“I found a class ring with Metropolis High on it from 1979 with the initials “JDJ” on the inside. It also has a trojan type mascot and a sheild with red and white on it. can you possible help me find the owner of this ring?”
If you may know who the owner could be contact the Glory Days website at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net
The History of Metropolis Community High School
Metropolis (population 6,482) is located in far southern Illinois on the banks of the Ohio River. The “Official Hometown of Superman”, so named in 1972, is located in south-central Masaac County. U.S. Route 45 is the main roadway to and from Metropolis and connnects it to Interstate Highway 24 about 2 miles to the east. Two major railroad lines, the At & St and the Illinois Central Gulf, intersect on the city’s southwet side. Mud Creek flows through the north side of town as well. Fort Masaac State Park is located just east of Metropolis.
Metropolis has a very rich and storied history not only in Illinois but also in the United States. A great account of the town and area history is found on the town’s official website www.cityofmetropolis.com . Metropolis was settled in the late 1700s. An official town was not platted until 1839. Plans were actually drawn up to make Metropolis the new United States capitol in the 1850s however they never materialized. The town now serves as the county seat of Masaac County.
A school system for Metropolis was set in place in the mid 1800s. Metropolis began high school curriculum for its students in 1873. This bit of Metropolis Community High School history was provided to us by a great fan of the area, Bob Lingle:
“Metropolis High School was part of the elimentary school until 1912 when a separate building was constructed. From 1912 until 1981 that was high school for Metropolis. In 1924 it became Metropolis Community High School so that it covered more area and have a larger taxing base. It was known for its outstanding agricultural program started
by long-time ag teacher George Sullivan.
A separate building held the gym called the Rose E. Cutting gym after longtime principal. It was one the largest gyms in southern Illinois from its opening in 1930 until it was surpassed in early 1950s. It was used to host games between Southern Illinois and Murray State. New Columbia High school was annexed to MCHS in 1949 followed by Metropolis Dunbar in 1953.”
Metropolis Community High School served the community and surrounding smaller communities for over 100 years. Consolidation talks began between Metropolis Community HS and its neighbor, Brookport HS, in the late 1970s early 1980s. This effort led to the creation of the Masaac County School District in 1981, offically ending hte solo run of each town’s high school.
Metropolis landed the high school for the new Masaac County School District. The original Metropolis Commmunity HS building continued its usefulness for the community. From 1982 until 2002 it was used as a junior high and a site for a branch of Shawnee Community College. In 2003 the original Metropolis Community High School building was razed.
Metropolis Community High School Quick Facts
Year opened: 1873
Year HS building built: 1912
Year named “Community” HS: 1924
Year gymnasium built: 1930
Year New Columbia HS annexed: 1949
Year Metropolis Dunbar annexed: 1953
Year MCHS closed: 1981
Consolidated to: Masaac County School District
Metropolis HS team nickname: the “Trojans”
Team colors: Red & White
School Fight Song: “Metroplis Loyalty”
Sung to Illinois Loyalty – click paly button below and sing along!
We’re loyal to you M.C.H.S.
We’re red and white, M.C.H.S.
We’ll back you to stand
‘Gainst the best in the land
For we know you have sand, M.C.H.S.
Rah! Rah!
So crack out the ball, M.C.H.S.
We’re backing you all, M.C.H.S.
Our team is our fame protector:
On! Boys for we expect a
Victory from you M.C.H.S.!
Che-he, cha-ha, cha-ha-ha-ha,
Metropolis, Metropolis,
Rah, Rah, RAH!
Fling out that dear old flag of
Red and White,
Lead on your sons and daughters
Fighting for you
Like men of old, on giants.
Placing reliance, shouting defiance
Oskee-wow-wow———
Amid the broad green plains that nourish our land,
For honest Labor and for Learning we stand.
And unto thee we pledge our heart and our hand,
Dear Alma Mater, METROPOLIS HIGH!
Metropolis Varsity – Senior Boys of 1966-67
Sandmacker,Wiederman,Edwards,Boyd,Rindle
Athletics
The Metropolis Community High School Trojans and Lady Trojans were a force to be reckoned with not only in their area, but on a state-wide level as well. The boys competed in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, and track. The girls were offered basketball, golf, track, volleyball, and probably softball. We have some great information to add through the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). We also have some great information and insight from former teacher and school historian Bob Lingle.
Boys Basketball
The Metropolis High School Trojans boys basketball program has a well-recorded and highly successful history. An overall recorded won-loss record of 958 – 477 (a .668 winning %) is a great way to start this program’s success story. How about this information as well for a short “by the numbers” look:
28 – Regional Championships!!
20 – Seasons of 20+ games won
3 – District Championships
2 – Sectional Championships
1 – Super-Sectional Championship
The best of the Trojan seasons according to the IHSA website are listed below.
1917-20 Coach L.D. Wiant
1923-24 District Champions Coach’s name unavailable
1924-25 11 – 5 Coach William Fielding
1926-27 Coach Lawrence Hamilton
1927-28 Coach Charles Cochrane
1928-29 14 – 4 Coach Charles Cochrane
1929-30 13 – 8 Coach Charles Cochrane
1930-31 10 – 6 Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1931-32 21 – 7 District Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1932-33 28 – 4 District Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
Sectional Finalist
1933-34 28 – 7 Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1934-35 18 – 6 Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1935-36 13 – 7 Regional Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1936-37 14 – 3 Regional Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1937-38 16 – 10 Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1938-39 20 – 8 Regional Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1939-40 25 – 7 Regional Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
Sectional Finalist
1940-41 27 – 5 Regional Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1941-42 26 – 7 Regional Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1942-43 Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1943-44 15 – 15 Regional Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1944-45 24 – 8 Regional Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1945-46 25 – 6 Regional Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1946-47 26 – 10 Regional Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1947-48 14 – 12 Regional Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1948-49 17 – 10 Regional Champions Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1949-52 Coach George “Dutch” Schneeman
1952-53 Coach Dan Faherty
1953-54 17 – 12 Regional Champions Coach Dan Faherty
1954-55 20 – 6 Coach Dan Faherty
1955-56 15 – 12 Regional Champions Coach Dan Faherty
1956-57 13 – 11 Coach Claude Shelton
1957-58 16 – 11 Coach Claude Shelton
1958-59 23 – 4 Regional Champions Coach Howie Crittenden
1959-60 27 – 4 Regional Champions Coach Bob Jones
Sectional Finalist
(Lost in O/T in sudden-death format)
1960-61 20 – 7 Coach Bob Jones
1961-62 22 – 5 Coach Bob Jones
1962-63 26 – 5 ELITE 8 FINALISTS!! Coach Don Smith
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Super-Sectional Champions
Beat Herrin 53 – 52
Elite 8 Finalist
Lost to Centralia (eventual state runner-up)
1963-64 13 – 12 Coach Don Smith
1964-65 19 – 9 Regional Champions Coach Don Smith
1965-66 23 – 6 Regional Champions Coach Don Smith
Centralia HS Tourney Cons. Champs
Gary Sundmacker All-Tourney Team
1966-67 20 – 9 Regional Champions Coach Don Smith
1967-68 16 – 11 Regional Champions Coach Don Smith
1968-69 19 – 8 Regional Champions Coach Don Smith
1969-70 13 – 12 Coach Warren Koch
1970-71 17 – 9 Coach Warren Koch
1971-72 13 – 12 Coach Steve Woodward
1972-73 17 – 10 Regional Champions Coach Steve Woodward
1973-74 16 – 10 Coach Steve Woodward
1974-75 25 – 3 (State Ranked in Class A) Coach Steve Woodward
1975-76 Coach Steve Woodward
1976-77 19 – 8 Regional Champions Coach Steve Woodward
1977-78 26 – 4 Sweet 16 Finalists!! Coach Steve Woodward
Regional Champions
Sectional Champions
Sweet 16 Finalists
Lost to Nashville 67 – 55
Nashville eventual State Champions
1978-79 13 – 12 Regional Champions Coach Steve Woodward
1979-80 21 – 9 Regional Champions Coach Steve Woodward
1980-81 19 – 8 Regional Champions Coach Steve Woodward
School’s Final Season
Nice Job by the Metropolis Trojans!!
Girls Basketball
The history was not as extensive, but one year was definitely magical for the Metropolis Lady Trojans. The team of 1979-80, coached by Cindy Almendinger, made a Sweet 16 appearance in the state playoffs after winning their Regional and Sectional Championships!
Two Regional titles were won by the Trojans on the baseball diamond. The team of 1956-57 had a great year going undefeated in the regular season before falling the IHSA playoffs. Team records and coach’s names of other great MCHS teams are not currently available.
1956-57 13 – 1 Undefeated Regular Season
1970-71 Regional Champions
1980-81 Regional Champions
Ron Ashby provides the following information on MCHS baseball:
“During early 1950s MCHS baseball teams took the field wearing Chicago Cubs uniforms which were doneate by the CUBs and the General Manager of the Cubs grew up and went to school MCHS.
Bob “Hawk” Taylor was one the first bonus babies signed by the Milwaukee Braves, Bob played his high school baseball at MCHS!”
Boys Cross Country
The boys cross counry team qualified for the IHSA State meet in 1976-77. One Metropolis student really carried the banner for the MCHS harriers. Gary Bremer placed at the IHSA State Meet in three consecutive years, becoming the State Champion in 1979 with a time of 14:49.2!! Gary’s excellent accomplishments are listed below.
1976-77 Team Qualified for State Meet Competition
Individual Medalists (Class A State Meet)
1976 Gary Bremer 17th Place
1977 Gary Bremer 2nd Place
1978 Gary Bremer STATE CHAMPION!!
Boys Football
The Trojan grid iron boys had some great moments as well. The team of 1969-70 had an undefeated season. The coach’s names and records of hte better teams are listed below.
1938-39 Coach George Schneeman
1939-40 3 – 3 Coach George Schneeman
1940-41 3 – 2 -1 Coach George Schneeman
1941-42 Coach George Schneeman
1942-46 (no team)
1946-49 Coach George Schneeman
1949-50 Coach Charles Hopson
1950-51 4 – 3 Coach Charles Hopson
1951-52 6 – 2 Coach Charles Hopson
1952-54 Coach Charles Hopson
1954-55 4 – 2 -1 Coach Charles Hopson
1955-56 Coach John Evers
1956-57 Coach Tom Gher
1957-60 Coach Dean Renn
1960-61 Coach Bernie Behrendt
1961-62 5 – 3 -1 Coach Bernie Behrendt
1962-63 4 – 4 -1 Coach Bernie Behrendt
1963-64 4 – 4 -1 Coach Bernie Behrendt
1964-65 4 – 4 -1 Coach Bernie Behrendt
1965-66 6 – 3 Coach Bernie Behrendt
1966-68 Coach Bernie Behrendt
1968-69 4 – 4 -1 Coach Bernie Behrendt
1969-70 8 – 0 Coach Chuck Durham
1970-71 6 – 2 Coach Chuck Durham
1971-72 Coach Chuck Durham
1972-73 6 – 3 Coach Chuck Durham
1973-74 Coach Chuck Durham
1974-75 6 – 3 Coach Chuck Durham
1975-77 Coach Vern Pollack
1977-79 Coach Chuck McFall
1979-80 Coach Chuck Durham
1980-81 7 – 3 Coach Chuck Durham
Boys Golf
The boys golf team brought home a NINTH place finish from the 1978-79 State Meet!
1978-79 Team Finished NINTH in State Meet Competition!
Final Team Standings
1.) Carmi 637
2.) Quincy (Notre Dame) 651
3.) Elgin (St. Edward) 656
4.) Dwight 673
5.) Petersburg (PORTA) 676
6.) Sullivan 681
7.) Morrison 684
8.) Woodstock (Marian) 685
9.) METROPOLIS COMM HS 698
1980-81 Individual Medalist
John Riegger 10th Place
Girls Golf
The Metropolis lady linksters had some state success of their own. A FOURTH place finsih at state and an inidividual medalist hi-light the MCHS successes here.
1978-79 Individual Medalist Lisa Rottman 14th Place
1979-80 Team Finished FOURTH in State Meet Competition!
Final Team Standings
1.) Flossmoor (Homewood-F.) 694
2.) Peoria (Academy of Our Lady) 753
3.) Palatine (Fremd) 773
4.) METROPOLIS COMM HS 776
5.) Waukegan (East) 778
6.) Mattoon 780
7.) Mt. Vernon (H.S.) 782
8.) Olympia Fields (Rich Central) 791
9.) Galesburg (H.S.) 800
10.) Macomb 835
Boys Track & Field
The MetropolisTrojan tracksters had some superb individual efforts to go a long with a SECOND place finish in the 1980 Class A Boys State Meet. The efforts of those listed on the IHSA website are in turn list below.
1933-34 Individual Medalist John Kidd High Jump 5TH Place
1958-59 Team Won the District Championship
1975-76 Indivdiual Medalist Stanley Oliver 1 Mile Run 8TH Place
1977-78 Individual Medalist Gary Bremer 1 Mile Run 5TH Place
Gary Bremer2 Mile Run 4TH Place
1978-79 Individual Medalist Gary Bremer 1 Mile Run 5TH Place
Gary Bremer2 Mile Run STATE CHAMPION!!
1979-80 Team Finished SECOND at IHSA State Class A Track Meet!!
Individual Medalists
Gary Bremer 1600 Meter Run 2ND Place
3200 Meter Run 3RD Place
Cameron Riley Long Jump 3RD Place
Jason Goodman Long Jump 5TH Place
Mike RushingHigh Jump 5TH Place
Final Team Standings
1.) Chicago (Luther South) 32
2.) METROPOLIS COMM. H.S. 28
3.) Mahomet (M.-Seymour) 25
4.) Freeburg 22
5.) Gibson City 21
1980-81 Individual Medalist Cameron Riley Long Jump 2ND Place
The English Department
Metropolis thespians had some great success as well! Three District titles and a TENTH place finish hi-lite the Speech Competition accomplishments.
1945-46 Team Finsihed TENTH in State Conmpetion!!
Individual Medalist
Jo Ann Strubinger Verse 2ND Place
Final Team Standings
1.) Tremont 10
2.) Freeport (H.S.) 9
3.) Elgin (H.S.) 8
4.) Henning 7
5.) DuQuoin (H.S.) 6
6.) Charleston (Eastern) 5
6.) Granite City 5
6.) Rockford (East) 5
6.) Rock Island (H.S.) 5
10.) METROPOLIS COMM. H.S. 4
10.) Paris 4
10.) Rock Falls 4
1953-54 Individual Medalist – Ophus Evans Extemp 4TH Place
1964-65 Individual Medalist – Jacqueline Williams Serious 4TH Place
1965-66 Team Won District Championship
1969-70 Team Won District Championship
1970-70 Team Won District Championship
Individual State Medalist – Mike Moorman Extemp 4TH Place
Great Athletes
Some of the other great athletes to grace the courts and feilds of MCHS include:
Louis “Too-Tall” Laster – 6’7″ tall and was outstanding football and basketball player in late 20s. Played some football at Illinois.
Lester Cagle – All-round athlete that played football at St. Louis University and boxed professionally. Scored 527 points during the 1933 basketball season.
Jim Pearce – all-around athlete that was an all-conference football player at Murray State.
Bob “Hawk” Taylor – A four sport stand-out in the 50s. Holds the single season scoring record in basketball. Signed as a bonus baby in 1957 was with the World Champion Milwaukee Braves that year. Played 10 years in MLB seeing service with the Braves, Mets, Angels and Royals.
Stan Brinker and Richie Williams – played with NCAA teams at Mississippi State
Gary Sundmacker – was a starter for national champion Paducah Community College in 1969 and also a regular for the 1971 Western Kentucky team that made it to the Final Four.
Norman Goodman – played in the first all-state basketball and football games. Played at Fort Scott Junior College and Missouri in football. Also played in the Canadan Football League.
John Kreuter – Named most valuable player in both basketball and football in 1952 as well and signing with the Chicago Cubs in 1953. He played professional baseball for 8 years.
Great Coaches
George “Dutch” Schneeman – coached from 1930 through 1952. Won over 400 basketball games and also coached football. In basketball coaches hall-of-fame
Chuck Durham – was Hall-of-Fame football coach during the late 60s and
through the mid-70s
Bob Beck – was baseball coach for the last 12 years and is also in the baseball hall-of-fame.
Memories and Stories of MCHS
THe following memories and stories were given to us by Bob Lingle, a great suporter of Metropolis and the surrounding area.
“Stan Brinker and Richie Williams were members of the historical Mississippi State basketball team that broke a state law by sneaking out of the state to play in the NCAA against Loyola of Illinois. At that time it was against the law in Mississippi for whites and blacks to play sports against each other.
The 1960 basketball team was beaten in a double overtime game in the sectional finals. At that time a double overtime meant sudden death, the first team to score two points. West Frankfort beat Metropolis when they were fouled on the jump ball and they made two free throws.
Metropolis played the first high school game at Assembly Hall. They played Centralia which was coached by Bob Jones who had been the Metropolis coach the year before. Steve Woodward scored the first points and John Turner had the first field goal, but Metropolis lost the game.”
If You Would Like To Share Any Further information…
…regarding the many successes and accomplishments attained at Metropolis Community High School please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. We are especially interested in a photo of the Metropolis High School building. You can also write to us at:
