Like thousands of others before him, John Hornacek began his 16″ softball career at the age of 17 in the parks of Chicago. However, unlike most of those thousands, John went on to become one of the top first basement with one of the legendary teams in softball – the Sobies. John began his playing career with the Rocky Stars in 1955 at Kells Park. He then played for Triner’s Lounge from 1960 to 1965. In 1965 Triner’s became the Sobies from 1966 to 1971. In 1971 the Sobies became American Rivet. John’s outstanding fielding skills, combined with his clutch hitting, propelled the Sobies to 16″ World Softball Championships in 1966, 1967, and 1968. John attended the University of Illinois at Navy Pier from 1956 – 58. He transferred to Illinois State University where he played basketball and baseball. John taught at Marshall High School in Chicago from 1961 to 1963 as a physical education teacher and as an assistant basketball and baseball coach. John then moved to St. Joseph High School in Westchester as Dean of Students from 1963 to his retirement in 1998. John has referred high school basketball for the last 35 years. He worked the Illinois State Basketball Tournament in 1989, 90 and 91. In 1991 he officiated the championship game. John and his wife, Sue, have four sons – Jeff, Jay, Jim, and John. They are the proud grandparents of eight grandchildren.
