1919-20 5-3 Coach W.H. “Harry” Hill
1920-21 7-0 Coach W.H. “Harry” Hill
The 1920 Redskin Football Team (the school’s second season under Harry Hill) scored 650 points that season. Some of the the scores included 84-3 over Leroy, 105-0 against Fairbury, and 169-0 (this is not a misprint) over Chenoa. According to the 1956 Gridley Centennial book, this team averaged 92.85 points per game!
Gridley HS Football Team of 1920 |
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Undefeated at 7 – 0 (Courtesy of 1956 “Gridley Centennial Book” |
Members of the 1920 Redskin Football Team Pictured Above-Right:
Front Row, L to R : Fred Kent, Lyle Kehr, Harold Brown, Dale King, Virgil Blumershine, Ernest Blessman, Don Fenton
Back Row, L to R: Raymond Simpson, Roy Coyle, Clayton Ellis, Earl Lynch, Ralph Frey, Eugene McNaught, Coach Harry Hill
1921-22 4-1 Coach W.H. “Harry” Hill
1922-23 7-1 Coach W.H. “Harry” Hill
1923-24 7-0 Coach W.H. “Harry” Hill
1924-25 7-1 Coach W.H. “Harry” Hill
1925-26 8-0 Coach W.H. “Harry” Hill
1926-27 6-0 Coach W.H. “Harry” Hill
In 1926, the Redskin football squad stretched an unbeaten string to 21 games (after losing the opening game of the 1924 season and winning the rest of the games that year along with going undefeated in 1925 & 1926), defeating the likes of Chenoa (34-6), McLean (107-0) and
Lexington (116-0).
Gridley Redskin Football Team of 1926 |
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Winners of 21 Straight Games! (Courtesy of 1956 “Gridley Centennial Book” |
Members of the 1926 Football Squad Pictured Above-Right:
Front Row, L to R: Loren Vandegraft, Bill Klopfenstein, Lynn Gibbs
Middle Row, L to R: Leon Fruin, Jim Andrews, LaVerne Frey, Frank Fruin, Clifford Schram, Leslie Kirkton, Lowell Andrews
Back Row, L to R: Manager William Coe, Robert Kirkton, Duke Kiefer, Harold Frey, William Hanifin, Coach Harry Hill
Coach’s names and season records are listed below for the Gridley High School Football Program.
1927-28 3-4-1 Coach W.H. (Harry) Hill
1928-29 (record needed) Coach W.H. (Harry) Hill
1929-30 Coach W.H. (Harry) Hill
1930-31 1-4-2 Coach Krughoff
1931-32 0-6-1 Coach Claggett
1932-33 1-5-2 Coach Claggett
1933-34 2-5-1 Coach W.H. (Lynn) Gibbs
1934-35 2-4-2 Coach W.H. (Lynn) Gibbs
1935-36 0-6 Coach Frank Leach
1936-37 0-1 Coach Frank Leach
1937-38 2-3-1 Coach Frank Leach
1938-39 5-3 Coach Frank Leach
1939-40 3-4 Coach W.H. (Harry) Hill
1940-41 1-7 Coach W.H. (Harry) Hill
1941-42 through 1944-45 Records & coaches’ names needed.
1945-46 1-7 Coach L.D. Lange
1946-47 5-3-1 Coach L.D. Lange
1947-48 1-7 Coach Jesse Durham
1948-49 8-0-1 Prairie Conference Champions Coach Jesse Durham
1949-50 4-4-1 Coach Jesse Durham
1950-51 8-1 Mid-State Conf. Champions (6-0) Coach Jesse Durham
1951-52 5-3 Coach Clarence Kyger
1952-53 4-5 Coach Clarence Kyger
1953-54 5-2-1 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (5-2) Coach Clarence Kyger
1954-55 5-1-2 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (4-1-2) Coach Clarence Kyger
1955-56 3-3-2 Coach Vic Durchholz
1956-57 1-7 Coach Vic Durchholz
1957-58 5-2 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (5-1) Coach Martin Moon
1958-59 4-3-1 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (4-2) Coach Martin Moon
1959-60 3-5 Coach Martin Moon
1960-61 0-8 Coach Frank Edmonds
1961-62 3-4-1 Coach Frank Edmonds
1962-63 7-0-1 Mid-State Conf. Champions (6-0-1) Coach Frank Edmonds
1963-64 5-2-1 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (4-1-1) Coach John Hacker
1964-65 4-3-1 Coach John Hacker
1965-66 5-3 Mid-State Conf. Sportsmanship Award Coach John Hacker
1966-67 2-6 Coach John Hacker
1967-68 6-2 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up Coach John Hacker
Michael Morin – All-Conference Tight End (Unanimous)
Fred Finck – All-Conference Guard
Byron Stoller – All-Conference Halfback
Brent Ehresman – All Conference D-Back
1967 Gridley HS Football Team Offense |
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Submitted by Michael Morin |
Gridley HS Football Offense 1967 |
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Submitted by Michael Morin |
1968-69 4-4 Coach Gene Cwick
Gridley HS “Redskins” Football 1968-69 |
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Submitted by Michael Morrin |
1969-70 6-1-1 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (5-1-1) Coach Gene Cwick
1970-71 3-4-1 Coach Gene Cwick
1971-72 1-6 Coach Gene Cwick
1972-73 2-4-2 Coach Gene Cwick
1973-74 4-4-1 Coach Gene Cwick
1974-75 7-2 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (5-2) Coach Gene Cwick
1975-76 7-2 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (5-2) Coach Gene Cwick
1976-77 3-6 Coach Ron Ervin
1977-78 3-6 Coach Ron Ervin
1978-79 1-8 Coach Ron Ervin
1979-80 2-7 Coach Ron Ervin
1980-81 5-4 Coach Ken Leonard
1981-82 10-2 Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Ken Leonard
Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (6-1)
Elite 8 FInalist
Beat Bradford 20-7
Beat Tiskilwa 14-12
Lost to Freeport Aquin 43-0
1982-83 10-1 Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Ken Leonard
Undefeated Regualar Season (9-0)
Mid-State Conference Champs (7-0)
Sweet 16 Finalist
Beat Monmouth Yorkwood 12-10
Lost to Kewanee Wethersfield 16-12
1983-84 7-2 Mid-State Conf. Co-Champs (6-1) Coach Ken Leonard
1984-85 Record & coach’s name needed.
1985-86 Record & coach’s name needed.
1986-87 2-7 Coach Denny Kapper
1987-88 3-6 Coach Denny Kapper
1988-89 2-7 Coach Rod Wertz
1989-90 1-8 Coach Rod Wertz
1990-91 4-5 Coach Rod Wertz
1991-92 10-2 Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Rod Wertz
Mid-State Conf. Co-Champs (6-1)
Elite 8 Finalist
Beat Chenoa 8-0
Beat Deer Creek-Mackinaw 15-0
Lost to El Paso 3-0
1992-93 10-1 Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Rod Wertz
Mid-State Conference Champs (7-0)
Sweet 16 Finalist
Beat Cerro Gordo 10-6
Lost to Deer Creek-Mackinaw 34-28
1993-94 7-3 Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Rod Wertz
Mid-State Conference Champs (6-1)
Lost to Heyworth 29-6
1994-95 4-5 Coach Rod Wertz
1995-96 1-8 Coach Thad Olson
1996-97 3-6 Coach Thad Olson
1997-98 2-7 Coach Thad Olson
1998-99 0-9 Coach Ron Tomczak
1999-00 1-8 Coach Troy Kaupp
2000-01 1-8 Coach Troy Kaupp
2001-02 2-7 Coach Troy Kaupp
2002-03 4-5 Coach Troy Kaupp
2003-04 4-5 Final Season Coach Troy Kaupp
Girls Volleyball
The Lady Redskin netters had just two long-standing head coaches during their 30-year existence. Coach Barbara Ringger led the Gridley High School volleyball program for their first 14 years from 1974-75 through 1987-88. Coach Penny Grusy took over the reigns from 1991-92 through the school’s last season of 2003-04. Both coaches had their share of great seasons. Coach Ringger’s teams in fact sported a 14 year record of 174-87- 6 at Gridley High School and brought home the District title in 1982. The best seasons are listed below.
1974-75 5- 1 Coach Barbara Ringger
1976-77 10- 5 Mid-State Conf. Tourn. Champs Coach Barbara Ringger
1977-78 17- 3 Mid-State Conf. Tourn. Champs Coach Barbara Ringger
1978-79 17- 3 Mid-State Conf. Tourn. Champs Coach Barbara Ringger
1979-80 20- 3 Mid-State Conf. Champions (5-1) Coach Barbara Ringger
1980-81 16- 4 Mid-State Conf. Champions (6-1) Coach Barbara Ringger
1981-82 20- 5 IHSA District Champions Coach Barbara Ringger
Mid-State Conf. Co-Champs (6-1)
1982-83 14- 7 Coach Barbara Ringger
1987-88 16- 7 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (6-1) Coach Barbara Ringger
1993-94 19- 9 Coach Penny Grusy
2002-03 23- 7 Coach Penny Grusy
2003-04 20-10 Last Season Coach Penny Grusy
*Three-time All-Conference Players:
Elizabeth Grusy – 1989, ’90, ’91
Danielle Stoller – 1991, ’92, ’93
*Named to the all-time girl’s volleyball team for McLean County by the 1994 book titled “Another Sentimental Journey“:
Suzy Jenkins McKinsey (Class of 1983)
Great Job Lady Redskins!!
Gridley High School |
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Gibbs Athletic Field |
Boys Track & Field
The greatest acheivement as far as IHSA success goes was attained by the boys track & field team of 1923-24. The boys of this season brought home a fifth place finish from the Illinois State “B” Track Meet. In all, 11 medals were won by male athletes of Gridley High School. Their accomplishments are listed below.
1921-22B Merle Ririe 220 Yard Dash 4TH Place
1922-23B Merle Ririe 220 Yard Dash STATE CHAMPION!!
1923-24B TEAM FINISHED 5TH IN STATE “B” TRACK MEET
Individual Medalists
Merle Ririe 220 Yard Dash STATE CHAMPION!!
Merle Ririe 100 Yard Dash 3RD Place
880 Yard Relay Team STATE CHAMPIONS!!
880 Yard Relay – State ‘B’ Meet Champions – 1924 |
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Courtesy of 1965 “Gridley Centennial Book” |
State Championship 880 Yard Relay Team members pictured above are (from left to right) Coach Harry Hill, Merle Ririe, Perry Burroughs, Virgil Andrews, and Levi “Duke” Kiefer. The alternate was Lowell Andrews. Also pictured is the team’s trainer, Earl Lynch. This combination clicked as a winner 10 consectutive times that school year, setting records on seven occasions….including a time of 1:35.2, on a cinder track!
Final Team Standings
1) Girard HS 20
2) Chesterfield HS 16
White Hall HS 16
4) Carlinville HS 15
5) GRIDLEY HIGH SCHOOL 13
Hinsdale HS 13
7) Wheaton HS 12
7) Bridgeport HS 12
9) Hoopeston HS 9
10) Chicago Pullman HS 8
10) Abingdon HS 8
1924-25B 880 Yard Relay Team 5TH Place
1926-27 Leon Fruin 880 Yard Run 5TH Place
1926-27 Levi Kiefer 440 Yard Run 5TH Place
1950-51 Team was Mid-State Conference Runner-up
1968-69 McLean County Track Meet Champions
Curt Fleming was the individual Champion of the 200 Meters (23.8)
Michael Morin was the Individual Champion of the 400 Meters (56.2)
The 880 Relay Team of Curt Fleming, Pat Kinsella, Bob Fleming and Rob Tipsord set a new McLean County Record in that Event
Gridley HS McLean County Track Meet Champs 1969 |
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Gridley HS 880 Yard Relay Champs 1969 |
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Left Click on Photo for Larger View |
Gridley HS Mile Relay Champs 1969 |
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Left Click on Photo for Larger View |
Gridley HS 1969 Conference Meet Results |
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Submitted by Michael Morin |
1983-84A Brian Radke 100 Meter Dash 6TH Place
Brian Radke 200 Meter Dash 5TH Place
1984-85A Brian Radke Long Jump STATE CHAMPION!!
Individual Conf. Multiple (3-Time Minimum) Event Winners – Track & Field:
*Dave Burke-1950-120 Yard High Hurdles, 200 Yard Low Hurdles, High Jump
*Dave Burke-1951-120 Yard High Hurdles, 180 Yard Low Hurdles, High Jump
*Ricky Finck-100 Yard Dash Champion – 1959, ’61, ’62
*Ricky Finck-1962-100 Yard Dash, 220 Yard Dash, 440 Yard Dash
*Dave Roth-1963-Pole Vault, Long Jump, 220 Yard Dash
*Marty Lomelino-Shot Put Champion – 1981, ’82, ’83
*Brian Radke-1984-100 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Dash, Pole Vault
Boys Baseball
The Gridley High School boys had some real nice seasons on the baseball diamond. below is a photo of the Gridley “Redskins” of 1910 followed by some of the more successful seasons in GHS history.
Gridley High School Baskeball Team of 1910 |
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Courtesy of 1956 “Gridley Centennial Book” |
Baseball Team Members of 1910 Pictured Above include:
Top Row, From L to R: George Kent, Les Mool, C.B. Anthony, Don Coyle, Russell Young, Jack Ehresman, Everett Kent
Bottom Row, L to R: Edwin Nuehauser, Henry Andrews, Drew Castle, Claude Steele, George Young
Conference success was found on the diamond as well for the Gridley Redskins.
1952-53 6-1 Mid-State Conf. Co-Champs (5-1) Coach Ken DeYoung
1959-60 Mid-State Conf. Champs (5-1) Coach Don Holler
1961-62 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (4-2)
1968-69 6-3 Mid-State Conf. Tourney Runner-up
1974-75 Mid-State Conf. Tourney Runner-up
1991-92 13-5 Mid-State Conf. Co-Champs (11-3) Coach Rod Wertz
1992-93 9-6 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (6-1) Coach Rod Wertz
A good fan of the IHSGD website, Mark Jurenga, provided the following information on Gridley alum Perry Roth:
“Gridley alumnus Perry Roth is currently an NCAA Division I assistant baseball coach. He just finished his 8th year in D1 and his 10th in college coaching.
School Tenure
UAB 1 year
Birmingham Southern 3 years
Bradley 1 year
Illinois State 3 years
Greenville (D3) 2 years
Girls Basketball
One Gridley Lady Redskin team faired well overall and in conference play. The school did not offer girl’s basketball from 1986-93. The school co-oped with Flanagan from 1994 until the consolidation with El Paso in 2004.
1979-80 11- 5 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (7-3)
Girls Softball
One Lady Redskin softball player had a great career in the sport. Heather Stella was a three-time All-Conference selection as a catcher (1993, ’94, ’95). Heather earned a scholarship for softball to Illinois State University where she became a four-year starter at third base. She is currently playing professional softball for Poneke Kilbirnie, a Premier One Women’s Major Fastpitch Softball Team in New Zealand.
Scholastic Bowl
Chalk up some serious success for the “brainiacs” of Gridley High. The Redskins won no less than nine Mid-State Conference Scholastic Bowl Championships for Coach Suzanne McGroarty. The Mid-State Conference title years are listed below.
1978, 1979, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993
Speech – Individual Events
Strike one up for the English Department. One Gridley Redskin claimed a State Medal in speech competition.
1951 Roger Calhoon Oratory Declamation 5TH Place
Great Coaches
*Coach W.H. “Harry” Hill – Boys’ Football – 1919-20 through 1929-30, then again 1939-40
12 Total Seasons (no football 1928-29 season)
58-26 overall record
4 – undefeated/untied seasons
3 – one-loss seasons
Coach Hill was described by Coach Pete Meiss in this manner:
“Harry Hill was the greatest coach Gridley ever had. His name
is a legend as a coach and a teacher.”
*Coach Pete Meiss – Boys’ Basketball – 1969-70 through 1985-86
318-128 (.713 winning %)
17 – seasons as head coach
14 – seasons with winning records
7 – seasons of 20 or more wins
5 – Regional Championships
*Coach Barbara Ringger – Girls’ Volleyball – 1974-75 through 1987-88
174-87 (.663 winning %)
14 – seasons as head coach
7 – Conference Championships
2 – seasons of 20 or more wins
1 – District Championship
*Coach Ken Leonard – Boys’ Football – 1980-81 through 1983-84
32- 9 Overall Record
4 – seasons as head coach
2 – trips to the State Playoffs
1 – undefeated regular season
*Coach Tim Fairchild – Boys’ Basketball – 1987-88 through 1994-95, 2002-03 through 2003-04
141-122 Overall Record
10 – seasons as head coach
2 – Regional Titles
2 – seasons of 20 or more wins
*Coach Penny Grusy – Girls’ Volleyball – 1991-92 through 2003-04
181 wins
13 – seasons as head coach
4 – consecutive winning seasons to close out the school’s program
2 – seasons of 20 or more wins including final two of school’s existence
*Coach Rod Wertz – Boys’ Football – 1992-94 through 1995-96
3 – consecutive seasons of qualifying for the IHSA playoffs
*Coach E.W. “Duke” Towner – Boys’ Basketball – 1943-44 and 1944-45
48-12 (.800 winning %)
2 – seasons coached at Gridley
2 – seasons of 20 or more wins
1 – District Title
*Coach Suzanne McGroarty Scholastic Bowl Coach
Nine-Time Conference Champions
*Coach Gene Cwick – Boys’ Football Coach
34-27-5 overall record in eight seasons
2 – second place finishes in Mid-State Conference play
1- third place in Mid-State Conference standings
Great Athletes
1920s – Merle Ririe, Leon Fruin, Levi Kiefer
1940s – Wilber Haas, Rogers Kaufman, Ty Kaufman
1950s – Dave Burke, Wilbur Hany
1960s – Mark Dalton, Larry Gilmore, Pat Kinsella, Ricky Finck, Dave Roth, Michael Morin, Byron Stoller
1970s – Ted Roth, Rob Tipsord, Greg Umland, Mike Jenkins, Dan McKey
1980s – Bill Hayes, Brad Radke, Marty Lomelino, Phil Meiss, Suzy Jenkins
1990s – Heather Stella, Elizabeth Grusy, Danielle Stoller, Matt Jenkins
A Song in Tribute
One alumnus of Gridley High honored his alma mater with a song. Jerry Meiss’ “Good-By Gridley High” receives local air play each spring near graduation time. The lyrics are as follows:
“Good-by Gridley High”
Let’s take a look back at the years gone by,
You know I graduated from Gridley High.
Guess you could say I’m an alumni,
Got my diploma from Gridley High School.
I remember the good times,
Back in those Redskin days.
But nobody wanted the cane that I raised.
All of my teachers thought my mind was decayed,
But I got educated at Gridley High School
Good-bye, Gridley High,
My memories will never die.
I couldn’t forget you if I tried,
So long Gridley High School
All of my friends thought I was really cool
With my hair slicked down and pennies in my shoes.
And when I made headlines in the Gridlite News,
I was a big hit (doo wap a doo) at Gridley High School.
When I got a little older I got married you see,
And my wife even fell right in love with me.
When a couple of kids enlarged our family,
We sent ’em right on to Gridley High School.
(chorus)
SPECIAL THANK YOU!
Special thank you goes out to Pete Meiss and Merlin Haas for providing a great deal of information and time to make this page informative and interesting!
Seeking Your Assistance
If you would like to add, delete, or correct ANY information on this page regarding the Gridley Redskins and Gridley High School in general, please contact us via e-mail. Additional photos are also welcome. You can e-mail items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il. 60631
Gridley High School Building Cornerstone |
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Gridley HS Gymnaskum Bleachers 2014 |
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Gridley High School |
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Gridley, Illinois |
Gridley HS Football Preview 1967 |
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Submitted by Michael Morin |
Gridley HS Football Preview 1967 |
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Submitted by Michael Morin |
Gridley Football Staff 1967 |
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Submitted by Michael Morin |
Gridley HS Football Schedule 1967 |
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Submitted by Michael Morin |
Gridley Track Champs 1969 |
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Submitted by Michael Morin |
Gridley HS Football 1967 All-Conference |
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Submitted by Mike Morin |
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