2016 Niles West HOF inductee, Coach Lou Torres has been a well-known figure around the halls and pool of Niles West for decades. Coach Torres coached boys’ and girls’ gymnastics and diving at Niles West from 1983-2003. Prior to being a part of one of the most successful swimming programs in school’s history, Torres coached gymnastics swimming and diving at Lane Tech HS from 1980-1992 and diving at the University of Illnois-Chicago from 1982-1988.

Some of his many highlights in coaching include: Winning a Chicago City championship in girls and boys gymnastics; a 4th place finish in the State Boys Gymnastics tournament in 1985 for Niles West; coaching at least 26 state qualifiers in diving, with 6 in the top 12, and 1 State Champion diver in 2003; coaching the State champions in Engineering, Architecture and Cad Drawing; and finally being named the "Diving Coach of Year" in 2003 by Illinois Swimming.

Coach Torres also spent many years in the classroom as a teacher of electronics, tech drawing, engineering and architecture. He also served as the President of Illinois Drafting Teachers Association.

One of his most memorable moments in coaching was being able to witness his son become one of the first Niles West swimmer's to win a state championship and seeing one of his divers capture state the following year; both firsts for the Niles West swimming and diving program at that time.

Special thanks to Coach John Burkel, Coach Steve Foerch, Coach Gerry Turry and most of all to his loving wife.