Collinsville High School athletic trainer Amanda Baugher has been chosen for induction into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Hall of Fame with the 2026 class.  

Baugher will be honored in the “Friends of Basketball” category.  Friends of Basketball recognizes individuals other than a player, coach or official, who have made significant contributions to the game of basketball, through administration, journalism or a notable role in basketball programs. Individuals typically have at least 20 years of notable contributions to be considered for induction.

“I could not be more proud of Amanda and her well-deserved recognition by the IBCA,” said Collinsville High School Athletic Director Clay Smith, “Amanda works tirelessly for our Kahok student-athletes and has been an integral part of the Kahok Athletic Department for over 20 years. She is a true professional and a passionate advocate for athletic training and high school athletics. Collinsville High School is incredibly fortunate to have her on our team.”  

Amanda Baugher has served as the Certified Athletic Trainer at Collinsville High School since 2002. A graduate of Shawnee High School in Wolf Lake, Illinois, Baugher finished as Valedictorian of the Class of 1996 before earning her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with a specialization in Athletic Training from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2000. 

While at SIU, she graduated at the top of her class, completing more than 1,800 clinical hours in the NCAA Division I Intercollegiate Athletic Department. She is board certified in both Illinois and Missouri. 

Baugher is deeply respected within the athletic training profession. She served on the IHSA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (2017–2021), is the founding member of the Southwestern Conference Athletic Training Committee, and is an active member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA). 

At CHS, Baugher is not only an advocate for athletic training and high school athletics but also  a proud Kahok fan. Her responsibilities extend far beyond the sidelines. She provides daily sports medicine care for more than 24 interscholastic athletic teams, oversees injury documentation and pre-participation exam tracking, manages concussion care including return-to-learn and return-to-play protocols, and maintains emergency action plans for all athletic venues. In addition, she manages CPR/AED certifications within the athletic department, monitors extreme weather conditions, and coordinates with Athletico Physical Therapy for contracted services. 

Her leadership has been instrumental in Collinsville High School earning the NATA Safe Sports School Award in 2017, 2020 and 2023. This prestigious national award honors schools that provide the highest standards of safety and care for student-athletes.

On December 30, 2008, during the Collinsville Holiday Classic basketball championship, referee Gary Gustafson collapsed on the court. Baugher was among the first to respond, leading emergency efforts alongside other medical professionals. Thanks to her quick action, CPR, and the use of the school’s AED, Gary’s life was saved, and he later returned to officiating IHSA basketball. For her heroic efforts, Baugher was honored in February 2009 with the Heartsaver Hero Award presented by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. 

Athletic Director Clay Smith added, “Amanda Baugher has spent her career ensuring that Collinsville’s athletes are safe, supported and able to pursue their goals. She is an inspiration to students, athletes, coaches and her colleagues in the athletic training profession.  Collinsville High School is beyond lucky to have her wearing the purple white while caring for our student athletes and coaches.”