| ATHLETICS
The Western Rams competed in the Blackhawk and Indian Valley conferences. For more information on the Blackhawk Conference check out John Ballentine’s article on the GREAT CONFERENCES page of this site.
Western High School offered a variety of athletics. Football, basketball, track volleyball, and golf were all offered at one time. Successes were reached on the conference and state contest levels in each sport. The most notable of these successes which we have researched thus far are listed below.
BOYS BASKETBALL
The most successful athletic program on a team level was the Boys Basketball program. Coach “Chips” Giovanne came over from Bureau Twp. in 1961 and led the Rams to a District Championship in 1968 (21-7) and back-to-back Class A State Tourney appearances in 1975 and 1976:
1975 – Finished 29-1 overall with an undefeated regular season and defeated (now AA) Lemont in the Streator Super-Sectional. The Rams lost to eventual third placer finishers Watseka in the opening round of the tournament in Champaign. Bob Sprowls was named to the All-Tournament team with 44 points in the two tournament games. Western was ranked 4th in the Associated Press final polls.
1976 – Finished 31-2 overall with an undefeated regular season and defeated Palos Heights Chicago Christian in the Pontiac Super-Sectional and defeated Havana in the first round of the Elite ‘8’ tournament, 64-54 behind a 24-point effort from Ron “Stick” Happach. They fell to eventual state champions Mt. Pulaski in the semi-finals and fell to Lawrenceville, 65-57 in the third place game.
Overall, the two basketball teams combined for a 49-2 record with a 50+ regular season winning streak spanning between 1974 and 1976.
Brad Bickett, former Ohio High School standout basketball player, took over the program in 1991 and took home Regional championships in 1991, 1992 and 1995. In 1992, the Rams had a record of 19-8. After coaching several seasons at Bureau Valley High School and leading that school to three third place finishes in the IHSA Class A Tourney, Bickett left BVHS and currently coaches for Rock Falls High School.
Here are the season records of the Western High School boys basketball program as listed on the IHSA website. Other IHSA scores were locateed on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores“.
1961-62 16 – 9 Annawan District Tourney Runner-up Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
Semi-final Beat Atkinson 60-47
Title game Lost to Annawan 59-44
1962-63 18 – 8 Buda District Tourney Runner-up Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
Semi-final Beat LaFayette
Title game Lost to Annawan 49-45
1963-64 19 – 6 District scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
1964-65 16 – 9 District scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
1965-66 11 – 12 District scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
1966-67 12 – 13 District scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
1967-68 21 – 7 Bradford District Champions Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
1st Rd Beat Sparland 83-47
Semi-final Beat Wyanet 53-49 (O/T)
Title Game Beat Neponset 64-53
Kewanee Regional Tourney
1st Rd Lost to Princeville 77-64
Princeville lost in semi-final round
1968-69 18 – 8 District scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
1969-70 16 – 10 District scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
1970-71 10 – 16 Neponset District Tourney Runner-up Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
1st Rd Beat Wyanet 75-60
Semi-final Beat Atkinson 77-68
Title Game Lost to Annawan 79-62
1971-72 16 – 10 New Bedford Regional Tourney Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
(1st Year of Two-Class Tourney)
1st Rd Beat Wyanet 86-69
Semi-final Lost to Putnam County 95-76
1972-73 16 – 9 Regional scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
1973-74 18 – 9 Regional scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
1974-75 29 – 1 ELITE 8 FINALIST!! Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
Blackhawk Conf. Champions
Regional Champions
Regional scores unavailable
Sectional Champions
Beat Princeville 84-59
Beat Toluca 51-50
Super-Sectional Champions
Beat Lemont 51 – 46
Elite 8 Finalist
Lost to Watseka 63 – 57
Watseka placed 3rd
| Buda Western HS Rams 1974-75 Elite 8 Finalists |
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| Submitted by Justin Kossak |
| Western HS Basketball Summary 1974-75 |
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| Submitted by Justin Kossak |
| Buda Western HS Basketball Roster 1974-75 |
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| Submitted by Justin Kossak |
| IHSA 1974-75 Sweet 16 TOurney Bracket |
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| Submitted by Justin Kossak |
| IHSA Statre Finals Program Cover 1974-75 |
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| Submitted by Justin Kossak |
1975-76 31 – 2 IHSA CLASS ‘A’ FOURTH PLACE!! Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
Undefeated Regular Season
31 – 0 going into semi-final
Blackhawk Conf. Champions
Regional Champions
Beat Tiskilwa 85-47
Beat DePue 73-49
Beat Peru St. Bede 60-53
Sectional Champions
Beat Ottawa Marquette 60-53
Beat Roanoke-Benson 62-61
Super-Sectional Champions
Beat Chicago Christian 48 – 46
Elite 8 Finalist
Beat Havana 64 – 54
Final 4 Finalist
Lost to Mt. Pulaski 74 – 56
Mt. Pulaski eventual State Champs
Third Place Game Finalist
Lost to Lawrenceville 65 – 57
| Western Rams – 1976 IHSA Class ‘A’ Tourney Program |
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| Submitted by Jim Kouzmanoff |
| WHS Cheerleaders/Info – 1976 Tourney Program |
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| Submitted by Jim Kouzmanoff |
1976-77 26 – 3 Regional Champions Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
Regional scores unavailable
Spring Valley Sectional
Beat Ottawa Marquette 63-60
Title game Lost to Roanoke-Benson 67-64
1977-78 11 – 8 Regional scores unavailable Coach Dick Stoltz
1978-79 9 – 13 Regional scores unavailable Coach Dick Stoltz
1979-80 5 – 17 Coach Doug Whisker
1980-81 11 – 4 Regional scores unavailable Coach Doug Whisker
1981-82 21 – 5 (Nice Record!) Coach Doug Whisker
Regional scores unavailable
1982-83 8 – 13 Regional scores unavailable Coach Doug Whisker
1983-84 10 – 15 Regional scores unavailable Coach Doug Whisker
1984-85 15 – 12 Regional scores unavailable Coach Craig Watson
1985-86 19 – 9 Regional scores unavailable Coach Craig Watson
1986-87 10 – 14 ; Regional Scores & Record Needed Coach Jerry Dobbs
1987-88 Regional Scores & Record Needed Coach Steve Kirby
1988-89 13 – 15 Regional Champions Coach Steve Kirby
Regional scores unavailable
Sectional scores unavailable
6th Seed at Regional!
1989-90 12 – 16 Regional scores unavailable Coach Steve Kirby
1990-91 15 – 11 Regional Champions Coach Brad Bickett
Regional/Sectional scores unavailable
1991-92 19 – 8 Regional Champions Coach Brad Bickett
1992-93 9 – 17 Regional scores unavailable Coach Brad Bickett
1993-94 11 – 13 Regional scores unavailable Coach Brad Bickett
1994-95 15 – 10 Regional Champions Coach Brad Bickett
FOOTBALL
The Rams football program qualified for the IHSA playoffs four times. In 1976, 1979 and 1992, they finished 8-2. In 1977, they had an undefeated regular season at 9-0 before losing in the playoffs in the first round under coach Rich Corpus.
In 1973, the Rams were led by a quarterback named Mark Marquis. His 482 passing yards against Elmwood ranks 10th all-time for most in a game in Illinois; just 8 shy from 9th place, which is owned by long-time University of Illinois quarterback, Jon Beutjer. Marquis had six touchdown passses (6th all-time in Illinois) and was 16-32 from behind the line of scrimmage.
Some records from the 1960s involving Buda Western’s football program are provided below by Tom Sikorski. Most of the information for this section was provided by Mike Spratt.
1961 5-2 2nd place Little 8 Conference Coach Ron Hewitt
1962 7-0-1 Little 8 Conference Champs Coach Ron Hewitt
1963 6-3 3rd place Little 8 conference Coach Ron Hewitt
1964 5-4 3rd place Little 8 conference Coach Ron Hewitt
1965 3-5-1 Coach Harry Lehning
Team of 1965 featured All-State
Linebacker Dan Tumbleson
1966: 3-5 Coach Harry Lehning
1967 5-3 2nd place Little 8 conference Coach Joe Colmone
1968: 4-5 Coach Joe Colmone
1969 1-7-1 Coach Joe Colmone
1970 0-9 Coach Joe Colmone
1971: 2-7 Coach Rich Corpus
1972 4-5 Coach Rich Corpus
1973 4-5 Coach Rich Corpus
1974 7-1-1 2nd place Blackhawk conf Coach Rich Corpus
1975 7-2 2nd place Blackhawk conf Coach Rich Corpus
1976 8-2 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Rich Corpus
Indian Valley Conf Champs
IHSA Playoffs 1st Round
Lost to Chenoa
1977 9-1 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Rich Corpus
Indian Valley Conf Champs
IHSA Playoffs 1st Round
Lost to Monmouth Yorkwood 6 – 0 (2 O/Ts)
Chenoa lost in 2nd Round.
1978 7-2 Coach Rich Corpus
1979 8-2 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Jim Hewitt
Indian Valley Conf Champs
IHSA Playoffs 1st Round
Lost to Milledgeville 24 – 8
Millidgeville lost in 2nd Round
1980: 6-3 Coach Jim Hewitt
1981: 6-3 Coach Jim Hewitt
1982: 4-5 Coach Jim Hewitt
1983 5-4 Coach Jim Hewitt
1984: 4-5 Coach Jim Hewitt
1985 2-7 Coach Jim Hewitt
1986 6-3 Coach Jerry Dobbs
1987: 4-5 Coaches Chris Edmonds/Terry Gutshall
1988 3-6 Last Independant Football Season Coach Terry Gutshall
Western-Wyanet Football Coop Teams
1989 3-6 Coach Bill Estes
1990: 3-6 Coach Terry Gutshall
Western-Wyanet-DePue (W-D-W) Coop Teams
1991: 5-4 Coach Terry Gutshall
1992 6-4 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Terry Gutshall
IHSA Playoffs 1st Round
Lost to Wethersfield 14 – 8
Wethersfield Lost in Semi-Finals
(Beat #6 ranked Annawan HS 42-8 in the
seventh game of the regular season!)
1993: 2-7 Coach Terry Gutshall
1994: 3-6 Coach Paul Blandford
This (1994) was the last football season fielded by Buda-Western HS players. Western became part of the Bureau Valley School District in the fall of 1995.
*Overall Football Record in 34 seasons at Buda-Sheffield Western High School: 157-144-4
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Girls Basketball was offered at Western, and the Lady Rams won a regional championship in 1979 with an undefeated 14-0 season and finished the season at 16-1 under coach Deb Stetson. In 1988, they finished a gratifying 21-2 under coach Charlie Yelm.
1977-78 6 – 3 First Season Coach Deb Stetson
1978-79 16 – 1 Regional Champions Coach Deb Stetson
1979-80: 7 – 8 Coach Mike Taukus
1980-81: 8 – 7 Coach Mike Taukus
1981-82: 4 – 10 Coach Pat Corwin
1982-83: 5 – 10 Coach Pat Corwin
1983-84: 6 – 12 Coach Charlie Yelm
1984-85: 8 – 11 Coach Charlie Yelm
1985-86: 10 – 11 Coach Charlie Yelm
1986-87: 13 – 9 Coach Charlie Yelm
1987-88 21 – 2 Coach Charlie Yelm
1988-89 23 – 1 Undefeated Reg. Season Coach Charlie Yelm
Lost to State Ranked
Neponset in Regional
1989-90 17 – 5 Coach Charlie Yelm
1990-91 (information needed)
1991-92 Coach Hepner
1992-93 11 – 9 Coach Charlie Yelm
1994-95 Coach Paul Blanford
VOLLEYBALL
The Lady Ram Volleyball team was very successful in their early days. They won three regionals (1975, 1977, 1981) in which 1975 was the first year volleyball was offered at Western. Also in 1977, they won a sectional championship.
1974-75 7 – 1 First Season Coaches Tocha / Goble
1975-76 11 – 2 Regional Champions Coaches Tocha / Goble
1976-77 14 – 2 Regional & Sectional Champions!! Coaches Tocha / Goble
(Sweet 16 Finalist!!)
1977-78 15 – 2 District & Sectional Champions!! Coaches Tocha / Goble
Sectional – Beat Lanark & Pecatonica
Super-Sectional – lost to East Dubuque
1978-79 17 – 2 Coach Goble
1979-80 12 – 1 – 1 Coach Goble
1980-81 10 – 4 Coach Pat Hebel (Corwin)
1981-82 15 – 4 Regional Champions Coach Pat Corwin
Indian Valley Conf Champs 11-0
1982-83 8 – 7 Coach Pat Corwin
1983-84 7 – 6 Coach Pat Corwin
1984-85 1 – 13 Coach Pat Corwin
1985-86 10 – 9 Coach Pat Corwin
1986-87 Record Needed Coach Pat Corwin
1987-88 Record Needed Coach Pat Corwin
1988-89 17 – 4 Coach Pat Corwin
1989-90 9 – 10 Coach Pat Corwin
1990-91 Record Needed Coach Pat Corwin
1991-92 9 – 14 Coach Pat Corwin
1992-93 13 – 11 Coach Pat Corwin
1993-94 15 – 6 2nd Place Indian Valley Conf. (8-2) Coach Pat Corwin
1994-95 Record Needed Coach Pat Corwin
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD
In 1980, the Lady Ram Girls Track program had a very successful season. They finished in fifth place at the state tournament and also had a win over future Indian Valley Girls Track powers, Tampico. The 1979-80 girl’s finished in 5th place at the State Track Meet.
Western has had 8 state medalists in it’s history:
1979 – – Sheila Foster [5th] (200 low-hurdles)
1980 – – Rhonda Gingrich [6th] (3200-meter run)
1980 – – Sheila Foster [2nd] (100 low-hurdles)
1980 – – Sheila Foster [2nd] (200 low-hurdles)
1980 – – Sheila Foster [8th] (long jump)
1979-80 Class A State Meet Final Team Standings
1 Mahomet (M.-Seymour) 36
2 Chicago (University) 35
3 New Lenox (Providence Catholic) 23
4 Watseka 22
5 Buda (Western) 20
6 Greenville 18
6 Elmhurst (Immaculate Concepti 18
6 Peoria (Bergan) 18
9 Monticello 17
10 Freeburg 16
1982 – – Kris Kaufman [7th] (100-meter dash)
1982 – – Kris Kaufman [8th] (200-meter dash)
1982 – – Kris Kaufman [3rd] (long jump)
1993 – – Veronica Miller [6th – 400-meter dash)
1993 – – 3200-meter relay team [6th]
1995 – – Veronica Miller (7th – 400 Meter Dash)
1995 – – 800 meter-medly relay – 7th
| Lonnie Hewitt on the Podium – State Champ 1979 |
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| From left toright: Larry Harpman, Jim Moore, LONNIE HEWITT, Eric Foster |
BOYS TRACK & FIELD
The Western Rams won some medals in track & field as well. The most impressive is that of the accomplishements of Lonnie Hewitt. Between 1976 (his freshman year) and 1979 Lonnie won an incredible three gold medals in the high jump (sophomore, junior, and senior years). He also placed 6th in the high jump his freshman year and gained an 8th place finish in the 440 yard dash his senior year. Great job Lonnie Hewitt!!
David Hartz and Dennis VanderMeersch each brought home two medals from the IHSA State Track Meet as did two relay teams from the 1982 season..
1975 David Hartz Long Jump 7TH Place
1976 David Hartz Long Jump 5TH Place
Lonnie Hewitt High Jump 6TH Place
Relay Team 880 Relay 6TH Place
Team Won Blackhawk Conf. Championship
1977 Lonnie Hewitt High Jump STATE CHAMPION!!
1978 Lonnie Hewitt High Jump STATE CHAMPION!!
1979 Lonnie Hewitt High Jump STATE CHAMPION!!
440 Yard Dash 8TH Place
1980 Dennis VanderMeersch 300 M Hurdles 2ND Place
100 M Dash 3RD Place
1982 Relay Team 4 X 100 6TH Place
4 X 200 6Th Place
NOTABLE ALUMNI
**Corey Waldinger (Class of 1986)
Corey Waldinger, a Buda native and 1986 graduate of Western High, was named Oustanding Young Alum of the College of ACES (Agriculture, consumer and environmental sciences) in October 2005. He is the President of the Chicago Agricultural Economists Club, and currently an executive director at Rabobank International, Chicago. According to a report published in the Stark County News, (24 November, 2005) Waldinger remains involved in outside activities, including coaching his son’s baseball and soccer teams.
**Lonnie Hewitt (Class of 1979)
Lonnie continued his incredible track career graduating from Augustana College with a degree in Accounting. Lonnie was a two-time All-American there, and was a main cog on the Augie thinclad team which in 1981 placed second in the National meet. Hewitt was named Augie’s track team captain his senior year.
Lonnie went on to become a well known football and basketball referee in the northern part of Illinois. His skills were so noted that he was selected to work the IHSA Girls Basketball State Tournament on three seperate occasions!”
MEMORIES
**From Larry Jontz:
“I love reading through your Glory Days website and reminiscing about the old schools and the old days. I really miss those good old days and the small schools. I was in heaven during state tournament time. I now live in Missouri and tell people there is nothing like Illinois during basketball season. Annawan and Tiskilwa were our two toughest rivals and gave us the most trouble although Neponset was the most fun to beat in basketball because we despised each other so much. They upset our Little 8 Conference regular season championship team in the 1964 District Championship game on our home court by 20 points and a most bitter rivalry was born. Keep up the great work. I love reading about all the schools.”
**From Mike Spratt (Class of 1992):
“In 1992 our team was coached by Terry Gutshall and we made the playoffs…that is correct, but it says that we were 8-2…that is not correct. Actually, we were 6-3 going into the playoffs, and lost to Wethersfield to end our season at 6-4. I have also seen this error on the IHSA page. 1992 was my junior year, I was from Sheffield, and I played halfback and defensive back on that team. A highlight from that season was when we beat an undefeated Annawan team that was 6-0 and ranked 6th in the state at that time. We were 4-2, and it was the journal star game of the week. We were the underdog, and not picked to win or even compete. We went to Annawan and hung it on them 42-8!!! One of the biggest upsets in our school history. That win thrusted us into the playoffs for the first time in years. Our 3 loses going into the playoffs that year were Port Byron Riverdale (16-18), Princeville (16-18), and Manlius/Tampico (7-22). We played the playoff game against Kewanee Wethersfield at home in the snow.”
SEEKING FURTHER INFORMATION
If you have any further information regarding the history of Western High School please write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . You can also write to us via real mail at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva Ave.
Chicago, Il. 60631
| Buda Western High School |
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| Gymnasium in the Background |
| Western Football Field |
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| Goal Post in Foreground |
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