Reddick R.U.C.E. High School “Bulldogs”

Reddick High School Building

Photo Taken in 1997 by Gerry Halpin

Reddick School Complex 1960

Submitted by RIchard Curl

First HS Classes Held Here

A picture containing text, building, outdoor, black

Description automatically generated

Submitted by Sherree Benoit

The History of Reddick R.U.C.E. High School

The town of Reddick (population 219) is located on Il. Route 17 about 9 miles east of Dwight and 21 miles west of Kankakee. This places Reddick in the northwest corner of Kankakee County with the west edge of town spilling over into the northeast corner of Livingston County. The Reddick Run Creek runs through town as does the Norfolk & Western Railroad line which intersects with the Conrail Railroad line just north of town.

Reddick supported its own high school for several years. Reddick started a two-year high school in 1906 and converted it to a four-year high school in 1912. A consolidation effort of four neighboring towns (including Reddick) took place in 1950. The new school system located its high school in Reddick and was known as Reddick R.U.C.E. The initials in “R.U.C.E.” stand for Reddick, Union Hill, Campus, and Essex. Reddick RUCE operated in Reddick for several years until its consolidation with the Herscher school system in 1988.

Reddick Gym & Grade School 2017

Now the Reddick Fire Department Headquarters

The Reddick Grade School was utilized as one of the grade schools that served children of the Herscher School District for grades K – 6. This arrangement was changed to just grades 4 and 5 in approximately 2008. Sadly, due to financial concerns, the Herscher School District decided to close the Reddick Grade School in the summer of 2013.

http://www.herscherpilot.com/news/option-c-is-approved-reddick-school-to-close-in-one/article_e46f7e9d-80ce-5781-b41d-75b903f1d346.html

One happy note is that the Reddick Grade School building and gymnasium were sold to the Reddick Fire Department which continues to utilize the facility today.

http://www.daily-journal.com/news/local/sale-of-reddick-school-a-win-win/article_16a85d8d-27f1-5380-94c6-964056fa2d6c.html

Reddick High School Memorial – Cornerstone

A picture containing grass, outdoor, building, park

Description automatically generated

Photo Taken by Gerry Halpin

Reddick HS Bus – 1948

A bus parked in front of a building

Description automatically generated

Submitted by Sherree Benoit

Reddick HS Corner Stone 2017

A tombstone in a grassy area

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Displayed on Former High School Building Site West of Gym

Reddick HS Building Inscription Stone #2

A picture containing text, grass, outdoor, park

Description automatically generated

Displayed on Former High School Building Site West of Gym

The original Reddick High School was torn down in 1998 due to wear from aging and asbestos. The gymnasium (built in 1951), however, is still in use by the fire department today.

Rich Curl tells us the Reddick alumni still have a place to call home. Today it is on “Facebook”. All Reddick HS fans can go there as it offers a social network between alumni. The group is called: “Reddick High School Alumni” and it was started by the Class of ’71. Mr. Jack Barker is the administrator.

Reddick HS Gym Dedication Stone 2017

Reddick High School Quick Facts

Year opened as two-year HS: 1906

Year converted to four-year HS: 1912

Year consolidated to “R.U.C.E”: 1950 (Reddick, Union, Campus, Essex)

Year “R.U.C.E.” closed: 1988 (annexed to Herscher School District)

Year HS Building Demolished: 1998

H.S. Gymnasium built in 1951: Still in use for the kids of Reddick Grade School

School nickname: the “Bulldogs”

School colors: Orange, Black, & White

School Fight Song:

“On Ye Bulldogs” (sung to the tune “On Wisconsin”

“On Ye Bulldogs,

On Ye Bulldogs,

Fight for Victory!

Rah, Rah, Rah!

Kick the ball around the field,

For a touchdown sure this time!

Rah, Rah, Rah!

On Ye Bulldogs,

Fight for Victory!

Fight, Fellows, Fight,

And we will win this game!!

Ga-Hee, Ga-ha, Ga-hee Ha Ha!

Reddick High School,

Rah, Rah, RAH!!!”

Reddick HS Gymnasium – 2009 “The Cow Palace”

Submitted by Gerry Halpin

Reddick High School Mascot

http://www.reddickbulldogs.com

Athletics

The Reddick High School Bulldogs definitely competed in boys’ basketball, their lone District title confirms this. The Reddick R.U.C.E. consolidation produced even more great teams. Reddick also offered baseball, track, and football. Reddick competed from 1944-1956 in the Kankakee Valley Conference along with their then arch-rival Herscher. They then moved to the Northeast Conference for a short time before later settling in the Vermilion Valley Conference. We are hopeful for your assistance in remembering the Reddick High School athletic history.

Regarding the photo of the basketball gymnasium above, our good friend Gerry Halpin, a long-time contributor to the Glory Days site and a former student of Reddick RUCE, provides this bit of informaiton:

“The Cow Palace”. This Quonset-hut gym was built in 1951. It has just 5 rows of permanent bleachers on each side, and was usually packed for Bulldog games. The low, rounded ceiling made it one of the LOUDEST gyms around – a great home court advantage. I was a player in the 1969 fresh-soph game when a Kankakee Westview player, not used to low gym roofs, shattered the center light with a full-court shot at the end of a quarter. This building still stands and is used by Reddick Elementary School.”

Boys Basketball

The Reddick Bulldogs and Reddick R.U.C.E. teams each brought home their own IHSA hardware. Reddick High School won a District title in the 1935-36 season. Another great season on record was the 1938-39 Bulldog team, who finished at 19 – 9.

As Reddick R.U.C.E. the Bulldogs won another 6 District Championships to go along with five Vermillion Valley Conference titles. In fact, the Bulldogs of 1963-64 won their District and finished the regular season undefeated! The 27 – 0 R.U.C.E. boys made it to the Regional Semifinal game (the Round of 64!!!) before losing to a tough Pontiac team to finish their season at 27 – 1. The team of 1962-63 also finished the regular season undefeated and won their District before falling in the semi-final of the Regional tournament to finish at 26 – 3.

Between 1958 and 1971, the Bulldogs won 6 District titles, and were knocked out in the Regional by Pontiac 5 times. The 1969 team advanced the farthest, defeating Herscher and Dwight in the Regional before losing the final to Pontiac . Despite all the great teams, Reddick never won a Regional title in boy’s basketball.

Reddick R.U.C.E. High School basketball has found a claim to fame also in IHSA history that may never be broken. On December 15, 1964, the Bulldogs took on the boys from Dwight High School. In a great contest, the Reddick boys fell to Dwight in nine (9) OVERTIMES 76 – 72!!! This game is also listed in the National Federation (Basketball) Record Book as one of the longest games in high school basketball history!

As Reddick High School

1921-22 Fairbury District Tourney Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Forrest 57-14

Forrest Beat Pontiac in title game

1927-28 Coach Orin Hertz

1928-29 3 – 2 Coach Orin Hertz

1929-31 Coach Orin Hertz

1931-32 Kankakee District Tourney Coach Orin Hertz

1st Rd lost to St. Anne 20-13

Bradley beat Herscher in title game

1932-33 Dwight District Tourney Coach Orin Hertz

1st Rd Beat Mazon 29-25

2nd Rd lost to Pontiac 35-21

Pontiac beat Morris in title game

1933-34 14 – 3 Dwight District Tourney Coach Orin Hertz

1st Rd lost to Dwight 36-24

Dwight beat Mazon in title game

1934-35 15 – 7 Dwight District Tourney Coach Orin Hertz

1st Rd Beat Caberry 27-20

2nd Rd lost to Fairbury 29-26

Gardner beat Cullom in title game

1935-36 13 – 12 Kempton District Champions Coach Orin Hertz

1st Rd Beat Piper City 37-14

Semi-Final Beat Cornell 33-18

Title Game Beat Cullom 22-16

Dwight Regional Tourney Runner-Up

1st Rd Beat Wilmington 22-20 (O/T)

Semi-Final Beat Cullom 29-17

Title Game lost to Dwight 24-19

Reddick High School District Champions

1935-36 Season – RHS’ First District Championship Team

1936-37 Kempton District Tourney Coach Maynard Ferden

1st Rd lost to Kempton 21-11

Kempton beat Chenoa in title game

1937-38 11 – 13 District scores unavailable Coach Maynard Ferden

1938-39 19 – 9 Kankakee Regional Tourney Coach Maynard Ferden

1st Rd lost to Bradley 41-9

Bradley beat Peotone in title game

Reddick not assigned to a District this season

1939-40 10 – 11 Dwight Regional Tourney Coach Maynard Ferden

1st Rd lost Dwight 41-24

Dwight beat Mazon in title game

Reddick not assigned to a District this season

1940-41 3 – 16 District scores unavailable Coach Richard Woy

1941-42 12 – 8 District scores unavailable Coach Richard Woy

1942-43 6 – 11 Dwight Regional Tourney Coach Richard Woy

1st Rd lost to Braidwood 38-31

Gardner beat Odell St. Paul in title game

1943-44 7 – 9 Dwight Regional Tourney Coach George Sauerwein

1st Rd lost to Gardner 55-44

Gardner beat Pontiac in title game

1944-45 Dwight Regional Tourney Coach George Sauerwein

1st Rd lost to Coal City 71-41

Coal City beat Gardner in title game

1945-46 Dwight Regional Tourney Coach George Sauerwein

1st Rd lost to Pontiac 58-25

Pontiac beat Cullom in title game

1946-47 14 – 8 Dwight Regional Tourney Coach George Sauerwein

1st Rd Beat Kempton 47-43

Semi-final lost to Coal CIty 57-43

Forrest beat Coal City in title game

1947-48 10 – 8 Dwight Regional Tourney Coach David Williams

1st Rd lost to Forrest 58-42

Forrest beat Coal City in title game

1948-49 8 – 14 Dwight Regional Tourney Coach David Williams

1st Rd lost to Forrest 58-32

Forrest beat Coal City in title game

1949-50 1 – 16 Dwight Regional Tourney Coach David Williams

1st Rd lost to Coal City 65-33

Odell St. Paul beat Pontiac in title game

As Reddick R.U.C.E. High School

Reddick RUCE High School Gymnasium Interior 2019

Courtesy of Reddick Fire Department

Reddick Gym Front Entrance 2019

A sign in front of a building

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

Reddick Gym Floor 2019

A picture containing floor, indoor, building

Description automatically generated

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

1950-51 2 – 19 Dwight Regional Tourney Coach David Williams

1st Rd lost to Dwight 54-45

Odell St. Paul beat Pontiac in title game

1951-52 3 – 15 Gardner Regional Tourney Coach Ralph Keller

1st Rd lost to Wilmington 64-41

Forrest beat Braidwood in title game

1952-53 7 – 16 Chatsworth District Tourney Coach Ralph Keller

1st Rd lost to Odell 53-45

Cullom beat Odell in title game

1953-54 4 – 19 District scores unavailable Coach Ralph Keller

1954-55 5 – 19 Wilmington Regional Tourney Coach Ralph Keller

1st Rd lost to Pontiac 60-59

Braidwood beat Pontiac in title game

1955-56 10 – 11 Chatsworth District Tourney Coach Ralph Keller

1st Rd lost to Chatsworth 42-36

Odell St. Paul beat Saunemin in title game

1956-57 16 – 8 Cullom District Tourney Coach Ralph Keller

1st Rd lost to Saunemin 60-57

Cullom beat Saunemin in title game

1957-58 24 – 4 Odell District Champions Coach Ralph Keller

1st Rd Beat Chatsworth 70-56

Semi-Final Beat Odell 61-51

Title Game Beat Odell St. Paul 84-60

Wilmington Regional Tourney

1st Rd Beat Braidwood 60-52

Semi-Final lost to Pontiac 71-51

Wilmington beat Pontiac in title game

1958-59 16 – 7 Chatsworth District Runner-up Coach George Birkett

1st Rd Beat Odell St. Paul 52-47

Semi-final Beat Cullom 67-59

Title Game lost to Kempton 44-42

1959-60 19 – 8 Cullom District Tourney Coach Ralph Sackett

1st Rd Beat Saunemin 58-46

Semi-final lost to Odell St. Paul 77-59

Odell St. Paul beat Cullom in title game

1960-61 9 – 14 Odell District Tourney Coach Ralph Sackett

1st Rd lost to Odell St. Paul 70-45

Odell St. Paul beat Kempton-Cabery in title game

1961-62 16 – 4 Chatsworth District Tourney Coach Gary Johnson

1st Rd Beat Piper City 64-43

Semi-Final lost to Chatsworth 37-36

Chatsworth lost to Odell St. Paul in title game

1962-63 26 – 3 Chatsworth District Champions Coach Gary Johnson

Vermilion Valley Conf. Champs

District Tourney Scores

Semi-final Beat Kempton-Cabery 61-34

Title Game Beat Odell St. Paul 67-51

Dwight Regional Tourney

1st Rd Beat Coal City 70-46

Semi-final lost to Pontiac 45-44

Braidwood beat Pontiac in title game

Reddick HS Basketball 1962-63

A group of men in sports uniforms

Description automatically generated with low confidence

1963-64 27 – 1 Cullom District Champions Coach Gary Johnson

Undefeated Regular Season

Vermilion Valley Conference Champs

Ranked 16th in Final Regular Season Poll

District Tourney Scores

Semi-Final Beat Saunemin 86-48

Title Game Beat Odell St. Paul 60-55

Gardner Regional Tourney

1st Rd Beat Mazon 68-35

Semi-Final lost to Pontiac 73-62

Pontiac Beat Coal City in title game

Pontiac lost in Sectional title game

1964-65 17 – 9 Odell District Runner-Uo Coach Harlan Smith

Semi-Final Beat Odell 83-68

Title Game lost to Odell St. Paul 72-70

1965-66 13 – 11 Cullom District Tourney Coach Harlan Smith

1st Rd Beat Kempton-Cabery 68-44

Semi-Final lost to Saunemin 66-54

Braidwood beat Saunemin in title game

1966-67 11 – 13 Odell District Tourney Coach Harlan Smith

Semi-Final lost to Odell 65-52

Odell beat Braidwood in title game

1967-68 14 – 9 Odell District Runner-Up Coach Harlan Smith

1st Rd Beat Odell 70-55

Semi-Final Beat Saunemin 75-58

Title Game lost to Mazon 48-42 (O/T)

1968-69 24 – 4 Odell District Champions Coach Glenden Lehnus

Vermilion Valley Conf. Champs

Semi-Final Beat Flanagan

Title Game Beat Odell 92-74

Pontiac Regional Runner-Up

1st Rd Beat Herscher 79-56

Semi-Final Beat Dwight 66-56

Title Game lost to Pontiac 61-47

PONTIAC (61): Legner 16, Cushing 15, Woodward 10, Dodson 10, Thompson 5, Green 2, Clark 2, Blakeman 1.

REDDICK (47): Bice 26, Rieke 4, Fieldman 4, Ron Schultz 3, Rog. Schultz 3, Da. Oelschlager 3, Wepperchet 2, Bryant 2.

Pontiac lost in Sectional title game

1969-70 16 – 9 Cullom District Champions Coach Steve Tosh

Vermilion Valley Conf. Champs

District Scores

1st Rd Beat Odell 58-56

Semi-Final Beat Saunemin 60-48

Title Game Beat Cornell 57-50

Pontiac Regional Tourney

1st Rd lost to Coal City 69-67 (O/T)

Pontiac beat Dwight in title game

1970-71 17 – 10 Mazon District Champions Coach Steve Tosh

Semi-Final Beat Flanagan 71-59

Title Game Beat Odell 56-42

Herscher Regional Tourney

1st Rd Lost to Pontiac 68-46

Pontiac beat Coal City in title game

1971-72 7 – 16 Clifton Class A Regional Coach Steve Tosh

1st Rd Beat Odell 74-68

Semi-Final lost to Herscher 72-42

Dwight beat Herscher in title game

1972-73 13 – 15 Clifton Class A Reg. Runner-Up Coach Dennis Kagel

Verm. Val. Conf. Tour. Champs

1st Rd Beat Odell 52-48

Semi-Final Beat Tri-point 51-48

Title Game lost to Clifton Central 47-38

CLIFTON CENTRAL (47): Tholen 14, Decker 10, Marry 9, Taden 6, Krumweide 6, Anderson 2

REDDICK (38): Oelschlager 16, Brusnigham 10, Kilbride 5, Houberg 4

1973-74 22 – 6 Clifton Class A Reg. Runner-Up Coach Dennis Kagel

Vermilion Val. Conf. Champs

Verm. Val. Conf. Tour. Champs

Regional Scores

1st Rd Beat Saunemin 67-51

Semi-Final Beat Herscher

Title Game lost to Dwight 54-51

DWIGHT (54): Drinan 22, D. Anderson 21, J. Anderson 6, Halloran 5.

REDDICK (51): Oelschlager 21, Houberg 15, Brusnighan 8, Cuddy 7.

1974-75 12 – 13 Clifton Class A Regional Coach Dean Brucker

1st Rd lost to Odell 75-40

Dwight beat Odell in title game

1975-76 Clifton Class A Regional Coach Dean Brucker

1st Rd lost to Mazon-Verona-Kinsman 67-47

Dwight beat Wilmington in title game

1976-77 6 – 17 Onarga Class A Regional Coach Dean Brucker

1st Rd lost to Ford Central 80-62

Ford Central beat Forrest-Strawn-Wing in title game

1977-78 9 – 15 Gilman Class A Reg. Runner-Up Coach Jim Castle

(The team of 1977-78 placed 2nd

in the Regional tourney, beating

the No. 1 and 3 seeds before losing

the title game to the no. 2 seed.)

1st Rd Beat Ford Central 54-47

Semi-Final Beat Tri-Point 37-36 (2 O/T)

Title Game lost to Chatsworth 50-47

CHATSWORTH (50) Scott 25, Hornickel 8, Galloway 6, Hobart 5, Rebholz 4, Thomsen 2.

REDDICK (47): Steichen 14, Brusnighan 14, Oelschlager 8, Hansen 5, Barker 4, Fritz 2.

1978-79 Onaga Class A Regional Coach Tom Greene

1st Rd lost to Chatsworth 62-54

Ford Cetnral beat Chatsworth in title game

1979-80 Dwight Regional Runner-Up Coach Tom Greene

1st Rd Beat Herscher 64-56 (O/T)

Semi-Final Beat Gardner 53-51

Title Game lost to Dwight 87-57

1980-81 Dwight Class A Regional Coach Tom Greene

Placed 2nd – Plano Holiday Tourney

Regional Scores

1st Rd Beat M-V-K 77-65

Semi-Final lost to Dwight 49-43

Coal City beat Dwight in title game

1981-82 13 – 14 Gardner Class A Regional Coach Tom Greene

1st Rd Beat M-V-K 70-63

Semi-Final lost to Reed Custer 76-56

Gardner-South Wilmington beat Reed Custer in title game

1982-83 Coal City Class A Regional Coach Tom Greene

1st Rd lost to Dwight 47-46

Dwight beat Coal City in title game

1983-84 8 – 17 Dwight Class A Regional Coach Tom Greene

1st Rd Beat Wilmington 77-65

Semi-final lost to Dwight 83-59

Dwight beat Gardner-South Wilmington in title game

1984-85 1 – 20 Dwight Class A Regional Coach Dave Lett

1st Rd lost to G-S-W 88-47

Dwight beat Coal City in title game

1985-86 Herscher Class A Regional Coach Dave Lett

1st Rd Beat Dwight 60-50

Semi-Final lost to Wilmington 65-45

Wilmington beat Mazon-Verona -Kinsman in title game

1986-87 2 – 19 Coal City Class A Regional Coach Dennis Hansen

1st Rd lost to M-V-K 79-55

M-V-K beat Herscher in title game

1987-88 Dwight Class A Regional Head Coach Mike Ball

**1st Rd lost to Reed Custer 88-65 Asst. Coach Jim Giacchino

Wilmington beat Dwight in title game

**Final boys basketball game for Reddick RUCE High School.

Reddick Gym Ticket Booth

A picture containing floor, indoor, ceiling, building

Description automatically generated

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

Redick Gym & Stage 2019

A picture containing floor, indoor, ceiling, wood

Description automatically generated

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

Reddick Basket & Scoreboard 2019

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

Reddick Scorer’s Table Bulldog Mascot 2019

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

Reddick Gym Bleachers 2019

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

Reddick Gym Floor 2019

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

Football

The Reddick High School Bulldogs used their tough, farm kid work ethic to produce some excellent football teams. The 1946 team finished at 7-1 as co-champs of the Kankakee Valley Conference and won the league title in 1947 (only their third year of competing in football) at 8 – 0!

The 1947 boys in fact were considered the highest scoring football team in the state of Illinois! The team scored 273 points to average 34.1 points per game while allowing only 30 points for a 3.75 points per game defensive average. The magical 1947 season is documented below and includes actual scores of the games played that year. Coach George Sauerwein left his mark on the Reddick gridiron, leading the RHS Bulldogs to a 20-16-1 record from 1944-1948.

The success continued on the gridiron as Reddick R.U.C.E. High School. Many tough, competitive teams competed under the Friday night lights in Reddick. The boys won Vermillion Valley Conference titles in 1957 (a perfect in 8 – 0!), 1977 (their lone IHSA playoff appearance), and in 1980. The best of the R.U.C.E. football teams are listed below too.

Reddick HS Football Field 1950

Submitted by Richard Curl

As Reddick High School:

1946 7-1 Kankakee Valley Conf. Co-Champs Coach George Sauerwein

1947 8-0 Kankakee Valley Conf. Champs Coach George Sauerwein

Reddick 61 Gardner 0

Reddick 40 Momence 6

Reddick 34 Saunemin 0

Reddick 13 Bradley 12

Reddick 34 Herscher 6

Reddick 33 St. Anne 0

Reddick 19 Kankakee St. Patrick 6

Reddick 39 Wilmington 0

Reddick HS Football

A picture containing text, old, outdoor

Description automatically generated

Undefeated 1947-48 Powerhouse

As Reddick R.U.C.E. High School:

1950-51 1 – 6 – 1 Coach David Williams

1951-52 2 – 6 Coach Ralph Keller

1952-53 0 – 8 Coach Ralph Keller

1953-54 0 – 8 Coach Ralph Keller

1954-55 1 – 7 Coach Ralph Keller

1955-56 0 – 8 Coach Ralph Keller

1956-57 3 – 4 – 1 Coach Ron Thiede

Reddick Bulldogs – Team of 1956

A group of people posing for a photo

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Submitted by Verna Thiede

1957-58 8 – 0 North Eastern Conf. Champs Coach Ron Thiede

(Photos and articles below)

The Undefeated Champs of 1957

A picture containing text, outdoor, grass, person

Description automatically generated

MORE PHOTOS OF THIS TEAM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

The Bulldogs of 1957-58 – Undefeated Champs

A picture containing text, posing, group, team

Description automatically generated

Submitted by Verna Thiede

Reddick Backfield & Coach Thiede – 1957 Champs

A group of men posing for a picture

Description automatically generated with low confidence

MORE PHOTOS OF THIS TEAM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

1958-59 6 – 2 Coach George Birkett

1959-60 5 – 3 Coach George Birkett

1960-61 4 – 3 – 1 Coach Ralph Sackett

1961-62 4 – 4 Coach Gary Johnson

1962-63 5 – 3 Coach Gary Johnson

1963-64 4 – 3 – 1 Coach Gary Johnson

1964-65 5 – 3 Coach Harlan Smith

1965-66 Coach Harlan Smith

1966-67 3 – 5 Coach Harlan Smith

1967-68 4 – 4 Coach Harlan Smith

1968-69 3 – 5 Coach Robert Grisolano

1969-70 2 – 3 – 1 Coach Steve Tosh

1970-71 0 – 8 Coach Steve Tosh

1971-72 1 – 7 Coach Tom Harvey

1972-73 0 – 8 Coach Tom Harvey

1973-74 4 – 4 Coach Greg Dempsey

1974-75 5 – 3 Coach Greg Dempsey

1976-77 Coach Greg Dempsey

1977-78 8 – 2 Vermillion Valley Conf. Champs Coach Tom Greene

Class 1A Playoff Qualifier

Lost 12 – 8 to North Shore Country Day

in 1st Round

1978-79 5 – 4 Coach Tom Greene

1979-80 Coach Tom Greene

1980-81 7 – 2 Coach Tom Greene

1981-82 6 – 2 Coach Tom Greene

1982-83 Coach Tom Greene

1983-84 3 – 5 Coach Tom Greene

1984-85 1 – 8 Coach Dave Lett

Baseball

The Reddick High School Bulldogs proved their multi-talented abilities in baseball as well. The 1939 diamond men went undefeated in the regular season, while the 1948 squad won the Kankakee Valley Conference crown. As R.U.C.E., the baseball boys had two nice seasons in the early 1970s, winning the Vermillion Valley Conference championship in 1971.

As Reddick High School

1927-28 3 – 1 Coach Orin Hertz

1928-35 Coach Orin Hertz

1935-36 Coach Kenneth Leonard

1936-37 Coach Maynard Ferden

1937-38 4 – 2 Coach Maynard Ferden

1938-39 6 – 0 Coach Maynard Ferden

1939-40 4 – 2 Coach Richard Woy

1940-41 2 – 2 Coach Richard Woy

1941-42 Coach Richard Woy

1942-45 Coach George Sauerwein

1945-46 5 – 3 Coach George Sauerwein

1946-47 7 – 0 Coach George Sauerwein

1947-48 Kankakee Valley Conf. Champs Coach David Williams

1948-49 4 – 2 Coach David Williams

1949-50 5 – 1 Coach David Williams

As Reddick R.U.C.E. High School

1950-51 2 – 6 Coach David Williams

1951-52 2 – 4 Coach Ralph Keller

1952-53 2 – 5 Coach Ralph Keller

1953-54 2 – 5 Coach Ralph Keller

1954-55 0 – 5 Coach Ralph Keller

1955-56 4 – 2 Coach Ralph Keller

1956-57 5 – 1 Coach Ralph Keller

1957-58 Coach Ralph Keller

1958-59 Coach George Birkett

1959-60 5 – 1 Coach George Birkett

1960-61 Coach Ralph Sackett

1961-64 Coach Gary Johnson

1964-68 Coach Harlan Smith

1968-69 Coach Steve Tosh

1969-70 5 – 2 Coach Steve Tosh

1970-71 7 – 1 Vermillion Valley Conf. Champs Coach Steve Tosh

1971-72 1 – 8

1972-73 5 – 4 Coach Dennis Kagel

1973-74 3 – 4 Coach Dennis Kagel

1974-75 4 – 5 Coach Dean Brucker

1975-77 Coach Dean Brucker

1977-82 Coach Jim Castle

1982-83 Coach Jeff Wepprecht

1983-84 2 – 19

1984-85

1985-86 0 – 5

1986-87 4 – 4 Coach Jon Hodge

1987-88 Last Season

Girls Athletics

Girls athletics were not recognized by the IHSA until 1974. Therefore, there are no listings of Reddick girl’s teams until after that time with the exception of postal tournaments that were held in conjunction with the Girls’ Athletic Association and the IHSA. The Reddick R.U.C.E. girls had some excellent seasons in volleyball, basketball, and track. The best of these are listed below.

Girls Volleyball

No less than three (3) conference championships were won by the lady netters. The years were 1983, 1984, and 1986. The records and coaches names are listed below.

1976-77 1 – 5 Coach Janis Pritchard

1977-78 Coach Theresa Browning

1978-79 Coach Debra Freed Hanson

1979-80 Coach Barbara Jansen

1980-81 3 – 5 Coach Barbara Jansen

1981-82 Coach Barbara Jansen

1982-83 19 – 4 Vermillion Valley Conf. Champs Coach Barbara Jansen

1983-84 18 – 7 Vermillion Valley Conf. Champs Coach Barbara Jansen

1984-85 18 – 7 Coach Barbara Jansen

1985-86 8 -12 Coach Wilbur

1986-87 16 – 4 Vermillion Valley Conf. Champs Coach Dennis Hansen

1987-88 9 – 10 Coach Brett Desper

Girls Basketball

Two great records along with a conference and Regional championship belonged to the talented Lady Bulldogs of the early 1980s. Their accomplishments are listed below.

1976-77

1977-78 Coach Theresa Browning

1978-79 Coach Debra Freed Hanson

1979-80 Coach Barbara Jansen

1980-81 2 – 14 Coach Dana Parker

1981-82 11 – 9 Coach Burton

1982-83

1983-84 21 – 3 Vermillion Valley Conf. Champs Coach Tom Greene

1984-85 23 – 4 Regional Champions Coach Jon Hodge

1985-86 Coach Jon Hodge

1986-87 14 – 9 Coach Jon Hodge

1987-88 8 – 16 Coach Jon Hodge

G.A.A. Postal Tournament

The early Reddick RUCE girls could shoot the rock, too. The Illinois Girls’ Athletic Association held an annual “Postal Tournament” in the days before girls’ sports were recognized and organized. Each school was encouraged to enter a contest in which the girls had a set time to make as many hoops as they could. Their totals were then mailed in and a winner declared by who made the most. The Reddick RUCE ladies placed second in this event in both 1958 and 1959. The girls actually won the State Championship in 1963!

Girls Track & Field

Two Reddick R.U.C.E. girls medaled at the Class ‘A’ State Track meet. Their excellent efforts are listed below.

1982-83 Gina Christensen Discus 4th Place

1983-84 Gina Christensen Discus 2nd Place

1983-84 Sandy Harris Shot Put 4th Place

Other GREAT Accomplishments at Reddick High Schools

*Reddick High School’s FFA Chapter was formed on October 17, 1929, one year after the national organization was formed.

*Reddick High School was one of the first schools in the state to utilize buses to get the kids to and from school. This was begun in 1934.

*The Reddick High School building doubled as a home for very brief Reddick Junior College. The college existed from 1934-36 when then-Principal O. A. Towns was able to land state grant money. This was a boost to graduates who were unemployed and couldn’t afford to go to a four-year school. Unfortunately, the money source was exhausted and Reddick J.C. ceased to exist.

Noteable Graduates

*Laurin Henry, (class of 1938), was considered a presidential transition expert. In fact, he authored a book titled “Presidential Transitions” in 1960 regarding President Eisenhower leaving his office to the incoming President John F. Kennedy. His book received national attention and acclaim!!

*Jerry Joyce, (class of 1957) who was an Illinois State Senator from 1974 – 1981.

*Mary K. O’Brien, (class of 1984) who was an Illinois State Representative from 1996-2004 and is now an Illinois Appellate Court Judge.

*Dr. Joseph Miesenbach (class of 1966), Chief of Staff at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee.

*Hugh Van Voorst (class of 1952) director of the State Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics, now Chairman of the Board of Kankakee Community College.

*Jerry Krieg (class of 1965), starred in football and basketball at Reddick R.U.C.E. High School. Krieg played college football at Illinois State University where he was named to the Second Team Little All-American college football squad in 1969 as a defensive lineman. In 1995, Jerry Krieg was named to the centennial all-time ISU football squad. Jerry Krieg carried his competitive edge to the hardwood court after leaving ISU. Now known as “Coach Krieg”, Jerry’s teams have gone to win over 400 games at four different Illinois High Schools and is a member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame!

*Irma Unz (class of 1921), returned to Reddick High School as a teacher several years later and eventually became the school’s principal until her retirement in 1971. She continued to serve the school system for eight more years as a substitute teacher living directly across the street from the school building. Ms. Unz was one of the speakers at the school’s final graduation in 1988. She passed away in 2000 at the age of 96.

Memories

From former principal Michael Stagliano, Ph.D, who served as Reddick R.U.C.E.’s final principal as well:

“I served as the last principal of Reddick HS. Essentially, I was the K-12 principal of the district prior to deactivation of the high school. I too agree with you and your graduates/posters to the site that Reddick had a rich history.”

SINCERE GRATITUDE

***Special thank you to Rich Curl, true Reddick fan, as well as Jim Ridings, who authored the books “History of Reddick High School” and “Memories of Reddick High School” for providing much of the information for this page.

If You Have Any Information…

…you would like to share regarding Reddick High School and Reddick R.U.C.E. High School, please contact us so we can share the information with others. 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

Football Team and CHeerleaders of 1957-58