Bill Booker, a fixture on the high school baseball sidelines for three decades, announced his retirement this week, closing a career that produced nearly 600 victories and a string of championship runs.
Championships and Community Impact
At St. Bede Academy, Booker steered the team to a 201‑130 record over the past 11 seasons, capturing six 20‑win seasons, four regional crowns, a sectional title and a fourth‑place finish in Class 2A in 2015.
His earlier 20‑year tenure at La Salle‑Peru compiled a 375‑266‑5 ledger, punctuated by four regional titles, four sectional championships and two state trophies, while also serving as an assistant on the school’s football staff.
A Tribute in Brick and Mortar
Beyond the dugout, Booker helped launch the St. Bede Spring Training Baseball Camp and oversaw the construction of a new press box, a project dedicated to Evan Knoblauch, a former player who lost a battle with cancer in 2019.
St. Bede Academy’s leadership praised Booker’s dedication, leadership and commitment to shaping student‑athletes both on and off the field, noting that his influence will endure through the program’s traditions and the memories of those he mentored.