| Individual Placer Joe Rockwood 175–2nd place
1952 Individual Placers
Ron Wanda 154–4th place
Joseph Strasser 165–3rd place
1953 Individual Placers
Richard Minogue 175–3rd place
Joseph Strasser 165–2nd place
1956 Individual Placers
Gordon Johnson 138–3rd place
Fred Rittschoff 112–3rd place
1957 Individual Placer
John Zander 112–4th place
1958 Individual Placer
John Zander 112–3rd place
1963 Individual Placer
Andrew Zander 138–4th place
1970 Individual Placer
Steve Wade 165–5th place
GIRLS’ TRACK
The Calumet girls matched the efforts of the boys and showed the rest of the area why they were tops in the state during the mid-late 1970’s, taking home a state title as well as a second and tenth as a team, while winning four relay and one individual championship.
1974 Relay Placer 440-yd relay—8th place
Individual Placer
Gwendolyn Bush 100-yd dash–8th place
220-yd dash–2nd place
1975 Public League Champions coach unknown
Tied for 2nd in State!
1 Oak Park-River Forest 24
2 Chicago Calumet 18
2 Springfield Southeast 18
4 Illiopolis 14
5 Lansing Thornton Fractional South 12
Relay Placers 440-yd relay–STATE CHAMPIONS!! (:49.2)
(Gwendolyn Bush, Angela Griffin, Linda Gulledge, Rowelonda Hooks)
Individual Placers
Gwendolyn Bush 100-yd dash–2nd place
220-yd dash–4th place
Ellanor Agee 100-yd dash–5th place
80-yd hurdles–5th place
Brenda Gulledge 220-yd dash–7th place
1976 STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Sandra Jenkins
1 Chicago Calumet 21
2 Illiopolis 18
3 Carthage Hancock Central 14.5
4 Evanston Township 12
4 East Moline United 12
Relay Placers 440-yd relay–STATE CHAMPIONS!! (:48.3)
(Annette Baxter, Angela Griffin, Brenda Gulledge, Linda Gulledge)
880-yd relay–STATE CHAMPIONS!! (1:39.7)
(Annette Baxter, Angela Griffin, Brenda Gulledge, Linda Gulledge)
Individual Placers
Brenda Gulledge 220-yd dash–STATE CHAMPION!! (:23.5)
Linda Gulledge 220-yd dash–4th place
Angela Griffin 100-yd dash–5th place
1977 Relay Placer 1-mile relay–STATE CHAMPIONS!! (4:00.7)
(Marla Austin, Phyllis Evans, Kathy Fortenberry, Lorraine Wellington)
1978AA Relay Placer 1-mile relay–6th place
1979AA 10th in AA State Finals coach unknown
1 East St. Louis Lincoln 64
10 Chicago Calumet 17
Relay Placers 1-mile relay 3rd place
880-yd medley relay 7th place
880-yd relay 8th place
Individual Placers
Lorraine Wellington 880-yd run–4th place
Gretchen Grier 880-yd run–6th place
BOYS’ CROSS-COUNTRY
Calumet had a hill-and-dale team during the fall of the school year, with one individual state title coming from Steve Murphy in 1950 to help suppliment his two track championships in the one-mile run, and two teams qualified for the state finals during the 1980’s.
1950 Individual Placer
Steve Murphy STATE CHAMPION!!! (9:47.6)
1981 Team qualifer for state meet coach unknown
1985 Team qualifer for state meet coach unknown
FOOTBALL
The Indian gridders were involved in many Public League battles, involved in two Prep Bowls in back-to-back seasons, and went to the IHSA state playoffs in 1995. Here’s a look back at some of these seasons:
1927 3-2-1 (first winning record) Coach Ed Dygert
1930 5-2-1 Coach Ed Dygert
1943 7-1-1 Public League South Division Champs Coach John Boyle
1945 5-3 Coach John Boyle
1946 5-3-1 Coach John Boyle
1949 6-2 (good record!) Coach Frank Vokac
1956 9-2-1 Public League Champs! Coach Ted Zaynor
Lost to Leo 12-0 in Prep Bowl
1957 11-1 Public League Champs! Coach Ted Zaynor
Lost to Mendel 6-0 in Prep Bowl
1959 5-2 Public League White South Champs Coach Ted Zaynor
1962 6-2 Public League White South Champs Coach Ted Zaynor
1968 7-2 (good record!) Coach Ted Zaynor
1971 8-2 Public League Blue-Green Division Champs! Coach Ted Zaynor
Defeated South Shore 56-22
1972 5-3 Coach Ted Zaynor
1993 6-2 Coach Johnnie Butler
1995 6-4 Class 4A Playoff Qualifier Coach Johnnie Butler
Lost to Oak Lawn Richards, 45-0
2003 5-2 coach unknown
Some information about the 1956-57 teams from David Haberkorn:
“Coached by Ted Zayner, the Indians finished second to Chicago Dunbar in the South-Central Section White division standings. Calumet began its playoff run by defeating Chicago Fenger 13-0 in opening-round action.
“In the quarterfinals, Calumet was tied by Chicago Austin 13-13, but earned the right to advance in the playoffs by virtue of an advantage in all three tie-breaking statistical categories. Calumet won its semifinal matchup from Chicago Schurz 13-7 and defeated Chicago Morgan Park 25-19 in the league championship game at Soldier Field on Nov. 24th. Calumet returned to Soldier Field for the Prep Bowl a week later, but lost to Chicago Catholic League champion Chicago Leo 12-0 before an estimated 66,000 fans.
“The following year, Calumet won the South-Central section White Division title, then defeated Chicago Tilden 18-0, Chicago Lane Tech 12-6, Chicago Lindblom 26-6 and Chicago Fenger 6-0 before losing in the Prep Bowl to Chicago Mendel Catholic 6-0 on a last-second touchdown pass.”
BOYS’ TENNIS
In the mid-to-late 1920’s, Calumet had three fine singles players that made it the semifinal rounds of the state tournament, bringing home a second, a third, and a fourth place finisher three times within four years. The Indians also won two Public League team titles during that decade.
1924 Chicago Public League Team Champions coach unknown
1925 Chicago Public League Team Champions coach unknown
Individual Finish at State Finals
Gordon Braudt 2nd in singles
Lost to George (Buster) Holloway of New Trier in finals, 6-2, 6-4
1927 Individual Finish at State Finals
Lewis Shaffer 4th in singles
1928 Individual Finish at State Finals
(?) Shaffer 3rd in singles
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Calumet fielded a boys’ cage team with some success in the first half of the 1900’s, taking second place in the Public League four times, taking one lightweight title, and also capturing a state district tournament during the 1931-32 season. Win-loss records and coaches’ names are missing.
1908-09 Second in Public League Tournament coach unknown
Finished behind Lake View in round-robin format
1909-10 Second in Public League Tournament coach unknown
Lost to Englewood in finals, 30-18
1914-15 Second in Public League Tournament coach unknown
Lost to Lane Tech in finals, 23-7
1929-30 Public League Lightweight Champions coach unknown
1931-32 11-8 District Champs!! coach unknown
Second in Public League Tournament-Lost to Crane in finals, 25-21
1941-42 11-3 Coach Ivers
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
We do know for a fact that Calumet did offer this sport to its young ladies as early as the 1900’s, taking second in the Cook County League in the winter of 1904-05. The sport was again offered in the 1970’s when most schools once again had girls’ hoops action. Any information that you may have is greatly appreciated.
1904-05 Second in Cook County League coach unknown
Lost to Hyde Park in finals, 23-11
1986-87 Coach McGee
1987-88 Coach McGee
RIFLE TEAM
In terms of showing that they could hit the target with accuracy, Calumet was one of the schools that offered a rifle team during the early 1930’s, bringing home the Public League title in 1932-33. Very little is known beyond these facts, and we would be curious to find out more about the sport itself when it was offered.
FAMOUS ALUMNI/FACULTY MEMBERS
—Paul D. “Tony” Hinkle (class of 1916), became a long-time college basketball coach who eventually was elected to both the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Helms Basketball Hall of Fame. The fieldhouse at Butler University is named in his honor, and he coached his basketball teams to a record of 560-392 from 1926-1970 with a break for World War II.
–Earl Eby—attended first Calumet and later Loyola Academy, and participated in the 1920 Olympic Games, taking second for the USA in the 800 meters, and getting a fourth as a part of the 1600 relay.
–Georgie Anne Geyer (class of 1952)— became a world renown journalist and columnist who wrote about international affairs.
–Tommy Sands —actor and teen idol hitmaker, notably with “Teen-Age Crush” in 1957.
–Mike Lind (class of 1958)— was an All-State football player, who went on to play for Notre Dame in college and for San Francisco & Pittsburgh in the pros at fullback.
—James Young (class of 1967 or 1968)– after graduation, attended Illinois Institute of Technology and helped form the band TW4. The band changed its name to Styx after signing to Wooden Nickel Records. Young was a guitarist and songwriter, penning “Miss America” and “Snowblind” as two of the group’s bigger hits. He still continues to tour today with a current lineup of Styx.
–Chaka Khan (class of 1969)—attended Calumet under the name of Yvette Stevens, but later achieved fame in R&B music first as lead singer of Rufus and then out on her own.
–Marsha Warfield (class of 1971)— achieved fame as a standup comedienne and a television actress.
—Kirby Puckett (class of 1979) — even though there are no records of his career as a Calumet Indian, Puckett later went on to play 12 seasons in center field for the Minnesota Twins and was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, batting .318 and helping the franchise win two World Series titles in 1987 & 1991.
—Ira Green — was a long-time baseball coach, is the father of Shawn Green who played with Toronto, Los Angeles, Arizona, and the New York Mets between 1993-2007.
MEMORIES
From Edwinna (Cook) Johnson (class of 1989)…
“My sister and I graduated from Calumet in 1989. My parents and other relatives (cousins) also, attended Calumet. Both my sister and I were on the Pom-Pom team. In order to try out for the team, each person had to learn the school song and choreography a routine. This is how, I remember the words (see facts section above). If you are in need of photos from alumni, let me know. The class of 1987, 1988 and 1989 meet once a year.”
From Jeane Stepp Cole:
“I went to Calumet from 1959 -1962 and I tried out for cheers as a freshman, though I didn’t make the squad, I do remember the cheers I learned, and the school song to this day.
The end of song (at that time) went like this:
And we’ll run that ball right through that line
Calumet go win that game! (the word game was dragged out)
Calumet! Calumet! Fear No Foe
Calumet! Calumet! Go team go!
C – A – L – U – M – E – T!
CALUMET!!
Thanks for letting me give you my input.
From Larry Brown (class of 1975):
“Upon review of the football portion concerning Calumet, there is no mention of the Blue-Green Division Championship between Calumet and South Shore High School. Calumet won that contest 56-22 and went to the White Division South. Ted Zaynor was the head coach. I attended Calumet from 1971-75 and I had the honor of being coached by Coach Zaynor and later by Coach Johnnie Butler.”
From Jill King (daughter of Calumet alum Jimmy Featherstone, from 8/31/2018):
“My father, Jimmy Featherstone, I remember graduated from Calumet.
“He became quite famous, was with the Big Bands, then WGN-TV. He would have graduated around 1937-42. He was on the wrestling team, played drums in the band, and sang. He also used a big megaphone to help cheer the sports teams.”
| Main hallway at Calumet High School |
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| courtesy of Britney Moring |
| Another hallway at Calumet HS |
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| courtesy of Britney Moring |
From Britney Moring (dated June 13, 2020):
“Hello, I just read your article on Calumet High School. Thank you, and for whatever reason, I feel a special place in my heart for it and enjoyed reading more about its history. That may sound strange for one to feel this way, yet I’m one that appreciates the history and architectural beauty in old buildings.
“It’s sad to see the fate it faces now, which brings me to why I emailed you. Calumet High School, to my knowledge, closed in the year 2018 (AUTHOR’S NOTE: The building ceased to be a high school in 2018). It was something to do with condensing to a smaller facility, or something like that.
“For two years, this building sat empty until a few months ago when it was converted into a homeless shelter, now called Calumet Womens’ Shelter. As we’d expect, COVID-19 has dramatically increased homelessness, and so this is an attempt to match the overwhelmed shelters in Chicago (at this time).
“I’m one of the residents here, I came a few weeks ago. I’m a visionary, and look for ways to change the world; yet, this rarely is successful as it seems. I was fascinated by the building and being the nosy person I am, (I) couldn’t help but explore. They only use a third or less of the building for the shelter, (and I) got in trouble three times for roaming.
“The first time I explored the third floor, found a Calumet hoodie, and kept it for a keepsake. Went into classrooms to find most of the stuff still there going to waste, which is so sad. Books, dozens of laptops, microscopes, chemistry supplies, students’ belongings, you name it.
“The second time, I found a back entrance in the womens’ locker/shower room and a hidden staircase. I (also) found a second basketball gym, which was a surprise, (and) several rooms with various stuff left behind. The third time was the most special. I found the theater and as an arts-loving person, I was having a field day. (There were hundreds) of books that were left on the floor and shelves.
“When I made my way to the stage, I found old props (and) two pianos, one in tune. It was the first time I played in years. I wrote a song and recorded myself playing. It was therapeutic, and (was later told) we aren’t allowed in there for fire code.”
From Renee’ Dugan (daughter of 1947 graduate Robert DiSimeone, dated March 5, 2022):
“I just saw your website and read a little bit about the history of Chicago’s Calumet High School. My father attended there, graduating in 1947. I was able to drive by the school and see it in person a few years ago. My father lived right across the street from the front entrance!
“Among the items I recently acquired after he passed away were his Temulac yearbooks and his well-worn high school class ring. So I wanted to send you a photo of the ring. It is a very special to me. I am not sure if you have any other photos of Calumet class rings. Thank you for your efforts in keeping history alive.”
From Wayne Zandstra (dated April 21, 2022):
“I liked your history of Chicago Calumet HS, but I did not see any baseball. I believe we won the city championship in 1965. I think that Caruso was the pitcher, but I cannot be sure.
“Also, there was a movie at Calumet High School: Light It Up (from 1999). Although set in New York City, I recognized the door that I always walked through at Calumet. So I looked up Light It Up (Light It Up (1999) – IMDb) and saw that it was actually filmed at Calumet.” (NOTE: The movie stars hip-hop star Usher Raymond, Judd Nelson, Forest Whitaker, Sara Gilbert, and Vanessa Williams.)
IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CALUMET HIGH SCHOOL…
then we invite you to contact us with it. We’re always in need of filling in the gaps on certain sports and other information, so please email your submissions to dr.veeman@gmail.com or send them through the mail to our address:
Illinois High School Glory Days
6439 North Neva
Chicago, IL 60631
| Calumet HS auditorium/theater from balcony |
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| courtesy of Britney Moring |
| Calumet HS auditorium/theater view from stage |
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| Courtesy of Britney Moring |
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