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Bethany High School “Mustangs” (Boys) or “Flying Fillies” (Girls)

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Bethany High School
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Bethany, Illinois

The History of Bethany High School

Bethany (population 1,287) is located in south central Illinois in western Moultrie County.  Illinois Route 121 runs through town and connects it to Decatur located 10 miles to the northwest.  The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad also runs through the town of Bethany.  Marrowbone Creek and Brush Creek also flow to the southside of town.

Bethany had its first school recorded in 1871 in a local resident’s house.  In 1874 the first school building was built.  In 1877 the town of Bethany was incorporated.  The high school was established in the late 1800s.  Bethany High School served the community for over 100 years. In April of 2001 the residents of Bethany and nearby Findlay voted to consolidate their school districts.  This created the Okaw Valley School District.  A great site to read more about the history of Bethany and its school system can be found at http://www.354.com/bethany/bethanyhistory.htm.

Okaw Valley High School is located in the old Bethany High School building (pictured above).

Bethany High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                      late 1800s

Year closed:                       2001

School building today:         Okaw Valley High School

School nickname:               the “Mustangs”

the girl’s teams were known as the “Flying Fillies” or simply “Fillies”

School colors:                    Black & Gold

School Fight Song:             “On You Mustangs”

Bethany High School Gymnasium 2012
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Now Okaw Valley Timberwolves’ Gym (Photo by Bruce Firchau!

Athletics

Bethany High School competed in many sports during its existence.  Boys were offered basketball, football, track, and baseball.  The Lady Mustangs competed in the sports of volleyball, basketball, track, and possibly, softball.

Bethany High School was a member of both the Soya and Cenois Conferences from 1940-41 through 1959-60.  Although not completely certain, it is surmised from records that the Soya membership was in football and the Cenois membership was in basketball.  From 1926-27 until 1939-40, Bethany was a charter member of the Meridian Conference.  Bethany returned to membership in the Meridian Conference in 1960-61 through Bethany’s consolidation with Findlay prior to the 2001-02 school year.  2001-02 was the final year of existence of the Meridian Conference.

One great fan of Bethany High School sports was Charley Austin.  Charley was said to have not missed a Bethany basketball game in 40 years!

Bethany HS Gym / Stage 2012
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Now Okaw Valley Timberwolves’ Gym (Photo by Bruce Firchau)
Bethany HS Banners 2012
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Now Okaw Valley Timberwolves’ Gym (Photo by Bruce Firchau)

Boys Basketball

The Mustangs enjoyed their greatest overall success in the sport of boy’s basketball.  IHSA (www.ihsa.org) hardware was won in the form of 9 District titles, 2 Regional titles, and add to that three great seasons to end their time as a solo high school.

All-time leading scorer for Bethany boys basketball was Dustin Bone, who played in 94 varsity games from 1995-96 through 1998-99.  Dustin scored 1,510 points, including a school record 660 his senior year.  A prolific three-point shooter, Dustin held the following places among IHSA all-time three point shooting records, at the time of his graduation:

*THREE POINT BASKETS, SEASON – 138 in 1998-99, good for 2nd all-time in Illinois;

132 in 1997-98, good for 4th all-time in Illinois.

*THREE POINT BASKETS, CAREER – 352 from 1995-99, good for 3rd all-time in Illinois.

Dustin Bone also set a school record for Three Point Baskets in one quarter with 7 vs. Kincaid (South Fork) in the Meridian Conference Tournament on January 23, 1999 at Bethany.

Tony Rauch, a 1978 graduate of Bethany HS, holds the single game boys basketball scoring record with 49 against Atwood-Hammond High School on February 14, 1978 at Bethany.0

David Hite, the school’s all-time leading rebounder and top-ten all-time in scoring.  David had two 20+ rebounds-games in the 1980-81 season. Named to the 1980 Decatur Herald & Review All-Area team with an average of 24.4 points per game.

Jim Bone, Mike Overlot – Both athletes were selected to the 1974-75 Decatur Herald and Review 1974-75 Small school All-Area team. Both were also selected all-conference for the Meridian Conference.

Coach “Homer” Bill Barry – Though he only coached three seasons at Bethany High School in the mid-1950s, Coach Barry would go onto to become one of the winningest high school coaches in Illinois high school basketball history. Coach Barry would amass 705 wins tying him for 13th place all-time in number of wins overall in boys basketball! His good friend, Robert Firchau, tells us that Coach Barry passed away in 2007.

Below are the Bethany HS seasons we were able to research.  Many of these seasons do not provide an overall team record and coach’s name.  If you can help fill in the missing information (including conference championship teams) please write to us at eganann@sbcglobal.net.

1920-21    10 – 4                                                      Coach John T. Belting

1921-22    18 – 4      District Champions                   Coach B. W. Ward

1922-23    12 – 5                                                      Coach B. W. Ward

1923-24    15-10      District Champions                   Coach B. W. Ward

1924-25    17 – 5                                                      Coach B. W. Ward

1925-26      9 – 9                                                      Coach B. W. Ward

1926-27    22 – 10    District Champions                   Coach Guy Cunningham

1927-28    15 – 9      Meridian Conf. Champs           Coach Guy Cunningham

1928-29    25 – 5      Moultrie County Champs         Coach Guy Cunningham

1929-31                                                                  Coach Guy Cunningham

1931-32    22 – 8                                                      Coach Guy Cunningham

1932-33    20 – 7      Meridian Conf. Champs           Coach Guy Cunningham

1933-34    13 – 10                                                    Coach Guy Cunningham

1934-35    19 – 7      Meridian Conf. Champs           Coach Guy Cunningham

1935-36    12 – 12    District Champions                   Coach Guy Cunningham

1936-37    19 – 6      District Champions                   Coach Guy Cunningham

1937-38    14 – 12    District Champions                   Coach Dominic A. Tarro

1938-39                                                                   Coach Dominic A. Tarro

1939-40                                                                   Coach H. Dale Walraven

1940-41    16 – 5      Cenois Conf. Champs               Coach Ivan C. Johnson

1941-42    12 – 8                                                       Coach Ivan C. Johnson

1942-43    21 – 6      Moultrie County Champs          Coach Ivan C. Johnson

1943-44    16 – 10                                                     Coach Ivan C. Johnson

1944-46                                                                   Coach Ivan C. Johnson

1946-49                                                                   Coach Harold O. Petty

1949-50                                                                   Coach Louid W. Baker

1950-51    20 – 3      District Champions                   Coach Louid W. Baker

                              Cenois Conf. Champs

1951-52    16 – 9                                                       Coach Louid W. Baker

1953-57                                                                   Coach Richard E. Jostes

1957-58      7 – 14                                                     Coach Homer L. Barry

1958-59    16 – 9                                                       Coach Homer L. Barry

1959-60    17 – 8                                                       Coach Homer L. Barry

1960-61    18 – 9      District Champions                    Coach Robert E. Parrish

1961-62    16 – 12    District Champions                    Coach Robert E. Parrish

                              Meridian Conf. Tourn. Champs

1962-63    19 – 6      Meridian Conf. Co-Champs       Coach Donald L. Dell

1963-64    17 – 5      Meridian Conf. Tourn. Champs Coach Donald L. Dell

1964-65    18 – 4                                                       Coach Donald L. Dell

1965-66    16 – 5                                                       Coach Donald L. Dell

1966-67    18 – 6      District Champions                   Coach Kenneth G. Huckstep

1967-68                                                                   Coach Kenneth G. Huckstep

1968-70                                                                   Coach Francis L. “Buzz” Overlot

1970-71    14 – 8                                                       Coach Bill Pine

1971-72                                                                   Coach Carl Fieldbinder

1972-73                                                                   Coach Bill Pine

1973-74    19 – 8                                                       Coach Bill Pine

   

1974-75    26 – 2      Regional Champions                Coach Bill Pine

                              Meridian Conf. Champs

   

1975-76    26 – 1      Regional Champions                Coach Bill Pine

                              Meridian Conf. Champs

                              Meridian Conf. Tourn. Champs 

                             Undefeated Regular Season

1976-77    16 – 8                                                       Coach Bill Pine

1977-78    15 – 9                                                       Coach Bill Pine

1978-79    18 – 7                                                       Coach Bill Pine

1979-80    21 – 4     Meridian Conf. Champs             Coach Randy Inman

                             Meridian Con. Tourn. Champs

1980-81    18 – 10                                                   Coach Randy Inman

1981-83                                                                 Coach Randy Inman

1983-84    15 – 10                                                   Coach Randy Inman

1984-85    18 – 9                                                     Coach Randy Inman

1985-86    12 – 11                                                   Coach Randy Inman

1986-87    20 – 7      Meridian Tourn. Champs        Coach Randy Inman

1987-89                                                                 Coach Kevin Long

1989-90                                                                 Coach Brent Phillips

1990-91    14 – 11                                                   Coach Brent Phillips

1992-94                                                                 Coach Brent Phillips

1994-96                                                                 Coach Jim Lawrence

1996-98                                                                 Coach Brett Robinson

1998-99    21 – 8      Meridian Conf. Champs          Coach Brett Robinson

1999-00    20 – 8        (good record)                          Coach Brett Robinson

2000-01    18 – 10     Meridian Conf. Champs         Coach Brett Robinson

                               School’s Final Season

Bthany HS Gym Bleachers 2012
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Now Okaw Valley Timberwolves’ Gym (Photo by Bruce Firchau)

Girls Basketball

The Flying Fillies also earned some IHSA hardware as the team of 1979-80 won a Regional title.  The team record this other good Fillie basketball teams are not available.  Coach Jo Ann Foster was a pioneer among the early days of girls high school basketball in Illinois.

Great Player – Jodi Foster was one of the all-time great Fillie basketball players, earning All-State honors during her senior year of 1979-80.  She went on to be Millikin University’s all-time leading scorer, a title she still holds today.  She is the Fillies’ all-time leading scorer and the daughter of Coach Jo Ann Foster.

1979-80                    Regional Champions                 Coach Jo Ann Foster

Boys Baseball

The boys of the baseball diamond won a Regional title as well.  We are seeking the team record and coach’s name of this and other great Mustang teams.

One of the more prolific players in Bethany High School baseball history was Brett Robinson. Brett earned NCAA Division III All-American honors at Illinois Wesleyan University.and went to play for the Chicago Cubs at the AA level!

Sean Martin also made his mark in baseball.  Sean was an all-conference star in three sports his senior year, including a selection to the All-State baseball team in 1987.  Sean went on to play college baseball at Lake Land College and was the starting center-fielder in Lake Land’s last appearance at the College World Series.

1983-84       12 – 7                                                        Coach Randy Inman

1984-85       14 – 6                                                        Coach Randy Inman

1985-86       16 – 6                                                        Coach Randy Inman

1986-87       15 – 5                                                        Coach Randy Inman

1994-95                    Regional Champions                  Coach Dave Benning

Boys Football

There is very limited information regarding the football program at Bethany High.  Records are only available from the early 1970s though 1993.  We are hopeful a Bethany alum can fill us in on the many great seasons and possible conference championships won by the Bethany High School Mustangs of the grid iron.

This story of Bethany football came from our good friend from Illiopolis, “Kaylorjd”:

“Just a fond memory of our (Illiopolis) football game against Bethany in 1982. Brett Robinson, then Bethany’s quarterback and kicker, just missed a 50 yard field goal attempt that hit the cross bar. Most of us Pirates will always remember that awesome attempt and many of us wished for Robinson’s sake that he had made it, as he had earned it. Great attempt Brett!!

1915  1-2     First Recorded Football Season                Coach M.K. Gordon

1916  6-3                                                                   Coach Charles F. McCaslin

1917  3-2                                                                   Coach Charles F. McCaslin

1918  3-0                                                                   Coach Charles F. McCaslin

1919  2-2-1                                                                Coach John T. Belting

1920  1-0                                                                   Coach John T. Belting

1921  7-1                                                                   Coach B.W. Ward

1922                                                                         Coach B.W. Ward

1923  5-3-2                                                                Coach B.W. Ward

1924  5-2-1                                                                Coach B.W. Ward

1925  3-0                                                                   Coach B.W. Ward

1926  4-2                                                                   Coach Guy Cunningham

1927  3-2                                                                   Coach Guy Cunningham

1928  5-0-1                                                                Coach Guy Cunningham

1929  3-2-1                                                                Coach Guy Cunningham

1930-31                                                                     Coach Guy Cunningham

1932  6-2                                                                   Coach Guy Cunningham

1933                                                                         Coach Guy Cunningham

1934  5-1-2  Cenois Conf. Champs                            Coach Guy Cunningham

1935  5-2     Cenois-Meridan Conf. Champs              Coach Guy Cunningham

1936  2-0-4                                                                Coach Guy Cunningham

1937-39                                                                     Coach Dominic A. Tarro

1940  5-2-1  Soya Conf. Co-Champs                          Coach Ivan C. Johnson

1941  8-0     Undefeated Season                               Coach Ivan C. Johnson

1942  6-0-1  Soya Conf. Co-Champs                          Coach Ivan C. Johnson

1943  3-2                                                                   Coach Ivan C. Johnson

1944  4-4                                                                   Coach Ivan C. Johnson

1945  6-1-1                                                                Coach Ivan C. Johnson

1946  6-1                                                                   Coach Harold O. Petty

1947  5-2-1                                                                Coach Harold O. Petty

1948                                                                         Coach Harold O. Petty

1949                                                                         Coach Louid W. Baker

1950  5-2     Soya Conf. Co-Champs                         Coach Louid W. Baker

1951  6-2                                                                  Coach Louid W. Baker

1952                                                                         Coach Richard E. Jostes

1953  8-1     Soya Conference Champ                      Coach Richard E. Jostes

1954                                                                         Coach Richard E. Jostes

1955  4-3-1  2nd place Soya Conference                      Coach Richard E. Jostes

1956                                                                         Coach Richard E. Jostes

1957                                                                         Coach Homer L. Barry

1958  5-1-1  Soya Conference Champs                     Coach Homer L. Barry

1961  5-3     2nd place (tie) Meridian Conference           Coach Bob Parrish

1962  5-3-1  4th Place Meridian Conference                  Coach Donald L. Dell

1963  6-1-1  Meridian Conference Champs               Coach Donald L. Dell

1964                                                                         Coach Donald L. Dell

1965                                                                         Coach Donald L. Dell

1966  5-2-1  2nd place (tie) Meridian Conference           Coach Ken Huckstep

1967                                                                         Coach Ken Huckstep

1968                                                                         Coach Don L. Bone

1969                                                                         Coach Don L. Bone

1970  1-3-4  (yes 4 ties!)                                             Coach Bill Pine

1971                                                                         Coach Carl Fieldbinder

1972                                                                         Coach Bill Pine

1973                                                                         Coach Bill Pine

1974  6-2     3rd place (tie) Meridian Conference           Coach Bill Pine

1975-78                                                                    Coach William Miller

1979                                                                         Coach Jay Hurdle

1980                                                                         Coach Craig Bundy

1981                                                                         Coach James Archer

1982-84                                                                    Coach Gene Patient

1985  6-3                                                                  Coach Gene Patient

1986                                                                         Coach Gene Patient

1987  6-4     Qualified for IHSA Class 1A Playoffs     Coach Kevin Crandall

                            lost to Moweaqua 28-16

1988                                                                         Coach Kevin Crandall

1989                                                                         Coach Mike Thorton

1990                                                                         Coach Kris Wheeler

1991    Last football season in Bethany HS history.      Coach Mike Mose

Bethany HS boys played as part of the

Sullivan HS football program after this season.

Great Player – Class of 1980 alum Chris Stiles played linebacker at Oklahoma State University as a teammate of NFL great running back Barry Sanders.  Chris later assisted at Notre Dame University before becoming a successful high school football coach in Texas and Oklahoma.

Boys Track & Field

There were two Bethany male tracksters who won IHSA medals at the State Track meet.  Their accomplishments are listed below.

1958-59    Dwayne “Bud” Barnes          220 Yard Dash          5TH Place

                (Bud also holds the BHS High Jump record at 6′ 02″)

1991-92    Ryan Martin                          Long Jump              7TH Place

Girls Track & Field

Two of the Flying Fillie thinclads also won IHSA medals.

1972-73    Sheila Standerfer       High Jump               5TH Place

1973-74    Sheila Standerfer       High Jump               2ND Place

1979-80    Jodi Foster                  Long Jump              6TH Place

Band

The Bethany High School Band was a great one indeed, winning the IHSA Class “D” State Music Championship three years in a row from 1979 to 1981. The state championship bands were directed by Barb Ozier in 1979 and 1980 and by Marti Lindvahl in 1981.

1979         Music State Champions      516 points         Instructor Barb Ozier

1980         Music State Champions      546 points         Instructor Barb Ozier

1981         Music State Champions      561 points         Instructor Marti Lindvahl

Great Coaches

*Louid Baker – Coached basketball and football from 1949 – 1952.  A former athlete who played at Bethany for Coach Bakers, Bill Bland, had this to say about Coach Baker:

“Lou was an all conference quarterback at Illinois State Normal (now Ilinois State University) out of Monticello High School in Illinois.  He coached us to a conference football championship in 1950 and a conference basketball championship in 1951with a 20-3 record.  Lou left Bethany for Arcola H.S in Illinois where he was very successful before being hired at Paris H.S. in Illinois where he was never happy with Ernie Eveland the famous Paris basketball coach looking over his shoulder.  Lou joined the Colorado State football staff in the late 50’s and then moved to the University of Illinois to join Pete Elliot’s staff.  After the slush fund scandal on Elliot’s watch at Illinois Lou retired to his home town of Monticello.

I’ve coached football, basketball and track and field for many years in Tucson, AZ, and was inspired to go into coaching by the excellent coaching I received from Coach Baker in both football and basketball.  I’m sure my teammates would all concur that he is worthy of being listed as one of Bethany’s greatest coaches in both football and basketball.”

*Homer “Bill” Barry – Coached Basketball at Bethany during the 1950s and 1960s and went on to coach at Forest-Strawn-Wing, Huntley and Marengo. He is ninth on the all-time wins list for Illinois coaches with a career record of 718-345 from 1958 to 1997.

*Randy Inman – led the Mustang boys basketball and baseball programs in the 1980s.  Finished with a career record of 121 – 79 in basketball and 57 – 24 in baseball.

*Kevin Crandall – Coached Bethany to their only Football playoff season and is doing the same currently as head coach of the Rochelle Hubs.

Great Athlete

Mike Overlot –

One of the  most accomplished high school male athletes in BHS history, if not THEE most accomplished, was Mike Overlot, the son of long-time Bethany CUSD #301 teachers, Buzz and Marge Overlot.  From 1972-73 through 1975-76, Mike lettered in all four of the sports offered to boys for all four years of high school – the only BHS athlete to accomplish this.  He was the point guard of the back-to-back regional champions of 1974-75/75-76, leading the Mustangs to an incredible 52-3 record over those two years.  He went on to be an all-conference baseball player at Millikin University.

Special Thanks

Special thank you to Brett Robinson, Glenn E. Austin, and Randy Inman for the incredible amount of information supplied on the athletic history of Bethany High School.

Memories

From a resident of the Bethany area, Dan Reedy:

“I love your website as it brings back many memories of growing up in Central Illinois. I have now lived in the Chicago area for 25 years.

Regarding Bethany High School, even though I did not attend BHS I lived only 4 miles away. Bethany High School also had a great Ag and FFA chapter that closed down in 1969.  There were many State and National FFA winners from the chapter, the instructor before closing was E.L. Bosomworth.

The fight song was “On Wisconsin”. One of the instructors for the sweepstakes in the late 70’s and early 80’s  was Judy Patrick, a 1967 graduate of BHS.  There were other years in which they won the sweepstakes in the 60’s under the direction of Eunice Dansby. Music was always very strong in Bethany.

BHS did play in the Meridian Conference until its consolidation. Other high schools in this conference which are no longer in existence are Stonington which closed in the mid to late 80’s and whose students now attend Taylorville. ( Stonington was always very good in basketball because of there all time great Coach Jack Dettro they made it to state in the early 80’s).

Illiopolis High school is another high school from the area. They recently consolidated with Niantic (Sangamon Valley). Illiopolis was great in football in the late 60’s and early 70’s. They also won the state track meet for girls in one of the first years when it was still one class. The Meridian Conf. when I left central Illinois had 12 schools in it in 1981.  Only 2 schools remain the same as then; Maroa-Forsyth and Lovington ( where I graduated from).  The 10 other schools have consolidated or disbanded (including Tower Hill and Stonington).  the other schools were Blue Mound, Macon, Findlay, Bethany, Niantic, Illiopolis, Assumption, and Moweaqua.”

Need More Information

Bethany High School has to have a good alumni base to provide some excellent information regarding their alma mater. How about the many conference championships, and even the non-sports related accomplishments, of the school’s history?  You can e-mail information to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.   You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.   60631

Berwyn Morton West HS

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized

(*School remains open, athletics combined with Cicero Morton East High School.)

Morton West High School

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Berwyn, IL (courtesy of : http://www.jsmortonhs.com/west.html)

The History of Berwyn Morton West High School

 

Berwyn (population 54,016) is located about 10 miles west of Chicago north of Interstate 55 along Illinois Route 43 and south of Interstate 290. Ogden Avenue (also known as U.S. Route 34) also brings traffic thru town.

 

The community began its life in 1856 when Thomas Baldwin bought land from the Illinois & Michigan Canal Company (which passed nearby from Chicago to LaSalle) to develop land for an affluant community called LaVergne. Railroad traffic from the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy line did not come to the area until 1874, Over time, the community grew with developers such as Marshall Field, Charles Piper, and William Andrews, as they platted the land, constructed streets, sidewalks, and sewers during the 1880’s and 1890’s.

 

Piper and Andrews renamed the community Berwyn for a Philadelphia suburb on a timeline for a railroad and continued to purchase land as middle-class Chicagoans were enticed to see what was developed there, purchasing homes west of the big city. The community incorporated itself in 1894.

 

Berwyn broke away from Cicero Township in 1901 as Chicago was moving readily to buy up land to annex into their city, but the working class Germans, Polish, Italians, and Czechslovakians helped build Berwyn as the population more than doubled itself from 1910-20, and gained the reputation as the fastest growing Chicago suburb.

 

Educationally, its students attended Morton High School in Cicero, even the school suffered its growing pains as Morton offered morning classes for its juniors and seniors, while freshman and sophomores went in the afternoon. And to boot, students from Morton Junior College also attended classes in the same building!!

 

After many years of court delays, lack of public support, and the combination of the Great Depression and World War II, the land for a second Morton High School was finally purchased and developed for a new school in the 1950’s, opening up in 1958. The school was named Morton West and eased the overcrowded conditions at the Cicero location.

 

Morton West continued to prosper on its’ own until the mid-1980’s when it was decided to bring the schools back together for extra-curricular activities under the name Berwyn-Cicero Morton. Similar to what would take place at Joliet Central and Joliet West in 1993 or at Chicago Heights Bloom Township and Bloom Trail in 2003, Morton West remains open and has its own attendance boundaries, as does Morton East.

 

To view photos of Morton high school alumni check out the webaddress of http://georgekrejci.com/ , submitted to us by George Krejci!

 

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BERWYN MORTON WEST HS

 

Year opened:                                                         1958

Year school activities merged to one school: 1985

Consolidated to:                                                    Morton Township High School

School colors:                                                        Green & White

School nickname:                                                 Falcons

School fight song:                                                “Falcon Fight” 

Link to school song on YouTube (courtesy of Jane Gruber Sinclair, class of 1967): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOk4zh-ztUI

 

Words to “Falcon Fight:”

 

Stand up and fight

Stand for the right

And stand behind the Green and White

And in the end

We score again

We win the game and fame for J.S.M.

And when it’s done

When we have won

Our team will be still be champions, Mor-ton!

Come on, you Falcons

Fight, fight, fight

For dear old J.S.M!

(repeat verse)

 

Nothing can stop us

No one can top us

Vic-tor-y in every game

Let’s make the rafters

Ring ever after

Echoing the Morton name

Let’s let ’em hear it

Show ’em our spirit

Falcons, fight! fight! fight!

 

(back to first verse to conclude)

 

 

ATHLETICS

 

Morton West offered a number of sports and other activities for their student body when the school had its own extracurricular activities prior to merging with Morton East. According to the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org), the school offered baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, swimming, track & field, and wrestling for the boys.

 

The girls were able to participate in bowling, basketball, and softball, but this author would like to believe they could have been offered volleyball, cross-country, soccer, track & field, swimming, tennis, and gymnastics. If you have any information to show that Morton West offered those sports or others to their student body that are being reported, we would like to hear from you by contacting us at one of the addresses listed below.

 

 

BOYS’ TRACK & FIELD

 

The Falcons made the most noise in state tournament action by sending a number of athletes to the state finals in either Champaign or Charleston, who came home with state titles (like Rich Ellison and Terry Erickson) or placed well enough to receive medals on the podium after the event was decided.

 

 

1963               Individual Medalist                          Coach Jim Rexillus

                        Rich Ellison      Pole Vault—STATE CHAMPION!!! (13’9”)

(only the second person to clear 13 foot at state finals—was state finals record for two years)

                        Ted Nykiel         440 Dash—5th place

 

1964               Tied for 5th in State!!!                      coach unknown

                         Team Standings

                          1  Alton Senior                                      19  

                          2  Winnetka New Trier                        18  

                          3  Evanston Township                        16  

                          4  Palatine HS                                      11  

                          5  Chicago Hts. Bloom Township      9

                              Berwyn Morton West                      9  

                          7  Elmhurst York                                    8  

                              Park Ridge Maine East                    8  

                              Aurora East                                        8  

                              Hillside Proviso West                       8  

                              Hinsdale Township                          8

 

                        Individual Medalists

                          Rich Ellison      Pole Vault—STATE CHAMPION!!! (13’4”)

                          Ed Halik             Pole Vault—2nd place

                                  

1965             Tied for 10th in State                         coach unknown

                       Team Standings

                        1  Evanston Township                      25  

                        2  Champaign HS                              15  

                            Hillside Proviso West                   15  

                        4  Alton Senior                                    12  

                        5  Chicago Dunbar                            11  

                        6  Taylorville                                        10  

                        7  East St. Louis Lincoln                     9  

                            Rock Island HS                                9  

                        9  Palatine HS                                       7  

                      10  Chicago Hts. Bloom Township     6  

                            Berwyn Morton West                      6      

 

                      Individual Medalists

                        Bruce Self        180 yard Hurdles—2nd place

                        Ed Halik            Pole Vault—4th place

           

1966             Tied for 10th in State                        coach unknown

                       Team Standings

                        1  Evanston Township                             30  

                        2  Chicago Hts. Bloom Township         21  

                        3  East St. Louis Senior                          15.5

                        4  Elmhurst York                                       14  

                        5  Campbell Hill Trico                             12  

                        6  Maywood Proviso East                       10  

                        7  Palatine HS                                            9  

                        8  Chicago Phillips                                    8  

                            Winnetka New Trier East                     8  

                      10  Berwyn Morton West                          7  

                            Rockford Auburn                                    7     

 

                       Individual Medalists

                         Larry Erickson    100 yard dash—3rd place

                                                         220 yard dash—2nd place

 

1967              Individual Medalist                          coach unknown

                        Larry Cascio        Pole Vault—5th place

 

1968              Individual/Relay Medalists              coach unknown

                                                       1 mile relay—5th place

                         Terry Erickson  440 yard dash—3rd place

 

1969              5th in State!!!                                    Coach Gordon Busse

                         Team Standings

                          1  Alton Senior                                      25  

                          2  East Moline United                         16  

                          3  Chicago Englewood                       15  

                          4  Chicago Hts. Bloom Township    13   

                          5  Berwyn Morton West                    10  

                          6  Hillside Proviso West                       9  

                          7  Palatine HS                                         8  

                              Maywood Proviso East                      8  

                          9  Glen Ellyn Glenbard West                6  

                              Harvey Thornton                                 6  

                              Elmhurst York                                     6  

                              Colfax Octavia                                     6

                              Moline HS                                            6  

                              Wheaton North                                    6  

                              North Chicago                                     6  

                              St. Charles HS                                    6  

 

                         Individual/Relay Medalists 

                            Terry Erickson  440 yard dash—2nd place

                            1 mile relay—STATE CHAMPION!!! (3:19.7)

                  (Terry Erickson, Krev, Regac, Vondra made up relay)

 

1970                Tied for 8th in State                      coach unknown            

                         Team Standings

                          1  Evanston Township                    21  

                          2  Alton Senior                                  17  

                          3  Glen Ellyn Glenbard West         14  

                          4  Chicago Englewood                   10  

                          5  Belleville West                                9   

                          6  Villa Park Willowbrook                   8  

                          7  East St. Louis Senior                    7  

                          8  Chicago Hts. Bloom Township   6  

                              Galesburg HS                                 6  

                              Ottawa Township                           6  

                              Skokie Niles North                         6  

                              New Lenox Lincoln-Way               6  

                              Hillside Proviso West                    6  

                              Elmhurst Timothy Christian          6  

                              East St. Louis Lincoln                    6  

                              Berwyn Morton West                   6  

                              Urbana HS                                       6

 

                           Individual Medalists

                            Terry Erickson  440 yard dash—STATE CHAMP!!! (:48.2)

                            

1973                Individual Medalist                       coach unknown

                          Paul Proffitt     Long Jump—3rd place

                          Gary Remius   Shotput—5th place

 

1976AA           Individual Medalist                       coach unknown

                          Don Piha         Shotput—4th place

 

1977AA           Individual Medalist                       coach unknown

                          Tom Piha        Shotput—3rd place

 

1979AA          Individual Medalist                        coach unknown

                          Steve Piha      Shotput—6th place

 

1984AA          Individual Medalist                        coach unknown

                         Jeff Gennarelli  Shotput—5th place

 

WRESTLING

 

The Green and White of Morton West made their mark on the prep wrestling mats of Illinois by placing in the top 10 of the state early in the school’s career and sent a number of grapplers who finished in the top four of their weight classes.

 

1962               Tied for 9th in State                     Coach Ken Geiger

                        Team Standings

                         1  Burbank Reavis                         62

                         2  Waukegan HS                           36

                         3  Savanna                                     34

                         4  Moline                                         29

                         5  Evanston Township                 28

                         6  LaGrange Lyons                       18

                         7  Palatine HS                                16

                             Granite City HS                          16

                         9  Park Forest Rich East              15

                             Berwyn Morton West              15

                             Winnetka New Trier                  15

                             Maywood Proviso East             15

 

                         Individual Medalists

                           Lee Mungai                 180 lbs—4th place

                           Lee Olson                    145 lbs—2nd place

 

1963                 Individual Medalist                     Coach Ken Geiger

                           Lee Mungai               Heavyweight—STATE CHAMPION!!!

 

1969                 Individual Medalist                    Coach John Polz

                          Joe Vicchiollo              127 lbs—2nd place

 

1970                 Individual Medalist                    coach unknown

                          Craig Baldacci             175 lbs—2nd place

 

1978-79                                                              Coach Joe Callahan

 

1984AA            Individual Medalist                    coach unknown

                          Dan Ivanisevic             Heavyweight—4th place

 

BASEBALL

 

In trying to keep pace with their district counterparts at Morton East, West also had some flags of their own to show off to fans in the western suburbs of Chicago. The Falcons reached the Elite Eight of the state baseball tournament twice before bowing out of contention.

 

1963   21- 2   Regional Champions                     Coach Stan Pace

                           Interim League Champions

 

1968   22- 2  Elite Eight Qualifier!!!                       Coach Stan Pace

                          Regional Champions                       

                           Sectional Champions

                            Lost to Peoria Manual 7-4 in state quarterfinals

 

1972               Regional Champions                           coach unknown

 

1982  18-12  AA Elite Eight Qualifier                    Coach Roger Hahn

                         Regional Champions                        

                          Sectional Champions

                           Lost to Darien Hinsdale South 9-7 in state quarterfinals

 

BOYS’ SOCCER

 

The Falcons were competitive on the soccer pitch, with a number of successes in the win-loss column, and made it the state Elite Eight once under long-time coach Bill Stamper, who complied a win-loss record of 105-72-17 (.585 percentage) in his 11 years on the sidelines at Morton West.

 

1974      8-  6                                                            Coach Bill Stamper

 

1975    16-  3     FINAL FOUR!!!                             Coach Bill Stamper

                            Sectional Champions

                              Elite 8 Qualifier

                              Shutout Chicago Senn in quarterfinals, 1-0

                               Lost to Park Ridge Maine East in semifinals, 1-0 

 

1976    10-  6                                                            Coach Bill Stamper

1977    14-  3-1                                                        Coach Bill Stamper

1978    11-  7-2                                                        Coach Bill Stamper

1979    10-  5-1                                                        Coach Bill Stamper

1982      8-  7-1                                                        Coach Bill Stamper

1983    10-  8-2                                                        Coach Bill Stamper

1984      9-  9-2  Last season                               Coach Bill Stamper

 

BOYS’ SWIMMING

 

Morton West made a splash in the wintertime, sending several tankmen to the state meet who came home with medals at the finals. One excellent coach who helped bring this program along was Jim Ellinger. Dan Swacina (Class of 1971) tells us:

 

“We had a really good coach that developed the swimming program at Morton West HS, Mr. Jim Ellinger. Mr. Ellinger died in a tragic car accident in the mid to late 1970’s.”

 

INDIVIDUAL MEDALISTS

1971  Dan Swacina           50 Freestyle—6th place

1973  Jim Martin               Diving—5th place

1974  Jim Martin               Diving—2nd place

1974  Bob Olson                Diving—5th place

1976  Lou Kammerer        50 Freestyle—5th place

1977  Lou Kammerer        50 Freestyle—STATE CHAMPION!!!

1978  Lou Kammerer        100 Freestyle—2nd place

                                         50 Freestyle—5th place

1982  Todd Ronde            Diving—4th place

1985  Doug Arnish            Diving—10th place

 

SOFTBALL

 

The Lady Falcons started slow, but built their program up all the way to a peak when Morton West & East brought their athletic departments back together. A year after the merger, Coach Jim Kulawiak led Morton to a state title. His record at Morton West was 135-23 (.854 percentage)!

 

1976         0- 5   first season                                       Coach Campagna

1978       11- 3                                                               Coach Gerry Stiverson

1979       10- 4                                                               Coach Gerry Stiverson

1980       14- 6                                                               Coach Jim Kulawiak

1981       17- 5    AA Regional Champions              Coach Jim Kulawiak

 

1982       26- 2    AA EILTE EIGHT FINALISTS           Coach Jim Kulawiak

                               AA Regional Champions

                                AA Sectional Champions

                                  Lost to Herrin in quarterfinals, 5-3

 

1983       24- 4  AA Regional Champions                Coach Jim Kulawiak

1984       28- 2  AA Regional Champions                Coach Jim Kulawiak

1985       26- 4  AA Regional Champions                Coach Jim Kulawiak

 

GIRLS’ BOWLING

 

In the early days of girls’ sports, Morton West won four district titles and qualified for the state meet on the bowling alleys of Chicagoland. If you have more details, we welcome your information at the addresses listed below.

 

1973-74             District Champions                         Coach unknown

                              State Qualifier   

1974-75             District Champions                         Coach unknown

                              State Qualifier 

1975-76             District Champions                         Coach unknown

                              State Qualifier

1977-78             District Champions                         Coach unknown

                              State Qualifier

 

FOOTBALL

 

A fan of the Glory Days site and alum of Morton West, Kenny Klimes, sent us the following information regarding the incredible football program at MWHS. We are told that Ken Kimes is a modest guy, but was a great quarterback in the late 1960s for the Falcons:

 

“I noted in your High School football team record section that Berwyn (Morton West H.S.) season records were lacking and incomplete. The school’s first year in football was 1961 in the Des Plaines Valley Conference. During the sixties, Morton West was one of the Chicago area’s football powerhouses. During this 10 year period, they won 49 games while only losing 15 games. They won four conference championships and had three second place finishes. The head coach during this period, Mr. Jim Regan, is a member of the Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame. I have the records of the Morton West football teams from 1961 to 1984 to include the coaches, and would appreciate that they be included on your web site. I have personally talked with coaches Duchon, Evan, and Ruzycki just recently about the won – loss records. I have also researched the accuracy in past Morton West yearbooks. The following should complete your web site for Berwyn (Morton West H. S.)”:

1961-62    4 – 3 – 1                                                           Coach Jim Regan

1962-63    6 – 1 – 1                                                           Coach Jim Regan

1963-64    5 – 3 – 0                                                           Coach Jim Regan

1964-65    8 – 0 – 0   Undefeated DPVC Champs      Coach Jim Regan

1965-66    4 – 2 – 2                                                           Coach Jim Regan

1966-67    4 – 2 – 2                                                           Coach Jim Regan

1967-68    5 – 2 – 1                                                           Coach Jim Regan

1968-69    6 – 2 – 0                                                           Coach Jim Regan

1969-70    7 – 0 – 0   Undefeated DPVC Champs      Coach Jim Regan

1970-71    2 – 6 – 0                                                           Coach Jim Regan

1971-72    3 – 4 – 0                                                           Coach Frank Duchon

1972-73    4 – 3 – 1                                                           Coach Frank Duchon

1973-74    4 – 4 – 0                                                           Coach Jim Evan

1974-75    6 – 3 – 0                                                           Coach Jim Evan

1975-76    2 – 7 – 0                                                           Coach Jim Evan

1976-77    3 – 6 – 0                                                           Coach Jim Evan

1977-78    5 – 4 – 0                                                           Coach Leonard Ruzycki

1978-79    3 – 6 – 0                                                           Coach Leonard Ruzycki

1979-80    4 – 5 – 0                                                           Coach Leonard Ruzycki

1980-81    7 – 3 – 0                                                           Coach Leonard Ruzycki

1981-82    3 – 6 – 0                                                           Coach Leonard Ruzycki

1982-83    2 – 7 – 0                                                           Coach Leonard Ruzycki

1983-84    7-  4        IHSA 6A Playoff Qualifier          Coach Pete Ventrelli

                              Edged Chicago Gordon Tech 8-7 (OT)

                              Lost to Chicago St. Rita 35-13 in quarterfinals

1984-85    5 – 4 – 0                                                           Coach Pete Ventrelli

“I also would like to add some school history. As you may have noticed the football team was undefeated, champions in 1969. But the record was not 8-0 but 7-0. That is because in the fall of 1969 the teachers went on strike at Morton West High School. Since the school was not in session the first two weeks, Morton West had to cancel the first game of the season with non-conference rival, Riverside Brookfield High School. If the strike would have lasted another week the team was threatened with losing the rest of their season. The students decided to protest to get the teachers to come back to the negotiations. The student body even made the front page of the Chicago Tribune during their protest march. The teachers came back to work and the football team was allowed to continue their season. This was especially important to many senior players since many seniors received athletic scholarships that year.”

Nice job Kenny!

CROSS-COUNTRY

 

One athlete had the honor of going to state in this event, and came home with a medal. Unforunately, there is very little information to list about the Falcon harriers, so we are in need of more details.

 

1966          Individual Placer                                 coach unknown  

                    Carl Ruzicka—7th place

 

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

 

Morton West participated on the hardwood, winning one regional title in the early 1960’s before losing in the sectional finals to Harvey Thornton.

 

1961-62      Summit Argo Regional Champions          Coach John Capron  

                       Beat Joliet in Harvey Sectional, 79-74 

                         Lost to Harvey Thornton in Sectional Finals, 78-60

 

Note from Chuck Karabin: “That 1961 team was really led by guard Tom Gribben, who was quite the shooter.” 

 

BOYS’ GOLF

 

The Falcons did offer golf to its boys and they came home with a district plaque on one occasion. How long they offered it and what successes they had beyond the district championship is unknown.

 

1973              District Champions                             coach unknown

 

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

 

The girls also played hoops in the winter, and came away with one winning season out of the nine that the school offered the sport to its’ female athletes.

 

1976-77                                                           Coach C. Gilbertson

1977-78                                                           Coaches T.Kulp & M. Ripple

1978-79                                                           Coach R. Hapac

1979-80                                                           Coach R. Hapac

1980-81                                                           Coach R. Hapac

1981-82    8-  4                                                Coach T. Kulp

1982-83                                                           Coach T. Kulp

1983-84                                                           Coach T. Kulp

1984-85                                                           Coach T. Kulp

 

 

 

DRAMA

 

If there was any one field that Morton West proved itself as one of the top schools in the state, it was in Drama. Lead by coach T.F. (Fred) Meyer, the school finished in the top five of the state four times over a five-year span, and helped fill up the trophy case at the school.

 

1974               District Champions                    Coach T.F. (Fred) Meyer

                        Sectional Champions

                         State Qualifier

 

1975               2nd in State!!!                              Coach T.F. (Fred) Meyer

                        District Champions  

                         Team Standings

                           1  Homewood-Flossmoor          7  

                           2  Berwyn Morton West             9  

                           3  Wheaton Warrenville             12  

                               Normal University                  12  

                           5  Waukegan HS                        14  

                           6  Lansing Thorn. Frac. S.        21  

                           7  Geneseo Darnall                   23  

                               Lincoln                                     23  

                           9  Northbrook Glenb’k North    25  

                         10  Bloomington Cen. Cath.      32

 

1976               5th in State!!!                                Coach T.F. (Fred) Meyer

                        District Champions

                         Sectional Champions  

                        Team Standings

                           1  Homewood-Flossmoor         7  

                           2  Dolton Thornridge                   8  

                           3  Decatur MacArthur                 12  

                           4  Elgin HS                                  13  

                           5  Berwyn Morton West          15  

                           6  Summit Argo                          16  

                           7  Highland Park                        20  

                           8  Rochester                               26  

                           9  Pekin                                       28  

                         10  Edwardsville HS                   29

 

1977               District Champions                    Coach T.F. (Fred) Meyer

 

1979                4th in State!!!                               Coach T.F. (Fred) Meyer

                        Team Standings

                          1  Bensenville Fenton                 6  

                          2  Homewood-Flossmoor         6  

                          3  Dolton Thornridge                   9  

                          4  Berwyn Morton West          13  

                          5  Des Plaines Maine North    18  

                          6  Carbondale                            21  

                              Arlington Hts. Forest Vw       21  

                              Belleville West                       21  

                          9  Peoria Woodruff                    24  

                        10  East Moline United               31

 

1981                4th in State!!!                              Coach T.F. (Fred) Meyer    

                         1  Homewood-Flossmoor        3  

                         2  Highland Park                         7  

                         3  Belleville West                      10  

                         4  Berwyn Morton West         13  

                         5  Normal University                13  

                         6  Dolton Thornridge                18  

                         7  Buffalo Grove                        21  

                         8  Peoria Richwoods               25  

                         9  Rochelle                                26  

                             Roselle Lake Park               26

 

1982               District Champions                   Coach T.F. (Fred) Meyer

 

 

GROUP INTERPRETATION

 

Morton West came home with one state title, had a top ten finish another time, and have several individuals take home some medals in the state finals. Obviously, there was some talent in the English department at Morton West.

 

1976              STATE CHAMPIONS!!!                Coach T.F. (Fred) Meyer & student Patrick Shanahan

                       Team Standings

                        1  Berwyn Morton West                        6  

                        2  Tremont                                                7  

                        3  Lansing Thornton Fractional So.     9  

                        4  Homewood-Flossmoor                  13  

                        5  Peoria Richwoods                           17  

                        6  Murphysboro                                     22  

                        7  North Chicago                                  24  

                            Burbank Reavis                                24  

                        9  Belleville West                                  25  

                      10  Bloomington Central Catholic       26  

 

1981              8th in State                                  sponsor unknown

                       Team Standings

                        1  Harvey Thornton                          5   

                        2  Dolton Thornridge                       8                       

                        3  Lincoln                                           9

                        4  Highland Park                            16   

                        5  Rochelle                                     17   

                        6  Belleville West                           19   

                        7  Carbondale                                20   

                        8  Berwyn Morton West              21 

                        9  Wheaton-Warrenville                28

                      10  Stanford Olympia                      29  

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS—MEDALISTS    

1962            Linda Bates                        comedy—3rd place

1963            James Finerty                    radio speaking—2nd place

                     Joyce Verbik                       after dinner speaking—4th place

1964            Russell Skleviska             extemporaneous speaking—5th place

                     Joseph Sveda                    radio speaking—5th place

1965            Paul Woldy                         original oratory—5th place

1969            Pam Braun                        original comedy—STATE CHAMPION!!

                     Debbie Duepner                serious—3rd place

1970            Joseph Cappelletti            original comedy—4th place

1972            Nesladek & Tumas           duet—6th place

1975            Ann Slivinski                       prose reading—3rd place

 

All of these students were coached by Maxine Lichtermann.

 

SPEECH SWEEPSTAKES

 

In addition to Individual Events, Morton West made its name by getting into the top 10 at the state finals on one occasion.

 

1968-69         Tied for 9th in State                     Coach Maxine Lichterman

                        Team Standings

                          1  Homewood-Flossmoor            14  

                          2  Bensenville Fenton                   13  

                              Peoria Richwoods                     13  

                          4  Arlington Heights Arlington      10  

                              Dolton Thornridge                     10  

                              Northfield New Trier West       10  

                              Wheaton Central                       10  

                          8  Highland Park                              9  

                          9  Chicago St. Ignatius                   8  

                              Berwyn Morton West                8

 

 

Famous Rock Band

 

The rock group “The Ides of March” hail from Morton West High School!

 

MEMORIES

 

From Jane Gruber Sinclair (class of 1967):

 

“Hello. Just found your website while looking for my HS alma mater, J. Sterling Morton West in Berwyn, IL. I just did the fight song and posted it to YouTube. You do note the fight song. Thought you might want to add a link. Thanks for all the great info. I went to grade school with Larry Cascio. You have him winning
a medal in the Pole Vault. Nice to see.”

 

From alums Dennis Heydanek, Jim Przybytek, and Carole Cech:

 

“Great site! Thanks for sharing.

 

“Stan Pace was the Baseball Coach in 1963. The team was Interim League Champions and lost in the Sectional Finals of the State Tournament that year and finished with a 21-2 record. I have newspaper clippings if interested. 

 

I can confirm that Robert (Bob) Reynolds coached the pole vaulters of note in 1963 (and likely for 3 years prior to that). His standout performers were Rich Ellison and Ed Halik. Ed Halik was a Fraternity Brother of mine at the University of Illinois.”

 

From Ed Talluch (class of 1963):

 

“Here is an update of your website on Morton West athletics……….Wrestling Coach in 1962 and 63  Ken Geiger   1969  John Polz  …….Track Coach in 1969  Gordon Busse…..Baseball Coach 1963  Stan Pace     Hope this helps filling in the blanks……ED TALLACH   Class of 1963……..Assistant Football Coach to Jim Regan 1967-1969.”

 

From Deborah Nykiel Oles:

 

“My brother, Ted Nykiel, graduated from Morton West in 1963. After receiving multiple scholarship offers in track from many universities, he attended University of Missouri on a full 5 year scholarship. Ted can fill you in on more particulars but Ted wrote to me and said he was 6th in the state in the 440 yard dash in 1963, which was not listed in your site.”

 

DO YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION WE CAN USE….

 

…about Morton West High School? If so, we’d like to hear from you. Please contact us by emailing us at dr.veeman@gmail.com or by using the USPS. Our address is:

 

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 North Neva

Chicago, IL  60631  

Bensenville Community High School “Bison”

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Bensenville HS F-ball Team 1927 – HS in Background
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Submitted by Jim Kouzmanoff (Tom Kouzmanoff in Photo)

The History of Bensenville Community High School

Bensenville (population 20,700) is located in the far northeastern portion of Illinois in the northeastern portion of DuPage County. Bensenville is bordered by the famous O’Hare International Airport to the northeast side. Illinois Route 83 passes through the heart of town from north to south.  Irving Park Road is the main roadway from east to west. The Soo Line Railroad also passes through Bensenville.

A nice history of the city of Bensenville can be found at the web address of http://www.dupagehistory.org/dupage_roots/Bensenville_2.html .  The early 1800s found the area in which Bensenville is located to be full of Indians (Native Americans). Settlers started to move into the area in the mid 1800s.  The railroad boom in the United States brought a rail line directly through the area. Enough settlers and businesses were established that in 1884 Bensenville (named after a town in Germany called Bensen) was incorporated. Bensenville’s close proximity to Chicago and O’Hare Airport has allowed for a dramatic increase in the population. In 1940 the population was 1,200, today it is well over 20,000.

A nice history of the high school in Bensenville can be found at the web address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenton_High_School_(Illinois) . In summary, Bensenville High School was established as a two-year high school from 1917 – 1924. In 1925 Bensenville Community High School District 100 was establihsed as a four-year high school for the students of Wood Dale and Bensenville. Bensenville Community High School served in this capacity until a new building was built in 1955.  The following Chicago Tribune Newspaper articles were found by our good friend Dave Sanders:

Aug. 31, 1941 – At Bensenville High school, the enrollment will probably not pass last year’s mark of 350.

Aug. 26, 1951 – Bensenville Community High school’s enrollment will he 450, W. A. Johnson, principal, estimated.

Sept 6, 1953 – Bensenville High School expects its largest enrollment when 510 are registered this coming school year. The school was constructed with a 350 student capacity, but last year 472 students were enrolled.

The need for a new building became quite apparent as the enrollment rapidly increased. The new building was constructed and then named Fenton Community High School in honor of the school’s first superinntendent, Frederick Fenton.

The original Bensenville High School building was utilized as Blackhawk Junior High School through the Spring of 2013. The building was then razed to make room for a more modern building to be constructed.

                     

Bensenville Community High School Quick Facts

Year opened as 2-Year HS:       1917

Served as 2 & 3-year HS:          1917 – 1924

Year HS District established:     1924

Year became Fenton HS:          1955

Bensenville HS team nickname: “Bison”

Bensenville HS team colors:      Orange & Black

Bensenville HS fight song:         “BCHS, We Are All For You”

Lyrics provided by C. Diane Bishop

                                                                Sung to the tune of “On Wisconsin”

                                         BCHS, BCHS,

                                         We are all for you!

                                         Fight for victory, fight for victory,

                                         Oh you orange and blue,

                                         RAH! RAH! RAH!

   

                                         BCHS, BCHS,

                                         We will win this game!

                                         And we’ll go marching on

                                         Our way to fame!
ATHLETICS

Bensenville High School competed in the boys sports of basketball, baseball, track, and football.  The IHSA website (http://www.ihsa.org/Schools/SchoolDirectory.aspx?url=/data/school/b.htm) however only lists the successes of Fenton High School beginning in 1955.  If you have any information on the athletic program at Bensenville High School from 1917 – Spring of 1955 please send us a note via the means listed below. We are interested in the Bensenville High School team nickname (Fenton HS teams are known as the Bison), team uniform colors, and season records.

Bensenville HS Football Team of 1927
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Tom Kouzmanoff holding ball in center was QB, submitted by Jim Kouzmanoff

FOOTBALL

We are certain the Bensenville HS boys competed with other schools in the area in football. The photo to the right was sent to us by Jim Kouzmanoff and depicts the team of 1927. Jim’s father Tom Kouzmanoff is in the second row in the center holding the fooball. He was the starting quarterback in this, his senior year at BHS.

1927     4 – 4 – 2      season record

The following Chicago Tribune Newspaper articles were found on the internet by our good frined Dave Sanders regarding Bensenville High School football:

Oct. 6, 1933 – Prep Football – The Big Six high school conference title race will begin tonight with two games. [Unreadable] … Barrington on the latter’s field, and Palatine will travel to Bensenville.

Oct. 27, 1933 – Prep Football – Warren will play Bensenville at Bensenville.

Oct. 5, 1934 – Prep Football – Palatine will oppose Bensenville on the latter’s field.

Bensenville HS Gym – Photo Taken February 03, 1942
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Submitted by Jim Kouzmanoff

BOYS BASKETBALL

The boys competed in basketball as well. The web site titled “Illinois Post Season Basketball Scores” lists the following scores for Bensenville High School. We are searching for season records and coaches names of all BHS teams. The photo to the right was submitted by James Kouzmanoff and shows his father Tom Kouzmanoff as the referee of a basketball game played in the Bensenville HS gymnasium on February 03, 1942.

1934 LaGrange District Tournament

1st Round – Downers Grove 31, Bensenville 26

Downers Grove lost in semi-final round

1935 Elmhurst District Tournament

1st Round – Leyden 26, Bensenville 16

Leyden lost in second round.

1936 Glen Ellyn District Tournament

1st Round – West Chicago 32, Bensenville 31

West Chicago lost in semi-final round.

1945 Riverside District Tournament

1st Round – Bensenville 41, Lemont Fournier 28

2nd Round – Bensenville 31, Hinsdale 30

Title Game – Riverside 60, Bensenville 36

1947 Elmhurst Regional Tournament

1st Round – Glenbard 54, Bensenville 23

Glenbard lost in title game.

1948 Glen Ellyn Regional Tournament

1st Round – Bensenville 47, Downers Grove 33

2nd Round – Bensenville 37, Maine Township 36

Title Game – Glenbard 61, Bensenville 39

1949 Elmhurst Regional Tournament

1st Round – Downers Grove 43, Bensenville 30

Downers Grove won Regional title championship.

1950 Glenbard Regional Tournament

1st Round – Hinsdale 47, Bensenville 38

Hinsdale lost in title game.

1951 York Regional Tournament

1st Round – York 50, Bensenville 43

York lost in 2nd round.

1952 Glenbard Regional Tournament

1st Round – York 54, Bensenville 41

York lost in 2nd round.

1953 Maywood Regional Tournament

1st Round – York 74, Bensenville 50

York lost in title game.

This is the last listing on this site for Bensenville High School. The first listing for Fenton HS is in the 1957 Elmhurst Regional Tournament.

ACTIVITIES

It is likely that school plays, student government, band, chorus, and other types of activities were offered to the kids of Bensenville High School.

MEMORIES

**From C. Diane Bishop:

“When Fenton High School was built to replace BCHS in 1955, it maintained the mascot, the colors, and the song, but changed the BCHS in the song to “On FHS”.  My parents attend BCHS from 1936-1940 and I have their yearbooks, with much history and many pictures of the school, students, clubs and teams.  Also, my grandfather William Bishop, was a member of the BCHS school board for many years.

BCHS became Blackhawk Jr. High, which I attended, when Fenton was built.  Regretfully, the village tore the building down this past spring (2013).”

SEEKING FURTHER INFORMATION

If you have any further information regarding Bensenville Community High School between the years of 1917 and 1955 please contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or via real mail at:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il..  60631

Bensenville Green Street Elementary School 1919
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Third row, first from right, Tom Kouzmanoff (Submitted by Jim Kouzmanoff, school now closed)
 

Benson High School “Broncos”

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Benson High School Building – 2007
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Now Roanoke-Benson Grade School
Benson High School Entrance
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The History of Benson High School

Benson (population 408) is located in upper-central Illinois in the northeastern portion of Woodford County. Illinois Route 116 is the main roadway through town and connnects it to Interstate Highway 39 four and a half miles to the east. The At & St Railroad travel though Benson as well. A larger metropolis near Benson would be Peoria, about 20 miles to the west-southwest of Benson.

The history of the town and its’ school system is in need of updating and research by a local resident of fan. Benson probably offered a school program for its children by the late 1800’s. A high school was probably in place by the late 1800’s & certainly by the early 1900s.

Benson High School served the town’s residents, and was a source of great pride, for many years. The mid-1950’s saw a change in the making. The neighboring towns of Roanoke and Benson began consolidation talks. This effort became a reality in 1956 with the creation of the Roanoke-Benson School District.

This bit of information came Benson fan Ryan Koehler:

“The old high school in town is now the Roanoke-Benson Junior High School.  The elementary school for Roanoke-Benson is located in Roanoke and it is called Sowers Elementary. However, there was a previous Benson K-12 school that was located where the village park is now. When the “new” high school was built (around mid-century) the old high school became an elementary/middle school.  That old school has been torn down, the only thing left of it is a concrete sign.”

The high school for the R-B system was located in Roanoke. The grade school was, and still is, located in Benson. We believe classes are held in the original Benson High School building.

Benson High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                              late 1800’s/early 1900’s

Year closed:                              1956

Consolidated to:                         Roanoke-Benson School District

Benson HS team nickname:        the “Broncos”

Benson HS team colors:             unavailable

School Fight Song:                     unavailable

Benson School Ball Diamond
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“Left Click” to View Enlarged Photo
Benson High School Building Rear
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Former High School Gymnasium?

Athletics

Benson High School competed in boys basketball for sure as a member of the Tri-County Conference. We believe that baseball and track were also offered at the school. Team uniform colors, fight song, and conference affiliation are being sought.

We are told that Benson and Roanoke were huge rivals in basketball. Teams from the area that Benson played year-in and year-out included Minonk, Wenona, El Paso, Eureka, Low Point, Washburn, LaRose, Rutland, Flanagan, and Toluca.

Boys’ Basketball

There is a nice listing of seasons that Benson High competed in basketball on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). If you have any further information to add to what is listed below, please forward it to us so we can share it on the site. As you can see, the coach’s names of the late 1940’s, which were extremely successful, are not currently available. In the school’s final season, the Broncos beat Roanoke to win the prestigious Tri-County Conference Tournament, 70-66.

1946-47  21- 5     Nice Record!                           Coaches’ name unavailable

1947-48  17- 7

1948-49  21- 6     Nice Record!

1949-50  27- 2     District Champions!!

1950-51  18- 8                                                   Coach Dale Moore

1951-52  18- 8                                                   Coach Dale Moore

1952-53  14-13                                                  Coach Dale Moore

1953-54  13-10                                                  Coach John Serdar

1954-55  14-12                                                  Coach John Serdar

1955-56  26- 2     INCREDIBLE RECORD!           Coach John Serdar

                            School’s Last Season

                             Tri-County Conf. Tournament Champs!!

Roanoke-Benson Grade School State Championships
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Need More Information

The hard work and dedication of the Benson forefathers should forever be remembered. If you can share any information about the Benson High School accomplishments, you can e-mail them to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.    60631

Benson High School Building
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Now Roanoke-Benson Junior High

Benld Township High School “Indians”

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Benld High School Building
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Benld, Illinois

The History of Benld Township High School

Benld (population 1,541) is located in southwestern Illinois about 20 miles northeast of Alton.  It is situated in the southeastern corner of Macoupin County.  Illinois Route 138 intersects with Illinois Route 4 on the west side of the town.  A branch of the Cahokia Creek flows through the center of town.  The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad lays tracks through town as well.

The history of the town of Benld and its unique name are in need of research. We understand that Benld was named after Ben L Dorsey whose family settled and owned a number of coal mines in the community when it was first settled.  The following history information of Benld was copied from an Illinois House Resolution from 2004 congratulating Benld on its 100th Anniversary:

” …In 1835 brothers Elias M. and Ben L Dorsey received a land grant of at least 13,000 acres; Ben deeded his portion to Elias;  Elias fathered 13 children; one named Benjamin L. Dorsey II after his uncle; Elias deeded 1,000 acres of land to each of the 13 children;  Benjamin L. Dorsey II was deeded the ground south of the Northwestern Railroad and east of what is now known as Illinois Route 4; and

….In 1886, coal was discovered on their property; the Dorsey family continued to carry on coal transactions; one of the most active in the coal business was Benjamin L. Dorsey, Jr., who was an heir to Ben L. Dorsey II; Mrs. Ethel Clarkson, grandchild gave the ground in honor of her grandfather; thus the town received its unusual name of Benld; Ben comes from his first name, L. from his middle initial, and D from the first letter of his last name; and

….In 1904 Benld became a village and has grown to be a city; Benld will celebrate its centennial from September 04 to September 06, 2004;”   .

The history of its former high school is in need of research. We do know that Benld had a high school for their children which was probably established in the late 1800s to early 1900s.  According a web page on the Gillespie High School website (http://www.gillespie.macoupin.k12.il.us/) the towns of Gillespie (located 1 mile north of Benld) and Benld agreed to merge their districts “in the early 1960s”.   Benld High School was closed and the children of Benld began attending Gillespie High School for their secondary school education.

The above pictured building served as the junior high and 9th grade attendance center from the merger until 1993.  From 1993 until 2002 it was used as a part of the Benld Elementary School.  The building was demolished in 2002 to make way for the new Benld Elementary School building.

Benld Township High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                             late 1800s/early 1900s

Year closed:                                              1961

Consolidated to:                                        Gillespie High School

Benld Township HS team nickname:            the “Indians”

BTHS team colors:                                     Blue & White

School Fight Song:                                    “We’re Loyal to You Benld High”

  We’re loyal to you Benld High

                                                We’re blue and white, Benld High

                                                We’ll back you to stand

                                                ‘Gainst the best in the land

                                                For we know you have sand, Benld High

                                                Rah! Rah!

                                                So crack out the ball, Benld High

                                                We’re backing you all, Benld High

                                                Our team is our fame protector:

                                                On! Boys for we expect a

                                                Victory from you Benld High!
Athletics

The boys sports of baseball, basketball, and track all earned a measure of success in IHSA competition (www.ihsa.org). Football was also offered at Benld High. School team records, and coach’s names are all items we are searching for.  Benld was a member of the South Central Conference from 1935-1960.

Boys Baseball

The Benld High School diamond men earned a total of three District titles.  All three titles came in back to back to back seasons in the mid 1940s.  Unfortunately this is currently the only information on Benld High School baseball success that we have available.

1944-45                  District Champions
1945-46                  District Champions
1946-47                  District Champions

Benld Basketball Team – 1949-50
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Photo submitted by Donald Audi

Boys Basketball

Basketball was the main sport at Benld High School in the 1940s and 1950s.  A total of four Regional titles and six District titles were cause for many an exciting winter night in Benld.  Again, unfortunately, team records and coach’s names of these and other great Benld High basketball teams are not currently available.

The team of 1949-50 is pictured to the right.  Members of this team included:

from left to right: Darwin Griva, Donald Audi, Jack Tarter, Sam Anderson, Jack Contratto, Coach Adolph “Chief” Tenikat, Bernie Verna, Jim Tillis, Danny Polonius, Steve Maizel and Bob Kepler

Several scores involving Benld High School participating in the IHSA State Tournament can be viewed on a web site titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” The link to this web site is https://sites.google.com/site/xtmi2000/ . Scores found that are from championship seasons involving Benld High School are reprinted below.

1918-19                Macoupin County Tourney Champs   Coach Wm. E. Rutherford 

1935-36                Macoupin County Tourney Champs   Coach Glenn Hastings 

1936-37                Litchfield Regional Champions           Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Mt. Olive 21-15

                             Semi-final Beat Litchfield 27-19

                             Title Game Beat Hillsboro 20 – 17

                             Belleville Sectional Tournament

                             1st Rd lost to Wood River 24-19

Collinsville beat Wood River in title game

Collinsville placed 3rd in IHSA State Tournament

1938-39                Macoupin County Tourney Champs   Coach John Rosetti


1941-42                Gillespie Regional Champions            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Medora 43-19

                             Semi-final Beat Gillespie 37-19

                             Title Game Beat Litchfield 35-32

                             Taylorville Sectional Tournament

                             1st Rd Beat Springfield Lanphier 38-30

                             Semi-final lost to Decatur 40-21

Decatur beat Taylorville in title game

Decatur lost in Elite 8 Rd of Tournament


1945-46                Gillespie Regional Champions            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Carlinville 66-29

                             Semi-final Beat Mt. Olive 38-35

                             Title Game Beat Gillespie 34-33

                             Hillsboro Sectional Runner-Up

                             1st Rd Beat Teutopolis 38-36

                             Title Game lost to Pana 49-38

Pana lost in Sweet 16 Rd of Tournament


1947-48                Brighton District Champions               Coach’s name & record needed 

                             Semi-final Beat Palmyra 38-32 

                             Title Game Beat Brighton 46-28

                             Gillespie Regional Tournament

                             1st Rd Beat Litchfield 52-29

                             Semi-final lost to Hillsboro 49-28

Hillsboro beat Gillespie in title game

Hillsboro lost in Sweet 16 Round


1948-49                Medora District Champions                 Coach’s name & record needed 

                             Semi-final Beat Medora 61-25 

                             Title Game Beat Shipman 68-37

                             Hillsboro Regional Tournament

                             1st Rd lost to Gillespie 57-44

Hillsboro beat Gillespie in title game

Hillsboro placed 2ND in IHSA State Tournament

1949-50    25 – 6  Brighton District Champions               Coach Adolph “Chief” Tenikat 

                            South Central Conference Champs

                             Macoupin County Tourney Champs

                             District Scores

                             Semi-final Beat Brighton 80-36

                             Title Game Beat Shipman 71-45

                             Gillespie Regional Champions

                             1st Rd Beat Litchfield 56-40

                             Semi-final Beat Hillsboro 41-38

                             Title Game Beat Mt. Olive 42-40

                             Centralia Sectional Runner-Up

                             Semi-Final Beat Sparta 44-37

BENLD (44): Tartar 11, Anderson 9, Audi 8, Tillas 6, Contralto 5, Derna 5.

SPARTA (37): Partington 16, Holloway 6, Burns 6, Moffat 5, Ingram 2, Nordberg 2

Title Game lost to Mt. Vernon 55-33

MOUNT VERNON (55): Hooper 19, King 12, Riley 10, Brown 7, Moore 5, Wood 2

BENLD (33): Audi 9, Zerna 7, Tartar 6, Contralto 4, Anderson 3, Tillas 2, Griva 2

Mt. Vernon won IHSA State Championship

                               

1950-51                Medora District Champions                 Coach’s name & record needed 

                             Semi-final Beat Brighton 93-48 

                             Title Game Beat Shipman 62-33

                             Hillsboro Regional Tournament

                             1st Rd lost to Hillsboro 61-59

Gillespie beat Litchfield in title game

1951-52                Brighton District Champions               Coach’s name & record needed 

                             Semi-final Beat Medora 93-67 

                             Title Game Beat Brighton 69-57

                             Gillespie Regional Tournament

                             1st Rd Beat Mt. Olive 54-46

                             Semi-final lost to Gillespie 84-46

Gillespie beat Staunton in title game

1953-54                Medora District Champions                 Coach’s name & record needed

                             Title Game Beat Shipman 86-72

                             Litchfield Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Gillespie 94-55

Litchfield beat Gillespie in title game

Litchfield lost in Sweet 16 Rd of Tournament

**The Benld boys played all comers.  Check out this information from our good friend Mark Jurenga: 

All-time series vs. Collinsville: Collinsville won 8-2

*Collinsville is #2 in IHSA history in wins with 1,939 after the 2006-2007 season.

Benld victories:

12/7/1940 Benld 29 Collinsville 22 (At Benld)

12/14/1943 Benld 29 Collinsville 25 (At Collinsville)

Boys Track & Field

The Benld thinclads also got into the IHSA competition winning business with three District titles of its own!  All three titles came in back to back to back seasons in the early 1940s!  In addition FIVE individuals and one relay team won medals at the IHSA State Meet.

1927-28         ?? Novotny              120 Yard Hurdles           5TH Place

1935-36         ?? Gorino                 Discus                              4TH Place
1938-39          Louis Grabner       Javelin                              4TH Place


1940-41          Team Won the District Championship

                          Individual State Medalists

                          John Lukachik             Shot Put                 5TH Place
RELAY TEAMS              880 Yard Relay     3TH Place

1941-42           Team Won the DIstrict Championship

                           Individual State Medalist

                           Mike Balen                   Shot Put                 3RD Place

1942-43          Team Won the District Championship

1950 South Central Conference Champs
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Courtesy of Darwin Griva

Boys Football

Benld Township High School’s Indians competed in football as well.  We don’t have all of the season records, but the photo to the right was sent to us by Darwin Griva. It is a photo of the South Central Conference Champions of 1950-51.  The team was coached by future Illinois Hall of Famer Adolph “Chief” Tenikat. Coach went on to coach at Gillespie High School.  This team finished the season at 6 – 1 – 2 with the loss coming in the first game of the season.  All-Conference members from this team included Econe, Keppler, Verna, Anderson, and Griva.  Econe was also named to the First Team Little All-State Team and Keppler earned Fourth Team Little All-State Honors!

1945   5-3-1  South Central Conference Champs               Coach Adolph Tennikat

1946   8-1     South Central Conference Champs               Coach Adolph Tennikat

1947   5-4     2nd place South Central Conference                  Coach Adolph Tennikat

1949   5-4     2nd place South Central Conference                  Coach Adolph Tennikat

1950   6-1-2  South Central Conference Champs               Coach Adolph Tennikat

1960   4-3-1  Last team, 3rd place South Central Conference. Coach Auggie Dicenso

Last game was a 21-0 win over Gillespie, the school they would consolidate with the next year.

MEMORIES

**From Ted Chura:

“1.  As told to me by me dad who was a sub:  My dad graduated in 1925.  That year the senior class had extra money in its Treasury.  They sponsored the football team to go to Chicago and play the Chicago city champions.  Everyone thought for sure that we were going to win.  The coach took them out to see Rudolph Valentino.  They stayed at the Drake Hotel and changed clothes in a city park where the game was played.  They got one player to come back to school and join the team because he was still eligible even though he was now 20 years old.  The girls tutored him.  He kicked a field goal on the kick off and that was the only points we made.  I was told the coach had everyone tape their fists.  They threw rocks at the ref.  They were so mad that they lost by only a few points that they stole some of the other guy’s clothes from the Park dressing room.  Joe Saracco, who later became Superintendent of the grade school, was the quarter back and had been knocked unconscious.  They carried him through the lobby of the Drake Hotel, all still in uniform.  My dad said they put lineament all over his body and must have ruined the mattress.

When I was a freshman in 1952 I remember reading a blurb in the St. Louis Post Dispatch that said, “everyone remembers when Benld had its gridiron.”

Joe Saracco was my basketball coach in grade school.  I set an unofficial record that year.  I fouled out in the first 5 minutes.  Don’t know why he left me in.

2.  There used to be huge pictures of each class in the second floor hallway attesting to the excellence in typing and shorthand in the 1940s.  What ever happened to all those pictures?

3.  During the 1952-1953 basketball season I remember seeing Sam Anderson sink a two handed set shot from the center court line right when the buzzer was sounding the end of the fist half and again at the end of the game.

4.  Don’t remember which years but the Benld High School band won the Governor’s trophy 3 years in a row at the State Fair.  The high school band included many grade school players and many in my class joined the high school band for the first time when we were in fourth grade.  The high school only had 104 students but with grade school students playing in the high school band it was a 70 piece marching band.

5.  You can visit the Dorsey family cemetery plot fenced in at the cul-de-sac in the Benld Cemetery.

6.  Superior Coal Company had four mines in the area numbered 1 through 4.  However, “Mine No. 5” was the still in the woods behind the cemetery during prohibition.

7.  Freshman initiation had a long tradition.  It started with football practice before the school year began and lasted all year for the boys.  All freshmen were expected to go out for football.  The practice finally ended around 1953 after things had gotten a little out of hand.

8.  Benld had a very good educational system and about half the class went on to college with many distinguishing themselves.

Because the mines were shutting down and they went to division of work, my family moved to St. Louis where I finished my last two years of high school.”

If You Have Information to Share…

…regarding the many successes and accomplishments of Benld Township High School please write to us at the address provided.  We are especially anxious to share photos of the old high school building and great teams, coaches, and other accomplishments of BTHS.  Photos and information can be e-mailed to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.    60631


Belvidere North and South High Schools

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Old Belvidere North High School

The History of North and South High Schools, Belvidere, Ill.

Belvidere (population 24,593) is the county seat of Boone County, located in northern Illinois about ten miles east of Rockford and 40 miles northwest of the greater Chicago area. Belvidere is home to Belvidere Assembly, long time makers of the Dodge Neon, and is one of the fastest growing cities in Illinois. Today, Belvidere has two high schools; however for a long period of time there was just one – which was formed with the merging of two schools.

First settled in 1835 by John K. Towner, the town achieved ultimate survival with the passing of the State Road between Chicago and Galena one year later. The town was incorporated in 1857.

The town is separated by the Kishwaukee River, north and south. The north side of town was settled first, with the south side developing about twenty years after the town’s incorporation due to the coming of the railroad. The north side laid claim to the first school in Belvidere.

A schoolhouse was built in the north side of Belvidere in 1854. It is believed high school education began in the 1860s under the direction of Henry J. Sherrill, according to the 1877 History of Boone County.

In 1874, with the growth of the south part of Belvidere, a school was built already containing a high school curriculum.

These two high schools survived on their own until no later than 1912, when a single high school was organized. (The consolidation is similar to Batavia East and West high schools, also listed on this site.)

Belvidere North and South High Schools – Quick Facts:

Year North side school opened:         1854

Year South side school opened:        1874

Consolidated:                                     Between 1909-1912

School Nickname:                              Unknown for both

School Colors:                                    Unknown for both

School Song:                                      Unknown if existent for both

Athletics

We have no current evidence, but we do believe that the high schools of North Belvidere and South Belvidere offered basketball or football for the boys.  Each probably offered baseball as well. The two schools may have combined programs prior to merging as “Union” programs.

Extra-Curricular Activities

If you have any information on the activities offered at North and South Belvidere High Schools please do not hesitate to contact us.

Would You Like To Share Information On This Page?

You can contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You may also mail items to us at:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.   60631

Belleville Holy Spirit Ursuline Aspirancy High School

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Belleville Holy Spirit Ursuline Aspirancy School
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Ursuline Convent Had 6 Bldgs. Corner of Lebanon & Douglas Streets, This Building Held H.S. Classes

The History of Belleville Holy Spirit Ursuline Aspirancy High School

Belleville (population 41,410) is located in southeastern Illinois about 12 miles southeast of East St. Louis in the center of St. Clair County.  The Illinois Routes of 13, 15, 158, 159, and 161 all pass through the town of Belleville. Interstate Highway 64 passes to the north of town.The Norfolk Southern and Illinois Central Gulf are two of the railroads that pass through Belleville. The Richland Creek flows through town as well.

According to the Wikipedia web address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belleville,_Illinois, Belleville is the county seat of St. Clair County.  Belleville (French for “beautiul city”) was founded by George Blair in 1814. Belleville was incorporated as a village in 1819 and as a city in 1850. An excellent historical timeline regarding Belleville can be viewed at http://bellevilleillinois.homestead.com/history.html.

Avid historian, Michael M., provided the following information on Belleville Holy Spirit Ursuline Aspirancy High School:

“The presence of Holy Spirit Ursuline Aspirancy High School in Belleville, Illinois, from 1949 to 1966, went largely unnoticed by many, yet it equipped its students with a solid education and moral formation that would serve them throughout life.  In many cases, it also established bonds of friendship that would endure for a lifetime.

Located at 1026 N. Douglas, Holy Spirit was a convent aspirancy for high school girls who wished to become members of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Calvary, a German-based international Order of nun-educators.  The Douglas Hill location also served as this Order’s American motherhouse.  Since the aspirants (students), being of high school age, were actually too young become nuns, they would reside in a section of the convent complex assigned to them during the school term and return to their families for weekends and vacation periods.

The Ursuline Sisters operated several other schools in the area, including the Catholic parish schools of Queen of Peace, Belleville; St. Henry, East St. Louis; St. Regis, East St. Louis; and the parish schools in the nearby Illinois towns of Millstadt, Mascoutah, Fairmont City, Mounds and Bonnots Mill, Missouri.  They also taught at several grade and high schools in North Dakota.  In addition, Sisters of this Order were on the faculties of Cathedral Boys High School in Belleville and later at Althoff High School (when it replaced Cathedral Boys High) and for a short time at Mater Dei High School, Breese.

Despite all of this academic expertise and the sophisticated credentials of the Ursuline nuns who taught at the Aspirancy, the convent never sought to establish Holy Spirit Aspirancy as an independent high school in its own right.  At the official level, the Aspirancy was recognized as an extension campus of Notre Dame Academy, a girls’ Catholic high on the west side of Belleville operated by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.  This was a fine example of the collaboration that existed between the various Orders of nuns at that time.

Because the enrollment was always small, the faculty was never large, and even included some Sisters who were able to teach a course or two while engaged in other assignments.  Among the various Sisters who taught at the Aspirancy during the years of its existence, perhaps those most readily identified with it were Sister Emily, Sister Clementia, Sister Mary Rose, Sister Angelita, Sister Marie, Sister Anne Marie, Sister Marie Therese, Sister Donna Marie, and Sister Mariella.  The Aspirancy closed in 1966 and in 2005 the Belleville Ursuline Sisters’ Congregation merged into the larger congregation of Ursuline Sisters of Mt. St. Joseph, Kentucky.  The former convent complex on Douglas is now for sale.”

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These two nuns (pictured above) served as the Mother Superior of the American Branch of the Ursuline Order during the years that the Aspirancy was in operation.  Left, Mother Mary Barbara (who was later known as Sister Estelle Jacoby) was the Superior when the Aspirancy was opened. After many years in that position, after a short interim period, she resumed office and ultimately, closed the Aspirancy.  Right, Mother Mary Constance (later, Sister Mary Constance) served as the Mother Superior during the interim between Mother Mary Barbara’s two mandates in office.

Most of the Ursuline Sisters who were associated with the Holy Spirit Aspirancy are deceased, and one of the last of them, Loreen Dufner Kiskila (known in the Convent as Sister Mary Rose) died on October 23, 2024. After several years at the Motherhouse in charge of the Aspirants and later, as Mistress of Novices, Sister Mary Rose also taught at Queen of Peace in Belleville, where she was Principal, and Saint James, Millstadt. After leaving the convent in 1971, she married Mike Kiskila and was a mother and grandmother. They made their home in San Jose, California. May she rest in peace.”

Excellent job Michael!!

Holy Spirit Ursuline Aspirancy High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                   1949

Year closed:                    1966

Sports likely not offered

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Sister Mary Agnes
Regarding Sister Mary Agnes (photo on the right), though not a teaching Sister, Sister Mary Agnes baked, maintained the convent grounds and was beloved by everyone at Holy Spirit Convent back in the day.  She is pictured here wearing a crown of flowers on top of her veil because it is her silver jubilee (25th anniversary) of being a  nun.

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Need Your Assistance

If you have any further information you wish to add regarding the educational history of Holy Spirit Ursuline Aspirancy High School please forward it to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  We are especially interested in a photo of the original high school building.
      


Belleville St. Henry’s Preparatory Seminary “Eagles”

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Belleville St. Henry Preparatory Seminary School
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http://www.sthenrys.org/

The History of Belleville St. Henry Preparatory Seminary

Belleville (population 41,410) is located in southeastern Illinois about 12 miles southeast of East St. Louis in the center of St. Clair County.  The Illinois Routes of 13, 15, 158, 159, and 161 all pass through the town of Belleville. Interstate Highway 64 passes to the north of town.The Norfolk Southern and Illinois Central Gulf are two of the railroads that pass through Belleville. The Richland Creek flows through town as well.

According to the Wikipedia web address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belleville,_Illinois, Belleville is the county seat of St. Clair County.  Belleville (French for “beautiul city”) was founded by George Blair in 1814. Belleville was incorporated as a village in 1819 and as a city in 1850. An excellent historical timeline regarding Belleville can be viewed at http://bellevilleillinois.homestead.com/history.html.

A brief history of the St. Henry parish and school system has been attained by our good friend Mark Jurenga.  St. Henry’s Preparatory Seminary was originally supported by Bishop Althoff (namesake of the current Belleville Catholic HS). It appears peak enrollment at the school reached 225.

St. Henry’s began as a college for candidates for the priesthood on October 4, 1926. Sometime after that the high school level came about. They eventually closed the college and those high school students who wanted to continue went to Lewis College in Romeoville.

During World War II, St. Henry’s had two graduates who were missionary priests who were beheaded in the Phillippines as officers in the United States military. They had a priest, Fr. Paul Schulte, OMI who was confined to St. Henry’s by order of the FBI due to his German birth. Also classes for the college students were held all summer long to keep the seminarians from being drafted.

St. Henry’s was closed in June of 1984 with an enrollment of 67 students.

A short and excellent history of the school can be found at the website located at the following web address:  http://www.sthenrys.org/

Maurice (Micky) Lee (Class of 1966) tells us the college portion closed before he began attending the high school.

“I entered St. Henry as a high school freshman in the summer of 1962 and graduated in the spring of 1966.  (I do not  recall) college there the entire time I was there. It was only a high school.”

Paul Bauer, St. Henry class of 1962, attended college class at St. Henry during the 1962-63 school year. He attended St. Louis University after his first year was completed at St. Henry’s.

Brother Tom Ruhmann OMI (Class of 1967) advises that the college classes were discontinued after the 1964-65 school year ended.

The kids who may have attended St. Henry’s Prep now have the option to attend Althoff High School in Belleville for their Catholic education.

St. Henry’s High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                     late 1920s

Year Seminary Prep HS closed:   1984

Grade school closed:                      2005

St. Henry team nickname:               “Eagles”

St. Henry team colors:                     Blue & White

School Fight Song:                           “Fight, Eagles, Fight!”

Supplied by Michael J. L’Abbe

Music: Traditional arranged by Fr. John Edward Thomas Pylazinski, OMI

Lyrics:  Bill Burke and Mike L’Abbe, Class of 69

Fight, Eagles, Fight til the end.

FIght, Eagles!  Fight til we win!

Fight Eagles!

Let ’em feel our weight, …oh…

Let them know that we’re great,

That we’re no second rate.

Fight, Eagles, Fight til the end.

Fight, Eagles!  Fight til we win!

FIGHT for our colors: [shout] BLUE AND WHITE!

Eagles to Victory!
ATHLETICS

We believe that Belleville St. Henry competed in the boys sports of basketball, baseball, track, and soccer among others.  Some sports according to “The Gleeman” Select editions archived online can be found at http://sthenrys8m.com We know the school acheived its greatest IHSA success (www.ihsa.org) in the Speech and Drama departments.  St. Henry High School team fight song, team records, coach’s names, and other accomplishments are items we are seeking.

Former Coach and Class of 1967 graduate Dale Anderson provided the following information regarding St. Henry’s athletic program:

“After college I returned to St. Henrys and taught and coached for 4 years. St. Henrys did not have a track team, but did have a cross country team. We did play basketball, baseball, and soccer in leagues, with baseball and basketball in the IHSA Chartres Conference. Soccer was played in a Metro League before it became big in the IHSA.”

BASEBALL

Baseball was a popular sport at the school. Despite the size of the school they took on any and all comers. Large schools include Belleville (East), Belleville (West), Belleville (Althoff), Mascoutah, Breese (Mater Dei), East St. Louis (Lincoln) etc. The squad was large enough to play JV games and also competed during the fall as well as during the spring.

Year       Record            Coach

1949-50      10-2              Fr. Baldus

1966-67       4-9*              Mr. Patrick “Coach” Keefe

1967-68      ???               Mr. Patrick “Coach” Keefe

Chartres Conference champions (spring season)

Pitcher Ken Haselhorst had the following three game stretch (all victories for St. H)

A no-hitter vs. Coulterville

A five-hitter vs. Mascoutah

A one-hitter vs. Alton (Marquette)

During the fall season of this school year, the team went 9-2.

1968-69       5-5*               Mr. Patrick “Coach” Keefe

Pitcher Louis Sondag threw a no-hitter vs. Coulterville (a 15-0 win).

1969-70      10-11*             Mr. Patrick “Coach” Keefe

*Indicates partial record

1970-72                              Mr. Patrick “Coach” Keefe

1972-73                              Coach Dale Anderson

Belleville St. Henry Prep HS Baseball 1972-73
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Provided by Dale Anderson – Left Click on Photo for larger view.

1973-74                              Coach Dale Anderson

Belleville St. Henry Baseball 1973-74
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Provided by Dale Anderson – Left Click on photo for larger view.

1974-75                              Coach Dale Anderson

Belleville St. Henry Baseball 1974-75
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Provided by Dale Anderson – Left Click on photo for larger view.

BASKETBALL

The Eagles had some real nice seasons, many under the leadership of long-time head coach Patrick Keefe. None may have been better than the winter of 1971-72.  The hardwood court men finished that season as Chatres Conference Champs with a final record of 21 – 5!  Former player on that team, Kevin Lloyd, had this to add about that magical season and his four years at St. Henry Prep:

“The school played in the Chatres Conference. Our colors were blue and white and Pat Keefe was head basketball and baseball coach through the 71-72 season. After that his brother Rick Keefe took over as head coach of both operations. Our best season in Basketball was by far the 71-72 season. We finished 21-5 and were conference champions and our star player John Strubberg was an ALL-State selection for Class ‘A’. Also in the 73-74 season we were co-champs of the conference with Valmeyer and Don Rousseau and I were 1st team conference All-Stars.”

1966-67      6-12                                                             Coach – Mr. Patrick Keefe

1967-68    10-12                                                             Coach – Mr. Patrick Keefe

1968-71                                                                           Coach – Mr. Patrick Keefe

1971-72     21-5      Chatres Conference Champs        Coach – Mr. Patrick Keefe

1972-73      5-18                                                             Coach – Mr. Patrick Keefe

1973-74                  Chatres Conference Co-Champs   Coach – Mr. Rick Keefe

Belleville St. Henry’s Prep Basketball Team 1973-7
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Submitted by Dale Anderson – Left Click on Photo for larger view

Soccer

1967-68     3-6-2

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Speech Individual Events Competition

This is the sole claim to IHSA hardware made by St. Henry High School.  Five individuals brought home medals in IHSA competition.  In team competition St. Henry won a Regional title after placing EIGHTH in State Competition in 1981-82!!   

1973-74      Kevin Lloyd                  Dram Duet            6TH Place

                  Don Rousseau              Dram Duet            6TH Place

1974-75      ?? Crovetta                   Humor Duet          6TH Place

                  ?? Fieser                      Humor Duet          6TH Place

1981-82      Team Finished EIGHTH in STATE Competition!!

                  Individual Medalist

                  Mark Puente            Dram Interp          3RD Place
Orig Oratory         4TH Place

                  Final Team Standings

1)  Wheaton (Central)                              24

2)  South Holland (Thornwood)                 19

3)  Downers Grove (South)                       14

4)  Pekin                                                  9

5)  Arlington Heights (Forest View)             8

5)  Des Plaines (Maine West)                    8

5)  Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)                  8

                  8)  BELLEVILLE ST. HENRY HS               7

                  8)  Richton Park (Rich South)                    7

10)  Peoria (Richwoods)                              6

1982-83      Regional Champions

**Michael L’Abbe tells us two of the speech/drama coaches at St. Henry’s were Father Robert “Pop” Eimer, OMI, and Father Roger Schoenhofen, OMI.

**From Mark Beuligmann, Class of 1967  :

It was in my senior year at St. Henry’s (1967) that Fr. Donovan asked me to record a speech I had written for the Veterans of Foreign Wars “Voice of Democracy” contest. It was a five-minute recording that took an entire Sunday afternoon to get just right on a reel-to-reel tape recording machine. The school bell kept ringing at just the wrong moment, ruining the recording.

My recording won at the local and district levels, and I joined 16 other district winners for a tour of historical sites in Springfield, Illinois. I was in the group photo taken with then Secretary of State, Paul Powell. I still have the two medals I won and a very yellowed newspaper clipping of the story.

That same year, Fr. Donovan announced in a speech class that we would compete with about half a dozen other high schools in a speech meet coming up in two months. We thought he had come off the rails. Not only was that a short time to prepare, we had no speech team! The other schools had been in competitions for years. The short story is that St. Henry’s came home triumphant. We had earned two “Superior” awards at the meet. No other school matched that. I earned the Superior award in radio speaking, and, if memory serves, classmate David Hartman won the other top award, though I do not recall the category. (Please correct me if it was someone else.) I still remember the victory announcement being made in the dining hall.”

FAMOUS ALUMNI

Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop Of Chicago – was a Belleville St. Henry Prep alum.

MEMORIES of ST. HENRY

**From Maurice (Micky) Lee (Class of 1966):

“Prior to the College and High School I heard anecdotally that the grounds themselves and the old, large red brick building we called “the A building” had been a horse race track whose centerfield was the lake.  St. Louisans used do come out by horse drawn wagons for a day at the track.  The A building had been a hotel for those who wished to stay for days on end.  Another story was that the lake was created when that land had been either a quarry or a mine.  If it had been a mine, I have no idea what was being mined.  Coal comes to mind, but I really don’t know.  What may have been the final nail on the HS Seminary’s coffin was the condemnation of the old A building.  It was falling apart and dangerous.  Some priests at their retirement home may have been there in ’84 when it closed.

So, the land had served as a mine, a horse track, and a Catholic Seminary.  The grounds are beautiful.”

**From Brother Tom Ruhmann OMI (Class of 1967):

“There was never a st Henry’s football team but soccer was started during the 66-67 year. The first year was non conference play and we had 2 teams playing in a local league.  One team was predominately seniors, the other juniors. The junior team took First place and the seniors took second (determined by an ot shoot off.) Fr John Alteir OMI was the coach for both teams.

In 1967 there were 42 students who graduated in that year. Total enrollment that year was around 250.”

HELP US IF YOU CAN

There is a ton of information we are missing.  There are also many accomplishments which should be remembered and documented.  If you have any information, including a photo of the high school building, please forward it to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il    60631


Belleville Academy of Notre Dame High School

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
BELLEVILLE ACADEMY OF NOTRE DAME / SUBMITTED BY CHERYL PENCE
Belleville Academy of Notre Dame High School
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http://bellevilleillinois.homestead.com/schools2.html

The History of Belleville Academy of Notre Dame High School

Belleville (population 41,410) is located in southeastern Illinois about 12 miles southeast of East St. Louis in the center of St. Clair County.  The Illinois Routes of 13, 15, 158, 159, and 161 all pass through the town of Belleville. Interstate Highway 64 passes to the north of town.The Norfolk Southern and Illinois Central Gulf are two of the railroads that pass through Belleville. The Richland Creek flows through town as well.

According to the Wikipedia web address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belleville,_Illinois, Belleville is the county seat of St. Clair County.  Belleville (French for “beautiul city”) was founded by George Blair in 1814. Belleville was incorporated as a village in 1819 and as a city in 1850. An excellent historical timeline regarding Belleville can be viewed at http://bellevilleillinois.homestead.com/history.html.

The residents of Belleville have provided educational opportunities for their children from a very early time in the town’s history.  Along with the public school system was a high-quality parochial school system which still exists today.  In the early days the Belleville archdiocese provided high schools for both the girls and boys.  The boys school was named Cathedral High School while the girls attended Academy of Notre Dame High School.

Academy of Notre Dame
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Submitted by Pat Baeske

Academy of Notre Dame High School served the catholic families of Belleville for many decades, getting its start in 1859.  Notre Dame was operated by the “School Sisters of Notre Dame”, Catholic nuns who cared about providing a catholic education for the girls of Belleville.  It was in 1972 when it was decided close Notre Dame with girls have the opportunity to attend nearby Althoff, a co-educational Catholic high school which opened in 1964.

Althoff is still in existence today and is running quite strongly. The fate of the Academy of Notre Dame High School building was provided to us by Pat Baeske:

“The school was torn down after it closed in 1972 because of mine subsidence — it was falling into a huge hole from mining below it.  It was necessary to build Althoff High School because the Academy of Notre Dame was no longer a safe structure and Cathedral High School (the all-boys Catholic high school) was getting old, too.  So one new co-ed Catholic high school was built to replace both.”

.  The photo at the top of the page was found at the web address of http://bellevilleillinois.homestead.com/schools2.html.

An excellent website and source of information on Academy of Notre Dame HS in Belleville is located at the following web address:

http://www.marilynkinsella.org/Notre%20Dame/Notre%20Dame%20Index.htm .  The website provides an excellent account of the history of the Academy of Notre Dame.  Sincere gratitude goes out to Marilyn Kinsella for providing us with this link!

Belleville Academy of Notre Dame High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                        1859

Year closed:                         1972

Consolidated to:                    Althoff High School

School Motto:                       “Dare to be Different”

School Spirit Song:                Academy of  Notre Dame School Song

                                                           Submitted by PAT BAESKE

Academy of Notre Dame

Our grateful love we bring.

But first of all, to Mary dear

The Mother of our King.

All Hail.  All Hail.

The days we spent at Notre Dame

All Hail.  All Hail.

Our memories e’er acclaim.

A school of Our Lady fair

We sing your praises true.

Devotion and fealty

Will be our gift to you.

All Hail.   All Hail.

Our colors blue and snowy white

All Hail.  All Hail.

Our hope, our pure delight.

O noble classmates brave and true

Obedient to each rule.

How beautiful, but dutiful

The royal road of truth.

All Hail.  All Hail.

Our motto and our surest goal

All Hail.  All Hail.

“Dare be different,” is our rule.

Notre Dame, we love you!

Seeking Information on Academy of Notre Dame High School for Girls

This is the extent of information we currently have regarding the proud history of Belleville’s former Academy of Notre Dame High School for girls.  We are confident there were many activities offered for the girls who attended school there.  Band, chorus, FHA, GAA, and likely MANY other activities were once part of the curriculum for girls who attended the Academy.  The building itself appears to have stood majestically, and possibly still does.  We are also certain the Academy produced many great alumna as well.

If you have ANY information you can share with us regarding the history of the Academy Notre Dame High School please contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. Any information you wish to see shared on this site will be added.  You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illiniois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.  60631 

Academy of Notre Dame Class of 1960
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Submitted by Pat Baeske
 
 
 
 

Belleville Cathedral High School “Crusaders”

Posted on by davenanninga in Uncategorized
Belleville Cathedral High School
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Submitted by Dennis Downey

The History of Belleville Cathedral High School

Belleville (population 41,410) is located in southeastern Illinois about 12 miles southeast of East St. Louis in the center of St. Clair County. The Illinois Routes of 13, 15, 158, 159, and 161 all pass through the town of Belleville. Interstate Highway 64 passes to the north of town.The Norfolk Southern and Illinois Central Gulf are two of the railroads that pass through Belleville. The Richland Creek flows through town as well.

According to the Wikipedia web address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belleville,_Illinois, Belleville is the county seat of St. Clair County. Belleville (French for “beautiful city”) was founded by George Blair in 1814. Belleville was incorporated as a village in 1819 and as a city in 1850. An excellent historical timeline regarding Belleville can be viewed at http://bellevilleillinois.homestead.com/history.html.

The city of Belleville has a very log history of providing quality education to its children. This includes the offering of a Catholic school education very early on. The Belleville archdiocese began a Catholic school for boys and a catholic school for girls quite probably in the late 1800s, possibly in the early 1900s. The boys high school was known as Belleville Cathedral.

Belleville Cathedral High School served the community for several decades. We know through an article in the Belleville News-Democrat newspaper (http://www.bnd.com/news/local/story/601729.html) that Cathedral High School was in existence from 1922 through 1964. It was in the early part of the 1960s that the archdiocese began making plans for combining the boys school of Cathedral with the all-girls school of Notre Dame. This plan was finalized in 1964 with the creation of Althoff High School, a co-ed catholic high school.

Belleville Cathedral was closed as was Notre Dame. The fate of the original Belleville Cathedral school building has turned out badly. Kent Agne tells us via the above mentioned newspaper article the Cathedral High School building has been razed.

Belleville Cathedral High School Quick Facts

Year GS opened:                     1898

Year HS opened:                     1922

Year closed:                            1964

Consolidated to:                       Belleville Althoff HS

Cathedral HS team nickname:   the “Crusaders”

Cathedral HS team colors:        Blue & Gold

School Fight Song:                   Composed by band teacher Brother Mertens.

(Original tune & lyrics / Now Utilized by Althoff High School)

Thank you to Bill Hausmann for this information.

Belleville Cathedral Fight Song
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Submitted by Bill Housmann
AthleticsBelleville Cathedral definitely competed in boys basketball. It is likely that baseball, track, and football were offered as well. If you have ANY information on these sports please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. We are also interested int he “quick facts” portion of this page. What was Cathedral’s team school fight song? What were the coach’s names and great accomplishments? Please contact us if you have this information and would like to share it on this page.

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BASKETBALL

The Cathedral High School basketball program had some real nice seasons though they never brought home any IHSA hardware. The competition in the Belleville area is fierce and we are sure it was difficult to get through the Regional there. However, there were several memorable seasons for the Cathedral alum to be proud of. The folllowing list was located on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org).

1932-33   18 – 5

1933-34                       Coach Alphonse Scherer

1934-35   18 – 9            Coach Alphonse Scherer

1935-36   12 – 10          Coach Alphonse Scherer

1936-37   15 – 7            Coach Alphonse Scherer

1937-38                       Coach Bob Schmidt [partial] / Coach Edward Dunne [partial]

1938-39   20 – 6            Coach William Siemer

1939-40                       Coach Rothermich

1940-41                       Coach Henry Heideman

1941-42                       Coach Leo Wagner

1942-43                       Coach Alphonse Scherer

1943-44   14 – 11          Coach Albert Stein

1944-45   14 – 9            Coach Albert Stein

1945-46                       Coach Martin McMurtrey

1946-47   16 – 10          Coach Martin McMurtrey

1947-49                       Coach Martin McMurtrey

1949-53                       Coach Francis Haug

1953-54                       Coach Dan Crogham

1954-55   13 – 11          Coach Francis Haug

1955-56   16 –  8           Coach Francis Haug

1956-57   14 – 11          Coach Adrian Jansen

1957-58   20 – 7            Coach Adrian Jansen

1958-59   21 – 5            Coach Adrian Jansen

1959-60   23 – 5            Coach Adrian Jansen

1960-61   16 – 11          Coach Adrian Jansen

1961-62   16 – 8            Coach Adrian Jansen

1962-63   17 – 7            Coach Adrian Jansen

1963-64                       Coach Adrian Jansen

School’s Last Season as Belleville Cathedral was 1963-64.

Coach Adrian Jansen saw to it that the school went out on a very high note. In Jansen’s eight seasons at Cathedral the school had an overall record of of 136-39, a .663 winning percentage! This included three straight twenty-plus games won seasons from 1957-58 through 1959-60.

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BOYS GOLF

One linkster brought home a top-ten individual medal from the State Golf Tournament. Robert Kosar earned a SEVENTH Place finish in the individual standings in 1947!

1947           Robert Kosar          7TH Place

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FOOTBALL

The Crusaders won several conference titles in the St. Louis Catholic League, five of them in the late-1940’s. Cathedral took on the likes of Alton Marquette, St. Louis St. Joseph, St. Louis Chaminade, and Kirkwood Coyle in league action.

From former student Dennis Stockley:

During the ’62-’63 school year the Varsity Football Team, under head coach Max Hamilton, racked up an impressive record of 9-1. The only loss being to BTHS.  As a side note, the assistant coach that year was Glennon Schott whom I believe is currently head coach at Althoff. I believe it was his first year at the school.

In the final season (’63-’64) Coach Hamilton lead the Crusaders to an 8 – 2 season with losses to Assumption and again BTHS.

1945             Catholic League Champs

Comes from behind to defeat cross-town rival Belleville High (first time in 19 years)

1946             Catholic League Champs

1947             Catholic League Champs

1948             Catholic League Champs

1949             Catholic League Champs

1962   9 – 1                                            Coach Max Hamilton

1963   8 – 2    (Final Season)                   Coach Max Hamilton

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Alumni Great

From the Belleville News-Democrat (http://www.bnd.com/news/local/story/239219.html), an article about Henry Eversmann WWII veteran from Belleville (Cathedral). Thank you to Mark Jurenga for this great find.

Henry Eversmann

*Served in World War II; United States Army, 36th Infantry Division.

*Advanced to Corporal.

*Earned Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

*Campaigns include: Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France

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MEMORIES

**From Dennis R Stockley, Althoff Class of ’66

“Just to give you a bit more info about the school. It was staffed by the Brothers of Mary for, I believe, 59 years according to the CRUSADER ’64, the yearbook for the schools final year. It also has a Class of 1911, Class of 1912 and Class of 1964 on the inside front cover page. The principal that final year was Brother Francis Haug S.M. and the vice-principal was Brother Thomas Egolf S.M…….the old Cathedral High School building had a bowling alley in the basement.  I think it was only two or possibly four lanes. It used pin boys since it predated automatic pin setters.

I graduated from Althoff in 1966 attending Cathedral my Freshman and Sophomore years.”

**From Gary N, Helfrich (Cathedral Class of 1964):

“Reading your article on my high school, I’d just like to add that Cathedral High School did indeed have a bowling alley in the basement. It had four lanes and my brother and I set pins there for two years. My Junior and Senior years. I also remember a cigarette machine was in the basement’s hallway. You would not see that today. I was sorry to see the school building torn down two or three years ago.”

**From Joanetta Mondino Wood:
 
“I can add that I am certain that baseball was offered in the 1930’s as my Dad, Joe Mondino, was the coach during a portion of the decade.  He and my Mom moved there in 1930 or 1931 and moved to Centralia sometime before 1940. I have at least one photo of him with the team that I can retrieve if it would be of interest.” (See Photo Below)

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BELLEVILLE CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM 1930s – COACH JOE MONDINO STANDING ON THE RIGHT IN SUIT AND TIE / SUBMITTED BY JOANETTA MONDINO WOOD