Friday night will forever go down in Gibault basketball history, as 33-year coach Dennis Rueter won his 600th game of his career.

“We take pride in what he’s achieved here and how we are a big part of this community at Gibault and part of this team that we’ve been around for so long,” his son, Jared Rueter, told the Republic-Times last week when asked about his father’s pending career milestone.

Gibault’s legendary coach got lucky number 600 in a hard fought, overtime win against Mater Dei in the Nashville Tournament semifinals. The Hawks topped the Knights 57-52.

Although many describe Rueter as a tough, no-nonsense coach, he has helped build the program and bonds with his players that have passed through his program throughout the years.

“I don’t care as much about the numbers,” Rueter told the Republic-Times last week. “I really relish the relationships.”

This number and those relationships will put him down among the elite in the Illinois basketball history books.

To read more about Rueter’s 33-year career and his family’s journey through Hawks hoops, click here.

Gibault will play in the Nashville Tournament championships Saturday night at 8 p.m. The school will honor Rueter at the next Gibault home basketball game next Friday againt Madison.