Mason City High School “Huskies”

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Mason City High School
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Burned Down in 1963 – Photo Courtesy of June Mahan

The History of Mason City High School

Mason City (population 2,558) is located central Illinois in southeast Mason County. Illinois Route 10 is the main road through town while Illinois Route 29 passes just to the west of town. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad passes east and west through town and actually branches off to the north as well. A nearby town of note might by Lincoln, which sits about 20 miles east and a little south of Mason City.

HIstory of the Mason City school system was sent to us by June Mahan, Class of 1966.  She obtained the following information from a booklet titled:

“A HISTORY OF MASON CITY ILLINOIS SCHOOLS”

  Mason City’s first public school was established in 1858 in an upper room of the town’s second commercial store building. The first building built exclusively as a school was erected in 1860. During this period there were several private or “select” schools in operation. The first building on the West Side School block was built in 1868. It was a three-story brick building, constructed for $20,000. A fire destroyed the building in 1888, and a new building was built known as the High School although both grade and high school classes were held there for years.

  The first building on the East Side School block was built in 1882 for $7000. This building was also destroyed by fire in 1890. The building we knew as the East Side Grade School was then erected. A note of interest:  all of these buildings were built of bricks made in Mason City.

  As our enrollment grew, the need for more school facilities was felt. An addition was built in 1917 consisting of a gymnasium, large assembly hall, offices and classrooms connected to the West Side School by an archway. NOTE: THIS IS THE BUILDING THAT IS PICTURED ABOVE AND DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1963 (JM).

   March 5, 1963 was a day we all remember – our High School was almost completely destroyed by fire.  A stunned community reacted to this disaster as only a small community can. Townspeople and faculty helped with moving what was salvageable. Our churches generously offered their facilities for classroom and study space. For one and a half years students experienced the “campus” style of life going from one church to another for classes. September 8, 1964 the first students entered our new High School.

Mason City Schools – HS Built in 1964 on the Left
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Courtesy of Frank Hutchison (Class of 1978)

 We have had many students represent M.C.H.S. at State track meets, music contests, drama and art contests, but nothing has ever matched the impact of our 1978 Huskie basketball team appearing in the Elite Eight tournament at Champaign-Urbana in March 1978. Those of us fortunate to be present for the appearance and those watching on TV were very proud to be from this community!

   In 1988 the referendum to consolidate was brought before the three school districts of Easton, San Jose and Mason City. This issue passed and the Illini Central Unit District was formed. The doors closed on Mason City High School, which graduated 3,103 students in its 110 year existence. Opening are new doors to a new and bright future for our children and grandchildren with many opportunities available for their advancement in this rapidly changing society.”

The Illini Central School District was subsequently formed, ending the solo run for the three towns.

The high school for Illini Central is located in Mason City, the largest of the three towns. It is not known at this time if the original Mason City High School is still standing. We are hopeful for this information and a photo of the school building if anyone has it.

The Mason City High School alumni are quite an active group. There is a “Facebook” page created for Mason City High.  Here is some more information from the page creator:

“My name is Jim Morgan, I lived in Mason City and graduated from MCHS in 1978. Last summer I started a Facebook page for the former Huskies and others who have lived in (and still live in) Mason City to get reaquainted. We have tons of pictures on our page……the address is http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mason-City-High-School-Mason-City-IL/106989199180?ref=nf ”

Mason City High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                      1879

Year current bldg. erected:   1965

Year closed:                       1989

Consolidated to:                  Illini Central School District

Mason City HS nickname:    the “Huskies” (1947 – 1989)

the “Cornhuskers” (? – 1946)

School colors:                     Navy Blue & White

School Fight Song:             “BOOSTING THE OLD HIGH SCHOOL”

JOYOUS! AND EVER LOYAL, LET US BOOST OUR DEAR OLD HIGH

LET EVERY VOICE RING, LET EVERY HEART SING,

THERE’S NO TIME TO GRIEVE OR SIGH;

IT’S EVER ONWARD, OUR COURSE PURSUING

MAY DEFEAT NE’ER HER ARDOR COOL—

BUT, UNITED WE WILL BOOST FOR HER, OUR OLD HIGH SCHOOL!

(Courtesy of June Mahan and the 1950 Huskie Yearbook)
Mason City High School Mascot
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Courtesy of June Mahan

Athletics

The Mason City High School Huskies and Lady Huskies enjoyed many great seasons of success in several different sports. We are seeking the conference affiliation and rival schools of Mason City High. The teams of each sport as listed on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) are listed below.

Boys Basketball

The most well-covered sport on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) for Mason City High School. The Huskies have a history in basketball dating back to the 1914-15 season!  How about this for a resume’:

  1 – Elite 8 Appearance

  2 – Sweet 16 Appearances

  2 – Sectional Titles

  1 – Super Sectional Title

17 – Regional Titles!

  3 – District Titles

Recorded Overall Record:  911 – 431    

A 52-year winning % of .679!!!

The many great seasons of hoops at Mason City High School are listed below.

1914-15    0-  2

Mason City HS Basketball Team 1917-18
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Submitted by Jim Morgan (left click on photo for larger view)

1921-22  13-  8    Mason City Hosted District Tourney   Coach Leon Myers

District Scores Needed

1922-23               IHSA District Champions                  Coach’s name & record needed

                            District Scores Needed

Decatur Sectional Tourney

                            1st Rd Beat Chandlerville 27-19

                            Semi-final lost to Villa Grove 35-13

Villa Grove beat Mt. Pulaski in title game

Villa Grove Won State Championship!

Villa Grove Beat Rockford in state title game!

1923-24  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1924-25  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

 

1925-26               IHSA District Champions                  Coach’s name & record needed

                            District Scores Needed

                            Peoria Sectional Tourney

                            1st Rd lost to Streator 32-14

Streator lost to Tremont in semi-final

Tremont lost to Canton in title game

Canton lost to Freeport in state title game

1926-27  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

      

1927-28  19-  6    IHSA District Champions                  Coach Axelson

                            Mason County Tourney Runners-Up

                            District Scores Needed

                            IHSA Sectional Qualifier

                            Sectional Scores Needed

   

1928-29  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

     

1929-30       Postseason scores & record needed           Coach E.D. Sweeney

1930-31               Mason Co. Tourney Champs            Coach’s name, record, and

postseason scores needed

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

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

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

1st Rd Beat Pleasant Plains 21-14

                            Semi-final lost to Kilbourne 23-21

Kilbourne lost to Havana in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Greenview 30-28

Greenview lost to Havana in semi-final round

Havana beat Athens in title game

1935-36               Havana Regional Tournament             Coach John Wasilewski

Season record needed

Regional Scores

1st Rd Beat Easton 30-18

Semi-final lost to Havana 23-14

Havana lost to Athens in title game

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

Season record needed

Regional Scores

1st Rd Beat Havana 25-22

                            Semi-final lost to Petersburg 19-17

Petersburg lost to Athens in title game

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

1938-39               Athens District Tournament                  Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Petersburg 35-30

Petersburg lost to Tallula in semi-final

Tallula beat Athens in title game

1939-40  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1940-41       Postseason scores & record needed           Coach Tom Galbreath

1941-42                Havana Regional Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Chandlerville 53-51

Chandlerville lost to Athens in semi-final

Athens lost to Havana in title game

1942-43                Petersburg Regional Tournament       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Springfield 58-42

Springfield beat San Jose in title game

1943-44  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1944-45               Havana Regional Tournament             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Manito 45-27

                            Semi-final lost to Spfld Feitshans 40-22

Feitshans lost to Easton in title game

1945-46                Petersburg Regional Tournament       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Athens 52-28

Athens lost to San Jose in semi-final

San Jose beat Easton in title game

1946-47               Athens Regional Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Easton 40-31

                            Semi-final lost to Athens 53-37

Athens lost to Springfield in title game

1947-48  16-11    Havana Regional Tournament              Coach Vern Corbin

1st Rd lost to Athens 70-57

Athens beat Havana in title game

1948-49  18-10    Petersburg Regional Tournament         Coach Vern Corbin

                            1st Rd Beat Pleasant Plains 63-45

                            Semi-final lost to thens 48-42

Athens beat Havana in title game

1949-50  13-13    Athens Regional Tournament                Coach Vern Corbin

1st Rd Beat Elkhart 59-45

Semi-final lost to Athens 44-33

Athens beat Havana in title game

1950-51  26-  3    Havana Regional Champions              Coach Vern Corbin

                            1st Rd Beat Spfld Cathedral 62-52

                            Semi-final Beat Petersburg 71-62

                            Title Game Beat Easton 59-39

                            Springfield Sectional Tournament

                            Semi-final lost to Spfld Lanphier 51-47

Lanphier lost to Lincoln in title game

Lincoln lost to Quincy in Elite 8 Rd.

Mason City Huskies of 1950-51
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Chuck Conrady- Bob Leininger- Pee Wee Dowel – Russ Lockenour – Joe David Wagoner

1951-52  21-  6     Petersburg Regional Champions         Coach Vern Corbin

                             1st Rd Beat Havana 65-50

                             Semi-final Beat Petersburg 102-78

                             Title Game Beat Athens 46-44

                             Jacksonville Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Spfld Cathedral 66-57

Cathedral lost to Jacksonville in title game

        

1952-53            Postseason scores and record needed       Coach Vern Corbin

1953-54  18-10     Havana Regional Champions               Coach Vern Corbin

                             1st Rd Beat Bath-Lynchburg 67-56

                             Semi-final Beat Athens 54-37

                             Title Game Beat Havana 58-47

                             Springfield Sectional Tournament

                             Semi-final lost to Lincoln 60-48

Lincoln lost to Springfield in title game

LINCOLN (60): Power 22, Swilley 14, Cadwallader 9, Blessman 7, Miller 7, Huff 1.

MASON CITY (48): Snyder 26, Dye 9, Zirkle 4, Renken 4, Bracey 3, Quick 2.

Robert Adams (MHS ’55) tells us Coach Corbin played basketball and football for the Huskies prior to becoming a coach.

The 1953-54 Huskies
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Regional Champions

1954-55  18-  7     Havana Regional Tournament               Coach Joe Adam

1st Rd lost to Petersburg 57-51

Petersburg lost to Havana in semi-final

Havana beat Springfield in title game

1955-56  24-  4     Havana Regional Champions             Coach Joe Adam

                             1st Rd Beat Bath BALYKI 86-38

                             Semi-final Beat Petersburg 83-51

                             Title Game Beat Havana 68-54

                             Jacksonville Sectional Runner-Up

                             Semi-final Beat Jacksonville 71-56

                             Title Game lost to Spfld Lanphier 64-50

Lanphier lost in Sweet 16 Round

SPRINGFIELD LANPHIER (64): Jackson 19, Beard 16, Madison 10, Fox 8, Rowland 5, Clark 4, Evans 2.

MASON CITY (50): Dye 24, Buse 10, Duel 6, Ranken 6, Schaub 2, Yardley 2

1956-57                Havana Regional Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Astoria 51-47

                             Semi-Final lost to Spfld Lanphier 84-56

Lanphier beat Havana in title game

 

1957-58  25-  5     Havana Regional Champions             Coach Martin Chilovich

                             1st Rd Beat Pleasant Plains 65-61

                             Semi-final Beat Manito Forman 57-52

                             Title Game Beat Athens 65-63

                             Springfield Sectional Runner-Up

                             Semi-Final Beat Lincoln 52-49

                             Title Game lost to Springfield 49-39

Springfield lost in Elite 8 Round

1958-59  21-  7     Havana Regional Champions             Coach Martin Chilovich

Mason County Tourney Champs

                             Regional Scores

                             1st Rd Beat Astoria 57-43

                             Semi-final Beat Havana 84-57

                             Title Game Beat Athens 84-57

                             Springfield Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Springfield 43-36

Springfield beat Jacksonville in title game

Springfield beat Aurora West in State Title Game!

1959-60  24-  3     Mason Co. Tourney Champs              Coach Martin Chilovich

                             Regional Scores Needed

     

1960-61  22-  7    Havana Regional Champions              Coach Martin Chilovich

                            Mason County Tourney Champs

                            Regional Scores

                            1st Rd Beat Havana 62-42

                            Semi-final Beat Easton 65-45

                            Title Game Beat Manito Forman 74-43

                            Peoria Sectional Runner-Up

                            Semi-final Beat Washington 62-48

                            Title Game lost to Peoria Manual 57-42

Peoria Manual placed 4th in State Tourney

1961-62  20-  4    Mason Co. Tourney Champs                Coach Martin Chilovich

                             Havana Regional Tournament

                             1st Rd Beat Petersburg 64-40

                             Semi-final lost to Athens 57-55

Athens lost to Havana in title game

1962-63  16-  9     Mason Co. Tourney Champs               Coach Martin Chilovich

Havana Regional Runner-Up

                              1st Rd Beat Pleasant Plains 52-34

                              Semi-final Beat Petersburg 51-34

                              Title Game lost to Havana 60-49

The Huskies of 1962-63
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The Last of FIVE STRAIGHT County Champions

1963-64  17-  8     Havana Regional Tournament           Coach Bob Ortegel

                             1st Rd Beat Astoria 78-57

                             Semi-final lost to Manito Forman 48-46 (O/T)

Forman beat Havana in title game

1964-65  20-  6     Havana Regional Champions         Coach Mel Roustio

                             1st Rd Beat Athens 43-40

                             Semi-final Beat Easton 67-64

                             Title Game Beat Pleasant Plains 76-52

                             Jacksonville Sectional Tournament

                             Semi-final lost to Jacksonville74-63

Jacksonville beat Raymond Lincolnwood in title game

Jacksonville lost in Sweet 16 to Quincy

Quincy placed 2nd in State Tourney

JACKSONVILLE (74): Bone 13, Whitaker 13, Coleman 12, Wegehoft 11, Hess 11, Sergeant 10, Andrews 4.

MASON CITY (63): Ainsworth 25, Werner 16, Doyle 8, Dennis 6, Copper 4, Snyder 2, Rabbe 2.

     

1965-66  23-  4     Havana Regional Champions         Coach Mel Roustio

                             Early Rd Scores Needed

                             Title Game Beat Athens 74-70

                             Macomb Sectional Tournament

                             Semi-final lost to Hamilton 53-49

Hamilton lost to Galesburg in title game

Galesburg lost to Harvey Thornton in State Title game

HAMILTON (53): Wardell 18, Deagles 11, Day 10, Cox 7, Wood 7.

MASON CITY (49): Brownfield 19, Werner 9, Conklin 7, Doyle 6, McLaughlin 6, Lynn 2.

1966-67  19-  5     Havana Regional Tournament           Coach Mel Roustio

                             1st Rd Beat Petersburg 79-50

Semi-final lost to Greenview 81-57

Greenview beat Manito Forman in title game

Greenview lost to Galesburg in Sectional

1967-68                Havana Regional Tournament           Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Havana 64-59

Havana beat Virginias in title game

1968-69  17-  8     Havana Regional Tournament           Coach Jerry Sullivan

1st Rd lost to Pleasant Plains 82-74

Pleasant Plains lost to Forman in title game

1969-70  28-  1     Havana Regional Champions         Coach Jerry Sullivan

                             Undefeated Regular Season!

                             Regional Scores

                             1st Rd Beat Havana 73-43

                             Semi-final Beat Greenview 84-71

                             Title Game Beat Petersburg PORTA 57-46

                             Peoria Sectional Runner-Up

                             Semi-final Beat Canton 47-46

                             Title Game lost to Peoria Spalding 67-55

Spalding placed 4th in State Tourney

                             

1970-71  16-  8     Havana Regional Tournament           Coach Jerry Sullivan

                             1st Rd Beat Chandlerville 57-56 (O/T)

                             Semi-final lost to Athens 59-57

Petersburg PORTA beat Athens in title game

1971-72  19-  8     Mason City Class ‘A’ Regional           Coach Jerry Sullivan

                             1st Rd Beat New Holland-Middletown 83-58

                             Semi-final lost to Easton 49-48

Easton lost to Illini Bluffs in title game

1972-73  22-  8     IHSA Regional Champions              Coach Jerry Sullivan

                             Regional Scores Needed

                             Normal Sectional Runner-Up

                             Semi-final Beat Heyworth 53-47

                             Title Game lost to Bloomington CC 70-50

BCC lost in Elite 8 Round

1973-74  25-  3     IHSA Regional Champions              Coach Jerry Sullivan

Regional Scores Needed

                             Normal Sectional Runner-Up

                             Semi-final Beat Farmer City 51-48

Title Game lost to Lexington

Lexington lost in Elite 8 Round

1974-75  18-  8     Postseason scores needed                Coach Jerry Sullivan

                  

1975-76  19-  8     IHSA Regional Champions              Coach Jerry Sullivan

                             Regional Scores Needed

                             Normal Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Gridley 90-47

Gridley lost to Bloomington CC in title game

    

1976-77  20-  5     IHSA Regional Champions              Coach Jerry Sullivan

                             Regional Scores Needed

                             Normal Sectional Tournament

                             Semi-final lost to Normal U-High 55-49

Normal U-High beat Bloomington CC in title game

Normal U-High lost in Sweet 16 Round

                                              

1977-78  23-  6     IHSA Class”A” Elite 8 Qualifier       Coach Jerry Sullivan

                             IHSA Regional Champions

                             Regional Scores Needed

                             Normal Sectional Champions

                             Semi-final Beat Bloomington CC 72-68

                             Title Game Beat Deland-Weldon

                             Super-Sectional Champions

                             Beat Hoopeston-East Lynn 60-56

                             Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Nashville 69-56

(Nashville won State Championship)

1977-78 Huskie Boys’ Basketball Team
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State Class A Elite Eight Qualifiers (Left click on photo for larger view)

1978-79              Postseason scores & record needed    Coach Jerry Sullivan

1979-80  14-14   IHSA Regional Champions                 Coach Jerry Sullivan

                           Regional Scores Needed

                            IHSA Sectional Qualifier

                           Sectional Scores Needed

      

1980-81              Postseason scores & record needed    Coach Jerry Sullivan

1981-82  12-12   Postseason scores needed                  Coach Jerry Sullivan

1982-83  19-  6   Postseason scores needed                  Coach Jerry Sullivan

1983-84  23-  3   Postseason scores needed                  Coach Jerry Sullivan

                        

1984-85  29-  2   IHSA Class “A” Sweet 16 Qualifier    Coach Jerry Sullivan

                           IHSA Regional Champions

                           Regional Scores Needed

                           Pontiac Sectional Champions

                           Semi-final Beat Roanoke-Benson 71-61

                           Title Game Beat Gridley 74-63

                           Super-Sectional Runner-Up

Lost to Hoopeston-East Lynn 65-60

Hoopeston-East Lynn placed 3rd in State Tourney

1985-86  21-  6   Postseason scores needed                  Coach Jerry Sullivan

1986-87  19-  6   Postseason scores needed                  Coach Jerry Sullivan

1987-88  18-  7   Postseason scores needed                  Coach Jerry Sullivan

1988-89  17-  7   Postseason scores needed                  Coach Jerry Sullivan

(School became Mason City Illini Central High School in summer of 1989.)

**From our good friend Phil Shadid:

“Information regarding the MASON COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, which was held for 68 years, and ended in 1989.

MASON CITY HIGH SCHOOL won 24 championships and finished second 11 times. The Huskies were in the championship game 35 of the 68 years this tournament was held!!”

**Mason City High School’s top finishes in the Macomb-Western Holiday Basketball Tournament as researched by Mark Jurenga:

1950

Champ- Mason City 55 Griggsville 46

1952

3rd Place- Carthage 47 Mason City 43

1954

Champ- Mason City 81 Havana 78

Mason City put up 31 pts in 4th quarter after trailing 51-38 going into 4th.

1984

3rd Place- Mason City 79 East Peoria 70

1985

Consolation Champ- Mason City 73 Bushnell-Prairie City 43

1987

3rd Place- Pittsfield 72 Mason City 61

All-Tournament

1984- Brad Benders

1985- David Berberet 

Truly an incredible history by the Mason City Huskies!!

Girls’ Basketball

The Lady Huskies had a nice stretch in the mid-to-late 1980’s. The girls won a total of three Regional Titles! Unfortunately, team records and coaches’ names of these and other great Lady Huskie teams are not available.

1983-84             Regional Champions

1985-86             Regional Champions

1987-88             Regional Champions

Boys’ Cross Country

The Mason City High School Huskie harriers had some state competition success as well. The boys won a Regional title in their last season as a solo school.  Roger Rivera also won three consecutive medals at the State Meet!

1985-86       Roger Rivera           18TH Place

1986-87       Roger Rivera             5TH Place

1987-88       Roger Rivera             7TH Place

1988-89       Team Won Regional Championship!

Girls’ Volleyball

The Mason City Lady Huskies made the school proud to the very end. The girls won back-to-back Regional titles in the last two seasons of the school’s existence! The better records are listed below. It includes 11 of its 14 seasons with winning records, the last 9 in a row!

1975-76   12-  6                                                         Coach Pam Walsh

1978-79   15-  5                                                         Coach Pam Walsh

1980-81   10-  8                                                         Coach Pam Walsh

1981-82   10-  8                                                         Coach Pam Walsh

1982-83   11-  8                                                         Coach Pam Walsh

1983-84   11-  7                                                         Coach Pam Walsh

1984-85   17-  6                                                         Coach Pam Walsh

1985-86   18-  7                                                         Coach Pam Walsh

1986-87   14-10                                                         Coach Pam Walsh

1987-88   22-  6      Regional Champions                  Coach Pam Walsh

1988-89                 Regional Champions                  coach unknown
Mason City HS Baseball Trophy
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1954 Abe Lincoln Conference Champions

Baseball

Mason City High also had baseball teams. The program can be traced back to when the sport was played in the summertime of 1961. In one game that season, Mason City defeated Lewistown 10-6.

On May 1, 1965, the Huskies played an epic game against Lincoln. In that game, Mason City defeated the Railers by the final score of 36-25! Mason City pounded out 27 hits to Lincoln’s 23 in the game that will go down in Illinois High School Baseball history as having the most runs by both teams in one game.

MCHS alum Robert Adams added this about the Mason City baseball program:

“Mason City baseball dominated in the early years in the area and was being played in the 40’s and maybe before. I have one of the baseball trophies won in the 50’s. Consolidation forced a lot of old trophies to be thrown out. It was very sad.

Mason City had some very high caliber baseball teams and players. Two of my classmates had chances to make the “big time.” Delbert Snyder batted left handed, threw right handed. Ken Bracey is still scouting in the Major Leagues for the San Diego Padres after a brief stint scouting for Milwaukee.

My brother (half-brother) Robert Leininger had chance to go to Cardinals farm club, Bob batted right handed and left handed, pitched played infield and outfield, and was a big hitter. Bob was extremely fast and I am sure Bob either set some records in track or won a lot of races. Bob chose to go to college.”

We are sure there are many more great Mason City Baseball teams, drop us a line if you have more information.

Boys’ Track & Field

The Mason City Huskies have won medals dating back as early as 1904!  A total of 13 Medals have been won by the Huskies in boys track. These medal-winning accomplishments are listed below.

1903-04      ??  Stevenson             Long Jump           2ND Place

1907-08      ??  Jones                    880 Yard Run        2ND Place

1979-80A    Manuel Rivera            3200 Meter Run     5Th Place 

                  Kent Benken               Shot Put               7TH Place

1980-81A    Kent Benken               Shot Put               4TH Place

                                                     Discus                   5TH Place

                  Manuel Rivera            3200 Meter Run     8TH Place

1981-82A    Manuel Rivera            3200 Meter Run     3RD Place

                                                     1600 Meter Run     4TH Place

1985-86A    Roger Rivera               3200 Meter Run     6TH Place

1986-87A    Roger Rivera               3200 Meter Run     7TH Place

1987-88A    Roger Rivera               3200 Meter Run     4TH Place   

                                                      1600 Meter Run     5TH Place

Girls’ Track & Field

The Lady Huskie tracksters brought home six medals of their own. Keeping the competitive edge to the end, all six medals were won the school’s last three years of existence! Five of the six were won by speedster Neta Crow, and we’ll bet she was part of the Relay Team that won the sixth as well.

1986-87A     Neta Crow                   100 Meter Dash       7TH Place

1987-88A     Neta Crow                   200 Meter Dash       5TH Place

                                                      100 Meter Dash       7TH Place

1988-89A     Relay Team                 800 Meter Medley  4TH Place

                   Neta Crow                   100 Meter Dash      6TH Place

                                                       200 Meter Dash      8TH Place

Boys Wrestling

The Mason City athletic program included wrestling as well. One grappler brought home a medal from the state tournament to prove it!

1974-75A     Jim Newell          112 Lbs. Weight Class    3RD Place

Mason City High School Football – 1931
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Courtesy of June Mahan

Football

Football may have had a short life span at Mason City HIgh, but it is a fact that it was offered at the school at least in the 1930’s. The photo to your right is of the gridiron heroes of 1931. If you have any further information on Mason City High School football, please contact us and let us share it with others. Team records and coach’s names are being sought.

Speech Sweepstakes

The English Department was not to be outdone completely. The kids won a District Title of their own in the Speech Sweepstakes competition!

1953-54        Team Won District Championship

                    Individual State Medalist

                    Phyllis Skaggs                Verse             4TH Place

    

Music

From Jean Dennison (Class of 1965):

“Mason City High School had a very good music program – Bud Morris did the band and Janice Timm instructed vocal music while I was there.  There were 2 musical ensembles while I was in school; the “Mellowtones” – an all-girl octet, and the “Harminotes”, an all-girl sextet.  The Mellowtones were generally for the younger classmen.  I sang in the Mellowtones my freshman year, and the Harminotes my last 3 years of High School.  Also, on several occasions I would sing the National Anthem with the band for the home basketball games.”

     

Great Coaches

*Jerry Sullivan – Boys Basketball    1967-68 through 1988-89

                                                        405 – 171 Overall  .703 Winning %

                                                        #140 All-Time in Wins in IHSA History

                                                        19 – .500 or better seasons (of 22 total seasons)

                                                        10 – Regional Titles

                                                          9 – 20+ Games-won seasons

                                                          2 – Sectional Titles

                                                          2 – Sweet 16 Appearances

                                                          1 – Super-Sectional Title

                                                          1 – Elite 8 Appearance

*Pam Walsh – Girls Volleyball     1975-76 through 1987-88 (possibly 1988-89)

                                                    156 – 105 Overall   .598 Winning %

11 – seasons of .500 or better (13 total seasons)

                                                        8 – consecutinve winning seasons

                                                        1 – Regional Title (possibly two)

                                                        1 – 20+ games-won season

*Martin Chilovich – Boys Basketball   1956-57 through 1962-63

                                                          139 – 52 Overall  .728 Winning %

                                                             6 – Seasons of .500 or better (7 total seasons)

                                                             5 – Consectuive 20+games won seasons

                                                             3 – Regional Titles

*Vern Corbin – Boys Basketball          1946-47 through 1953-54

                                                           137 – 85 Overall .617 Winning %

                                                              6 – Seasons of .500 or better (8 total seasons)

                                                              3 – Regional Titles

                                                              2 – 20+ games-won seasons 

*Mel Rousito – Boys Basketball     1964-65 through 1966-67

                                                     62 – 15 Overall  .805 Winning %

                                                       3 – Seasons of .500 or better (all 3)

                                                       2 – Regional Titles

                                                       2 – 20+ games-won seasons

*Joe Adam – Boys Basketball      1954-55 and 1955-56

                                                     42 – 11 Overall  .792 winning %

                                                       2 – Seasons of .500 or better

                                                       1 – Regional Title

                                                       1 – 20+ games-won season

Great Students

Gordon Miller Buehrig was born in 1904 in Mason City, Illinois.  His claim to fame was as an automobile designer, and was the chief design engineer for the Cord and later Ford. For more on Gordon Check out http://www.mason-city.com/gordon_buehrig.htm

Also one of the Donovans graduated from Mason City commanded one of the nations first Nuclear submarines

The” Pineapple Kid” Jay Geddings – Known for his herosim, throwing hand grenades and holding off the enemy

The Grade School

Mason City Grade School was a great part of Mason City School lore. The Rexall Drug Store hangout, the school patrol “team,” boys softball, all and more were a part of the Mason City Grade School experience. The Grade School newspaper was known as the “Chatterbox”.

Members of the patrol team pictured below to the right include:

Teacher Adam Hibbs, Gene McMann, (?) Furkins, Dick Leamon, Merle Seward, Jim See, Robert Martin, Jack Jones, Bill Culler, Bill McCreery, Paul Biedenharn, John Skaggs, Harry Lockenour,  Ken Bracey,  (?) Hawley, Delbert Snyder, Oscar Adams (Hat sailor),  (?) Murray, (?) McKenna, Bill Arnold, Gene Lagier, (?) Buberet, and Carol Lowe.

Grade School Patrol
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Adam Hibbs teacher
Rexall Drug Store owned by Julia Pratt and Virgini
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Bob Vaughn- Merle Seward-Wes Marcum- Hank Losey John Booth’s truck in background
Mason City Grade School Softball
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Members of the Mason City Grade School “Rockets” softball team pictured above include:

Dick Leamon, Darrel Behrends,  Wilber Renken,  ?/  Ken Bracey,  Ray Tisdale, Robert Vaughn, Phylis Tisdale, Robert Martin,  John Skaggs, Junior Dye,  Chub Snyder, and Jim Wooldridge

SPECIAL THANKS

To June Mahan and Robert Adams for the many photos and great information they shared with us regarding Mason City and its former “solo” school system!!

Seeking More Information

We are hopeful a Mason City High School fan will forward a photo of MCHS building to us.  We are looking for any information to accent the information already on this page.  There is NO information that is too trivial for this site.  You can e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you can write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.    60631

World Senior Softball Champions

Robert Adams, Mason City HS Class of 1955, sent us this photo of his team and his gold medal won at the 2010 World Softball Championships for Seniors.  Robert’s team won the 70+ age group.  Upon graduation from Mason City HS Robert served in the military as part of the DMZ Police in Korea, for which we thank him. Nice job Robert, congratulations on being a World Champion!

Gold Medal – World Champs Softball 70+
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Courtesy of Robert Adams
World Champs 70+ Softball Tourney 2010
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Submitted by Robert Adams


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