Chatsworth High School “Bluebirds”

Chatsworth High School

Chatsworth, Illinois

Chatsworth School Building – Early 1900s

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The History of Chatsworth High School

Chatsworth (population 1,225) is located in eastern Illinois about 35 miles north of Champaign. This places Chatsworth in southeastern Livingston County. U.S. Route 24 is the main highway to and from Chatsworth and is intersected by County Highway 3 in town. The Bloomer Line Railroad runs north and south through town and intersects with the Toledo, Peoria, & Western Railroad which runs east and west through Chatsworth. The railroad had a hand in naming the town, which was for the country home of the Duke of Devonshire. A branch of the Vermillion River flows on the east side of town as well.

Chatsworth has a very long history of education. The first school in the village was opened in 1838, but replaced in 1870. High school education dates back to 1876. The first graduating class for Chatsworth High School, which consisted of Mary Fosdick, Louisa Stevens, Emma Turnbull, and Eliza Dorsey, earned their diplomas in June 1881. The original Chatsworth School (pictured below) housed both grade and high school students, and was known for its steep curving stairs. In 1951, as there was a need for space, the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades were attending school in the newer high school building. The 1870 building was abandoned and torn down in 1960.

Chatsworth School 1959

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Chatsworth School 1910

Following the formation of a township school district in 1916, a “modern” high school building (pictured at the top of this page) was built in 1921 and opened in 1922 and was abandoned in 1985, with the last graduating class. The school was built with bricks from our local “Walter’s Brick Factory” and wired by our local “Ortman Electic”, for the cost of $113,000. This building served as the Chatsworth High School building for 63 years. Following World War II, the school added on the agriculture building (below, still standing) in 1946 and the gymnasium (scoreboard seen on this page below) in 1949.

Ag Shop – Chatsworth High School – Built 1946

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Now Privately Owned by Charles and Dolores Haberkorn (CHS Classes of 1949 and 1950)

In 1985 the school districts in Chatsworth, Forrest-Strawn-Wing, and nearby Fairbury-Cropsey agreed to consolidate their efforts. The new district was named the Prairie Central School District with the high school located in Fairbury.

The fate of the original Chatsworth High School building is a sad one. The building was razed shortly after the consolidation of high school took place. There is a school still operating in Chatsworth for grades PK-4 for the Prairie Central District.

Excellent Tributes!

For a truly excellent tribute on the town of Chatsworth and its former high school please check out www.chatsworthillinois.com . The site was developed by brothers Bob (now of Arizona) and Jim (now from Washington) Saathoff. It contains an excellent photo gallery and a tremendous amount of information on the city’s rich history. Also go to http://picasaweb.google.com/rgschs1960 for more great photos and Chatsworth High School information. Great job and sincere thanks to Bob and Jim Saathoff!!

A second excellent tribute to the town of Chatsworth and its former school is titled “Chatsworth Illinois Memories” and can be viewed at http://sites.google.com/site/chatsworthillinoismemories. The site was developed by Mary Hanshew and gives another great account of the history of Chatsworth and Chatsworth schools. The site includes several great photos as well.

For a town to have two websites such as these to honor its storied past, it must have been a great place to live!

Chatsworth High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1876

First graduating class: 1881

Brick school building built: 1922

Year closed: 1985

Consolidated to: Prairie Central (Fairbury)

School nickname: the “Bluebirds”

School colors: Blue & Orange

School Fight Song: Those Chatsworth Bluebirds!

Words provided by Mary Hanshew and Friends!

Oh, when those Chatsworth Bluebirds start to fight.

Our foe will never live to see the light.

We’re goin’ a roll those fellows off their feet

Cause Chatsworth High just simply can’t be beat,

Oh no.

We’re gonna’ charge right on to victory

No matter who or what the time may be

We’re gonna’ fight, fight, fight for varsity

Yesiree

For Chatsworth High!

B-b-b-lue

B-b-irds

Bluebirds, Bluebirds. Yeah!!!

Athletics

The Chatsworth Bluebirds had success on many different levels in athletics. The Bluebirds competed in the Vermillion Valley Conference and offered the boys sports of football, basketball, and track. The girls were offered volleyball, basketball, and track as well. It is possible that baseball and softball were offered; however, there is no mention of this on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org).

Chatsworth HS Gymnasium Scoreboard

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Girls Basketball

Not too many high schools the size of Chatsworth can claim the success that the Lady Bluebirds attained in their short existence. How about SIX Sweet 16 appeareances, THREE Elite 8 appearances, in a seven year period? Check out these accomplishments, first listed in order of greatness, then season by season.

3 – Elite 8 Appearances (consecutive years)

6 – Sweet 16 Appearances (in a 7 year period)

6 – Sectional Championships

6 – Regional Championships

5 – Consecutive 20-plus games won seasons

2 – Undefeated Regular Seasons

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1975-76 4 – 4 Coach Kathy McCool

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1976-77 8 – 5 Coach Gary McCool

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1977-78 18 – 1 Sweet 16 Qualifier (1 – class system) Coach Gary McCool

Sectional Champions

Regional Champions

Undefeated Regular Season

Super Sectional Finalist

Lost to Matoon 80 – 73

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1978-79 19 – 2 Sweet 16 Qualifier (1 – class system) Coach Edmund “Skip” Ball

Sectional Champions

Regional Champions

Super Sectional Finalist

Lost to Matoon 53 – 51

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1979-80 14 – 3 Coach Edmund “Skip” Ball

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1980-81 23 – 2 Sweet 16 Qualifier – Class A Coach Don Gibb

Sectional Champions

Regional Champions

Super Sectional Finalist

Lost to Paxton 53 – 49 (2 O/T)

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1981-82 25 – 1 Elite 8 Qualifier – Class A Coach Don Gibb

Super-Sectional Champions

Sectional Champions

Regional Champions

Undefeated Regular Season

Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Seneca 37 – 32

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1982-83 26 – 2 Elite 8 Qualifier – Class A Coach Don Gibb

Super-Sectional Champions

Sectional Champions

Regional Champions

Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Bloomington Cent. Cath. 47 – 45

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1983-84 27 – 3 Elite 8 Qualifier – Class A Coach Don Gibb

Super-Sectional Champions

Sectional Champions

Regional Champions

Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Teutopolis 53 – 41

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1984-85 24 – 2 (Final Season as a School) Coach Don Gibb

Incredible run by the Lady Bluebirds!!!

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Boys Basketball

The Chatwworth High School boys could play basketball quite well, too. In the seasons recorded from 1929-30 through the schools’ closing in 1984-85, the Bluebirds earned five Regional titles and four District titles. They also posted 14 seasons of 20 or more games won. Conference championships are not available at this time.

Coach Barry Corban had an incredible 15-year run with the Bluebirds. His overall record, which included the past 15 years of the school’s existence, was an incredible 307 – 93…..a .768 winning % !!!

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1929-30 IHSA District Champions Coach Bill Kibler

Season record needed

District Scores Needed

Danville Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Ogden 28-10

Ogden lost to Bloomington in title game

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1930-31 Livingston Co. Tourney Runner-Ups Coach’s name & record needed

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1931-32 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1932-33 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1933-34 Dwight District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Odell 21-18

2nd Rd lost to Pontiac 42-19

Pontiac lost to Dwight in semi-final

Dwight beat Mazon in title game

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1934-35 Paxton District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Roberts 22-21

2nd Rd lost to Gibson City 29-21

Gibson City lost to Paxton in semi-final

Paxton beat Melvin in title game

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1935-36 Kempton District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Saunemin 53-21

Did not win tourney – other scores for Chatsworth needed.

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1936-37 Watseka Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

District Tourneys not held this year.

1st Rd lost to Thawville 35-23

Thawville beat Gilman in title game

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1937-38 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1938-39 Watseka Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

Chatsworth did not compete in District Tourney

1st Rd lost to Sheldon 42-26

Sheldon lost to Watseka in semi-final

Watseka beat Gilman in title game

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1939-40 through 1947-48 Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

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1948-49 Cullom District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Odell 57-50

Semi-final lost to Kempton 42-39

Kempton lost to Cullom in title game

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1949-50 Piper City District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Kempton 52-33

Kempton lost to Cullom in semi-final

Cullom lost to Odell St. Paul in the title game

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1950-51 Chatsworth District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Piper City 66-62 (O/T)

Piper City lost to Cullom in semi-final

Cullom lost to Odell St. Paul in title game

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1951-52 Chatsworth District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Odell 62-43

Odell beat Saunemin in title game

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1952-53 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1953-54 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1954-55 13-12 Postseason scores needed Coach Herb Raab

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1955-56 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1956-57 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1957-58 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1958-59 Chatsworth Hosted District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

Chatwworth scores needed

Kempton beat Reddick in title game

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1959-60 Cullom District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Odell St. Paul 75-57

St. Paul beat Cullom in title game

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1960-61 16- 9 Postseason scores needed Coach Mel Bishop

The Chatsworth Bluebirds – 1960-61

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Gotta Love the Chuck Taylor Converse All-Star Shoes

1961-62 14-10 Chatsworth District Runner-Up Coach Mel Bishop

1st Rd Beat Kempton 68-31

Semi-final Beat Reddick 37-36

Title Game lost to Odell St. Paul 71-50

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1962-63 18- 7 Chatsworth District Tournament Coach Mel Bishop

1st Rd Beat Odell 78-71

Semi-final lost to Odell St. Paul 73-52

St. Paul lost to Reddick in title game

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1963-64 19- 7 IHSA District Champions Coach Hank Jefford

District Scores Needed

Gibson City Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Paxton 66-55

Semi-final lost to Rantoul 62-37

Rantoul beat Gibson City in title game

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1964-65 17- 9 Postseason scores needed Coach Don Rudolph

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1965-66 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1966-67 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1967-68 22- 4 Onarga District Runner-Up Coach Denny Lehnus

1st Rd Received a Bye

Semi-final Beat Onarga 56-55

Title Game lost to Melvin-Sibley 54-49

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1968-69 24- 5 Chatsworth District Champions Coach Denny Lehnus

1st Rd Beat Buckley-Loda 53-44

Semi-final Beat Onarga 40-36

Title Game Beat Melvin-Sibley 61-55

Gibson City Regional Semi-finalist

1st Rd Beat Gibson City 59-53

Semi-final lost to Clifton Central 48-37

Central beat Paxton in title game

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1969-70 Onarga District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Onarga 80-64

Semi-final lost to Melvin-Sibley 46-44

Melvin-Sibley beat Roberts-Thawville in title game

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1970-71 24- 3 Chatsworth District Champions Coach Barry Corban

1st Rd Received a Bye

Semi-final Beat Piper City 79-61

Title Game Beat Roberts-Thawville 67-60

Rantoul Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Gibson City 84-80

Gibson City lost to Rantoul in title game

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1971-72 23- 5 Onarga Regional Champions Coach Barry Corban

1st Rd Beat Piper City 66-51

Semi-final Beat Gilman 56-54 (2 O/Ts)

Title Game Beat Roberts-Thawville 78-76 (2 O/Ts)

Danville Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Watseka 72-54

Watseka lost to Gibson City in title game

WATSEKA (72): McKean 17, Burns 15, Yergler 12, Bivan 8, Dannehl 7, McGuire 7, Laughlin 4, Muller 2.

CHATSWORTH (54): Kurtenbach 22, Hornstein 16, Scott 6, Diller 3, Fisher 2, Sterrenberg 2, Drilling 2, Rosendahl 1.

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1972-73 21- 3 Postseason scores needed Coach Barry Corban

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1973-74 20- 8 IHSA Regional Champions Coach Barry Corban

Regional Scores Needed

Danville Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Mahomet-Seymour 61-53

M-S lost to Watseka in title game

MAHOMET-SEYMOUR (61): Farley 26, Scott 18, Kesler 10, Thompson 3, Anderson 2, Nichols 2.

CHATSWORTH (53): Scott 20, Rosendahl 14, Hanauer 7, Gerdes 6, Milstead 4, Sterrenberg 2.

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1974-75 14-11 Postseason scores needed Coach Barry Corban

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1975-76 20- 6 Postseason scores needed Coach Barry Corban

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1976-77 21- 5 Postseason scores needed Coach Barry Corban

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1977-78 23- 5 IHSA Regional Champions Coach Barry Corban

1st Rd Beat Onarga 67-55

Semi-final Beat Saunemin 73-56

Title Game Beat Reddick RUCE 50-47

Danville Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Hoopeston-East Lynn 34-17

H-EL beat Gibson City in title game

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1978-79 21- 6 IHSA Regional Runner-Up Coach Barry Corban

1st Rd Beat Reddick RUCE 63-54

Semi-final Beat Cullom Tri-Point 69-54

Title Game lost to Piper City Ford Central 55-54

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1979-80 18-10 IHSA Regional Champions Coach Barry Corban

Regional Scores Needed

Danville Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Gibson City 80-71

Gibson City Beat Danville Schlarman in title game

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1980-81 23- 3 Postseason scores needed Coach Barry Corban

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1981-82 23- 4 Postseason scores needed Coach Barry Corban

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1982-83 21- 7 IHSA Regional Champions Coach Barry Corban

Regional Scores Needed

Watseka Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Crescent-Iroquois 78-75

Crescent-Iroquois lost to Hoopeston-East Lynn in title game

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1983-84 21- 5 Postseason scores needed Coach Barry Corban

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1984-85 14-12 Postseason scores needed Coach Barry Corban

*1984-85 was the final season for Chatsworth High School.

Nice job Chatsworth High School Bluebirds!

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Football

Only one season is recorded on the IHSA website regarding the Bluebird football team. The team of 1978-79 qualified for the IHSA Class 1A playoffs.

Our conference and high school football “guru” Tom Sikorski forwarded several season records to us and had this to say about the Chatsworth Bluebird grid iron program:

“Chatsworth had a long and storied football tradition. At one point they won 27 Vermillion Valley conference games in row between 1959 and 1962.”

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1953 8-0 Vermillion Valley Conference Champs Coach George Evans

Don “Hank” Snow State’s Leading Scorer

Don Scored 175 Points in his 8 games!

From Bob Saathoff regarding the Bluebirds of 1953-54:

“What if ESPN existed back in 1954? If it had, I think the 1954 Bluebirds Football Team would have been a Headliner on ESPN and here’s why…..

– They finished the football season undefeated and won the conference title in the process.

– For the regular season, the team outscored their opponents with 315 points by the Bluebirds vs. just 32 points (total !) for their opponents!!

– They averaged 40 points per game.

– Of the 315 points that the team scored, Don Snow scored 175 of them.

I asked Dr. Don Hummel – a junior at the time – what the secret was and he said it was Don Snow, mean linemen, a great quarterback and a fabulous tactician and coach – George Evans. By the way this year will be the Class of 54’s 55th class reunion. Great memories from that group!!”

See Bob’s ESPN wish come true below!

ESPN Article …. if ESPN Had Existed in 1953

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Created by Bob Saathoff

1954 7-1 2nd place VV Conference Coach Herb Raab

Chatsworth Bluebirds of 1954

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8 – 0 Conference Champs

1955 5-3 3rd place VV Conference Coach Herb Raab

1956 5-4 4th place VV Conference Coach Charles Edgington

1957 7-2 2nd place VV Conference Coach Charles Edgington

1959 8-1 Vermillion Valley Conference Champs Coach Mel Bishop

1960 9-0 Vermillion Valley Conference Champs Coach Mel Bishop

1961 8-1 Vermillion Valley Conference Champs Coach Mel Bishop

1962 8-1 Vermillion Valley Conference Co-Champs Coach Mel Bishop

1963 8-1 3rd place VV Conference Coach Leeon Carrico

1964 8-1 2nd place VV Conference Coach Leeon Carrico

1965 5-4 4th place VV Conference Coach Leeon Carrico

1966 7-2 2nd place (tie) VV Conference Coach Leeon Carrico

1967 6-2 3rd place VV Conference Coach Leeon Carrico

1968 4-4-1 4th place VV Conference Coach Leeon Carrico

1969 4-3-1 4th place VV Conference Coach Leeon Carrico

1970 5-2 Vermillion Valley Conference Co-Champs Coach Leeon Carrico

1971 5-2-1 2nd place (tie) VV Conference Coach Leeon Carrico

1972 6-1-1 2nd place (tie) VV Conference Coach Leeon Carrico

1974 5-4 2nd place VV Conference Coach Rich Bohlander

1976 5-4 2nd place (tie) VV Conference Coach Denny O’Boyle

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1978 8-2 Class 1A Football Playoff Qualifier Coach Dwight Unzicker

Vermilion Valley Conference Champs

Undefeated in Conference Play 7 – 0

Class 1A Sweet 16 Finalist

Lost 1st Rd to Colfax Octavia 40 – 19

Only FIVE Classes in Football in 1978

Chatsworth was likely the smallest school to make the field of 80 teams.

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Chatsworth High School Bluebirds – 1978

Undefeated Vermilion Valley Conference Champions 7-0

Football Coaching Staff 1978

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1978 Football Schedule & Results

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Words From Coach Unzicker – 1978 School Yearbook

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**Chatsworth High School dropped football in the fall of 1980. The enrollment was 90 students and 29 boys signed up to play, 15 varsity, 14 F/S. There were no “co-ops” in those days so for fear of injury the school board chose to drop the sport.

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Girls Volleyball

The Lady Bluebird netters won a District Tile of their own. However, the team record and coach’s name of this and other good Chatsworth High volleyball teams are not available.

1977-78 District Champions

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Girls Track & Field

One female thinclad left a great mark on the IHSA Class A Track Meet. Rebecca Weber won the State Championship in the Long Jump in 1981 and 1983.

1980-81 Individual Medalist Coach Dwight Unzicker

Rebecca Weber Long Jump STATE CHAMPION!!

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1982-83 Individual Medalist Coach Dwight Unzicker

Rebecca Weber Long Jump STATE CHAMPION!!

Two Time State Champion Becky Weber

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Boys Track & Field

Four male tracksters brought home a total of seven medals from the IHSA state teack meet.

1929-30 Individual Medalist

?? Adamson Discus 2ND Place

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1971-72 Individual Medalist

Bill Fisher High Jump 3RD Place

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1976-77 Individual Medalist

Rich Hornickle Long Jump 4TH Place

Triple Jump 7TH Place

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1982-83 Individual Medalist Coach Dwight Unzicker

Phil Black 100M Hurdles 4TH Place

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1983-84 Individual Medalist Coach Dwight Unzicker

Phil Black 100M Hurdles 3RD Place

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NOTABLE FACULTY MEMBER

–Bill Kibler (1920-1957) Mr. Kibler was on the faculty at Chatsworth for over four decades, serving as a teacher, basketball coach, and superintendent. The athletic field at the school was named in his honor in 1959.

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If You Have ANY Information You Can Add…

Please forward any information regarding the successes of Chatsworth High School, especially a photo of the school building, to ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.

Poster With All 50 Chatsworth HS Yearbook Covers