Illinois High School Glory Days

Bath Balyki High School “Thunderbirds”

Posted on February 28, 2022April 20, 2026 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Bath Balyki High School (side view)

Home of the Thunderbirds

The History of Balyki High School

Bath (population 310) is a small town located on the banks of the East Branch of the Illinois River. The town is situated on the western edge of Mason County on Il. Rt. 78, approximately 9 miles south of Havana.

There is limited information available on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) regarding the high school. There is listed a Bath-Lynchburg High School and a Bath Balyki High School under Boys Basketball. Lynchburg is a township around Bath and Kilbourne is a town near Bath. Hence, the name Balyki comes from BAth + LYnchburg + Kilbourne.

The school faired quite well in boys’ basketball. The last season listed on the IHSA web site is for girls volleyball covering the 1987-88 season. Bath Balyki HS was deactivated in 1992. Former Balyki School Board member Doug Blessman tells us the following about the end of Balyki High School:

“I was Vice President of the Balyki School Board and the closing date was June 30,1992. The school board met sometime around the 30th of June 1992, and as no new or old business was presented a motion was made to sign and die, and that concluded all school activity. In December the Board presented a motion to stop all athletic competition between Havana and Balyki for the 1991-1992 year.Several things were done to make the transition as smooth as possible,including all Balyki students (except seniors) were transported to their new school. At arrival each student was greeted by an Havana student of the same class,these mentors were to take the Balyki student to all their classes and to show them where classrooms, restrooms, offices, and everywhere they needed to go. I would go to the high school Principal,Mr.Emme every fall for 5 years to check on the Balyki student’s progress. Mr Emme told me that the Balyki students had acclimated very well and that there was no fighting that was feared by some people of the Balyki school district.”

The students from Bath are now attending the Havana school system.

Two great website addresses helping keep the Thunderbird Spirit alive can be viewed at:

http://www.geocities.com/balyki.geo/highschool.html and

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/balykialumni/

The pages were developed alumnus Kenny Crookes, a great fan of the Glory Days site. These pages are fun to read with some classic photos from the “glory days” of Bath Balyki High School!

If you have any further information regarding Bath Balyki HS, please complete a school submission form.

Balyki High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1954

Year closed: 1992

School nickname: Thunderbirds

School colors: Blue, Silver, and White

School building: Severely Damaged By Storm in 2026, No Longer Salvageable.

School Fight Song: “Cheer, Cheer, for Ole Balyki”

Notre Dame University Fight Song tune –

Thank you to Angie Haarman for the lyrics.

Cheer, Cheer for Old Balyki…
Our team will never, ever say die,
Boys are Loyal, girls are too,
They’ll fight to win for the white and blue

They’ll make some baskets, they’ll raise the score…
They’ll buckle down and bring in some more…
Victory for the Thunderbirds,
They’re winning again tonight…

B – B – BAL Y – Y – YKI

BAL YKI

BALYKI !!!!!!!

Welcome to the Thunderbirds Gymnasium

GOOOOOOOOOO T-Birds!!!!

Thunderbird Mascot

A picture containing text, cat, standing, gray

Description automatically generated

Balyki High School

Athletics

The Thunderbirds were forces to be reckoned with in boys’ basketball all the way to the end of the Balyki H.S. existence. The boys’ basketball teams won 1 District title and 2 Regional titles, the last one coming during the 1985-86 season. We are told there were some classic battles on the hardwood between Bath Balyki and Havana prior to their merger. Their best seasons as can be researched are listed below.

We are also told that the Balyki High School building in Bath (pictured at the top of this page) housed its gymnasium on the second floor. The gym was said to be quaint but sturdy. This gym was later converted to other uses for the school when the new “Thunderdome” gymnasium was built.

The “Green Duck Trophy”

A picture containing text

Description automatically generated

Submitted by Ted Connolly –

As the Bath Balyki HS “Thunderbirds”

1955-56 5-17 Coach Ernest Oest

1954-55 6-18 Coach Ernest Oest

1956-57 10-13 Coach Robert Rees

1957-58 20-8 District Champions Coach Robert Rees

1958-59 16-11 Coach Ed Butkovich

1959-60 15-11 Coach Ed Butkovich

1960-61 5-17 Coach Ed Butkovich

1961-62 7-15 Coach Ed Butkovich

1962-63 8-13 Coach Ed Butkovich

1963-64 3-19 Coach Ed Butkovich

1964-65 9-16 Coach Larry Huber

1965-66 9-12 Coach Larry Huber

1966-67 8-17 Coach Larry Huber

1967-68 7-15 Coach Larry Huber

1968-69 9-14 Coach Larry Huber

1969-70 12-12 Coach Jim Crum

1970-71 11-14 Coach Fred Sherwood

1971-72 17-8 Coach Fred Sherwood

1972-73 20-6 Regional Champions Coach Fred Sherwood

1973-74 2-20 Coach Fred Sherwood

1974-75 13-11 Coach Fred Sherwood

1975-76 10-15 Coach Fred Sherwood

1976-77 9-13 Coach Jim Doolin

1977-78 11-11 Coach Jim Doolin

1978-79 16-11 Coach Jim Doolin

1979-80 12-15 Coach Eric Sarff

1980-81 6-17 Coach Eric Sarff

1981-82 4-20 Coach Eric Sarff

1982-83 9-15 Coach Eric Sarff

1983-84 14-13 Coach Eric Sarff

1984-85 21-7 (nice record) Coach Eric Sarff

1985-86 24-4 Regional Champions Coach Eric Sarff

Sectional Runner-up

1986-87 14-12 Coach Eric Sarff

1987-88 21-5 Mason County Coach Eric Sarff

Tourn. Champs

BALYKI’S LAST COUNTY CHAMPIONS, THE 1987-88 T-BIRDS:

Coach Eric Sarff (who also played at Bath during his high school years, and was one of many Sarff’s who played at the school down through the years) put together a very good basketball squad which had a 21-5 season record. Mike Willing, Alen Dearing, Rich Justice and Scott Friend did the bulk of the scoring. Others who contributed were Brian Carron, Chuck Ranson, Scott Snyder, David Session, Roger Prater, Jason Miller, Bryan Mapes and Shane Richardson.

They took the Mason County tournament with a decisive 73-53 win over San Jose in the semi-final and then edged Manito Forman 61-59 to claim the championship.

Their season ended in the Regional tournament semi-final, losing to Havana 55-45. The Mason County Democrat newspaper wrote a brief description of the Balyki-Havana game which summed up their rivalry: “Havana and Balyki share a long-standing rivalry on the court and the intensity of that relationship showed in the game.”

1988-89 20-7 Coach Eric Sarff

1989-90 12-15 Coach David Kibelkis

1990-91 13-15 Final Season Coach David Kibelkis

FINAL SEASON 1990-91:

Balyki and Havana split two games, ending a basketball rivalry dating back to the 1920’s. Pat Price and Aaron Session both topped the 1000 career scoring mark for coach David Kibelkis. Final record: 13-15.

BATH BALYKI BOYS BASKETBALL RECAP

by Phil Shadid

The Thunderbirds (mostly known in Mason County as the T-Birds) played their final boys basketball game on Feb. 20, 1991. It was a loss to county rival Havana, 74-68, in the semi-final of the Lewistown Regional. Balyki’s scoring for the Havana game: Price 22, Session 22, Atkins 10, Dossett 9, Pratt 5. The last victory for the T-Birds was the day before, when they beat Astoria, 62-55.

The best season in the history of the school was 1985-86 under the coaching of Eric Sarff. The team had a final record of 24-4, won the Havana Regional and was runnerup to Warsaw in the Bushnell-Prairie City Class A Sectional tourney.

Balyki won the New Salem Conference with a perfect 7-0 record, and finished second to Mason City in the annual Mason County tournament. The school’s final County championship occurred in 1932 when they were known as Bath-Lynchburg. (Mason County had eight high schools at one time, but after 1991 it was down to just three, ending a tournament tradition that lasted 71 years. The five schools which went out of existence were Bath Balyki, Easton, Forest City, Kilbourne, San Jose; only Havana, Manito Midwest Central and Mason City Illini Central remain.)

An unusual mark was written in the 1986 Regional as Balyki held all three of their opponents to 64 points each. They beat Bushnell-PC 66-64, beat Lewistown 69-64, and won the tournament over Havana, 68-64. The victory over Havana secured the traveling trophy “Green Duck” which is now on permanent display in the Bath Community Center (see photo on this page). Green Duck history is courtesy of Ted Connolly.

The stars of the 1985-86 team were Mark Clark (who later was a major league pitcher) and Troy Fletcher. Others who played big roles on the team were Don Heye, Tony Hardy, David Lane, Mike Willing, Alan Dearing, Corey Fanter, Mark Fornoff.”

**More from our good friend Phil Shadid:

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

Bath BALYKI won one County Tourney championship, while finishing second 4 other times!!

The ‘Green Duck’ (photo is on the Bath webpage) was a traveling trophy which Mason County high school basketball teams competed for between 1947 and 1989. It was a hand-carved wood decoy donated by the Pekin Daily Times newspaper. The first team to win the duck was Manito, which defeated Forest City on Nov. 14, 1947. Manito could keep the trophy until they were beaten by another Mason County team. So the duck was exchanged a few times in the 1947-48 season and was last won by Havana at the close of the campaign. The following season (1948-49), Manito wound up with the best record in the county (22-3), won the trophy back from Havana, and kept it until the next season.

As teams warmed up prior to the start of a game, the Green Duck was brought out and placed in the middle of the court so that everyone knew what was at stake.

Bath Balyki won the Green Duck in 1988 when it claimed the county championship. However, the next year, the final year of the county tournament, Havana won the championship, but the duck was no where to be found.

Many years later, it was discovered at the Bath community center and is proudly displayed in that building. Some folks in Havana would like to retrieve the duck, but it’s unlikely that Bath will give it up!””

Girls Volleyball

Bath Balyki offered girls’ volleyball and some of the seasons are recorded on the IHSA web site. In fact, the years of 1975-88 are listed on the site. The best record is listed below.

1986-87 14- 7 Coach Dena Lienberger

Balyki’s Own Mark Clark

Submitted by Beau Spencer

Boys Baseball

The Thunderbirds also offered baseball for their students with the earliest game dating back to as far as 1956, when they fell to Lewistown in a close game, 6-5. One of the more famous athletes to grace the field at BBHS was a player named Mark Clark. An excellent ball player, Clark played professional baseball for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals.

As one fan wrote to us:

“I am a 2002 graduate of Lewistown H.S., which is just across the Illinois River from Havana. (Bath) also offered baseball. They had a star player named Mark Clark (who) later went on to play for the Rangers and the Indians. Their school colors were blue and white and they were called the Thunderbirds. Hope this helps.”

Joey M. submitted March 14, 2005

Mark Clark’s Chicago Cubs baseball card is pictured above to the right!!

Girls Basketball

The Lady Thunderbirds played basketball as well. The following records were provided to us by our good friend Phil Shadid.

1979-80 5-7 Coach Stanley Butler

1980-81 7-10 Coach Stanley Butler

Other Sports Offered

Bath Balyki High School probably offered more sports for its students. Cherie Smith (Class of 1987) offered this bit of information:

“I went to Balyki and graduated in 1987. Eric Sarff was the Boys Sports Athletic Director. Dena Leinberger was the Girls Sports coach. We also had a golf team for a little while, the coach was Coach Lounsberry.”

THE FINAL SPORTS CONTESTS

The very last sporting events both occurred on May 14, 1991. The girls softball team lost in the Lewistown Regional and the boys baseball squad were defeated in the Rushville Regional.

On May 24, 1991, eighteens seniors graduated, and the school closed forever.

Great Players

Other great players for Bath Balyki included Jason Miller, Troy Fletcher, Lee Griffin, and Trevor Moore

Great Coaches

*Ed Butkovich – Coached at Balyki in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He went on to have a career record of 628-400 after moving on to Mt. Pulaski.

From Ted Connolly regarding Coach Butkovich:

“Ed was my coach and he was at Balyki from 1959 till 1964. Also I have a story on www.62644.com about the local Green Duck trophy and I have also attached a photo for you. See the story at the following direct links 62644.com Havana, Illinois – Strike Up The Band and Havana News – Topix .”

Memories

Michelle Miller:

“I was there the last year. We were all sad to see it go, …Balyki will forever live in our hearts.”

SPECIAL THANKS:

Goes out to the Village of Bath, Havana Public Library, the A. Lincoln Presidential Library for microfilm records of State Journal-Register (Springfield) and Mason County Democrat (Havana).

Thank you also to Phil Shadid, for his interest in keeping the memories of schools like Bath Balyki alive and well!!

Seeking Further Information

We are seeking information regarding Bath Balyki’s storied past. Please contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, IL 60631

Bath-Balyki High School from the Front

Balyki vs. B.P.C.

1985 Havana Regional

Balyki Vs. Chandlerville 1983-84 Season

At Chandlerville….What a Crowd!!!!

Batchtown High School

Posted on February 28, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Batchtown School Building

Found On Wikipedia – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batchtown,_Illinois

The History of Batchtown High School

Batchtown (population 218) is located in southeastern Illinois in the south central portion of Calhoun County. County Highway 6 (aka Batchtown Road) and the Mississippi River Road lead you to and from Batchtown. The mighty Misissippi RIver flows just to the west of town, while the Illinois River flows about a mile or so to the east. Batchtown is located about 25 miles west, and a little south, of Jerseyville. A brief history of the town is found at the Great River Road web address of http://www.greatriverroad.com/Cities/Batchtown/batchtownCover.htm. It states the following:

“The village was originally named Richwoods, then Sam White’s, before becoming Batchelderville, in honor of William Batchelder, a justice of the peace, merchant, and mill operator. When the post office was established in 1879, the town’s name was changed to Batchtown.

A history of the former schools located in Calhoun County was found at the Rootsweb address of http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ilcalhou/Education/ruralschools.pdf . A brief summary of this article states that Batchtown started a 2-year high school in the early 1920s. Batchtown High School continued to function until the Calhoun School DIstrict was formed for the 1951-52 school year. At this time Batchtown High School students were then bused to the new school’s location near Hardin to complete their high school requirements. Batchtown supported a grade school through at least 1967.

It is possible, according to Kermit Bell as relayed by Mark Heffington, likely had the first tennis court of any school in Calhoun County. The teacher got some of the boys out on a flat spot near the school and the shaved the grass down real low, used hoes to scratch out the boundary lines, and strung a fish net up to play tennis.

This page was made possible through the excellent research once again by Roberta VanBriesen!!

Batchtown High School Quick Facts

Year Opened: early 1920s (2-year HS)

Year Closed: 1951

Consolidated to: Hardin Calhoun High School

Team Nickname: unavailable

Team Colors: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

Athletics

It is not known or clear if Batchtown High School sports were ever offered. Basketball, baseball and track may have been on order for the boys. If you have any information regarding this aspect of Batchtown High School please share it with us.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Other activities of interest may have included dances, plays, band, chorus, and various clubs. If you have any information please contact us via the means listed below.

Seeking Information

If you have any information regarding the former Batchtown High School

please write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us via real mail at:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

East Batavia HS & West Batavia HS

Posted on February 28, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

The History of East Batavia and West Batavia High Schools

Batavia (population 23,866) is located in northeastern Illinois and is a western suburb of Chicago. The town sits in the southeastern portion of Kane County. Illinois Routes 25 and 31 pass through town, connecting it to Interstate Highway 88 just 2 miles to the south. The Fox River also passes through Batavia and was a major influence in the town’s early growth.

According to http://www.cityofbatavia.net/Content/templates/?a=684 , Batavia residents began to organize a form of government in 1850. A Board of Trustees was established in 1856. The first mayor of the town was elected in 1896. The population in 1896 was 1,891.

The Batavia High School website address of http://www.bps101.net/info/1911_consolidation.html states the following (taken from a report on the school completed in 1913) regarding the Batavia School District:

“One of the most marked changes which has taken place in the schools in the past four years is the consolidation of Districts 101 and 102, commonly termed East Batavia and West Batavia, into one district. From September, 1909, to the spring of 1911, one superintendent had charge of both districts, but at the April meeting of the Township School Trustees in 1911, upon a petition of the people of both districts, the schools were united into a new district.

This was in line with steps which have been taken and are being taken by districts all over the country where two or more school districts have existed in one municipality. Among other noticeable effects is the increase of the high school enrollment from one hundred twenty to on hundred eighty-nine, and a corresponding decrease in the per capita cost for high school pupils from fifty-four to fifty-seven dollars down to about forty dollars, while the number of courses offered to students is greater, and the standing of the high school very materially increased as is shown in another connection.

It is not desired at this time to discuss to great length the effects of consolidation, but it has made for economy and increased school spirit throughout the schools.”

More historical information on the Batavia school system can be found at the city’s official website page of http://www.cityofbatavia.net/Content/templates/?a=685 . The original East Side School was razed in 1978, The original West Side School was torn down in 1950

East Batavia & West Batavia High School Quick Facts

Year opened: West Side School – 1867

East Side School – 1893

Year High Schools combined: 1911

Consolidated to: Batavia High School

Schools team nicknames: unavailable

Schools uniform colors: unavailable

Schools fight songs: unavailable

Athletics

We have no current evidence, but we do believe that the high schools of East Batavia and West Batavia offered basketball for the boys. Each probably offered baseball, and possibly track, as well.

The one item that does stick out occurred after the consolidation of both schools into one. In the school’s VERY FIRST year of competing as Batavia High School, the Batavia boys jelled extremely well. How about this for credentials:

Batavia High School’s first team WON THE IHSA STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIP!!! The team of 1911-12 sported an overall recrd of 27 – 2 and beat Galesburg in the championship game 28 – 25. Batavia HS was coached by K.C. Merrick. An interesting note is found in some of the writings we have cited above. The high school student population of Batavia High School in 1912 was approximately 180 students. This is a pretty fantastic feat for such a then-small school!

More Facts & Information on Batavia’s Early High Schools

From George Scheetz, Director of the Batavia Public Library District:

“The two high schools apparently merged their athletic programs in 1909, though there are records of combined (or union) teams prior to this date.

Both high schools offered football. The earliest reference to high school football in Batavia that I have found dates to 1904; football apparently was considered a regular high school sport by 1908.

I have found a score for at least one football game between the two schools; very little documentation on high school athletics in Batavia during this era has survived.

Basketball teams were fielded by both boys and girls (before girls’ interscholastic athletics was banned in Illinois) and I have a reference to a girls’ football team, as well, though this team might have been organized after the two high schools officially merged in 1911.”

**From Linda Hess:

“West Batavia 1907-08 Basketball team played Plano High School. West Batavia won the 1st game 30 to 10; the second I have no results. This information is from Kendall County News microfilm. 1907-08 was the first year Plano HS had a basketball team. (PHS’s very first game was against Wheaton HS- defending state champs).”

Extra-Curricular Activities

If you have any information on the activities offered at East Batavia and West Batavia 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

Basco High School “Bulldogs”

Posted on February 28, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Basco School Building – 2012

Photo By Roberta Van Briesen

Basco Bank Building 2012

A brick building with a white door

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen

The History of Basco High School

Basco (population 99) is located in west-central Illinois in the south-central portion of Hancock County. County Highway 11 is the main roadway to and from Basco. North County Road 1600E also travels through town. According to ‘Mapquest’ Basco is about six blocks from east to west and three blocks from north to south. The town was platted in 1891. Basco is about 5 miles southwest of Carthage.

Further history of the town of Bsco and its former high school is needed. We were made aware of the town once supporting a high school through research by Roberta Van Briesen. On a recent “road trip” through the area Roberta was advised by a local resident that his father had attended high school in Basco. Further research revealed an obituary (http://obituaries.expressionstributes.com/?mobile=15d3213961 ) Mr. LeRoy A. Ufkes, who passed away on October 18, 2011, attended Basco High School for three years (1936-39) before finishing his high school education taking the fourth year at Carthage High School.

Keith Bruns tells us the following regarding Basco High School:

“My records show that a three year high school was started in 1916 with classes being held until 1948 in Basco.”

Most students who graduated from the three-year program at Basco and wanted to continue in high school for a fourth year would attend Carthage High School to do so.

Basco High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1916

Year closed: 1948

Consolidated to: Carthage Hancock Central (Now Illini West)

Basco HS team nickname: “Bulldogs”

Basco HS team colors: ??

Basco HS fight song: ??

Athletics and Extra-Curricular Activities

We believe the Basco High School boys competed in basketball, baseball, and possibly track. We are in need of season records, coaches names, team nickname, uniform colors, and school fight song. It is probable that many other extra-currricular activites were offered as well such as chorus and band. If you have any of this information that you would like to share regarding Basco High School please follow the directions below.

Basketball

The Basco High School boys competed in basketball for certain. The following information about the team of 1929-30 was uncovered through research of the Carthage Republican newspaper by Keith Bruns.

Carthage Republican newspaper April 9, 1930:

A story of Basco High School basketball team honor program. The main speaker was Prof. A. C. Wubbena, basketball coach of Augusta High School. Those receiving letters for one year’s service were: Wendell Caldwell, Hurley Biggs, Albert Tieman, Paul Hopson, and Darrell Lucie. Those receiving letters for two year’s service were: Eugene Crear, Captain, Arthur Collins, and Clarence Summers. The Basco coach was W. R. Holloway.

1929-30 Coach W.R. Holloway

Basco HS Basketball Team of 1930-31

A picture containing text, posing, person, group

Description automatically generated

Submitted by Michael John Neill

**From Michael John Neill regarding the photo above:

“My maternal grandfather attended Basco High School for three years–I’ll have to look and see when he graduated. Like Uncle LeRoy (mentioned on your site) he finished out his last year at Carthage High School.

This picture appears to be from 1930-1931. I think I know which one is my grandfather (John H. Ufkes) but I’m not 100% certain–I’ll let you know. The team name was the Bulldogs.”

Track and Field

The boys competed in track and field as well. The following information was sent to us by Keith Bruns regarding the Basco track program of 1930-31:

Hurley Biggs went to the state district field and track meet at Monmouth and took third place in the high jump.

Another article regarding a track meet held at Basco in 1930 is summarized below by Keith Bruns:

May 3, 1930

Basco High School sponsored a track and field meet in which all five of the three year high schools of Hancock County were entered. The schools were Fountain Green, Ferris, Burnside, West Point, and Basco. West Point won first, Burnside was second, and Basco was third. The article lists the student that won each competition as well as the time or distance. A music and declamation contest was held the same day with the same schools competing. The results were the same as the track meet.

Memories and Facts

Historical research conducted by Keith Bruns has produced the following information regarding Basco High School via the Carthage Republican newspaper::

May 10, 1931

“Basco High School will graduate twelve students. This is the largest class Basco has graduated in four years. The speaker will be Dr. Jacob Diehl, president of Carthage College in Carthage, Illinois.”

If You Have Any Further Information…

…you would like to share regarding the successes and memories made at Basco High School please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also contact us via real mail at:

Illinois Hs Glory Days

6439 N. Neva Av.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Basco Corner Store Building 2012

A picture containing text, sky, building, outdoor

Description automatically generated

Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen

Basco Store Building 2012

A picture containing grass, outdoor, building, house

Description automatically generated

Courtesy of Roberta Van Briesen

Basco Store Front Building 2012

A brick building with windows

Description automatically generated with low confidence

Photo by Roberta Van Briesen

Basco Church Building 2012 (“1884”)

A picture containing grass, outdoor, sky, building

Description automatically generated

Courtesy of Roberta Van Briesen

Basco Masonic Lodge Emblem 2012

A picture containing text, building, brick, building material

Description automatically generated

Courtesy of Roberta Van Briesen

Basco Store Advertisement 2012

A picture containing text, plant, tree

Description automatically generated

Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen

Basco Post Office Building 2012

Photo by Roberta Van Briesen

Barry High School “Tigers”

Posted on February 28, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Barry High School Building

As Viewed at http://www.westerncusd12.org/whs.html

The History of Barry High School

Barry (population 1,368) is located in far western Illinois about 20 miles southeast of Quincy. The town sits in the northwest portion of Pike County along Illinois Route 106 just south of Interstate Highway 72. The Norfolk Southern Railroad passes by Barry about one mile to the northwest. The Mississippi River is located 12 miles west of town.

A nice history of the town of Barry can be read at the web address of http://www.barryil.org/history.htm . The article states, in summary, the following:

Barry was plotted in 1836 and was first known as Worchester. When the town petitioned for a post office in 1839 they were told that there was already a town named Worchester in Illinois. Mary Brown, a well-known citizen of the town, was given the chance to name the town and decided to name it Barre, after her hometown in Vermont. The state clerk, however, recorded the town’s name as Barry and it has stuck ever since.

The history of Barry High School is in need of research. Our guess is that since the town got such an early start, so did the high school. We estimate that high school curriculum for the children of Barry was established by the late 1800s. Barry High School served the community and surrounding farm families through the 20th century and into the 21st. It was in the early 2000s that talks became serious between the school districts of Barry and West Pike, whose high school was located in Kinderhook. After a couple of years of co-oping their sports teams, both school districts agreed to consolidate their resources. This decision was put into effect after the 2006-07 school year.

The new school district was named the Western School District. The high school for the district is located in Barry in the Barry High School facility.

Barry High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s?

Year consolidated: 2007

Consolidated to: (Barry) Western School District (with West Pike HS)

Barry HS team nickname: the “Tigers”

Barry HS uniform colors: Orange & Black

School Fight Song: unavailable

ATHLETICS

Barry High School competed in the boys sports of basketball, track, baseball, and possibly football. The girls competed in basketball, volleyball, track, and possibly softball. We are in need of the Barry High School team uniform colors, school fight song, coach’s names, and season records of the many great Barry teams that graced the high school’s fields and courts.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The most well-covered sport on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) for the Tigers and Tigerettes is the sport of boys basketball. Several nice season records were attained. In the very early years the Tigers made a trip to the ELITE 8 finals before bowing out of the state tournament. The records and coach’s names of the teams listed on the IHSA website are reprinted below.

1918-19 18 – 6 ELITE 8 FINALIST!! Coach M. Warston

District Champions

Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Peoria HS 50 – 15

Peoria HS Placed 3rd

1960-61 12 – 12 Coach Ralph Ginn

1961-62 9 – 15 Coach Bob Moore

1962-63 8 – 13 Coach Bob Moore

1963-64 10 – 14 Coach Wayne Jenkins

1964-65 14 – 10 Coach Bill Hellyer

1965-66 12 – 12 Coach Bill Hellyer

1966-67 15 – 10 Coach Bill Hellyer

1967-68 10 – 12 Coach Gerald Smith

1968-69 25 – 1 Undefeated Regular Season!! Coach Gerald Smith

1969-70 11 – 12 Coach Mike Fray

1970-71 21 – 5 Nice Season! Coach Mike Fray

1971-72 18 – 8 Coach Mike Fray

1972-73 17 – 8 Coach Mike Fray

1973-74 24 – 3 Nice Season! Coach Mike Fray

1974-75 12 – 13 Coach Wayne Lueders

1975-76 9 – 19 Coach Wayne Lueders

1976-77 6 – 19 Coach Wayne Lueders

1977-78 15 – 11 Coach Wayne Lueders

1978-79 19 – 6 Coach Wayne Lueders

1979-80 16 – 10 Coach Bill Jacquot

1980-81 9 – 15 Coach Bill Jacquot

1981-82 8 – 16 Coach Bill Jacquot

1982-83 18 – 8 Coach Bill Jacquot

1983-84 9 – 16 Coach Bill Jacquot

1984-85 2 – 22 Coach Jim Hembree

1985-86 11 – 13 Coach Jim Hembree

1986-87 15 – 10 Coach Jim Hembree

1987-88 11 – 14 Coach Jim Hembree

1988-89 15 – 10 Coach Jim Hembree

1989-90 18 – 10 Coach Jim Hembree

1990-91 Coach Wayne Lueders

1991-92 Coach Wayne Lueders

1992-93 Coach Tim Rhoades

1993-94 Coach Mike Smith

1994-95 Coach Mike Smith

1995-96 Coach Carl Carlson

1996-97 Coach Carl Carlson

1997-98 18 – 10 Coach Carl Carlson

1998-99 22 – 6 Coach Todd Plattner

1997-98 Coach Todd Plattner

1998-99 Coach Todd Plattner

1999-00 Coach Todd Plattner

2000-01 6 – 22 Coach Don Patterson

2004-05 23 – 6 Nice Season! Coach Todd Plattner

2005-06 27 – 5 Regional Champions!! Coach Todd Plattner

*Hall of Fame Coach Bill Homer spent some time in Barry. Coach Homer ended his career in 1997 with 718 wins, good for 10th All-Time in IHSA Boys Basketball history!!

*Coach Mike Fray ended his career at Augusta Southeastern after amassing 305 wins in his career.

*Brian Kendall (Class of 1983), holds several scoring records for the boys basketball program, including most points in a career – 1362.

*Thank you to Matt Knepper (Class of 1999) for contributing to this portion of the BHS page.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Only three years of coverage is available on the Tigerettes basketball exploits. One of those seasons had a real nice season record. If you have any further information on the Barry High School girls athletic program, please contact us so we can add it to this page.

1997-98 Coach Terry Schoppenhorst

1998-99 Coach Terry Schoppenhorst

2001-02 12 – 13 Coach Tj Hoover

2002-03 19 – 11 Coach Tj Hoover

2003-04 8 – 19 Coach Tj Hoover

**From Michelle Brown Garrett (Class of 1998):

“Girls basketball started with my Senior year in 1997. After several years of trying to get in through! We fought pretty hard and finally got it the year I graduated. We had 7 players on the team, so no one got any down time! 🙂 Coach was Terry Schoppenhorst and I believe he coached for 2 years. We had 3 Seniors on the team and the rest were underclassmen…Feels good to know I was on the first Barry High School girls basketball team! Thanks for letting me share!”

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

The Barry HS banner was carried proudly by one individual at the State Meet level in Barry’s storied history. A gentleman by the last name of Herr placed SECOND in the pole vault under the one-class system in 1936!!

1935-36 Herr Pole Vault 2ND Place

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

The IHSA also offers competitions that are not athletically related. One of these competitions is the Indvidual Events competition. Barry High School excelled in at least two years while competing in this state-wide event. A student named Frances Wheelan placed in the top of the “serious” category in 1950 and 1951, being crowned STATE CHAMPION in the later year!!. Frances’ effort earned Barry a top-ten team finish both years!

1949-50 Team Placed NINTH at STATE FINALS!!

Individual Medalist

Frances Wheelan Serious Category 2ND Place!!

Final Team Standings

1) Freeport (H.S.) 14

2) Elgin (H.S.) 9

3) Rock Island (H.S.) 7

4) Evanston (Twp.) 6

4) West Frankfort (Frankfort) 6

6) Peoria (Woodruff) 5

6) Onarga 5

6) Chicago (Phillips) 5

9) Harrisburg 4

9) BARRY 4

1950-51 Team Placed FIFTH at STATE FINALS!!

Individual Medalist

Frances Wheelan Serious Category STATE CHAMPION!!

Final Team Standings

1) Evanston (Twp.) 14

2) LaGrange (Lyons) 10

3) Rock Island (H.S.) 9

4) Galesburg (H.S.) 8

5) BARRY 5

6) Elgin (H.S.) 5

6) Freeport (H.S.) 5

6) Lincoln 5

6) Pekin 5

10) Joliet (Twp.) 4

BASEBALL

The Tigers did compete in baseball as well. Season records and coaches names are needed. We do have this tidbit on an individual who excelled at Barry High School in baskeball:

*Kevin Kendall (Class of 1986) – Holds several stolen base records for the baseball team. In 1986, he set the record for most stolen bases in one season with 55.

WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE

If you have any further information regarding the town of Barry and its former High School please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . A photo of the former high school building and other activities offered at BHS are welcome. You can send items to us via real mail at:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Bardolph Community High School “Wildcats”

Posted on February 28, 2022May 8, 2024 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Bardolph Community High School Building

Photo Taken by Beverly Kepple in 2003

Bardolph Community High School

Constructed 1919

Bardolph High School

A black and white photo of a church

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

1874 – 1920

The History of Bardolph Community High School

Bardolph (population 253) is located in western Illinois in east-central McDonough County. Bardolph sits quietly on E. 1800th Road about 2 miles north of U.S. Route 136, about 5 miles east-northeast of Macomb. The railroad line running through Bardolph was the CB&Q which was merged into the BN and eventually BNSF. The Kepple Creek flows to the south of town. The village was established in 1854 as Randolph after founder William H. Randolph. When it was discovered there was another post office in Illinois named Randolph the name was changed to Bardolph perhaps using the first initial of a family member to replace the initial ‘R’. (Place Names of Illinois by Edward Callary).

The first school in the Bardolph area was a one-room country school built in 1836. It was not until 1854 fhat the town of Bardolph was platted. A new school within the city limits of Bardolph was erected in 1860. The town was actually incorporated in 1869. In 1874 a “new” two story school building was built for the then great sum of $4,500.

Bardolph established a functioning high school in the late 1800s. This school served the community proudly for over seven decades. Bardolph Community High continued in the community through the early 1970s, closing as a high school in 1973.

The original Bardolph Community High School building, pictured above and built in 1919, has been razed.

As Joseph English tells us:

“The high school building in Bardolph has started being torn down around mid-2008 and is still in the process of being demolished. About 5 years ago I think that someone used the gym for an automotive repair garage that went out of business in about 6 months. About a year later a part of the gym caught fire and damage was contained to that area. I work for a company that rents out construction equipment and those that are tearing the school down rented our backhoe. When they brough it back it still had a few of the blocks and concrete from the walls that I decided to keep as treasures.”

Remains of School Building 2012 (Chimney Remains)

A grassy area with trees and a building in the background

Description automatically generated with low confidence

Photo by Roberta Van Briesen

Remaining Building from Bardolph HS – 2012

A house with trees around it

Description automatically generated with low confidence

Photo by Roberta Van Briesen

The Wildcat spirit lives on each summer with an annual reunion held in Macomb. For more interesting reading regarding the history of Bardoph check out the web address of http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofbardolp00epwo#page/85/mode/1up .

An interesting fact about Bardolph High School was sent to us by John Bybee.. Ralph Matheny of Astoria served as the last AG teacher at Bardolph HS. Don Weese was the last Superintendent in 1972, Chris Senn was the Superintendent prior to that.

The kids of Bardolph today attend school in Macomb.

Bardolph Community High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s

Year closed: 1973

Consolidated to: Macomb High School

School nickname: the “Wildcats”

School colors: Blue & Gold

School Fight Song: “Cheer, Cheer for Old Bardolph High”

Bardolph Basketball Team – 1936-37

A group of people posing for a photo

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Athletics

Bardolph Community High School, though probably quite small in enrollment, loomed quite large in sports in the Macomb area in its “hey day”. The Bardolph boys basketball team and boys baseball team both brought home IHSA hardware. It is believed that track for the boys was also offered at the school. It would depend upon which year the school closed, however we are unaware if girls athletics or any other boys sports were offered.

Boys Basketball

A total of six District Titles were won by the Bardolph Wildcats boys basketball team. Unfortunately the team records and coach’s names of these and other great BCHS teams are not available. How about the conference affiliation, great rivalries, and conference championship teams that Bardolph Community High basketball produced? If you have photos or information you wish to share please e-mail them to us.

Bardolph Wildcats 1943-44 District Champs

A group of people posing for a photo

Description automatically generated

Submitted by Roland Smith

1922-23 Coach C.C. McCormick

1923-24 Coach C.C. McCormick

1943-44 16 – 5 District Champions Coach Thornton

Beat Media 31-29

Beat Kirkwood 42-33

Beat Stronghurst 52-46

Regional – Lost to Avon 34-31

1951-52 District Champions

1954-55 District Champions

1956-57 District Champions

1957-58 District Champions

1959-60 District Champions

Great Job Wildcats!!

Members of the 1943-44 Wildcats Pictured above to the right:

Kneeling Front (L-R): M. Hunter, B. Jones (Cheerleader)

Front Row (L-R): L. Switzer, R. Hunter, Roland Smith, D. Harris, D. Landis, R. Thorman, and E. LeMaster (Cheerleader)

Back Row (L-R): Coach Thornton, K. Gossage, M. Clary, D. Bryan, B. Quigley, L. Griffeth, E. Mac Donald, D.K. Anderson (Manager), E. Douglas (Cheerleader),

**Steve Goers coached basketball at Bardolph for one year, in 1967-68. It was his first coaching stop in a legendary coaching career.

Goers then moved on to Quincy, where he served as an assistant coach for the 1971-72 Class AA runner-up team, then moving on to Oswego where he coached that school to the 1973-74 Class AA Tournament. After stints at LaSalle-Peru and Harvard, Goers moved on to Rockford Boylan where he won more than 700 games. Goers retired as the state’s leader in all-time boys basketball coaching wins with 881 wins!

Bardolph Baseball Team 1943-44

Courtesy of Roland Smith

Boys Baseball

The Bardolph Community High School Wildcats went the furthest in boys baseball. The team of 1965-66 won the Regional title, making them one of the top 64 teams in the state that year!!! Again, the coach’s name and team record is not available.

1943-44 4 – 2 – 1 Coach Parker

1965-66 Regional Champions

Players of 1943-44 Wildcats pictured above to your right:

Front Row (L-R): R. Hunter, D. Landis, D. Harris, M. Clarey, R. Thorman, L. Griffeth, M. Hunter

Back Row (L-R): Coach Parker, B. Quigley, L. Switzer, B. Markely, E. Mac Donald, K. Gossage, D. Bryan, M. Cooley

Distinguished Alumni

** Beau Spencer provided the following information regarding Bardoph High School 1925 graduate Stix Morely:

“LeRoy “Stix” Morley graduated from Bardolph High School and was a member of the very first McDonough County Tournament championship team won by Bardolph in 1925. He was also a veteran of the service in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II.

Morley won 628 games as a head coach at the high school and college level. He coached at Colchester HS & Watseka HS for a combined 17 years and 22 seasons as head coach at WIU. He led the Leathernecks to a pair of NAIA National Championship games. Morley was the NAIA Coach of the Year in 1955 and was named the Knute Rockne Coach of the Year in 1956. His 1955-56 season (28-3) is the program record for wins in a season.”

Seeking Your Help

A school photo, great teams and players, memorable faculty, all are things we would like to know about and share. You can e-mail this information to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Bardolph Basketball High School Team of 1922-23

A group of women posing for a photo

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Coutesy of Lois Litchfield Markham St. Pe’

The photos of the Bardolph High School basketball teams of 1922-23 and 1923-24, pictured above and below respectively, were submitted by Lois St. Pe’.

Members of the 1922-23 team seen above include:

Back Row L to R: C. C. McCormick, coach; Harold Markley, Harold Horwedel, Bert Potts, Fred Hensley.

Front Row, L to R: LeRoy “Stix” Morley, Burrell Kugler, David Litchfield, Wendell Hager, Bob Maxwell, Perry Litchfield

Bardolph High School Basketball Team of 1923-24

Submitted by Lois Litchfield Markham St. Pe’

Identifiable members of the BCHS basketball team of 1923-24 pictured above include:

Coach C. C. McCormick, back row, far right;

Back Row: second from left is Perry Litchfield, fourth from left is Ralph Kelso.

Middle Row: second from left is David Litchfield.

Front Row: third from left is LeRoy “Stix” Morley, fifth from left is George Kelso.

Bardolph Store Front Building 2012

A picture containing building, outdoor, house, brick

Description automatically generated

Photo by Roberta Van Briesen

Abandoned Church in Bardolph 2012

A picture containing grass, outdoor, tree, sky

Description automatically generated

Photo by Roberta Van Briesen

Bardolph Church Memorial 2012 (Active 1837-2000)

A brick building with a sign on it

Description automatically generated with low confidence

Photo by Roberta Van Briesen

Bardolph Business Building – 2012

A picture containing grass, building, outdoor, house

Description automatically generated

Photo by Roberta Van Briesen

Bardolph Community Center 2012 (Former GS)

A picture containing outdoor, grass, sky, tree Description automatically generated

Photo by Roberta Van Briesen

Baldwin High School

Posted on February 28, 2022January 13, 2024 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

The History of Baldwin High School

Baldwin (population 373) is located in southwestern Illinois in the north-central portion of Randolph County. Illinois Route 154 is the main roadway to and from Baldwin from the east and west. County Highway 1 is the north/south route to and from town. The Illinois Central Railroad passes through Baldwin running beside Route 154. Baldwin Lake is situated just northwest of town. Baldwin is about a 25 – 30 mile drive southeast of East St. Louis (as the crow flies).

Baldwin was established in 1873 as a stop along the Cairo & St. Louis Railroad Company. By 1875 the town’s population had grown to in excess of 300 people. We know that the folks of the area established a school in 1874. We also know that the town of Baldwin was incorporated as a village in 1876.

Baldwin High School was a 3-year high school which likely existed from the early 1900s through the 1940s. Our best source is from a District Tournament basketball game record from the 1924-25 season. If you have any information you can share regarding Baldwin and its former high school, please contact us via the means listed at the bottom of this article.

The high school-aged kids of Baldwin attend Red Bud High School today.

Baldwin High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed: 1940s?

Consolidated to: Red Bud High School

School team nickname: unavailable

School team colors: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

AthleticsWe know only of Baldwin High School’s existence through research by our good friend Mark Jurenga. Mark located the results of a game played in the 1924-25 Belleville District Tournament in which the Baldwin High School boys lost the third place game to Brighton. Since basketball was offered, it is likely that baseball and track were offered as well. We are in need of the school’s team nickname, uniform colors, fight song, coach’s names, and season records.

Boys Basketball

The following information regarding Baldwin High School basketball was sent to us by Mark Jurenga. If you have any further information regarding the Baldwin High School boys basketball team, please share it with us so we may share it on this page.

1924-25 Belleville District (4th Place)

3rd Place Game– Lost to Brighton 15-5

Please Help Us Out

If you have any information regarding the town of Baldwin and its educational history, please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form. We are especially interested in a photo of the High School building. We are also interested in the accomplishments of the athletic program at Baldwin High. You can e-mail us direct at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Balcom High School

Posted on February 28, 2022May 22, 2024 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Balcom School Building & Students 1920

Submitted by John Davis

Balcom High School Girls Basketball 1923-24

HELEN PIOTT (KIMBER) ATTENDED A 2-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL IN THE HAMLET OF BALCOM AND PLAYED ON A WINNING BASKETBALL TEAM IN 1923-24. SHE IS THE THIRD GIRL FROM THE LEFT. MARY BOYD, WHOSE DIPLOMA IS PICTURED BELOW, IS STANDING ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT NEXT TO THE COACH. KIMBER COLLECTIONS, MORRIS LIBRARY, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, CARBONDALE. (SUBMITTED BY JACKI RADEWAN)

The History of Balcom High School

Balcom (population 50?) is located in southwestern Illinois in the southeastern portion of Union County. Balcom is located about 22 miles south of Carbondale. The village sits on County Highway 6 at the intersection of Balcom Road. The Illinois Central Railroad line runs past Balcom about 1/4th mile to the east.

A brief history of the town of Balcom is available at http://www.shawneeheartland.com/towns.html . In summary, Balcom is named after “a high official of the Illinois Central Railroad.” It quickly became known as a fruit shipping center of the area. Balcom reached its peak as a community between 1900 and 1930. As transportation efforts improved, the importance of Balcom to the fruit industry began to diminish. Balcom soon became the quiet, small community it is today.

The history of of Balcom High School is needed. We believe that Balcom supported a school system for its children from the late 1800s through the mid 1900s. It is probable that Balcom High School was a two-year high school that existed from the early 1920s through the late 1940s. We know that Balcom High School existed at least through the 1934-35 school year due to basketball scores listed on the web address of http://sites.google.com/site/xtmi2000/il1935dist-1 .

We are not certain if Balcom Grade School continued on after the high school closed. It is likely the kids of Balcom today attend school in nearby Anna-Jonesboro School District.

Balcom High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1920s?

Year closed: 1940s?

Consolidated to: Anna-Jonesboro High School (?)

Balcom HS nickname: unavailable

Balcom HS colors: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

ATHLETICS

The boys of Balcom High School definitely competed in the sport of basketball. The web address of http://sites.google.com/site/xtmi2000/il1935dist-1 shows that Balcom High School played Mound City High School in the first round of the Anna District Tournament. Balcom would lose decisively as Mound City would go on to win the District Tourney that year.

It is probable that other sports such as track and baseball were offered at Balcom High School as well. We are in need of season records, coaches names, team nickname, uniform colors, and school fight song.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Sports were probably not the only activity at BHS. It is possible that school plays, clubs, dances, and many other activities were a part of the well-rounded experience at Balcom High School.

Need Your Assistance

If you have any further information regarding the many successes attained at Balcom High School, please write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

BALCOM HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OF MARY BOYD – CLASS OF 1923-24 (SUBMITTED BY JACKI RADEWAN)

HELEN PIOTT (KIMBER) ATTENDED A 2-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL IN THE HAMLET OF BALCOM AND PLAYED ON A WINNING BASKETBALL TEAM IN 1923-24. SHE IS THE THIRD GIRL FROM THE LEFT. MARY BOYD, WHOSE DIPLOMA IS PICTURED ON THIS PAGE, IS STANDING ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT NEXT TO THE COACH. KIMBER COLLECTIONS, MORRIS LIBRARY, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, CARBONDALE. (SUBMITTED BY JACKI RADEWAN)

Bader High School

Posted on February 28, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Bader School Children

Astoria South Fulton Argus – May 6, 2002

The History of Bader High School

Bader (population 50) is located in west-central Illinois in the southeastern portion of Schuyler County. Bader is about 20 miles southeast of Macomb. County Highway 8, also known as Bader Road, is the main roadway to and from Bader. This road connects Bader to Illinois Route 100 and Browning, about 3 miles to the south.

An excellent history of the town of Bader was located by a great fan of the Glory Days website, John Bybee. John located an article from the Astoria South Fulton Argus newspaper dated May 6, 2002. The article is titled “Browning Township BADER Schuyler County” and was written by Denise Bankes. In summary, the article states the following.

The first settlers moved into the area as early as 1830. Bader was platted in 1870 and was originally named Osceola. It was soon discovered, however, that the there was already a town named Osceola in Illinois, so the town was named Bader, believed to be in honor of a local farmer who donated land to the railroad passing through the area.

Bader Railroad Depot

A picture containing text, outdoor, track, old

Description automatically generated

Astoria South Fulton Argus – May 6, 2002

Once the railroad tracks were laid, the small village became full of life. A brck store, a grain elevator, a sawmill, a blacksmith shop (which later became an implement business), a church, and a school were soon thriving. A passenger train passed through the town six times per day.

The Bader School was a two room building which offered education for grades 1 – 8. Hot lunches were part of the program and the kids were prepared for and enjoyed every holiday. At some point, probably in the early 1920s, the Bader School began offering two-years of high school courses. Upon graduation kids would go Astoria High School to complete their third and fourth years of education. Bader High School closed in the 1930s. At this time, all students who wished to continue their education after eighth grade would attend school in Astoria.

The railroad ceased operation in the early 1950s, probably in 1953. When the railroad was uprooted, it took with it any hope for Bader to become a larger city. The grade school was likely closed in the 1950s as well. Today Bader has just a few homes along a country road signifying its existence.

Bader High School Quick Facts

Year opened 2-year HS: 1920s(?)

Year closed: 1930s

Consolidated to: Astoria High School

Unknown if Athletics Offered

Athletics and Extra-Curriculars

It is possible that the Bader HS boys competed in basketball, baseball, and possibly track. We are in need of this information. School team nickname, colors, fight song, and coach’s names are also being sought.

It is possible that Bader had an FFA club, an FHA club, as well as other extra-curricular activities for its students. We are hopeful a former student or resident can help us fill in these blanks.

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 Bader 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

Check out this site for more info…go to the August 16, 2000 date for info on Bader:

http://schuyler.ilgenweb.net/schuylernewhome/otherhistory/Facts.html

Excerpt from Bader Article

A picture containing text, newspaper

Description automatically generated

Astoria South Fulton Argus – May 6, 2002

Excerpt From Bader Article

Text

Description automatically generated

Astoria South Fulton Argus – May 6, 2002

Avon High School “Trojans”

Posted on February 28, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Avon High School Bldg 2013

Avon High School Bldg 1954

The History of Avon High School

Avon (population 915) is located in upper west central Illinois in the far northwest corner of Fulton County. Illinois Route 41 is the main roadway to and from Avon. County Highway 20 also takes you to and from Avon. The Burlington Northern Railroad passes through town as well. Avon is approximately 22 miles south and a little west of Galesburg.

Avon was originally established in approximately 1837 by the Woods family (Ira, Orlando, Jonas, Edwin, and Riverus). The town was first named Woodville and the post office established there in 1843 was named Woodstock. In 1852 the U.S. Postal Service changed the name of the post office to Avon (after Avon, N.Y.) and the town was named Avon very soon thereafter. The town of Avon was officially chartered in Illinois in 1867. (http://www.illinoisancestors.org/fulton/Twp_Histories/Union.html).

The history of Avon High School has been difficult to research on the internet. We are requesting assistance from someone in the area to provide more specific details. We are confident that Avon High School was established by the late 1800s, probably in the late 1880s. Avon High School served the community of Avon, Greenbush, and St. Augustine for well over a century. It was in the early 2000s that consolidation talks for Avon High School began surfacing. Options were explored and in 2012 Avon voters decided to consolidate their educational efforts with their neighbor approximately 10 miles to the north, Abingdon.

Avon High School held its final graduation ceremonies in May of 2013. Abingdon-Avon High School will began classes in August of 2013 and will be established in Abingdon. Avon schools will continue to host classes for kids in elementary and junior high grades.

Websites utilized for this article:

1.) www.avonschools.us

2.) http://www.ihsa.org/Schools/SchoolDirectory.aspx?url=/data/school/a.htm

3.) http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/article/20130522/NEWS/130529589

4.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avon,_Illinois

Avon High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1880s(?)

Year closed: 2013

Consoidated to: Abingdon-Avon High School

Avon HS Mascot: “Trojans”

Avon HS Colors: Kelly Green & White

Avon HS fight song: “Cheer Ole Avon”

Sung to the University of Notre Dame Fight Song Tune

Lyrics provided by Doug Miller

Cheer ole Avon’s fighting fame

Shake out the echo, cheer in the name.

Send our loyal shout on high

Shake out the thunder from the sky.

Although the odds be great or small

Ole Avon High will win overall.

We’ll beat (opponent) in this game

Adding to our fair name.

(REPEAT SONG LYRICS TWICE)

BPC-Avon mascot: “Spartans”

BPC-Avon team colors: Red, White, & Blue

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Avon High School was a very well-rounded school in terms of the programs it offered to the students. The school competed on a state-wide level in many areas of competition, including athletics, band, choir, and other scholastic contests.

Of all of the activities offered at AHS, none were more successful than the teams that competed in the IHSA’s Music Sweepstakes. As you will see below, Avon had one of the elite music programs in the state for a school of its size. Here is a breakdown of Avon High School’s accomplishments in the Music Sweepstakes competition:

3 – IHSA State Championships!!

3 – IHSA State 2nd Place Finishes!

2 – IHSA State 4th Place Finishes!

2 – IHSA State 5th Place Finishes!

10 – IHSA District Championships Won!

10 – IHSA Top-Five Finishes in all!!

We are interested in the instructors’ names for each of these years. Any information would be welcome. Congrtulations to Avon High School on their excellent accomplishments.

MUSIC SWEEPSTAKES

1972-73 Team Placed FIFTH in IHSA Finals!! (Instructor’s name needed)

District Champions

Final Team Standings

1.) Roberts-Thawville

2.) Piper City

3.) Tiskilwa

4.) Melvin Sibley

5.) AVON

1973-74 Team Placed FIFTH in IHSA Finals!! (Instructor’s name needed)

District Champions

Final Team Standings

1.) Roberts-Thawville

2.) Melvin Sibley

3.) Leaf River

4.) Piper City

5.) AVON

2000-01 Team Placed FOURTH in IHSA Finals!! (Instructor’s name needed)

District Champions

Final Team Standings

1.) London Mills SRV

2.) Valmeyer

3.) Ashland A-C Central

4.) AVON

5.) Leland

2001-02 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!! (Instructor’s name needed)

District Champions

Final Team Standings

1.) AVON

2.) Fisher

3.) Ashland A-C Central

4.) Valmeyer

5.) Leland & London Mills SRV

2002-03 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!! (Instructor’s name needed)

District Champions

Final Team Standings

1.) AVON

2.) Fisher

3.) London Mills SRV

4.) Ashland A-C Central

5.) Orangeville

2003-04 Team Placed SECOND in IHSA Finals!! (Instructor’s name needed)

District Champions

Final Team Standings

1.) Orangeville

2.) AVON

3.) Warren

4.) Hanover River Ridge

5.) Mt. Carroll

2004-05 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!! (Instructor’s name needed)

District Champions

Final Team Standings

1.) AVON

2.) Orangeville

3.) Ashland A-C Central

4.) Mt. Carroll

5.) Cerro Gordo

2005-06 Team Placed SECOND in IHSA Finals!! (Instructor’s name needed)

District Champions

Final Team Standings

1.) Orangeville

2.) AVON

3.) Cisna Park

4.) Warren

5.) Ashland A-C Central

2006-07 Team Placed SECOND in IHSA Finals!! (Instructor’s name needed)

District Champions

Final Team Standings

1.) Orangeville

2.) AVON

3.) Milledgeville

4.) Cisna Park

5.) Ashland A-C Central

2007-08 Team Placed FOURTH in IHSA Finals!! (Instructor’s name needed)

District Champions

Final Team Standings

1.) Orangeville

2.) Cisna Park

3.) Milledgeville

4.) AVON

5.) Pearl City

SPEECH INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

The Avon High School kids had success in other fors of extra-curricular activity as well. The Speech Indivuidual Events team of 1987 won a Regional Championship!

1986-87 Regional Champions!! Instructor’s name needed)

ATHLETICS

The Avon High School Trojans and Lady Trojans had many successful seasons in various athletic events. The basketball teams won several titles in District and Regional tournaments. The football team, in spite of being one of the smaller schools in the area, made the IHSA playoffs on four occasions. There were also several successful seasons in softball and volleyball, with many athletes earning medals in the IHSA State Track Meet as well.

We are not certain about the year, but at some point Avon joined in a cooperative agreement with nearby Bushnell-Prairie City High School. This likely occurred in the early 2000s. This agreement included all sports at both schools. If you have information regarding the coop please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Avon High School “Trojans” had some excellent success stories on the hardwood court. The boys won a total of FIVE Regional Championships and THREE District Championships! What made the District titles of 1923, 1924, and 1936 so special was that they were won at a time where there was a one-class system. The teams played by Avon were in some instances 10 – 15 times larger in enrollment than Avon HS.

Avon High School had a real nice run in basketball during the era of 1984-85 through 1990-91. In this seven year span Avon won all five of their Regional titles. Their best season in terms of post season success was likely the 1985-86 team that lost the Sectional title game by three points to Kewanee.

We are missing several season records and coaches names from the list below. The postseason scores were found on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” If you have any further information you can add to this section please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.

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

(District Scores Unavailable)

Sectional Tourney

1st. Rd. – Lost to Canton

Canton won Sectional &

Placed Third in State Finals

1923-24 District Champions!! Coach’s name & record needed

(District Scores Unavailable)

Sectional Tourney

Semi-Final.- Lost to Bloomington 17-14

Bloomington lost title game to Canton

1924-25 through 1932-33 scores, records, and coaches names unavailable.

1933-34 Roseville District Tourney Coach’s name & record unavailable

1st. Rd. – Beat Dallas City 25-21

2nd Rd. – Beat Seaton 31-30

Semi-final – Lost to Kiethsburg 43-31

Keithsburg lost in title game to Media

1934-35 Roseville District Tourney Coach’s name & record unavailable

1st Rd. – Beat Alexis 27-26

2nd Rd. – Lost to Stronghurst 27-19

Stronghurst lost title game to Roseville

1935-36 Galesburg District Tourney – 2nd Place! Coach’s name & record unavailable

1st Rd. – Beat Wataga 37-7

2nd Rd. – Beat Parairie City 22-19

Title Game – Lost to Altona 20-18

Altona lost in semi-final of Regional

1936-37 District Champions!! Coach’s name & record unavailable

Regional Tourney

1st Rd. – Lost to Victoria 25-20

Victoria lost in semi-final round.

1937-38 Record & postseason scores unavailable

1938-39 Roseville Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record unavailble

1st Rd. – Lost to Monmouth 49-30

Monmouth lost title game to Media.

1939-40 & 1940-41 record & postseaston scores unavailable.

1941-42 Monmouth Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record unavailble

1st Rd. – Lost to Monmouth 48-23

Monmouth lost in semi-final round.

1942-43 Roseville Regional Tourney Coach’s name & record unavailble

1st Rd. – Lost to Colchester 33-24

Colchester lost title game to Monmouth

1943-44 Record & postseason scores unavailable

1944-45 Monmouth Regional Tourney Coach Doug Cady

Season record unavailble

1st Rd. – Lost to Macomb 45-40

Macomb lost in semi-final round.

1945-46 Macomb Regional Tourney Coach Dick Stearns

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Macomb 48-21

Macomb lost in title game.

1946-47 Macomb Regional Tourney Coach Dick Stearns

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Macomb 46-21

Macomb won Regional title.

Macomb lost in 1st rd. of Sectional.

1947-48 Monmouth Regional Tourney Coach Dick Stearns

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Beat Colchester 57-38

2nd Rd. – lost to Macomb 46-29

Macomb won Regional title.

Macomb lost in 1st Rd. of Sectional

1948-49 Macomb Regional Tourney Coach Dick Stearns

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Monmouth 56-48

Monmouth won Regional title.

Monmouth lost in 1st Rd. of Sectional

1949-50 Galesburg Regional Tourney Coach Wlllesly Goodwin

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Galesburg Corpus Christi 45-32

Corpus Christi lost in semi-final round.

1950-51 Galesburg Regional Tourney Coach Keith Reid

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Galesburg Corpus Christi 62-37

Corpus Christi lost in semi-final round.

1951-52 Galesburg Regional Tourney Coach Keith Reid

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Koxville 72-57

Knoxville won Regional tourney

Knoxville lost in 1st rd. of Sectional.

1952-53 Galesburg Regional Tourney Coach Keith Reid

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to ROVA 62-47

ROVA lost in semi-final round.

1953-54 Galesburg Regional Tourney Coach Keith Reid

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Abingdon 47-43

Abingdon lost in semi-final round.

1954-55 Galesburg Regional Tourney Coach Keith Reid

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Galesburg 102-50

Galesburg won Regional title.

Galesburg won Sectional tourney

Galesburg lost in Elite 8 round.

1955-56 Galesburg Regional Tourney Coach Keith Reid

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Galesburg 82-53

Galesburg won Regional tourney

Galesburg won Sectional tourney

Galesburg lost in Sweet 16 to Rockford West in 2 O/Ts

Rockford West won State title.

1956-57 Galesburg Regional Tourney Coach Ray Lumpp

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Galesburg 86-37

Galesburg won Regional title.

Galesburg won Sectional tourney

Galesburg lost in Elite 8 round

1957-58 Galesburg Regional Tourney Coach Jim Johnson

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Abingdon 78-54

Abingdon lost in semi-final round.

1958-59 Galesburg Regional Tourney Coach Jim Johnson

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Galesburg 96-45

Galesburg won Regional title

Galesburg won Sectional title

Glaesburg place third in IHSA finals.

1959-60 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Jim Johnson

1960-61 Galesburg Regional Tourney Coach Jim Johnson

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Galesburg 87-42

Galesburg won Regional title

Galesburg lost 1st Rd. of Sectional

1961-62 Stronghurst District Tourney Coach Dave Jacobs

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Galesburg Corpus Christi 64-38

Corpus Christi lost District title game.

1962-63 Sciota District Tourney Coach Dave Jacobs

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Beat Stronghurst 43-42

Semi-final – lost to Corpus Christi 68-67

Corpus Christi lost in final

1963-64 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Harold Vose

1964-65 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Harold Vose

1965-66 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Ron Metz

1966-67 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Ron Metz

1967-68 Stronghurst District Tourney Coach Ron Metz

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Beat Bardolph 74-71

Semi-final – lost to Macomb Western 73-70

Macomb Western won District title.

Macomb Western lost in semi-final of Regional

1968-69 Sciota District Tourney Coach Ron Metz

Season record unavailable

2nd Rd. – Lost to Sciota Northwestern 65-59

Northwestern lost in title game.

1969-70 Stronghurst District Tourney Coach Dave Pfeiffer

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Beat Bardolph 77-63

Semi-final – Lost to Roseville 62-48

Roseville won District title.

Roseville lost in semi-final of Regional

1970-71 Sciota District Tourney Coach Dick Brown

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Galesburg Costa 62-50

Costa lost in semi-final round.

1971-72 Sciota Regional Tourney Coach Dick Brown

Season record unavailable

1st Rd. – Lost to Stronghurst Southern 73-69

Southern lost in semi-final round.

1972-73 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Bob Banta

1973-74 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Dick Brown

1974-75 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Dick Brown

1975-76 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Dan Garrett

1976-77 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Dan Garrett

1977-78 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Dan Garrett

1978-79 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Dan Garrett

1979-80 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Dan Garrett

1980-81 Record and postseason scores needed Coach Steve Decker

1981-82 Record and postseason scores needed Coach John Alden

1982-83 Record and postseason scores needed Coach John Alden

1983-84 Record and postseason scores needed Coach John Alden

1984-85 Regional Champions!! Coach Mel Casper

Season Record Needed

(Regional Scores Unavailable)

Sectional Tourney

Semi-final – lost to Princeville 63-45

Princeville lost in Elite 8 round.

1985-86 Regional Champions!! Coach Mel Casper

Season Record Needed

(Regional Scores Unavailable)

Sectional Tourney

Beat Princeville 56-45

Championship Game – Lost to Kewanee 70-67

Kewanee lost in Elite 8 round.

1986-87 Postseason scores / record unavailable Coach Mel Casper

1987-88 Regional Champions!! Coach Mel Casper

Season Record Needed

(Regional scores unavailable)

Sectional Tourney

(Sectional scores unavailable)

1988-89 Postseason scores / record unavailable Coach Mel Casper

1989-90 Regional Champions!! Coach Mel Casper

Season Record Needed

(Regional scores unavailable)

Sectional Tourney

(Sectional scores unavailable)

1990-91 Regional Champions!! Coach Mel Casper

Season Record Needed

(Coach Casper inducted into IBCA Hall of Fame in 2002.)

(Regional scores unavailable)

Sectional Tourney

(Sectional scores unavailable)

1991-92 Record & postseason scores unavailable Coach Matt Pogue

1992-93 17 – 9 Coach Lee Bennett

1993-94 Record & postseason scores unavailable Coach Pat Rafferty

1994-95 6 – 16 Coach Kevin Long

1995-96 8 – 17 Coach Kirk Whiteman

1996-97 7 – 18 Coach Jason Danner

1997-98 4 – 20 Coach Jason Danner

1998-99 6 – 18 Coach Paul Chladney

1999-00 8 – 16 Coach Tim Butler

2000-01 6 – 19 Coach Tim Butler

2001-02 2 – 24 Coach Tim Butler

2002-03 7 – 19 Coach Tim Butler

2003-04 3 – 23 Coach Tim Butler

2004-05 12 – 17 Coach Brent Dugan

2005-06 21 – 11 Coach Brent Dugan

BOYS FOOTBALL

The gridiron warriors of AHS faired quite well over the years. The only records found on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) are listed below. It is likely that Avon had football teams well before the 1971 season. Season records and coaches names from these seasons and some of the seasons listed below are needed.

AHS made the coveted IHSA playoffs on four occasions. The first time the program made the playoffs only 16 teams were invited to participate in each of 5 classes. In two of tho other three seasons the teams advanced into the second round becoming part of the Sweet 16 for the Class 1A playoffs before bowing out.

1971-72 Coach Dick Carlson

1972-73 Coach Dick Carlson

1973-74 Coach Dick Carlson

1974-75 Coach Dick Carlson

1975-76 7 – 2 Coach Dick Carlson

1976-77 3 – 6 Coach Dick Carlson

1977-78 7 – 2 Coach Dick Carlson

1978-79 7 – 2 Coach Dick Carlson

1979-80 6 – 3 Coach Dick Carlson

1980-81 0 – 9 Coach Dick Carlson

1981-82 0 – 9 Coach Dick Carlson

1982-83 3 – 6 Coach Dick Carlson

1983-84 8 – 2 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier!! Coach John Mowery

Sweet 16 Finalist

1st Rd.- Lost to Monmouth Yorkwood 37-0

Yorkwood won IHSA State Championship!

1984-85 6 – 3 (Coach’s name needed)

1985-86 4 – 5 (Coach’s name needed)

1986-87 3 – 6 (Coach’s name needed)

1987-88 1 – 8 (Coach’s name needed)

1988-89 1 – 8 Coach James O’Flaherty

1989-90 3 – 6 Coach James O’Flaherty

AS THE AVON-ROSEVILLE “COUGARS”

**From former assistant coach Jason Bates:

“I was an assistant coach for Avon-Roseville football coop for one year in the 1994 season while I was attending WIU briefly. Head Coach was Don Farr and one of the assistants was Chad Carlson. They had just come off back to back conference titles of the Bi-County Conference and I believe you have that info. I know the co-op lasted for a few years in the 1990’s. I don’t know the year it ended but whenever the first year of Avon joining Bushnell Prairie City was, would be the end of the (AR Cougars Co-op). Colors were Black/Silver/White. Helmets were black with a big block “A & R” put together and offset. Home jersey’s were black, road jerseys were white with a silver/grey pant. Home games were split with half in Roseville and half in Avon. practices were sometimes in Roseville and sometimes in Avon depending on where we played a game that week whether home or away. So practices and games were split very evenly between the two towns. The Cougars also had a homecoming game in each town.”

1990-91 8 – 2 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier!! Coach James O’Flaherty

Top 32 teams in Class 1A

1st Rd.- Lost to Alexis 28-6

Alexis lost in 2nd round.

1991-92 5 – 4 (Coach’s name needed)

1992-93 8 – 3 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier!! Coach Rick Kirkton

Sweet 16 Finalist

1st Rd.- Beat ROWVA 14-7

2nd Rd. – Lost to Kewanee Wethersfield 26-20 (O/T)

Wethersfield lost in Final 4 round.

1993-94 8 – 3 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier!! Coach Rick Kirkton

Sweet 16 Finalist

1st Rd.- Beat Abingdon 35-16

2nd Rd. – Lost to Monmouth Warren 31-0

Warren lost in Final 4 round.

1994-95 5 – 4 Coach Don Farr

Avon-Roseville “Cougars” of 1994-95

Submitted by Jason Bates

1995-96 4 – 5 Coach Don Farr

1996-97 1 – 8 Coach Don Farr

1997-98 1 – 8 Coach Ross Richardson

1998-99 2 – 7 Coach Ross Richardson

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

The lady netters of Avon High School made one trip to the Sweet 16 and won a total of THREE Regional Championships and one District Championship. The team of 1987-88 also won a Sectional title! The 1985-86 team won all 17 regular season games before losing in the Regional tournament.

We do not have any records or game results for the championship seasons. We also do not have records or coaches names for the seasons beginning with 1993-94 through the coop with Bushnell-Prairie City. Please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net if you have any information you can add to this section.

1973-74 Coach Phyllis Brown

1974-75 1 – 11 Coach Phyllis Brown

1975-76 6 – 3 Coach Phyllis Brown

1976-77 12 – 2 Coach Phyllis Brown

1977-78 13 – 2 District Champions!! Coach Phyllis Brown

1978-79 7 – 13 Coach Phyllis Brown

1979-80 13 – 9 Coach Phyllis Brown

1980-81 12 – 2 Coach Phyllis Brown

1981-82 13 – 3 Coach Phyllis Brown

1982-83 11 – 7 Coach Phyllis Brown

1983-84 10 – 6 Coach Phyllis Brown

1984-85 11 – 5 Coach Phyllis Brown

1985-86 17 – 1 Undefeated Regular Season! Coach Julie Gomes

1986-87 27 – 5 Regional Champions!! Coach Marty Hoffman

1987-88 (need record) Sweet 16 Finalist!!!! Coach Cindy Paulus

(Postseason scores needed)

Regional Champions!!

Sectional Champions!!

1988-89 & 1989-90 Records and coaches names needed.

1990-91 (need record) Regional Champions!! (Coach’s name needed)

1991-92 (need record) Regional Champions!! (Coach’s name needed)

1992-93 through coop with BPC – Season records and coaches names needed.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

There are no season records listed on the IHSA website for Avon High School girls basketball. We were able to locate some postseason efforts recorded on the site and have listed them below. We do not know if the coop with Bushnell-Prairie City included girls basketball, and if it did we are not certain when the coop agreement took place.

We are in need of season records and coaches names for every season of girls basketball at Avon High School. Please contact us if you have this information to share in this section.

2008-09 (record needed) Regional Tourney – 2nd Place! Coach’s name needed

Title Game – Lost to London Mills 56-48

London Mills SRV lost in Sectional 1st. Rd.

2009-10 (record needed) Regional Champions!!! Coach’s name needed

Title Game – Beat Abingdon 38-29

Sectional Tourney

1st Rd. – Lost to Ridgewood 68-50

Ridgewood placed 3rd in State Finals

2010-11 (record needed) Coach’s name needed

Regional Tourney

Beat Biggsville 60-37

Semi-final lost to Knoxville 68-44

Knoxville won Regional title

Knoxville lost in Sectional semi-final

Ridgewood = Cambridge/Alwood Coop

2011-12 (record needed) Coach’s name needed

Regional Tourney

Beat Monmouth Warren 57-44

Semi-final – Lost to Lewistown 61-36

Lewistown lost to Abingdon in title game

2012-13 (record needed) Coach’s name needed

GIRLS SOFTBALL

The Avon High School girls competed in softball. We believe the school entered into a coop agreement with BPC in the latter years, possibly in the early 2000s. If this is incorrect please let us know. We do know that the IHSA website credits Avon HS with winning a Regional title in 2008 and lists Avon HS as competing in the Regional tourney in 2011 and 2012.

We are in need of records and coaches names for each of the seasons on the diamond for the Avon HS girls. If you have this information and any other items you would like to share please contact us.

2007-08 Regional Champions!! (Coach’s name & record needed)

Title game – Beat London Mills SRV 4-0

Sectional Tourney

1st Rd. – Lost to Tremont 2-0

Tremont lost in Sectional final.

2010-11 Regional Tourney (Coach’s name & record needed)

Quarter-final rd. – lost to Biggsville WC 12-2

Biggsville WC lost in semi-final round.

2011-12 Regional Tourney (Coach’s name & record needed)

Quarter-final rd. – lost to Sciota WP 11-1

Sciota WP lost in semi-final round

2012-13 Record & coach’s name needed.

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

The Avon High School boys thinclads earned a total of TEN individual medals at the IHSA state track meet! Steve Repp (5 total medals) and Dan Schisler (4 total medals) led the way. Steve Repp’s 2nd Place finish in the 400 meter dash and three medals won in the 1985 state meet was the best season for any individual in AHS history. Information is being sought to fill this section out more completely such

as coaches names and conference success.

1982-83 Individual Medalist – Class A Coach’s name needed

Steve Repp – 400 Meter Dash – 3rd Place!

1983-84 Individual Medalist – Class A Coach’s name needed

Steve Repp – 200 Meter Dash – 7th Place!

1984-85 Individual Medalist – Class A Coach’s name needed

Steve Repp – 400 Meter Dash – 2nd Place!

200 Meter Dash – 3rd Place!

Triple Jump – 8th Place!

1988-89 Individual Medalist – Class A Coach’s name needed

Dan Schisler – 3200 Meter Run – 3rd Place!

– 1600 Meter Run – 7th Place!

1989-90 Individual Medalist – Class A Coach’s name needed

Dan Schisler – 1600 Meter Run – 4th Place!

– 3200 Meter Run – 5th Place!

Tim Malley – Long Jump – 7th Place!

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

The Avon lady tracksters won a District title in 1978! They also had one individual, Kelli Krause, place at the IHSA Class 1A state track meet! Coaches names and other information is needed to make this section more complete. A photo of the 1978 District champs is also bing sought. Coach Ross Richardson coached track and field at Avon – Spoon River Valley in the 1990s. Coach Richardson now coaches at Harvard University!

1977-78 District Champions!! Coach’s name needed

1997-98 Individual Medalist – Class A Coach Patrick Murphy

Kelli Crouse – Long Jump – 6th Place!

(Kelli was a student at London Mills Spoon River Valley H.S.

Spoon River Valley and Avon H.S. co-opted girls track this season

with Avon H.S. as the hosting school.)

If You Have Any Further Information…

…..to share regarding the history, accomplishments, and experiences of Avon High School please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. Photos and memories are always welcome and make each page on the Glory Days website unique. You can also contact us via the U.S. Postal Service at the following address:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il….60631

Avon High School junior Class 1927-28

Submitted by Roberta Van Briesen

Avon HS Junior Class Photo of 1927-28 (above)

Front row: Alf Raymond, Lewis Palmer, Lachlan Crissey, Donald Hatch, Eugene Pattison, Ralph Davis

Second row: Eula Buck, Lucille Swanson, Eileen Grey, Urith Cutforth, Bernadine Spurgeon, Gertrude Mills

Third Row: Catharine Gillett, Doris Lemon, Grace Potter, Evelyn Niles, Lucy Shumaker

Back Row: Edward Brown, Russell Meachum, Bert Alden

Juanita Sebree was absent.