Tiskilwa High School “Indians”

Tiskilwa High School (HS Building 1978 – 1996)

Tiskilwa, Illinois (photos courtesy of Adnan Imtairah)

Tiskilwa High School – Photo Taken in 1956

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Building Served the School System From 1912 – 1979

The History of Tiskilwa High School

Tiskilwa (population 800) is nestled in the center of Bureau County approximately 5 miles southwest of Princeton. County Highways 4 and 23 will take you to and from Tiskilwa. The Rocky Run Creek travels through town as the Big Bureau Creek flows by the east side of the community. The Iowa Railroad line passes through Tiskilwa as well. Tiskilwa is believed to be a Potawatomie Indian name, possibly the name of a chief who lived in the area in the early 1800s. The town was first settled in 1835 and dubbed “Indiantown.” The name was changed to Windsor in 1836 and finally Tiskilwa in 1852.

The school system was a very big part of the town’s heart and soul, however for various reasons the high school was deactivated in 1996. The high school aged students from Tiskilwa now attend Princeton High School. The grade school was active in Tiskilwa, supporting grades 4 – 5 for the Princeton school system for several years. The school continues to have a pre-school class.

School buildings in Tiskilwa date all the way back to 1838. A newer building was built in 1850 and an updated building in 1868. The building pictured aove and to the right was built in 1912. In 1978 the building at the top of the page was built and closed with the deactivation of the school system in 1996. The first class to graduate high school from Tiskilwa did so in 1878 with a graduating class membership of two. The newer high school building pictured above is currently vacant, however plans are constantly being discussed for its future use. The old football field in Tiskilwa is currently home to the Princeton HS soccer teams.

Much of the history information for this writing was obtained from a book written by Mary B. Steimle in 1985 called “When Tiskilwa Was Young”.

Tiskilwa High School Quick Facts

Year school opened: 1838

Year school closed: 1996

Consolidated to: Princeton High School

Tiskilwa HS nickname: the “Indians”

School colors: Navy Blue & Gold

School building: Still standing, vacant

School fight song: “Tiskilwa Loyalty”

University of Illinois Fight Song Tune

We’re loyal to you, Tiskilwa,

We’re Navy and Gold, Tiskilwa.

We’ll back you to stand

Against the best in the land

For we know you have sand, Tiskilwa!

Rah! Rah!

So toss out that ball Tiskilwa,

We’re backing you all Tiskilwa;

Our team is our fame protector.

On! Boys for we expect a

Victory from you Tiskilwa!!

Cha-he, Cha-ha, Cha-ha-ha-ha!

TISKILWA HIGH SCHOOL RAH RAH RAH!!!!!

Also sung at every sporting event was the University of Iowa fight song tune with the following words:

The word is Fight! Fight! Fight! for Tiskilwa,
Let every loyal Indian sing;
The word is Fight! Fight! Fight! for Tiskilwa,
Until the walls and rafters ring
Come on and cheer, cheer, cheer, for Tiskilwa

Come on and cheer until you hear the final gun.
The word is Fight! Fight! Fight! for Tiskilwa
Until the game is won!

(Special thank you to Jim Friel for providing the words to the Tiskilwa Fight Songs. Click the “play” button on the box below to hear the University of Iowa Fight Song Tune)

Tiskilwa HS Gymnasium – South Entrance

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Home of the Indians

Athletics

One thing opposing teams could bank on year in and year out was that if you were playing a Tiskilwa Indian athletic team, you had better come ready to compete. Boys basketball, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, was the school’s anchor sport. The athletic program also had many successful football, track, as well as many lady Indian teams that faired well. In fact the lady Indians Track team of 1983-84 finished 2nd in the Illinois State 1A Track Meet!

Once the High School was closed the trophies won by the athletes and coaches who graced its halls were nearly thrown away. A local establishment, Kelly’s Restaurant on Main Street, accepted the trophies and proudly displays them on its shelves and walls. The folks of Tiskilwa still fondly remember their former school and its many accomplishments. The boy’s basketball photo and the girls track trophy photo on this page were taken at Kelly’s Restaurant. These, as well as the other sports photos on this page, were sent to us by Tim Bissonnette.

The best of the athletic accomplishments of the Indian teams and athletes, according to the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org), are listed below.

Boys Basketball

The earliest Tiskilwa Basketball team can be traced to as far back as 1928.

With boy’s basketball in Tiskilwa comes one name that stands out in Illinois coaching circles. That name is Coach Bob Prusator. Coach Prusator was not only a well respected man on the court but was also well respected within the community. The best of the Tiskilwa Indian boys basketball teams are listed below.

1932-33 Princeton District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Lamoille 16-13

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

1st Rd lost to Princeton 23-9

Princeton lost to DePue in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Buda 28-14

Princeton beat DePue in title game

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1935-36 Wyanet Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Princeton 25-15

Princeton beat DePue in title game

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1936-37 Princeton Regional Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Spring Valley Hall 30-12

Semi-final Beat Princeton 34-21

Title Game lost to Bureau Township HS 38-36

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

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1938-39 Princeton Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to DePue 36-10

DePue lost to Mendota in title game

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1939-40 Mendota Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Mendota 44-18

Mendota lost to LaSalle-Peru in title game

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1940-41 Mendota Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Spring Valley Hall 49-38

Hall beat Princeton in title game

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1941-42 Lamoille District Champions Coach’s name & record needed

Title Game Beat Lamoille 29-17

LaSalle Regional Qualifier

1st Rd lost to LaSalle-Peru

L-P beat Hall in title game

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1942-43 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

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1944-45 Lamoille District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Cherry 30-29

Ohio beat Manlius in title game

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1945-46 Lamoille District Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Malden 66-18

Semi-final Beat Cherry 34-18

Title Game lost to Ohio 50-26

OHIO (50): King 15, Meyers 11, H. Anderson 11, Brown 8, B. Anderson 5

TISKILWA (26): Oakson 8, Backman 7, Ryan 5, Strunk 3, Downey 2, Longman 1

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1946-47 Lamoille District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Malden 50-38

Semi-final lost to Manlius 59-35

Ohio beat Manlius in title game

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1947-48 Lamoille District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Wyanet 46-42

Ohio beat Manlius in title game

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1948-49 Lamoille District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Bureau Township HS 40-37

Bureau Township beat Lamoille in title game

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1949-50 Lamoille District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Lamoille 46-40

Tampico beat Lamoille in title game

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1950-51 Lamoille District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Bureau Township HS 42-35

Manlius beat Lamoille in title game

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1951-52 Tiskilwa District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Wyanet 60-56 (O/T)

Semi-final lost to Manlius 83-57

Ohio beat Manlius in title game

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1952-53 Tiskilwa District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Bureau Township HS 56-47

Semi-final lost to Ohio 67-48

Ohio beat Manlius in title game

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1953-54 Mendota Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Princeton 94-62

Princeton beat Peru St. Bede in title game

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1954-55 LaSalle Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Princeton 70-42

Princeton beat Mendota in title game

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1955-56 Peru Regional Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Mendota 68-65

LaSalle-Peru beat St. Bede in title game

L-P lost in Sweet 16 Rd

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1956-57 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1957-58 LaSalle Regional Champions Coach Dale Pienta

Season Record Needed

1st Rd Beat Mendota 67-64

Semi-final Beat LaSalle-Peru 62-60

Title Game Beat Princeton 76-75

LaSalle Sectional Runner-Up

Semi-final Beat Toluca 67-65

TISKILWA (67): Sash 18, Nevitt 16, Huston 14, McCoy 9, Russell 8, Vaughn 2.

TOLUCA (65): Mariotti 22, Fenoglia 16, Baker 11, Fredricks 9, Daghe 4, Rankin 4.

Title Game lost to Ottawa 70-65

OTTAWA (70): Clement 26, Parkins 18, Lindemann 12, Martin 6, Varland 6, Schiffbauer 2.

TISKILWA (65): Sash 28, Nevitt 14, McCoy 11, Russell 6, Huston 6.

Ottawa lost in Sweet 16 Rd

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1958-59 21 – 5 Peru Regional Runner-Up Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd Beat Princeton 82-74 (O/T)

Semi-final Beat Spring Valley Hall 45-43

Title Game lost to LaSalle-Peru 67-52

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1959-60 16 – 10 Ohio District Tournament Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd Beat Malden 70-54

Semi-final lost to DePue 60-44

DePue lost to Bureau Township in title game

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1960-61 6 – 18 DePue District Tournament Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd lost to Bureau Township HS 72-57

DePue beat Bureau Township HS in title game

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1961-62 18 – 7 Manlius District Runner-Up Coach Bob Prusator

Semi-final Beat Malden 78-57

Title Game lost to Ohio 58-46

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1962-63 19 – 7 Ohio District Runner-Up Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd Beat Malden 60-33

Semi-final Beat Ohio 60-51

Title Game lost to Manlius 54-49

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1963-64 17 – 9 Postseason scores needed Coach Bob Prusator

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1964-65 18 – 6 Manlius District Tournament Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd lost to Wyanet 64-54

Manlius beat DePue in title game

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1965-66 25 – 3 DePue District Champions Coach Bob Prusator

Semi-final Beat Ohio 69-48

Title Game Beat DePue 56-51

LaSalle Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Princeton 56-43

Semi-final lost to LaSalle-Peru 57-49

L-P beat Mendota in title game

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1966-67 20 – 7 Ohio District Runner-Up Coach Bob Prusator

Semi-final Beat Ohio 69-60

Title Game lost to Lamoille

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1967-68 13 – 11 DePue District Tournament Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd lost to Lamoille 49-44

Tonica beat Malden in title game

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1968-69 23 – 5 Manlius District Champions Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd Beat Ohio 84-55

Semi-final Beat DePue 86-46

Title Game Beat Malden 62-40

Princeton Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Peru St. Bede 59-44

Mendota beat Princeton in title game

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1969-70 25 – 4 DePue District Champions Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd Beat Ohio 82-54

Semi-final Beat Lostant 71-52

Title Game Beat Malden 74-50

LaSalle Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Peru St. Bede 67-48

Semi-final lost to LaSalle-Peru 50-43

L-P beat Princeton in title game

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1970-71 19 – 5 Manlius District Tournament Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd lost to Tonica 55-39

Tonica beat Manlius in title game

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1971-72 11 – 14 New Bedford Class ‘A’ Regional Champs Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd Beat Manlius 50-44

Semi-final Beat Spring Valley Hall 53-52

Title Game Beat Putnam County 70-68

Wenona Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Princeville 78-58

PRINCEVILLE (78): Paul 19, Delbridge 15, Cowser 15, Clay 12, Conway 7, McCoy 4, McIntire 2, Krey 2, Day 2.

TISKILWA (58): Davis 11, Kaufmann 11, Friel 10, Thompson 10, Bartman 6, Albright 3, Behrend 2, Yepson 2, Morris 2, Compton 1.

Streator Woodland beat Princeville in title game

Woodland lost in Elite 8 Rd

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1972-73 17 – 9 Peru Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd Beat DePue 71-59

Semi-final lost to Spring Valley Hall 64-58

St. Bede beat Hall in title game

1973-74 11 – 14 Manlius Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd lost to Hall 81-41

Hall beat St. Bede in title game

Hall lost in Sweet 16 Rd

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1974-75 13 – 10 Spring Valley Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd lost to St. Bede 68-40

Buda Western beat St. Bede in title game

Western lost in Elite 8 Rd

1975-76 11 – 12 Regional Scores Needed Coach Bob Prusator

Buda Western placed 4th in State

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1976-77 24 – 4 Manlius Regional Champions Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd Beat Putnam County 74-48

Semi-final Beat Hall 54-42

Title Game Beat Peru St. Bede 50-48

Spring Valley Sectional

Semi-final lost to Roanoke-Benson 73-70

ROANOKE-BENSON (73): Kirby 16, Scherer 14, Wagner 13, Aeschleman 12, Mueser 12, Martino 4, Schoon 2.

TISKILWA (70): Smith 19, Prusator 17, Fisher 16, Behrends 8, Gustafson 6, Schindel 2, Sears 2.

R-B Beat Buda Western in title game

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1977-78 24 – 2 Spring Valley Class ‘A’ Regional Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd Beat Putnam County 64-43

Semi-final lost to DePue 55-48

DePue beat St. Bede in title game

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1978-79 26 – 2 Peru Class ‘A’ Regional Champs Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd Beat Malden 70-54

Semi-final Beat St. Bede 46-38

Title Game Beat Princeton 51-50

Wenona Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Ottawa Marquette 68-65

Marquette lost to Wethersfield in title game

Wethersfield lost to State Champ Providence in Sweet 16

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1979-80 23 – 4 Regional Scores Needed Coach Bob Prusator

DePue won Regional

DePue lost in Sweet 16 Rd to State Champ Luther South

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1980-81 26 – 2 Princeton Class’A’Reg.Champs Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd Beat Bradford 91-54

Semi-final Beat Buda Western 66-52

Title Game Beat DePue 69-53

Spring Valley Sectional

Semi-final lost to Serena 79-66

Putnam County beat Serena in title game

Putnam County lost in Elite 8 Rd

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1981-82 25 – 3 Bradford Class ‘A’ Reg Champs Coach Bob Prusator

1st Rd Beat Wyoming 68-50

Semi-final Beat Bradford 54-49

Title Game Beat Buda Western 58-54

Spring Valley Sectional

Semi-final lost to Putnam County 64-48

PC beat Mendota in title game

PC lost in Sweet 16 Rd

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1982-83 28 – 2 IHSA Class ‘A’ Regional Champs Coach Bob Prusator

Regional Scores Needed

Spring Valley Sectional Champs

Semi-final Beat Mid County 62-47

Title Game Beat Mendota 62-61 (O/T)

Super-Sectional Champs

Title Game Beat Mt. Morris 65-55

Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Flanagan 51-33

Flanagan lost to Lawrenceville in title game

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1983-84 21 – 5 IHSA Class ‘A’ Regional Champs Coach Bob Prusator

Regional Scores Needed

Spring Valley Sectional Champs

Semi-final lost to Mid-County 70-62

Mid-County lost to Hinckley-Big Rock in title game

H-BR lost in Elite 8 Rd

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1984-85 25 – 3 IHSA Class ‘A’ Regional Champs Coach Bob Prusator

Regional Scores Needed

Spring Valley Sectional Champs

Semi-final lost to St. Bede 48-46

Ohio beat St. Bede in title game

Ohio lost in Sweet 16 Rd

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1985-86 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

Ohio placed 2nd in IHSA State Tourney

1986-87 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1987-88 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1988-89 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1989-90 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1990-91 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1991-92 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1992-93 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1993-94 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1994-95 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

**1995-96 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

**Final varsity boys basketball game for Tiskilwa High School.

Tiskilwa HS Basketball – 1982-83 – Elite 8 Finalist

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Displayed at Kelly’s Restaurant, Tiskilwa, Illinois

Tiskilwa HS Football Field

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Tiskilwa HS Football Pressbox

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Football

The boys football program also faired extremely well over the years. The football teams over the 44 years covered on the IHSA web site compiled a record of 241 – 121 – 2 , a .664 winning percentage! Two of the Indian football teams finished in the Class 1A Elite 8.

The photo above depicts the football field at Tiskilwa High. Though now used as the Princeton High School Soccer Field, The Tiskilwa Field was one of the most unique in the area. The hill in the background was its signature mark. The best of the Tiskilwa HS football teams as listed on the IHSA website are listed below.

1945-46 6 – 2 Coach Virgil Keithly

1946-47 6 – 2 Coach Virgil Keithly

1947-48 7 – 2 Coach Virgil Keithly

1948-49 6 – 1 Coach Virgil Keithly

1949-50 5 – 2 Coach Virgil Keithly

1950-51 4 – 5 Coach Virgil Keithly

1951-52 6 – 3 Coach Robert Perry

1952-53 7 – 2 Coach Robert Perry

1953-54 5 – 3 Coach Richard Franklin

1954-55 9 – 0 Little 8 Conf. Champs Coach Richard Franklin

1955-56 6 – 2 Coach Richard Franklin

1956-57 6 – 1 – 1 Coach Richard Franklin

The below photo and article are about Coach Franklin accepting a position to coach at Stillman Valley. ‘Left Click’ on either item to view a larger version.

Newspaper Article Regarding Coach Franklin

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Courtesy of Roberta VanBriesen

Coach Richard Franklin

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Submitted by Roberta VanBriesen

1957-58 8 – 0 Little 8 Conf. Champs Coach Dale Peinta

1958-59 7 – 1 Coach Bob Prusator

1959-60 3 – 5 Coach Bob Prusator

1960-61 3 – 5 Coach Bob Prusator

1961-62 8 – 0 Little 8 Conf. Champs Coach Bob Prusator

1962-63 5 – 3 Coach Bob Prusator

1963-64 7 – 1 Coach Bob Prusator

1964-65 7 – 1 Coach Bob Prusator

1965-66 9 – 0 Little 8 Conf. Champs Coach Bob Prusator

1966-67 4 – 4 Coach Bob Prusator

1967-68 1 – 6 Coach Dave Doolittle

1968-69 3 – 5 Coach Dave Doolittle

1969-70 7 – 1 Coach Dave Doolittle

1970-71 5 – 2 – 1 Coach Dave Doolittle

1971-72 3 – 3 – 1 Coach Dave Doolittle

1972-73 7 – 0 Little 8 Conf. Champs Coach Dave Doolittle

1973-74 5 – 2 Coach Dave Doolittle

1974-75 4 – 3 Coach Dave Doolittle

1975-76 2 – 5 Coach Dave Doolittle

1976-77 0 – 9 Coach Randy Oberembt

1977-78 6 – 3 Coach Randy Oberembt

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1978-79 10 – 1 IHSA Class 1A Elite 8 Coach Randy Oberembt

Indian Valley Conference Champs

IHSA Playoffs

1st Rd Beat Cambridge 20-13

2nd Rd lost to Hampshire 22-12

Hampshire lost to Arcola in state title game

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1979-80 7 – 2 Coach Randy Oberembt

1980-81 7 – 2 Coach Randy Oberembt

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1981-82 10 – 1 IHSA Class 1A Elite 8 Coach Randy Oberembt

Indian Valley Conference Champs

IHSA Playoffs

1st Rd Beat Alexis 40-22

2nd Rd lost to Gridley 14-12

Gridley lost to Freeport Aquin in semi-final

Aquin beat Maroa-Forsyth in title game

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1982-83 7 – 2 Coach Randy Kruger

1983-84 6 – 3 Coach Randy Kruger

1984-85 6 – 3 Coach Randy Kruger

1985-86 3 – 6 Coach Greg Sarver

1986-87 2 – 7 Coach Greg Sarver

1987-88 4 – 5 Coach Greg Sarver

*1988-89 4 – 5 Coach Greg Sarver

*Final season as the Tiskilwa High School “Indians” football program. The school formed a co-op team with Bradford which began in the Fall of 1989.

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The school records for the Tiskilwa football program are well kept. Here are just some of the outstanding statistics compiled by Tiskilwa teams and players:

Tiskilwa Football Stats By The Numbers:

7 – Rushing touchdowns by Doug Compton in a game against Wyanet in 1981.

8.4 – Rushing average (yards per attempt) for Doug Compton in his football career (1979-1982) in which he had a total of 390 attempts.

11 – Games in 1978 in which Dave Compton had more than 100 yards rushing.

22 – Receiving touchdowns by Tom Schertz in his football career (1979-1982).

42 – Total number of rushing touchdowns during Doug Compton’s career.

49 – Career touchdowns by Doug Compton.

93 – Passes received by Tom Schertz in his playing career.

103.1 – Receiving yard average per game by Mark Perry in 1984.

326 – Passes completed by Jeff Prusator in his career (1983-1985) going 326-for-708.

2,155 – Total rushing yards by Dave Compton in 1978.

4,750 – Total amount of passing yardage and total offense yardage from Jeff Prusator in his career.

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Seasons as the Bradford-Tiskilwa co-op football program:

1989-90 8 – 3 IHSA Class 1A Playoffs Coach John McKenzie

1st Rd lost to Alexis 28-0

Alexis lost in 3rd Rd

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1990-91 6 – 3 Coach John McKenzie

1991-92 5 – 4 Coach’s name needed

1992-93 6 – 3 Coach’s name needed

1993-94 5 – 4 Coach’s name needed

1994-95 1 – 8 Coach Greg Sarver

1995-96 0 – 9 Coach’s name needed

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Boys Track and Field

The boys track and field teams at Tiskilwa had great success also over the years. The team from the 1981-82 season finished 8th in the State Track Meet. Below are listed the male athletes and best team finishes as listed on the IHSA web site.

1977-78 Ray Schindel 330 Yard Low Hurdles 8th Place

1978-79 Bob Kunkel 880 Yard Run 5th Place

1980-81 Todd Schertz Shot Put 3rd Place

Tom Schertz Discus 7th Place

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1981-82 TEAM PLACED 8th AT THE 1A STATE MEET

Todd Schertz Shot Put 3rd Place

Tom Schertz Discus 4th Place

Tom Schertz Shot Put 7th Place

Doug Compton Long Jump 5th Place

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1982-83 Tom Schertz Shot Put 4th Place

Brian Stewart Triple Jump 6th Place

1984-85 B.J. O’Neil 300 Meter Low Hurdles 4th Place

Track Memories from Steve Birdsley (Class of 1975):

“I grew up in Sheffield and played sports for the Western “Rams” in grade school, graduating from Western Grade School in 1971. My family moved to Tiskilwa where I played two sports for the Indians, football and track. I ran track earning a spot on the varsity team very early on. At Tiskilwa I set new records in the 440, 880, and as a member of the 440 relay team! During my senior year I earned a trip to the IHSA State Finals after placing 2nd in the 440 and running a state qualifying time in the 880 at the Woodhull District Meet. However bad luck struck when I was stricken with tonsillitis right before the meet. I was unable to run to my fullest potential and did not place in either event. After high school I played a lot of fast and slow pitch softball. I enjoyed participating in taekwondo and achieved my black belt. I competed in Chicago and Peoria tournaments. I married and have 3 children. I now have 8 grandchildren and they all love sports and do well! I really enjoyed my time at Tiskilwa High School and being a member of the “Indians” sports teams! Thanks, stay safe and healthy,”

(See photo of Track Records’ Trophies Awarded to “Bird” in 1975 at the bottom of the page.)

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Tiskilwa HS Girls 2ND Place Track Trophy

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DIsplayed Proudly at Kelly’s Restaurant, Tiskilwa, Illinois

Girls Track and Field

The lady Indians had their share of incredible success in sports also. None better however than the Track and Field team of 1983-84. Led by all-state performer Lane Suarez the team finished 2nd in the Illinois State 1A Girls Track Meet! The trophy for this great team can be viewed in the photo above. It can be viewed in person at Kelly’s Restaurant in downtown Tiskilwa.

The individual winners and the better teams are listed below.

1980-81 Teresa Colby 800 Meter Run 4th Place

1982-83 Lane Suarez 800 Meter Run 3rd Place

1983-84 TEAM FINISHED 2ND AT IHSA STATE TRACK MEET

SCORED 34 POINTS, TEUTOPOLIS SCORED 46

Individual Medalists

Lane Suarez 400 Meter Dash State Champion

Lane Suarez 800 Meter Run State Champion

800 Meter Medley Relay Team State Champions

4 X 400 Meter Relay Team 5th Place

1985-86 Missy Sims Shot Put 7th Place

1986-87 Missy Sims Shot Put 2nd Place

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Girls Volleyball

Girls Volleyball Teams, known as the “Volley Dolls”, were also very successful winning four regional championships under the direction of Coach John Garvin. The team’s records are not know at this time. We are seeking help for this information.

1984-85 N.R.A. Regional Champion Coach John Garvin

1985-86 N.R.A. Regional Champion Coach John Garvin

1990-91 N.R.A. Regional Champion Coach John Garvin

1991-92 N.R.A. Regional Champion Coach John Garvin

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Girls Basketball

Girls Basketball was first offered in the IHSA in 1973; however, before the establishment of Title IX, there was a girls basketball team at THS that competed on a very limited schedule.

Tiskilwa’s lady Indians won two state titles in the Girls Basketball “Postal” Tournament, in 1938 (beating Normal) and 1939 (beating Elkville). They also had a third place finish in 1941.

We are seeiking information on the better girl’s basketball teams which competed at THS. If you would like to share some information please complete a school submission form.

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Great Coach

Bob Prusator – Boy’s Basketball 1958 -1986

531 -199 overall (#54 All-Time, #28 for victories at one school)

Class A Elite 8 – 1982-83

8 – Regional Titles

4 – District Titles

11 – 20+ game-winning seasons

Boy’s Football 1958 – 1967

53 – 20 overall

Two undefeated / untied seasons

Two one-loss seasons

Coach Prusator has been inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Bureau County Sports Hall of Fame.

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EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Tiskilwa High School had many great activities that made it an amazing facility in which to gain a well-rounded education. The school offered FFA, FHA, student government, chorus, dances, and many other activities.

One activity that set it apart from other small schools in the area was the Tiskilwa Pep Band. The band was well known throughout the area and even throughout the state in the 1970s. The Tiskilwa Pep Band even holds the distinction of being named the FIRST pep band to perform at an IHSA basketball tournament! Please read the page below scanned directly from the 1976 IHSA Class ‘A’ State Basketball Tournament Program sent to us by Jim Kouzmanoff.

To view a short video clip of the Tiskilwa High School Marching Band in action during the 1980 Northern Illinois University Homecoming parade in DeKalb check out this YouTube video sent to us by “Tom”:

http://youtu.be/sC-hq3JrAuU?t=2m45s

Tiskilwa HS Pep Band of 1975-76