Crossville High School “Tigers”

Posted on by kpericht in Uncategorized
Crossville High School
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Photo Courtesy of Donald and Betty Jo Pretzsch

The History of Crossville High School

Crossville (population 782) is located in southeastern Illinois on Il. Route 1 six miles south of Interstate Highway 64.  This places Crossville in northeastern White County about seven miles west of the Indiana State line.  Carmi is located seven miles southwest of Crossville.  Elliot Creek trickles through the southwest side of town and the Consolidated Rail Corporation Railroad laid some tracks through town as well.

Crossville provided quality education for its children for nearly a century. The school system was established in the late 1800s, possibly early 1900s. The first year that Crossville High School was established was in 1921. The following bit of information was forwarded to us by CHS Class of 1944 graduate Donald Long:

“My father graduated from Crossville High School in 1924.  He went his freshman year to Carmi.  He started his sophomore year in Crossville in the 1921-22 school year and graduated in 1924. His name was Charles R. Long.”

It was in the mid-1980s that consolidation talks became serious between Crossville and Carmi.  In 1988 Crossville High School was closed and Carmi-White County High School was born.

Crossville High School is no longer used as a school, but it is still standing.  There is still a grade school in Crossville for the White County School District.

Crossville High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                 1921

Year closed:                  1988

Consolidated to:             White County School District (Carmi)

School nickname:          the “Tigers”

School colors:               Orange & Black

School Fight Song:        “Crossville High, We’re Loyal to You”

                                                Thank you to CLAUDIE PARSON

Crossville High we’re loyal to you, long may our colors fly!

We’ll fight to the end; determined to win, for dear old Crossville High.

Beat ’em, defeat ’em and fight e’m for our fame!

Play fair and shoot square and we will win this game!

Crossville High we’re loyal to you, so fight on to victory

All for Crossville; spoon and ball

All for Crossville; spoon and ball

All for Crossville; spoon and ball

FIGHT!
Athletics

Both boys and girls faired well at Crossville High School.  IHSA hardware was won in boys basketball, girls softball, boys track, and some nice records were made in girls volleyball.  We are need of some interesting items regarding Crossville such as the school nickname, colors, and fight song.  We are also in need of information on the better teams not found on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org).  Please drop us a note at eganann@sbcglobal.net if you would like to share your knowledge of Crossville athletics with other readers of this site.

Girls Softball

Two Regionals and some incredible success defined the softball program in Crossville during the mid 1980s.  Coach Larry Gariepy led the girls softball team from 1981-82 through the 1986-87 season.  During his 6 seasons the Crossville girls accumulated a record of 105 – 15!

One Crossville fan tells us that Penny Harrington (Martin) hit 2 grand slam homeruns in the same inning against Carmi during our 1983-84 season.  Penny was subsequently featured in the “Faces in the Crowd” section of Sports Illustrated!

We are also told that Amy Swingle hoolds many Crossville softball records including having struck out only FOUR times in her career which started her freshman year.  The strike outs included two her freshman year and two her sophomore year!

If you have any other personal knowledge of these or other Crossville softball seasons write to us at eganann@sbcglobal.net.

1981-82        14 – 4        (good record)                 Coach Larry Gariepy

1982-83        14 – 1        (good record)                 Coach Larry Gariepy

1983-84        20 – 3        Regional Champions   Coach Larry Gariepy

1984-85        17 – 1        (good record)                 Coach Larry Gariepy

1985-86        21 – 4        Regional Champions   Coach Larry Gariepy

1986-87        19 – 2        (good record)                 Coach Larry Gariepy

Boys Basketball

The boys basketball team brought home three District titles (back to back to back) and one Regional title.  Unfortunately, in most cases, the team records and coach’s names are not available.  We are hopeful a Crossville HS fanatic will help us here.

1940-41          White County Tournament Champs            Coach Bill Sanders

                      Little Ten Conference Champs 

Crossville HS Team 1940-41 — White County Champs
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Coach Bill Sanders (Submitted by Steve Sanders)

1941-42          Regional Champions        Coach Bill Sanders

Crossville HS Basketball 1941-42 / Regional Champs
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Coach Bill Sanders

1958-59          District Champions

1959-60          District Champions

1960-61          District Champions

In a February 16, 1985 game against Evansville, IN Christian, Crossville player Andy Scarlett made 21 free-throws, the most in school history. He attempted 26 in this game. Andy finshed the game with 61 points!

Girls Volleyball

The lady ahtletes from Crossville had some success in volleyball too during the 1980s.  Their best two teams listed on the IHSA web site are listed below.

1982-83      12 – 8        (good record)        Coaches Diane & George Tuttle

1984-85      12 – 5        (good record)        Coach Ellen Sweeney

Boys Track & Field

One male athlete, Glen Piland, won a medal in an event at the state track meet.

1941-42       Glen Piland         200 Yard Hurdles          5th Place

Donald Prince
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Submitted by Steve Sanders

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

**Don Prince (Class of 1944):  Upon graduating from Crossville High School Don continued his basketball career at Illinois State University, eventually being named captain of the team.  Don went on to a career in education and at one time held the position of Chairman of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

MEMORIES

From Dan Yelch:

“My father, Julius Yelch, attended Crossville HS beginning in 1938 and graduating in 1940. I have viewed his track ribbons won at White County Track Meet in 1940. He also claimed to be the only male cheerleader in the history of Crossville High.”

Seeking More Information

If you would like to share information regarding Crossville High School and its many accomplishments, please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  We are especially interested in photos of the old high school building and great teams.  You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.  60631

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