Hall of Fame Inductee - Boots Bush

Derrick "Boots" Bush was indeed one of the most colorful characters in Quincy sports history. A Quincy High graduate in 1929, Bush earned letters in football, track and basketball his senior year. He attended Carthage College, where he lettered in both basketball and football. After graduation Bush returned to the Quincy school system and served as both a teacher and coach. He took over as the head football coach in 1944 and became the head basketball coach the following year. It would be the only year "Boots" Bush would coach basketball at the varsity level. But what a year it was! The Devils, with the future Hall of Famers Don Bickhaus, Dick Heitholt, and El & Mel Tappe in the line up, rolled to a 28-5 record, which was good enough for third place in the state tournament. He remained as a coach and teacher in the Quincy school system for many years, making a positive impression on those young people he came in contact with. "Boots" continued to touch sports fans as the play-by-play voice of Quincy sports on WGEM radio. Derrick "Boots" Bush left in his wake many positive memories for those of us who were fortunate enough to know him. He passed away in January of 1981.