December 22, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Heritage softball hires new coach

Greg Immke is no longer the Heritage softball coach.


The Heritage Board of Education accepted his resignation at their February meeting.


Superintendent Tom Davis said Immke informed him on Feb. 6 that he would be resigning.


Davis said the resignation caught him by surprise since they were in the process of getting ready to interview for the assistant position.


“However, his message to us made me understand why he was resigning,” he said. “I respected his coaching immensely, we were very lucky to have him.”


Davis said the focus immediately turned to the softball program and finding a new coach.


Davis said Heritage Athletic Director Lori Archer contacted Vicki Roberts, who formerly coached at St. Thomas More.


“Vicki has ties to the area so it was a natural fit,” Davis said.


Davis said a former Heritage coach recommend Roberts.


“Vicki and I talked at length about the first year of the program and she seemed very interested,” Davis said. “By the time of our next school board meeting, she had accepted after the job listing was posted the required number of days and we also had an assistant coach, current Heritage High School counselor and the former head coach for Heritage softball, Patti Knott, in place.”


Roberts was hired at the February meeting.     


Davis said he wanted to thank Immke for the job he did with the softball program last year.


“The girls enjoyed playing for him, and I was proud every time we took the field.” he said.


Davis said the team was competitive and won some great games last year.


Since last season the district has made some upgrades to the softball fields at the High School.


The district spent $25,000 on new fencing for the softball field at Broadlands, improved the infield mixture, and have a plan for the future to have a brand new scorekeeper, announcer, and concessions building like the one near the baseball field.


The building will include a sound system so they can announce games and play music like the baseball field has. 


Davis said despite the changes the team has maintained an upbeat attitude.
“Practices up to this point have been very positive, though all indoors due to the weather,” he said.   “I had met with the girls once we had Vicki in place as I knew they would be shocked, but so far what I have observed is a team working hard getting ready for their first game next Wednesday at Leroy. “

Banner
Related Posts

Blackburn soars on Friday nights

September 6, 2019

September 6, 2019

Kaylee Blackburn isn’t afraid of heights. In fact, the St. Joseph-Ogden High School cheerleader is known as a high-flyer. Blackburn,...

Cook surpasses 1,000 career points

February 18, 2019

February 18, 2019

Before the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ basketball teams plays Monday night for a shot to reach the state tournament, facing Chicago...

‘This team loves to compete’ SJO girls’ track and field continuing to train from home during pandemic as they wait for season to start

March 30, 2020

March 30, 2020

Fresh off tying for third place in Class 1A a season ago, needless to say the St. Joseph-Ogden High School...

Spartans find out postseason draw as weather wreaks havoc with schedule

May 2, 2019

May 2, 2019

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team hasn’t played a game in more than a week. That should change on...

SJO girls’ track and field aiming for another banner year

April 2, 2019

April 2, 2019

Hoisting a state championship trophy is how the St. Joseph girls’ track and field team ended its season last May....

10 things you don’t know about me… SJO Quarterback Logan Smith

September 2, 2022

September 2, 2022

We asked St. Joseph-Ogden quarterback Logan Smith to tell us 10 interesting things about himself. Here are his answers. My...

Bigger, Burnett play crucial roles as SJO volleyball pushes win streak to five

September 10, 2019

September 10, 2019

Balanced offense and strong serving. Both are critical aspects for successful volleyball teams. The St. Joseph-Ogden High School team followed...

SJO boys’ basketball can clinch Illini Prairie title tonight

February 13, 2024

February 13, 2024

Talk to enough coaches and players in the area and across the state and one common sentiment seems to pop...

5 questions with TREVOR AMES

March 1, 2024

March 1, 2024

How would you describe this team? This team is special. What is a lesson you have learned this season? Having...

SJO softball wins Mattoon Tournament, but fall twice in conference play

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Coaches always are eager to see how their teams respond after losses. For St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball coach Larry...

SJO volleyball state preview: In the players’ own words

November 15, 2019

November 15, 2019

Before the St. Joseph-Ogden High School volleyball team plays Breese Mater Dei at noon on Friday in a Class 2A...

Get to know SJO Volleyball player Emma Ward

October 31, 2022

October 31, 2022

What do you think makes the team so successful? Our ability to work well together What is your favorite thing...

Hard work key to Gaskin’s success

April 30, 2019

April 30, 2019

St. Joseph-Ogden senior track athlete Lane Gaskin is a hard worker. Boys track coach Jason Retz said Gaskin is willing...

SJO softball remains unbeaten

March 28, 2019

March 28, 2019

A strong offensive showing by the St. Joseph-Ogden High School softball team and baseball teams led to wins earlier this...

‘Genuine excitement’ for SJO football heading into 2019 season

August 29, 2019

August 29, 2019

Lofty expectations are attached to the St. Joseph-Ogden High School football team every year. This season is no different for...

Comments
Leave a Reply