Carmi High School “Bulldogs”

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Carmi High School
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                  The History of Carmi Township/Community High School

Carmi (population 5,400) is located in southeastern Illinois in White County along the Little Wabash River, serving as the county seat. Illinois Routes 1 and 14 run thru the community. Carmi was first settled as early as 1809, then chartered in 1816. It is believed that the city’s name comes from the Bible as Carmi was a nephew to Joseph, and was mentioned several times in the Old Testament.

The founders of Carmi were Leonard White (whom the county was named after) and Lowry Hay, and they were joint proprietors to the site that was named Carmi. Another famous resident of Carmi, Colonel Everton Conger, was involved in the capture of John Wilkes Booth after the latter shot President Abraham Lincoln.

According to a history of White County from 1883, the first school was opened in Carmi in 1841 when a frame schoolhouse was constructed for a subscription school. The following passage from the link below gives a glimpse into what education was like in Carmi and throughout Illinois prior to 1855 Free School Act:

http://www.archive.org/stream/sesquicentennial00carm/sesquicentennial00carm_djvu.txt),

“When the free school law was passed in 1856, people got busy. They elected Berry Crebs, Albert R. Shannon and Dr. E. L. Stewart to a school board. Samuel Slocumb erected a large brick schoolhouse on Fourth Street. J. L. Waterman was the first principal. The second was N. B. Hodsdon, with Miss P. L. Dewey as associate teacher.

“Before the free school was opened it was a struggle for many to get an education. The term usually lasted three months and the cost — $2 to $2.50 per term — was high for many families. Youngsters were expected to earn their school money. They dug ginseng, gathered nuts, chopped wood, hunted rabbits and caught coons.

“Orlando Burrell chopped 10 cords of wood for James Ratcliff at 25c per cord to pay for a school term.”

That brick schoolhouse was built at a cost of four to five thousand dollars, and later spread to nine schools in Carmi by 1883. Carmi High School was in business in 1885 when it opened on the second floor of the South Side School building, which was built in 1876. One student finished the four-year course starting in 1885 as Winnie Maroney was awarded the first diploma in 1889.

When the high school was formed, it was done so as a local district institution, which meant that students outside of the district had to pay tuition as much as $100 to $125 to attend. But in 1913, things changed as the state of Illinois passed legislation to create non-high school districts, and that meant taxpayers paid the tuition (rather than the students) for them to attend the high school of their choice. The following year, Carmi High became Carmi Township High as it reorganized its territory and accepted more students, including some that lived in the non-high school areas.

Twelve students were part of the first graduating class from CTHS in 1915, and at the same time, plans were being made to build a new school due to the lack of space at the South Side School location it started at in 1885. Once the new building was completed in 1920 (see photo above), more subjects could be offered to the student body, including expanded agriculture courses (which had begun in 1914), typing, bookkeeping, and biology, setting the number of credits needed for graduation at 16.

With the new school, the first graduating class numbered 24, and did so from the auditorium of the new building. Over time, the school added on a new assembly hall & gymnasium by 1935, and the demands to improve facilities as well as meet state education standards after World War II shifted focus on adding on wings to the existing 1920 structure. The east and west additions were completed and ready by the fall of 1954, but a fire damaged the middle building & gymnasium on January 2, 1955, and they were rebuilt on the site, as was an additional gym for girls to the west wing. Carmi later changed reorganized as a community high school around 1970.

In 1988, talks with nearby Crossville resulted in a new school being formed, White County. All students now attend classes in Carmi in the former Carmi High building.

FACTS ABOUT CARMI TOWNSHIP/COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

Year opened as Carmi High School:                         1885

Renamed Carmi Township High School:                  1914

Renamed Carmi Community High:                            early 1970’s

Year closed:                                                              1988

School colors:                                                            Maroon & White

School nickname:                                                      Bulldogs

School paper & yearbook:                                         Carmian

Carmi High School building, destroyed in 1954 fire
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ATHLETICS

The Carmi Bulldogs were competitive in a number of sports, including baseball, basketball, football, cross-country, golf, gymnastics, tennis, track, and wrestling for the boys, while the girls competed in basketball, golf, softball, tennis, track, and volleyball. We are uncertain of their conference affiliations, so we are asking for some assistance from someone who may know what conferences the Bulldogs played in prior to their consolidation with Crossville. Here’s a look back at Carmi athletic history, courtesy of the IHSA (www.ihsa.org).

BOYS BASEBALL

The boys of spring at Carmi were successful on the diamond, taking one district title along with five regional championships, one sectional plaque, and qualified for the state class A tournament in its final year of existance.

1950-51     5 – 1                                                         Coach Ken Hurt

         

1951-52     5 – 8       District Champions                 Coach Ken Hurt

1952-53     4 – 4                                                         Coach Ken Hurt

1953-54                   (no team)

1954-55     6 – 1                                                         Coach John McDougal

1955-56     3 – 3                                                         Coach John McDougal

1956-57     1 – 8                                                         Coach John Evers

1957-58     2 – 7                                                         Coach John Evers

1958-59     3 – 7                                                         Coach John Evers

1959-60     2 – 7 – 1                                                    Coach John Evers

1960-61     3 – 7                                                         Coach John Evers

1961-62     5 – 5                                                         Coach John Evers

         

1962-63     9 – 2       Regional Champions              Coach John Evers

1963-64   10 – 2                                                         Coach John Evers

1964-65     5 – 4                                                         Coach John Evers

1965-66   10 – 3       Regional Champions              Coach John Evers

1966-67     2 – 7                                                         Coach Jesse Newton

1967-68     5 – 5                                                         Coach Carl Justice

1968-69     4 – 3                                                         Coach Carl Justice

1969-70     6 – 2                                                         Coach Carl Justice   

1970-71     9 – 3       Regional Champions              Coach Tom Mears

               

1971-72     4 – 7                                                         Coach Tom Mears

1972-73     4 – 7                                                         Coach Tom Mears

1973-74     1 – 7                                                         Coach Tom Mears

1974-75     7 – 2                                                         Coach Tom Mears

1975-76     7 – 4 – 1                                                    Coach Tom Mears

1976-77     9 – 4                                                         Coach Tom Mears

1977-78     6 – 2                                                         Coach Tom Mears

1978-79     8 – 4                                                         Coach Tom Mears

1979-80     6 – 5                                                         Coach Tom Mears

                

1980-81     9 – 3       Class ‘A’ Regional Champs    Coach Tom Mears

1981-82   10 – 8                                                         Coach Don Garrett

1982-83   12 – 8                                                         Coach Don Garrett

1983-84   10 – 8                                                         Coach Don Garrett

1984-85   15 – 5                                                         Coach Don Garrett

1985-86   18 – 3 – 1                                                    Coach Don Garrett

1986-87   14 – 5                                                         Coach Don Garrett

1987-88   27 – 1        Class ‘A’ Elite 8 Finalist!        Coach Don Garrett

Regional Champions

                               Sectional Champions

                               Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Fithian-Oakwood 6 – 4

Fithian lost in semi-finals

GIRLS SOFTBALL

Even though the Lady Bulldogs did not bring home any IHSA hardware for the school’s trophy case, they were very competitive. The final three seasons below were a mere indication of what was to happen for the future when the school became White County as that school went on to take several regional titles as well as bringing home trophies for both third and fourth place finishes.

1974-75     5 – 4                                                         Coach Georgia Bramlet

1975-76     6 – 4                                                         Coach Georgia Bramlet

1976-77     6 – 3                                                         Coach Georgia Bramlet

1977-78     4 – 4                                                         Coach Nancy Price

1978-79     3 – 5                                                         Coach Jana Land

1979-80     7 – 4                                                         Coach Jana Land

1980-81     4 – 6                                                         Coach Arla Mitchell

1981-82     4 – 7                                                         Coach Cindy Stalhut

1982-83     2 – 8                                                         Coach Dee Stull

1983-84     5 – 15                                                       Coach Dee Stull

1984-85     9 – 12                                                       Coach Dee Stull

1985-86   17 – 6                                                         Coach Dee Stull

1986-87   15 – 7                                                         Coach Dee Stull

1987-88   17 – 4                                                         Coach Mark Scott

         

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Bulldogs held their own against all comers in southern Illinois as well as other states, while winning 21 regional plaques and two Class A sectional titles. A member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame, John McDougal, cut some of coaching teeth while mentoring Carmi before going on to coach at Aurora West, Rockford Lutheran, and Northern Illinois University.

1911-12     1 – 4

1912-13     4 – 4

1913-14     7 – 2 – 1                                                        Coach Henry Karch

1914-15   13 – 5                                                             Coach W.W. Crawford

1915-16     5 – 6                                                             Coach Claude Stokes

1916-17     7 – 5                                                             Coach Claude Stokes

1917-18     6 – 5                                                             Coach Theo Parker

1918-19   10 – 5                                                             Coach Henry Karch

1919-20     4 – 9                                                             Coach St. John Wilton

1920-21     9 – 8                                                             Coach McClure

1921-22   16 – 7                                                             Coach Urban Jeffries

1922-23     7 – 13                                                           Coach Urban Jeffries

1923-24     4 – 14 – 1                                                      Coach Urban Jeffries

1924-25     8 – 16                                                           Coach Harold Strow

1925-26     1 – 13                                                           Coach E.J. Harrington

1926-27     7 – 13                                                           Coach E.J. Harrington

1927-28   12 – 11                                                           Coach E.J. Harrington

1928-29   11 – 12                                                           Coach E.J. Harrington

1929-30   12 – 11                                                           Coach E.J. Harrington

1930-31   14 – 13                                                           Coach E.J. Harrington

1931-32     3 – 4                                                             Coach E.J. Harrington

1932-33   14 – 7                                                             Coach E.J. Harrington

1933-34   12 – 14                                                           Coach E.J. Harrington

1934-35   13 – 17                                                           Coach E.J. Harrington

1935-36   23 – 7        Regional Champions                 Coach E.J. Harrington


1936-37   24 – 9        Regional Champions                 Coach E.J. Harrington

1937-38   18 – 16                                                           Coach Woodrow Fulkerson

1938-39     7 – 23                                                           Coach Woodrow Fulkerson

1939-40   14 – 13                                                           Coach Harvey Sanders

1940-41     3 – 21                                                           Coach Harvey Sanders

1941-42     7 – 26                                                           Coach Harold Hutchins

1942-43   18 – 11                                                           Coach Harold Hutchins

1943-44   20 – 14                                                           Coach Fred Finchum

1944-45   18 – 18                                                           Coach Elbert Smith

1945-46   13 – 20                                                           Coach Harold Hutchins

1946-47   12 – 22                                                           Coach Vaughn Armer

1947-48   14 – 12      Regional Champions                 Coach Vaughn Armer

1948-49   13 – 12      Regional Champions                 Coach Vaughn Armer

1949-50   13 – 12      Regional Champions                 Coach Ralph Dosher

1950-51   22 – 7        Regional Champions                 Coach Ralph Dosher

1951-52     5 – 19                                                           Coach Ralph Dosher

1952-53     7 – 19                                                           Coach Don Shroyer

1953-54     9 – 15                                                           Coach Don Shroyer

1954-55   11 – 13                                                           Coach John McDougal

1955-56   23 – 7        Regional Champions                 Coach John McDougal

1956-57   20 – 7                                                             Coach John McDougal

1957-58   21 – 7                                                             Coach John McDougal

            

1958-59  20 – 10       Regional Champions                 Coach John McDougal

1959-60  17 – 10                                                            Coach John McDougal

           

1960-61  13 – 12       Regional Champions                 Coach John McDougal

1961-62  22 – 3                                                              Coach John McDougal

1962-63  16 – 9                                                              Coach John McDougal

            

1963-64  20 – 7         Regional Champions                 Coach John McDougal

1964-65  11 – 16                                                            Coach Harold Bennett

1965-66  11 – 16                                                            Coach Richard Deckard

1966-67    7 – 18                                                            Coach Richard Deckard

1967-68    2 – 22                                                            Coach David Lee

1968-69  10 – 13                                                            Coach David Lee

1969-70  20 – 6                                                              Coach David Lee

1970-71  16 – 10                                                            Coach Gene Haile

        

1971-72  17 – 11  IHSA Class ‘A’  Regional Champs Coach Gene Haile

1972-73  19 – 9   IHSA Class ‘A’  Regional Champs  Coach Harold Poore


1973-74  20 – 7   IHSA Class ‘A’  Regional Champs  Coach Harold Poore


1974-75  21 – 7   IHSA Class ‘A’ Sweet 16 Finalist!   Coach Harold Poore

                            Regional Champions

                            Sectional Champions

                            Sweet 16 Finalist

                            Lost to Venice 59-58 (3 O/Ts)

Venice won State Championship    


1975-76  19 – 9   IHSA Class ‘A’  Regional Champs  Coach Harold Poore



1976-77  18 – 8                                                              Coach Harold Poore

               

1977-78  20 – 8   IHSA Class ‘A’  Regional Champs  Coach Harold Poore 

1978-79  18 – 8                                                              Coach Tom Mears

1979-80  19 – 9   IHSA Class ‘A’  Regional Champs  Coach Tom Mears

1980-81  13 – 16                                                            Coach Tom Mears

1981-82    9 – 17                                                            Coach Randy Goin

1982-83    9 – 16                                                            Coach Randy Goin

    

1983-84  20 – 8   IHSA Class ‘A’  Regional Champs  Coach Randy Goin


1984-85  22 – 7   IHSA Class ‘A’  Regional Champs  Coach Randy Goin

            

1985-86  24 – 5   IHSA Class ‘A’  Regional Champs  Coach Randy Goin

1986-87  26 – 1      Undefeated Regular Season!       Coach Randy Goin


1987-88  24 – 7   IHSA Class ‘A’ Sweet 16 Finalist!   Coach Randy Goin

                            Regional Champions

                            Sectional Champions

                            Sweet 16 Finalist

                            Lost to Pinckneyville 53-43

Pinckneyville lost in title game

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Lady Bulldogs joined the hardwood scene in the mid-1970’s to compliment what their male counterparts did. One regional title was won by Carmi in the 1979-80 school year. Here’s a look back at their history:

1974-75    3 – 9                                                              Coach Georgia Bramlet

1975-76    6 – 5                                                              Coach Georgia Bramlet

1976-77    3 – 10                                                            Coach Georgia Bramlet

1977-78    7 – 10                                                            Coach Barry Lavay

1978-79    5 – 12                                                            Coach Barry Lavay

            

1979-80  12 – 6         Regional Champions                 Coach Barry Lavay

1980-81    4 – 11                                                            Coach Larry Kane

1981-82    6 – 13                                                            Coach Cindy Stalhut

1982-83    2 – 17                                                            Coach Dee Stull

1983-84    0 – 19                                                            Coach Dee Stull

1984-85    2 – 15                                                            Coach Dee Stull

1985-86    4 – 14                                                            Coach Dee Stull

1986-87    3 – 14                                                            Coach Dee Stull

1987-88    7 – 10                                                            Coach Mark Scott

                   

BOYS FOOTBALL

Seven undefeated regular seasons and one playoff berth are some of the big highlights for Carmi Bulldog football. Three of those seasons were coached by men who would wind up inducted into state Hall of Fames: John McDougal (basketball), Don Shroyer (football), and Gene Haile (football). Shroyer also went on to coach at Millikin and Southern Illinois.

1899-00    2 – 0          Undefeated Season!                Coach L.C. Barrett

         

1900-01    2 – 0          Undefeated Season!



1902-03    1 – 1 – 1                                                        Coach Sam Ziegler

1903-04    4 – 1 – 1                                                        Coach Sam Ziegler

1905-06    2 – 1 – 2                                                        Coach Sam Ziegler

      

1906-07    4 – 0          Undefeated Season!

1907-08    0 – 1 – 1

1908-09    5 – 2

1909-10    1 – 4 – 1

1910-11    2 – 3 – 1

1911-12    0 – 4 – 3

1912-13    0 – 3 – 1

1915-16    0 – 6                                                             Coach Claude Stokes

1916-17    4 – 4                                                             Coach Claude Stokes

1917-18    3 – 3 – 2                                                        Coach St. John Wilton

1918-19    2 – 2                                                             Coach Henry Karch

1919-20    2 – 5                                                             Coach St. John Wilton

1920-21    5 – 3 – 2                                                        Coach McClure

1921-22    3 – 3 – 1                                                        Coach Urban Jeffries

1922-23    8 – 1 – 1                                                        Coach Urban Jeffries

1923-24    3 – 5                                                             Coach Urban Jeffries

1924-25    3 – 7                                                             Coach Harold Strow

1925-26    3 – 6                                                             Coach E.J. Harrington

1926-27    5 – 3 – 1                                                        Coach E.J. Harrington

1927-28    4 – 4 – 1                                                        Coach E.J. Harrington

1928-29    4 – 3 – 2                                                        Coach E.J. Harrington

1929-30    3 – 5 – 1                                                        Coach E.J. Harrington

1930-31    3 – 2 – 3                                                        Coach E.J. Harrington

1931-32    2 – 4                                                             Coach E.J. Harrington

1932-33    5 – 5                                                             Coach E.J. Harrington

1933-34    4 – 4 – 3                                                        Coach E.J. Harrington

1934-35    8 – 1 – 1                                                        Coach E.J. Harrington

1935-36    8 – 2                                                             Coach E.J. Harrington

1936-37    7 – 3                                                             Coach E.J. Harrington

1937-38    4 – 2 – 2                                                        Coach Woodrow Fulkerson

1938-39    6 – 3                                                             Coach Woodrow Fulkerson

1939-40    2 – 5 – 2                                                        Coach Ken Nelson

1940-41    0 – 10                                                           Coach Ken Nelson

1941-42    2 – 6                                                             Coach Harold Hutchins

1942-43    3 – 5                                                             Coach Harold Hutchins

1943-44    5 – 6                                                             Coach Fred Finchum

1944-45    5 – 5                                                             Coach Elbert Smith

1945-46    2 – 4 – 3                                                        Coach Elbert Smith

1946-47    3 – 6 – 1                                                        Coach Elbert Smith

1947-48    6 – 2 – 2                                                        Coach Elbert Smith

1948-49    5 – 6                                                             Coach Elbert Smith

1949-50    1 – 7                                                             Coach Ed Hillyard

1950-51    3 – 7                                                             Coach Ed Hillyard

1951-52    3 – 5 – 2                                                        Coach Don Shroyer

1952-53    5 – 3                                                             Coach Don Shroyer

1953-54    9 – 0          Undefeated Season!!               Coach Don Shroyer

               

1954-55    7 – 1                                                             Coach Don Shroyer

1955-56    6 – 2                                                             Coach Don Shroyer

1956-57    4 – 3 – 2                                                        Coach John McDougal

1957-58    3 – 5 – 1                                                        Coach John McDougal

1958-59    5 – 4                                                             Coach John McDougal

1959-60    8 – 1                                                             Coach John McDougal

1960-61    4 – 5                                                             Coach John McDougal

                

1961-62    7 – 0 – 2     Undefeated Season!!               Coach John McDougal

                 

1962-63    4 – 5                                                             Coach John McDougal

1963-64    4 – 4 – 1                                                        Coach John McDougal

1964-65    1 – 7 – 1                                                        Coach Harold Bennett

1965-66    4 – 5                                                             Coach Richard Deckard

1966-67    2 – 7                                                             Coach Richard Deckard

1967-68    0 – 9                                                             Coach Gene Haile

1968-69    4 – 3 – 2                                                        Coach Gene Haile

1969-70    8 – 1                                                             Coach Gene Haile

           

1970-71    8 – 0          Undefeated Season!!               Coach Gene Haile

1971-72    6 – 3                                                             Coach Gene Haile

1972-73    5 – 3 – 1                                                        Coach Carl Justice

1973-74    6 – 2 – 2                                                        Coach Carl Justice

1974-75    4 – 5                                                             Coach Carl Justice

          

1975-76    9 – 1          IHSA Class 3A Qualifier!!        Coach Carl Justice

                                Undefeated Regular Season!

                                Top 16 teams in Class 3A!

                                Lost to East St. Louis Lincoln 33-10

East St. Louis lost in semi-finals

1976-77    6 – 3                                                             Coach Carl Justice

1977-78    4 – 5                                                             Coach Randy Goin

1978-79    4 – 5                                                             Coach Randy Goin

1979-80    4 – 5                                                             Coach Randy Goin

1980-81    4 – 5                                                             Coach Larry Kane

1981-82    5 – 4                                                             Coach Larry Kane

1982-83    2 – 7                                                             Coach Dave Fahrner

1983-84    1 – 8                                                             Coach Denny Anderton

1984-85    5 – 4                                                             Coach Denny Anderton

1985-86    4 – 5                                                             Coach Denny Anderton

1986-87    2 – 7                                                             Coach Denny Anderton

1987-88    3 – 6                                                             Coach Denny Anderton

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Under coach Georgia Bramlet, Carmi started out taking three district titles in the former one-class system when the season was from November to January. It remained competitive after the seasonal change beginning with the 1978-79 school year, and it remains that way today at White County High.

1973-74    5 – 3                                                              Coach Georgia Bramlet


1974-75  18 – 1            District Champions!                Coach Georgia Bramlet

                                  Undefeated Regular Season!

1975-76  21 – 1            District Champions!                Coach Georgia Bramlet

                                  Undefeated Regular Season!

1976-77  13 – 7                                                              Coach Georgia Bramlet

          

1977-78  20 – 6            District Champions!                Coach Georgia Bramlet

1978-79    6 – 17                                                            Coach Carmen Edwards

1979-80  14 – 8                                                              Coach Jana Land

1980-81  13 – 13                                                            Coach Sheryl Bede

1981-82  14 – 8                                                              Coach Cindy Stalhut

1982-83    4 – 15                                                            Coach Dee Stull

1983-84  12 – 8                                                              Coach Dee Stull

1984-85    6 – 14                                                            Coach Dee Stull

1985-86    8 – 14                                                            Coach Dee Stull

1986-87    9 – 5                                                              Coach Dee Stull

1987-88  10 – 11                                                            Coach Dee Stull

BOYS GOLF

The Bulldog linksters had the school’s spotlight, winning five consecutive state class A titles, and having the medalist on three occasions under coaches Dave Johnson & Mike Croghan! Carmi’s rich tradition on the course continues today, having brought home two top-five finishes as White County in 2002 & 2003.

1961-62               Individual Finalist

                           Mike Coale—tied for 9th place (156, eight strokes back)

1975-76                IHSA Class ‘A’ CHAMPIONS!!     Coach Dave Johnson
District Champions

                            Sectional Champions

                           State Final Standings

                            1) Carmi                                        656

                            2) Normal University                        676

3) Bloomington Central Catholic       678

4) Plano                                         684

5) Chatham Glenwood                     685

Individual Finalists

                            Scott Stone—161 (tied for 6th, eight strokes back)

     

1976-77                IHSA Class ‘A’ CHAMPIONS!!     Coach Dave Johnson
District Champions

                            Sectional Champions

                           State Final Standings

                            1) Carmi                                        642

                            2) Auburn                                       668

3) Dunlap                                        674

4) Quincy Notre Dame                     681

5) Kankakee McNamara                  682

                           Individual Finalists

                            John Given—150          STATE CHAMPION!!!

                            Butch Poshard—158     5th place

                            Andy Aylsworth—165    9th place


1977-78                IHSA Class ‘A’ CHAMPIONS!!     Coach Dave Johnson
District Champions

                            Sectional Champions

                            State Final Standings

                             1) Carmi                                      612

2) Kankakee McNamara                614

3) Elgin St. Edward                       637

4) Quincy Notre Dame                   647

5) Auburn & Dunlap (tie)                656

Individual Finalists

                             John Given—150                4th place (11 strokes back)

                             Andy Aylsworth—151          5th place

                             David Given—155               9th place (tie)

                             Steve Stone—156              12th place


1978-79                IHSA Class ‘A’ CHAMPIONS!!     Coach Dave Johnson
District Champions

                            Sectional Champions
State Final Standings               

                             1) Carmi                                      637

2) Quincy Notre Dame                   651

3) Elgin St. Edward                       656

4) Dwight                                      673

5) Petersburg PORTA                    676

 Individual Finalists 

                             John Given—150                      STATE CHAMPION!!!

                             David Given—160                     6th place (tie)

                             Keith Bratton—160                    6th place (tie)

1979-80                IHSA Class ‘A’ CHAMPIONS!!     Coach Mike Croghan
District Champions

                            Sectional Champions

                            State Final Standings

                             1) Carmi                                     632

2) Elgin St. Edward                      640

3) Sullivan                                   645

4) Dwight                                     649

5) Morrison                                  650

Individual Finalists

                             Keith Bratton—147                     STATE CHAMPION!!!

                             David Given—157                       9th place

WELL DONE, BULLDOG GOLFERS!!!

GIRLS GOLF

The Lady Bulldogs also excelled on the links like the boys, having a individual finish in the top 10 for three consecutive years, and one team placed in the standings at the state finals. We are in need of the coaches’ name for the 1986-87 team.

1980-81                Individual Finalist

                            Mary Fechtig—2nd place (167, two strokes back)

1981-82                Individual Finalist

                            Mary Fechtig—8th place (165, 12 strokes back)

1982-83                Individual Finalist

                            Mary Fechtig—7th place (159, seven strokes back)

1986-87                IHSA State Meet 10TH Place!   (Coach’s name unavailable)  

                            Regional Champions

                             State Final Standings

                               1 Wilmette Regina Dominican    698

                             10 Carmi                                       823

                             

BOYS GYMNASTICS

In the early days of the state gymnastics meet hosted by the IHSA, the Bulldogs were one of the top teams that competed along with the big boys in the Chicagoland area for the coveted gold trophy. A number of Carmi individuals placed in the top five of their events, including Gary Danner, who was a state champion in tumbling during one state final event. We are still in need of some information, such as the name or names of head coaches who led the program during these seasons, and first names for a number of the competitors.

1951-52                 IHSA State Meet 3RD Place!
State Final Standings

                              1) Winnetka New Trier              189

2) Chicago University                 97

                              3) Carmi                                  28

                              4) Zion-Benton                           21

5) Macomb Western                  11

Individual Medalists

                              (?) Lane–4th in parallel bars

                                             5th (tie) in tumbling

                              (?) Wright—3rd in parallel bars

                                                5th (tie) in tumbling         

                        

1952-53                 IHSA State Meet 4TH Place!
State Final Standings

1) Winnetka New Trier            162

2) Arlington Hts. Arlington         91.5

3) Canton                                49

4) Carmi                                 40

5) Champaign HS                      5.5

  

1953-54                 IHSA State Meet 4TH Place!
State Final Standings

1) Chicago Lindblom                93

2) Winnetka New Trier              89

3) Arlington Hts. Arlington        32

4) Carmi                                10

5) Franklin Park Leyden            5

Individual Medalists

                                Gary Danner—4th in tumbling

                                J. Creamer—4th in parallel bars

1954-55                 IHSA State Meet 6TH Place!              

                              State Final Standings

                                1) Arlington Hts. Arlington        93

5) Franklin Park Leyden           12.5

6) Carmi                                  6.5

                              Individual Medalists

                               Gary Danner—STATE CHAMPION in tumbling!!!

                               J. Creamer—3rd in tumbling

                               G. Meurs—5th in tumbling

1955-56                   Individual Medalist

                                (?) Williams—4th in tumbling

1956-57                 IHSA State Meet 8TH Place!

                              State Final Standings

                                1) Winnetka New Trier               98

7) Chicago Lindblom                 10

8) Carmi                                   7

                              Individual Medalist

                               (?) Williams—4th in tumbling                              

   

1957-58                 IHSA State Meet 5TH Place!

                             State Final Standings

                              1) Maywood Proviso                 144

5) Carmi                                  14

6) Franklin Park Leyden             12

Individual Medalist

                              (?) Williams—3rd in tumbling                    

BOYS TENNIS

The Bulldogs were competitive on the courts of Southern Illinois, taking home five district titles in the one-class system under three different coaches, and continued to win their share of matches thru the final days of being known as just Carmi High School.

1948-49     4 – 4 – 1      District Champions        Coach Elbert Smith

1949-50     8 – 2           District Champions        Coach Ralph Dosher

         
1950-51     6 – 2           District Champions        Coach Ralph Dosher

1951-52     6 – 1 – 1                                            Coach Ralph Dosher

1952-53     5 – 1 – 2      District Champions         Coach David Stanhouse  

1953-54     6 – 0           District Champions        Coach David Stanhouse

1954-55     3 – 1                                                 Coach Don Shroyer

1983-84     3 – 7                                                 Coach Robbie King

1984-85     4 – 10                                               Coach Robbie King

1985-86   10 – 7                                                 Coach Thys Bax

1986-87     7 – 8                                                 Coach Thys Bax

1987-88   11 – 6 – 1                                             Coach Thys Bax

GIRLS TENNIS

The Lady Bulldog netters started slow, but worked their way towards respectability in the school’s final years. After their consolidation with Crossville, Carmi’s girls’ tennis program finished undefeated two seasons later.

1984-85     0 – 6                                                 Coach Robbie King

1985-86     3 – 4                                                 Coach Robbie King

1986-87     8 – 5                                                 Coach Janice Collins

1987-88     9 – 4                                                 Coach Thys Bax

             

BOYS CROSS-COUNTRY

The Bulldog harriers had success over hill and dale, qualifying for the state three times in eight years, plus won a couple of plaques for display in the trophy case. The final Carmi team help set up a memorable school year, led by runner Mitch Rusell in both cross-country and track (see below).

1979-80                       IHSA Class ‘A’ District Champs  (coach unknown)

                                   Team Qualified for State Meet

1985-86                       IHSA Class ‘A’ Regional Champs (coach unknown)

                                   Team Qualified for State Meet

               

1987-88                       Team Qualified for State Meet  (coach unknown)

                                    Individual Placer

                                     Mitch Russell—3rd overall (14:59, 11 seconds back)

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

Carmi had its share of individual finalists among its thinclad teams, as well as teams that were district champs. In the school’s final year (1987-88), the Bulldogs tied for ninth place on the strength of runner Mitch Russell at the state Class “A” Meet.

1938-39                      Individual Finalist

                                  Jack Bonnell—2nd place in 100-yard dash

1945-46                      District Champions                   coach unknown

1954-55                      Individual Finalist

                                   Roy Miller—4th place in high jump  


1955-56                      District Champions                   coach unknown


1975-76                      District Champions – Class ‘A’   coach unknown
Relay Finalist

                                   1-mile relay—5th place in Class ‘A’

1976-77                      Relay Finalist

                                   1-mile relay—4th place in Class ‘A’

1986-87                      Individual Finalist

                                   Mitch Rusell—3rd place in Class ‘A’ 800-meter run 

1987-88                      IHSA Class ‘A’ Meet – 9TH Place! coach unknown

                                  State Final Standings

1) Cairo                            58

9) Breese Mater Dei          16

                                       Carmi                          16

                                  Individual Finalist

                                   Mitch Russell—2nd place in both the 800 & 1600 runs   

GIRLS TRACK

Very little information was found about the Carmi girls’ track team, but we were able to find out that one Lady Bulldog came home with a medal from the 1982 Class ‘A’ Finals in Charleston.

1981-82                     Individual Finalist

                                 Angie Ward—3rd place in 200-meter hurdles

 

BOYS WRESTLING

The Bulldogs took the mats with other schools in Southern Illinois during the winter months to show their hard-nosed side. Even though the win-loss records may not be able to show it, Carmi competed and won their share of team battles, especially in the school’s final years under coach Mike Harre.

1961-62     0 – 0                                                      Coach Gene Spratt

1962-63     3 – 5                                                      Coach Gene Spratt

1963-64     1 – 6                                                      Coach Gene Spratt

1964-65     4 – 5 – 1                                                 Coach John Young

1965-66     3 – 5                                                      Coach John Young

1966-67     1 – 8                                                      Coach Jesse Newton

1967-68     2 – 9 – 1                                                 Coach Carl Justice

1968-69     2 – 8                                                      Coach Carl Justice

1969-70     4 – 5                                                      Coach Carl Justice

1970-71     7 – 2                                                      Coach Carl Justice

1971-72     4 – 6 – 1                                                 Coach Carl Justice

1972-73     3 – 9                                                      Coach Carl Justice

1973-74     1 – 13                                                    Coach Carl Justice

1974-75     2 – 14                                                    Coach Carl Justice

1975-76     2 – 11                                                    Coach Carl Justice

1976-77     0 – 5                                                      Coach Carl Justice

1977-78     1 – 11                                                    Coach Tony Gates

1978-79     6 – 8                                                      Coach Tony Gates

1979-80     5 – 9                                                      Coach Terry Gholson

1980-81     3 – 11                                                    Coach Terry Gholson

1981-82     2 – 8                                                      Coach Thys Bax

1982-83     2 – 8                                                      Coach Mike Schamberger

1983-84   10 – 6                                                      Coach Mike Harre

1984-85     7 – 5 – 1                                                 Coach Mike Harre

1985-86     8 – 8                                                      Coach Mike Harre

1986-87     9 – 6                                                      Coach Mike Harre

1987-88     9 – 9                                                      Coach Mike Harre
INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

Away from the classrooms and athletic venues, Carmi was represented in speech team events. The IHSA’s website states that one student was a finalist in radio speaking and came away with a top-five finish.

1963-64          Mike Hassan—4th place in radio speaking

FAMOUS GRADUATES OF CARMI HIGH SCHOOL

Brigadier General Frederick Joseph Karch (1935), son of former Carmi Township High School Principal Henry Karch. After graduation, attended the University of Illinois and the U.S. Naval Academy before commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1940. Karch served in World War II and Vietnam before retiring in 1967. More about his career can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_J._Karch.

Glenn Poshard (1962) This Bulldog grad served in Korea as well as graduated with three degrees from Southern Illinois University. Poshard also served as a state senator and Congressman from 1984-1999 before being going back to SIU as a Vice Chancellor. He was also appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees at SIU in 2003, and later became school president, according to this link:   http://www.siu.edu/pres/biography.html

Drue Pearce (1968): Following her graduation from Carmi HS, Drue would attend Indiana University, majoring in biological science, and received her masters’ degree in public administration at the John F. Kennedy School of Government a Harvard University. She was a state representative and senator from Alaska, including a 10-year stint as the first women president of the Alaskan state senate. In addition, she was the first Senior Advisor of Alaskan Affair for the Secretary of the Interior, which led to an appointment by President George W. Bush to be the head of the Alaskan Pipeline Project.

Marilou (York) Hamill (1973) After graduating from Carmi Community High School, she would later marry the star of the first three movies released in the “Star Wars” series, Mark Hamill (“Luke Skywalker”).

WE’RE ALWAYS INTERESTED IN MORE INFORMATION….

and that’s where YOU can come in to help us remember the glory days of Carmi Township/Community High School. Photos of the school are greatly appreciated, as are other pieces of information and memories of attending, too. Please contact us at dr.veeman@gmail.com or write to us at:

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 N. Neva

Chicago, IL  60631


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