2024 Quincy High School Hall of Fame inductee: Tom Lepper

Editor’s Note: Quincy High School will hold its Hall of Fame induction ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday between games of the 53rd QHS Thanksgiving Tournament at Blue Devil Gym. Below is the biography used by the QHS Hall of Fame committee to honor one of this year’s inductees.

QUINCY — Tom Lepper spent more than half of his life as part of the QHS boys basketball program.

As a three-year member of the varsity basketball team, Lepper helped the Blue Devils go 67-19 with two regional titles, one sectional crown and a fourth-place finish in the Class AA state tournament. He ranks in the top 10 in career rebounds with 580 and holds the single-game rebounding record with 24 boards against East Moline in 1991.

As a junior, he averaged 16.1 points and 10.8 rebounds. As a senior, he averaged 14.9 points and 8.7 rebounds. Lepper was named a Class AA first-team all-stater by the Associated Press and third-team all-stater by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.

Lepper went on to play at Quincy University, where he scored 1,139 points, grabbed 693 rebounds and blocked 131 shots during his QU career. He ranks third in blocked shots in school history and helped the Hawks reach the NCAA Division II national tournament twice.

He joined the QHS coaching staff in 1998 and served as both a varsity assistant and the head sophomore team coach during 25 years on the bench, while teaching special education at Quincy Junior High School before becoming a dean of students.

Lepper passed away on Nov. 21, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Sara, his daughter, Jordan, and his son, Brennan.