was inducted into the inaugural class
of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Museum Basketball Hall of Fame in 1973, and the
Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Although he was selected in the 10th round of the 1965 NBA draft, Bogie chose to join his father,
Gant Redmon, in the family insurance business in Collinsville. He spent 42 years as a State Farm
agent before joining his son, Kai, at Redmon Insurance Agency in an emeritus role.

Active in many local civic organizations and endeavors over the years, Bogie became as
respected in Collinsville for his caring nature and civic leadership as he was for his athletic
prowess. He continued to support and influence the Kahoks, cheering for them from the front row
at Vergil Fletcher Gym, until his unexpected death in 2021.

“Supporting education is a way to give back to the community that has meant so much to us over
the years,” said Mrs. Redmon, “We owe so much to Collinsville. It’s where we grew a business
that has been in the family for 80 years, where I taught in the school district for 25 years, and
where we raised our family.”

“Bogie and I always knew we wanted to do something for Collinsville,” she added, “The
Collinsville Area Community Foundation provided the perfect opportunity for me to honor his
memory and leave a legacy to the community we love.”

Mrs. Redmon chose to divide her gift among three CACF programs. As a former elementary, high
school and vocational educator, she selected Kahoks Teaching Kahoks to support future
Collinsville teachers and the CAVC endowment fund.

“Naturally, I also wanted to honor Bogie with a contribution that enhances athletics at Collinsville
High School. The Diamonds for Kahoks sports complex building fund will benefit students across
multiple sports and supporting it would have made Bogie very proud,” Redmon said.

Kahoks Teaching Kahoks
The Kahoks Teaching Kahoks Scholarship is a unique, community-driven award created to
support Collinsville High School students who aspire to become educators and return to serve in
the school district that shaped them.

The future teachers scholarship program is for Collinsville High School seniors. It is funded
through donations and CUSD 10 employee payroll deduction. Scholarship recipients are awarded
$1,000 that can be renewed annually toward their college expenses for four years.

The first Kahoks Teaching Kahoks scholarships were presented in May 2022. With the addition of
the 2024 recipients, there are currently 12 CHS graduates in the pipeline to become teachers in
the school district.

CAVC Endowment Fund
The Collinsville Area Vocational Center, one of 24 Area Vocational Centers in Illinois, serves
students from 10 high schools in Madison and St. Clair Counties, including: Civic Memorial High
School, Collinsville High School, Dupo High School, East Alton-Wood River High School,
Edwardsville High School, Highland High School, Lebanon High School, Mascoutah High
School, Roxana High School and Triad High School.

CAVC is operated under the governance of Collinsville CUSD 10.

"The CAVC Endowment plays a vital role in supporting the growth and success of our programs.
By providing essential funding, the endowment allows the Collinsville Area Vocational Center to
expand educational opportunities and offer cutting-edge resources for students. These funds
enable us to develop new programs that align with industry demands, ensuring that students are
prepared for the workforce or further education,” says CAVC Director Joe McGinnis.

“Additionally, the endowment facilitates the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment, giving
students hands-on experience with the latest tools and technologies used in their respective
fields,” adds McGinnis, “This investment in modern infrastructure not only enhances the quality
of learning but also ensures that CAVC graduates are competitive in the job market."

In early 2025, CAVC broke ground on a $25million expansion and renovation project. When
completed in Spring 2026, the new and improved CAVC will serve as a bigger pipeline for the
trades, service industry, education careers and healthcare occupations.

Diamonds for Kahoks Project
Diamonds for Kahoks is a facility improvement project aimed at enhancing athletic and community
spaces for Collinsville High School students and the broader community. This project will feature
high-quality baseball and softball fields, a multipurpose soccer and football field, as well as
essential amenities including a concession stand, restrooms and ample parking.

Excavation is currently underway behind CHS to prepare the ground for future construction.

CHS Athletic Director Clay Smith said, “We thank Mrs. Redmon for helping us turn vision into
reality and for leaving a mark that will inspire Kahok athletes for years to come. By centralizing
these facilities, students involved in band, physical education classes, baseball, softball, soccer
and football will benefit significantly from improved access, increased convenience, and an
attractive, modern athletic complex.

“Her donation is a reflection of Bogie and Judie’s belief in the power of sports to build character,
foster community and create lifelong opportunities for our student-athletes. Their contribution will
have a lasting impact, and we are honored to have them as part of the Kahok family.”

Smith said Mrs. Redmon’s generosity will not only enhance athletic facilities, but it also uplifts the
spirit of the CHS athletic community, providing a space where future generations can grow,
compete and thrive.

“This act of giving is a true testament to the values both Bogie and Judie Redmon embody:
generosity, community, and a passion for student success. The Diamonds For Kahoks project is
something Bogie would certainly be proud of, so having his legacy tied to this project makes it that
much more special,” added Smith.

Support the Collinsville Area Community Foundation
CACF offers multiple opportunities to support the community through philanthropic giving.
Kahoks Teaching Kahoks, Diamonds for Kahoks, and the Collinsville Area Vocational Center
endowment are among the endeavors supported through the Collinsville Area Community
Foundation.

CACF is a public charitable organization as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code. All contributions and gifts are tax deductible. Donations and bequests
are accepted from and disbursed to individuals, groups or businesses. To learn more and to
make a donation to a scholarship fund or community project, visit the foundation website.