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Aviston School Building

The History of Aviston High School

Aviston (population 1,231) is located in southwestern Illinois in the west central portion of Clinton County.  East St. Louis is about 30 miles due west of Aviston.  The town is located on Russland Road just south of United States Route 50. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad runs through Aviston.  The Sugar Creek flows to the west of Aviston.

According to the official town website page http://avistonil.org/History.htm Aviston was first settled in 1864.  The town grew quickly and in 1884 was officially recognized by the state of Illinois as a city.  In 1940 the town’s population was 388.  By 1980 the population began to grow rapidly reaching 846.  Continuing this growth pattern in 1990 with a population of 924 it increased to over 1,200 by the year 2000.  The growth spurt between 1990 and 2000 makes Aviston one of Illinois’ fastest growing small towns.

The website also recognizes the school system in the town of Aviston.  We believe there was a grade school in town by the late 1800s.  It was not until 1923 however that a high school was officially recognized.  In 1948 the school district incorporated several smaller districts and became, at that time, the second largest school district (land-wise) in Illinois!  Aviston High School served the town and surrounding hamlets and country kids well until the late 1960s.  It was then that consolidation talks arose between the folks of Aviston and Breese Community High School. The talks became a reality in 1970 with the creation of Central Community High School District #71. The building for this newly formed union was located between the towns of Aviston and Breese.

The following is some information about Aviston schools from Dan Imming (Class of 1969):

“The building shown on your site (above) is actually the Aviston Elementary School that was closed a few years ago after a new one was built.  At one time, this building did hold both the high school (upstairs) and the grade school (downstairs), but when I attended Aviston High School from 1965-1969 we were in a building along Railroad Street that was formerly the Huber Shoe Factory.  We had grades 9-12. This is a separate building to the one shown on your site.

By the way, my Aunt Victoria Imming is one of the 6 students shown in the photo of the class of 1930 (below).”

Aviston’s school building pictured above, we believe, is now a parish center for a local church.  If you can verify this information please write to us.

Aviston High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                       1923

Year closed:                        1970

Consolidated to:                   Central Community High School District #71

Aviston team nickname:        the “Eagles”

Team colors:                        Blue & White

School Fight Song:               unavailable

Ava High School Building

Submitted by Jamie Driskill

The History of Ava High School

Ava (population 662) is located in far southwestern Illinois about 15 miles southwest of DuQuoin.  The Illinois Routes 4 and 151 intersect in this northwestern Jackson County town.  The Spring Creek flows through Ava and the illinois Central Gulf Railroad has a branch line that reaches the western edge of town.

The history of Ava and its school system are in need of research.  We are certain that Ava had at least a grade school in effect by the late 1800s.   We are also certain that high school curriculum was introduced by the late 1800s or at least early 1900s.  Ava High School served the students and townspeople of Ava for about 5 decades.  It was in the late 1940s, we believe, that consolidation talks began between several schools in the Ava area began.  The talks resulted in the creation of the Trico School District.  We estimate this consolidation effort took place in the summer of 1948.  The high school for the new district is located in Campbell Hill.

Vicki Delinger provided the following historical information regarding the Ava school:

“After high school consolidation, the school was K-8. In the 70’s, a junior high was built, attached to the high school, and grades 7-8 from all 5 towns in the district went there. My dad taught at the grade school and then at the jr high. He was also the basketball coach there and at the jr high. If it’s of interest, I must have photos somewhere or dad does.

Ava’s colors were red and white. They were the Ava Redwings. (When the new high school and then jr high opened, colors are blue and gold and they are the Pioneers.) I’m pretty sure Ava’s school fight song was an adaptation of the Notre Dame fight song.

At some point in the mid-70’s or so, Percy, Cutler, and Willisville grade schools were closed. Elementary students in the district were divided between the other two towns. I think K-3 at Campbell Hill and then 4-6 at Ava. My mom taught grade 4 at Campbell Hill before being moved to grade 4 at Ava.

Not sure of year, but a new elementary school was built near the high school and junior high. Maybe about 1979? All district elementary students are now bussed there.

The Ava Grade School was torn down after the new elementary school was built.”

If you have information on the history of Ava High School, especially a photo of the high school building, please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .

Ava High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                 late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed:                                  1948

Consolidated to:                            Trico School District  (Campbell Hill)

Ava HS team nickname:                “Redwings”

Ava HS team colors:                      Red & White

School Fight Song:                        Cheers, Cheers for Old Ava High!

Aurora (population 142,990) is located in far northeastern Illinois in the southeastern portion of Kane County.  Interstate Highway 88 passes through the northside of Aurora.  Illinois Route 31 passes through town from north to south and U.S. Route 30 passes through the south side of town.  The Burlington Northern Railroad line makes its way through town as well.  The Fox River curves through Aurora from the north to the south.  According to the 2000 Illinois Census, Aurora is the 3rd largest city in Illinois.

A nice history of the town of Aurora can be viewed at http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/91.html .  In summary, this article tells us that the area of Aurora was first settled in 1834 with the town officially incorporated in 1845.  Its location along the Fox River made it an instant success with the textile mill and grist mill industry.  The Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad line made its way to Aurora in 1856 futher bolstering the town’s industry.  Aurora has grown from a population of over 11,000 in 1870 to today’s (2000) population of over 142,000.

Roncalli Catholic High School was named after the beloved Pope John XXIII, who was Pope from 1958 to 1963; his last name was Roncalli.  We are told by a good fan of the Glory Days web site that Roncalli was opened in 1962 to provide a place for boys to attend high school as the girls were afforded Madonna Catholic High School since 1926.  We do know that the high schools of Roncalli and Madonna consolidated into a co-educational school in 1968 to form Aurora Central Catholic High School, which is still in existance today.

George Fornero provided the following information on the history of Roncalli High School.  The source for this information is the book That all May Be One:  A History of the Rockford Diocese by Reverend Robert R. Miller.  Copyright 1976; published by the Rockford Diocese.  The enrollment information comes from the Official Catholic Directory.:

“On August 11, 1961, Bishop Loras T. Lane announced plans to build two new high schools in Aurora – Roncalli (boys) and Rosary (girls).  Ground was broken on July 6, 1962.   The 1^st year, classes were held in the old Holy Angels Grade School in  September 1962.  Classes began in the new building  at 441 North Farnsworth Avenue in September 1963.  Enrollment during the second year of operation, with Freshmen and Sophomore students was 145.  Faculty members included four (4) Christian Brothers, and one (1) lay teacher.  The 1^st graduation was held in 1966.  Enrollment for the 1966-1967 school year was 242 boys with a faculty comprised of six (6) Brothers and three (3) lay teachers.  In March 1968, The Christian Brothers announced their intention to withdraw from Roncalli due to a shortage of teaching brothers.  The last class graduated in 1968.  In 1968 it was decided to merge Roncalli and Madonna high Schools to form Aurora Central Catholic High School.  For a few years, the Roncalli campus was utilized as were its athletic fields.  Eventually, in 1995,  Aurora Central Catholic relocated to the west side of Aurora.  The former Roncalli site is now Cowherd Middle School, part of the East Aurora Public School District.”

We are always searching for further information to attempt to fill in the cracks of the history of these schools. If you have any information that might assist us, please contact us via the means listed below.

Roncalli High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                        1962

Year closed:                         1968

Consolidated to:                    Aurora Central Catholic High School

Roncalli HS team nickname:  “Blue Wave”

Team uniform colors:             Blue & White

School Fight Song:                (needed)

Aurora Madonna High School Bldg 2016

Now Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy – Submitted by Dana & Sailor Levin

Aurora Madonna High School Building 1926 – 1968

The History of Madonna Catholic High School for Girls in Aurora Aurora (population 142,990) is located in far northeastern Illinois in the southeastern portion of Kane County. The town has extended into Will, Dupage and Kendall counties as well. According to the Wikipedia address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora,_Illinois , Aurora’s population has grown to nearly 176,000 residents and is now the second largest city in Illinois. Interstate Highway 88 passes through the northside of Aurora.  Illinois Route 31 passes through town from north to south and U.S. Route 30 passes through the south side of town.  The Burlington Northern Railroad line makes its way through town as well.  The Fox River curves through Aurora from the north to the south. Aurora is know as the “City of Lights” as it was the one of the first towns in Illinois to create an electric lighting system.  The area the town is located in was originally a native american settlement.  The first white settlers arrived in 1834, followed by the establishment of a post office in 1837.  The town has enjoyed steady growth and continues to do so today. The following history information about Madonna High School in Aurora was sent to us by George V. Forenero: “Here’s some more information for Madonna High School, Aurora. My sources are:  That All May Be One:  A History of the Rockford Diocese by Robert Miller, 1976 & The Official Catholic Directory, 1967. Madonna High School had its beginning at the same time as The Fox Valley High School (now Marmion Academy) in March, 1925.  Ground was broken in Fall 1925 & the first class began in Fall, 1926.  One hundred and eighteen girls entered; Sister Mary Confirma, OSF, was the 1st principal.  The school was staffed by the School Sisters of St. Francis from Milwaukee, WI.  The original faculty was comprised of eight (8) sisters. The original building could hold 500 students.  In 1963, an additional wing was added to alleviate the overcrowded classrooms & provide a new convent for the Sisters.   During the 1966-67 school year, 552 girls were enrolled under the direction of twenty (20) School Sisters of St. Francis & six (6) lay teachers.  Sister M. Cyriaka, O.S.F. was principal. On March 8, 1968, it was announced that Madonna & Roncalli would merge to form Aurora Central Catholic High School.  Between 1968-1971, both buildings (Madonna & Roncalli) were used.  Beginning in the Fall of 1971, all academic classes were held at the Madonna site with only the gymnasium facilities & the football field used at the Roncalli site.  In 1995, Aurora Central Catholic relocated to the west side of Aurora – down the road from Rosary High School. In 1973, five years after the merger, the School Sisters of St. Francis donated the Madonna Building to the Diocese of Rockford.The last time I drove by the original Madonna, the building was being used – I think by a social service agency (agencies).” Dana Levin provided the following information regarding the use of the former Madonna High School building today (2016): “The Madonna Catholic High School currently is now the Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy. It houses third through eighth graders as a school for gifted kids. These kids are thriving at the school and have been for some years now, my daughter is part of the alumni here and my son will also be joining this fall. It’s a private Academy that you need to academically qualify for. the Fred Rogers program is amazing.” We are always searching for further information.  If you have any information that might assist us, please contact us via the means listed below. Madonna High School Quick Facts Year opened:                        1926 Year closed:                         1968 Consolidated to:                    Aurora Central Catholic High School Sports likely not offered.

Athletics The girls of Madonna High School probably participated in G.A.A. and other activities to help them achieve phyisical fitness. The school closed (1968) before the IHSA officially recognized and sponsored girls athletics (1974). Extra-Curricular Activities We are certain that there were many extra-curricular activities that were a fun and educational part of the Madonna High School experience. Band, chorus, student government, plays, and many other activities were likely offered throughout the school year. MEMORIES **From Kathy Laux Hum, regarding the photo below: “SM Confirma Ruhlman on left, SM Justilla Ruhlman on right. This picture was taken in front of Madonna High School.  They were my dad’s cousins.”

SM Confirma Ruhlman & SM Justilla Ruhlman

Submitted by Kathy Laux Hum

Do You Have Information You Can Share?

If you do, please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. Photos are welcome, especially one of the school building.

Aurora Jennings Seminary had a very strong academic foundation.  The school often utilized the latest in instructional methods for its students. We are certain that several activities were offered at the school as well.  It is likely that plays, clubs, and other activities were a part of the learning experience at Jennings Seminary.

If You Have ANY Further Information To Share…  

… regarding the history and activities offered at Aurora Jennings Seminary, please share it with us on this page.  You can forward information 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

We are certain that the boys of Fox Valley Catholic High participated in interscholastic athletics. It is probable that the boys played basketball, baseball, and track. The coaches’ names and team records are needed. Also needed are the team colors, fight song, and team nickname.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Other activities such as dances, class plays, and various clubs may have been a part of the Fox Valley Catholic High School experience as well. We are hopeful an area fan or alumni can help us with this information.

Memorable Alumni

As noted by Charlie Essig.

Francis “Chick” Hearn:

:

“Aurora Fox Valley Catholic High School for Boys’ most notable student was probably, Francis “Chick” Hearn, famed broadcaster of the Los Angeles Lakers.  Chick attended Fox Valley for a year or two before transferring to East Aurora High School, from which he graduated in the early 1930’s.

Chick started his career doing high school games on WBNU in Aurora before moving to Peoria with WMBD and later to Los Angeles, where he became noted for broadcasting 3,338 CONSECUTIVE Laker games.

Chick was credited with inventing such colorful phrases as, “slam dunk” and “air ball”:

Chick was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame the American Sportscaster Hall of Fame

Charles Ronan:

“Another notable student was Charles Ronan, emeritus professor of history at Chicago’s Loyola University.”

Seeking More Information

If you have more information you would like to share regarding Aurora Fox Valley Catholic High School for Boys please complete a School Submission Form or write us a note on the Guest Commentary page. We are especially interested in a photo of the current school building. You can also e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you can write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il.    60631

Augusta HIgh School Bldg – Damaged by Fire 2005

Augusta (population 600) is located on Illinois Route 61 at the intersection of Illinois Route 101 in western Illinois.  The town sits in the far southeastern corner of Hancock County.  A larger town of note is Quincy, approximately 35 miles southwest of Augusta. A branch of the Williams Creek runs through the south side of town and the At & St Railroad has tracks running through the center of town.

Augusta’s residents enjoyed their own high school until a consolidation effort took place in 1970.  That year Augusta consolidated with nearby Bowen High School to form the Southeastern School District.  The Plymouth School District joined Southeastern later and now the three towns enjoy the success of their joint school district.  The High School is located in Augusta in the original high school building.

The following description of the Augusta High School campus is offered by Robert Stienbarger:

“The original Augusta High School is located on North Center Street in Augusta and opened in 1857.  This original school building is currently used by the Lions Club for meetings and activities. The grounds are a city park. In 1919 the school board voted to construct a new high school on what was then known as “Catlin Hill”.  Joel Catlin, the founder of Augusta, built his home atop this hill, and hence the name of Catlin Hill. The new school building opened in 1921.  The building and wooded hill make for a beautiful high school campus.  The school was known as Augusta High School until the 1970 consolidation with Bowen and later Plymouth to form the Southeastern School District.  Southeastern High has always been located at this former Augusta High School’s beautiful campus.  The Southeastern Grade School is located in Bowen and the lower grade school now in Plymouth.”

For a view of a photo of the original Augusta High School building check out the Roots Web address of http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilhancoc/postcard/augustahighschool1909.html – sent to us by Roberta Mc Kiski.

The Augusta High School building met a sad fate in March of 2006.  Check out this newspaper article supplied to us by Bev Chenault:

http://www.whig.com/285545776888526.php

Augusta High School “Quick Facts”

Year school opened:  1921

Year school closed:   1970

Consolidated to:         Southeastern School District

School yearbook:       “The Hilltopper”

Team nickname:        the “Redskins”

School colors:           Red & White

School building:         Now home of Southeastern High School

School Fight Song:    “Augusta Loyalty”

(Words Provided by Carolyn van Horn Sill class of ’57)

We’re loyal to you A.H.S.

                                 Our hearts are all true, A.H.S.

                                 We know that you stand,

                                 For the best in the land

                                 And we’re at your right hand, A.H.S.!

                                 Rah!  Rah!!

                                 For the years that we’ve spent in your care,

                                 We’re proud of your colors to bear.

                                 And from your halls of learning,

                                 We’ll go with hearts still burning

                                 Loyal to A.H.S.! 

                                 RAH!  RAH!!

Augusta High School enjoyed some great success in basketball over the course of its history.  The basketball teams brought home 5 District titles and 3 Regional titles during its existence. Baseball and track were also offered to the boys. According to the Illinois High School Association web site (www.ihsa.org) Augusta won its last District title during the 1968-69 season.

Basketball

The Augusta Redskins had several close calls and fairly deep advances into the state tournament.  They also won many Hancock County Tournament titles during their existence.  Below are the championships and coach’s names as we know them.

Augusta alum Fred Hedrick (Class of 1957) had this to say about Augusta High School’s great coach and 1934 graduate, Coach Eugene “Doc” Cooper:

“Coach Cooper (ACHS Class of 1934) coached at Colusa High School before WWII.  After the war he came home to coach at Augusta.  He did not have a losing season while coaching basketball at Augusta.”

1921-22                Hancock County Champions

1923-24                Hancock County Champions

1925-26                Hancock County Champions

1927-28                Hancock County Champions

1929-30                Hancock County Champions

1933-34                District Champs

                            Hancock County Champions

1935-36                District Champs

1937-38                Hancock County Champions                        Coach Max Brady

                            Regional Champs

                            Lost 1st Round of Canton Sectional by 3 points

                            Won 3rd Place Sectional Game

1950-51                Hancock County Champions                        Coach Eugene “Doc” Cooper

1951-52                Regional Champs                                        Coach Eugene “Doc” Cooper

1952-53                Hancock County Champions                        Coach Eugene “Doc” Cooper

1954-55                District Champs                                            Coach Eugene “Doc” Cooper

                            Regional Champs

                            Made it to Championship of Sectional

                            Top 32 Teams in the STATE!

1960-61                Hancock County Champions                        Coach Jim Lewis

1966-67                District Champs

1968-69                District Champs

Augusta High School’s top finishes in the Macomb-Western Holiday Basketball Tournament:

1953

3rd Place- Augusta 67 Macomb (Western) 53

1954

3rd Place- Augusta 64 Carthage 57

1956

3rd Place- Abingdon 68 Augusta 54

1959

Champ- Havana 55 Augusta 54

1960

Consolation Champ- Augusta 73 Chicago (Bowen) 63

1962

3rd Place- Augusta 44 Chicago (Bowen) 25

Boys Baseball

The Redskins had a great reputation on the baseball diamond as well.  Under the leadership of Coach Eugene “Doc” Cooper the Augusta High School kids won the Wenois and Lamoine Valley Conference Championships in 8 of the 12 years Coach “Doc” was at the helm!

Notable Players

*Carroll “Woody” Woods – played on 1928 and 1930 County Champs.  Went on to star at Western Illinois University.

*Harold Chambers – guard on the 1928 County Champs.

*Jim Hiland – star of the 1951 County Champs and 1952 Regional Champs

*John Juett – star of the 1955 Regional Champs/Sectional Finalists.

*Larry Hiland – center and captain of the 1961 County Champs.

*Jim Lucie – star guard of the 1961 County Champs.

*Harry Elbe – Augusta’s “Iron Man”, long time coach of Central High School in Camp Point and a well-known personality in western Illinois.

Seeking More Information

If you have more information you would like to share regarding Augusta High School please complete a School Submission Form or write us a note on the Guest Commentary page.  We are especially interested in a photo of the school building as well as records and coaches of the sports teams. You can also e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you can write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.    60631

Atwood-Hammond High School Building 2014

Submitted by Dennis Downey

Atwood-Hamond HS Front Walk View

Photo by Dennis Downey

The History of Atwood-Hammond High School

Atwood (population 1,290) is located in lower-eastern Illinois about 25 miles east of Decatur.  Atwood is unique in that it stradles the county lines of Piatt (western Atwood) and Douglas (eastern Atwood) counties.U.S. Route 36 passes by the south side of town.  The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad travels through the center of town.  The Lake Fork Creek passes by the western edge of Atwood.

Atwood was officially recognized as a town in 1874. It’s name is likely taken from a town of a similar name in the eastern USA. However, some say the town name is derived from statements made by early settlers who would often meet “at the wood” or that the original town was described as “one at the wood.”

Hammond (population 518) is located in east-central Illinois about 17 miles east of Decatur.  This places Hammond in south-central Piatt County.  U.S. Route 36 is the main roadway to and from Hammond and runs by the south side of town.  The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad runs through the north side of town.  According to Map Quest (www.mapquest.com) the Hammond Mutual Ditch flows by the east side of town.

The village was established in 1873. Its original names included Shumway and Unity. It was decided eventually to name the village after the president of the newly erected Indianapolis-Decatur- Springfield Railroad line which passed through town. His name was Charles Hammond.

Both Atwood and Hammond supported their own high schools from the early 1900s (possibly even the late 1800s) through the late 1940s. It was in 1948 that the two communities agreed to consolidate their educational efforts. Atwood-Hammond High School was formed in the summer of 1948.

Atwood-Hammond HS Sign 2014

Photo by Dennis Downey

Atwood-Hammond HS Side View With Gymnasium

Photo by Dennis Downey

Atwood- Hammond High School served the two communities and surrounding farm kids very well for 64 years. The school survived consolidation talks as early as the late 1980s. In 2011 studies were conducted concerning the feasibility of consolidating the Atwood-Hammond School District with the nearby Arthur School District. In the spring of 2013 voters of both school districts passed resolutions to allow for the merger. The Atwood-Hammond voters passed the initiative by a vote of 456-327.

The 2013-14 school year was the final one for Atwood-Hammond High School. The final senior class graduated in May of 2014. In the fall of 2014 high school students from the Atwood-Hammond area will attend Arthur High School. The Atwood-Hammond High School building is projected to be torn down in the summer of 2014.

Atwood-Hammond High School Quick Facts

Year established:       1948

Year closed:               2014

Consolidated to:         Arthur High School

A-H HS nickname:      “Rajahs” (boys) / “Rajenes” (girls)

A-H HS team colors:   Black & Gold

A-H HS Fight Song:

ATHLETICS

The Atwood-Hammond High School sports teams have enjoyed many successful seasons over the years. The most successful was the IHSA Class 1A State Championship won in football in 1980. Below are listed all of the athletic accomplishments and season records as found on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) . The teams competed in the Little Okaw Valley Conference. We are seeking more information and photos of these and other great teams in Atwood-Hammond High School history.

**From the Atwood-Hammond High School website (2014)  http://www.ah.k12.il.us/ :

Atwood-Hammond High School Mascot

http://www.ah.k12.il.us/vnews/display.v/ART/52682bdb97b86

“History of the RAJAH”

“Atwood-Hammond High School was the first of two schools to own the Rajah nickname. There is not a specific date that the Rajah nickname became effective, but it occurred sometime in the late 1920s. It was by accident that Atwood-Hammond High School became the Rajahs. Coach Clarence Edward Rogers, better known as “Rog” by his close friends, was a longtime Atwood coach.

Eddie Jacquin, a sports editor of a local newspaper, devised the nickname after Coach “Rog” while he was speaking with some officials prior to a football game. One of those officials explained that “Rog” meant prince of a fellow. Eddie Jacquin then stated “Rog is a Rajah”, which Rajah means an Indian prince or chief. Newspapers in the area began referring to Atwood as the Rajahs when writing about the Atwood teams.

Two schools, Atwood-Hammond High School in Atwood, IL and Indio High School in Indio, CA, are over 1800 miles apart and are the only two schools to have the Rajah mascot. For approximately 30 years, Atwood was the only school with the Rajah nickname, because Indio High School wasn’t built until 1958.”

Atwood-Hammond entered into a co-op agreement with Bement High School beginning in the 1994-95 school year. The sports of football, girls basketball, baseball, and track were all a part of the agreement. The uniform colors were black, yellow, purple, and white. This agreement lasted until the 2011-2012 school year ended. Thank you to Andrew Brown for this bit of information.

A-H HS Football Bleachers – Fred Boll Field

Photo by Dennis Downey

FOOTBALL

The Atwood-Hammond High School “Rajahs” won the IHSA State Class 1A Championship in the Fall of 1980. This was an incredible accomplishment for what was probably one of the smaller schools in the field of teams. The Atwood-Hammond boys continued competing on their own for many years. It is believed to have been in the mid-1990s that the school began a cooperative agreement with nearby Arthur regarding it’s football program. However, the Rajahs may have competing on their own well into the 2000’s. If you have this information please contact us.

1950-51       1 – 6 – 1                                          Coach Les Gadbury

1951-52       7 – 2                                               Coach Les Gadbury

1952-53       5 – 3                                               Coach Les Gadbury

1953-54       1 – 7                                               Coach Les Gadbury

1954-55       5 – 3                                               Coach Les Gadbury

1955-56       7 – 0      Undefeated Season!      Coach Les Gadbury

1956-57       5 – 2 – 1                                          Coach Les Gadbury

1957-58       5 – 2                                               Coach Les Gadbury

1958-59       4 – 2 – 2                                          Coach Les Gadbury

1959-60       2 – 6                                               Coach Don Magee

1960-61       3 – 5                                               Coach Don Magee

1961-62       5 – 3                                               Coach Don Magee

1962-63       4 – 3 – 1                                          Coach Don Magee

1963-64       2 – 6                                               Coach Bob Williams

1964-65       2 – 6                                               Coach Bob Williams

1965-66       7 – 1                                               Coach Larry Higgins

1966-67       1 – 6                                               Coach Lynn Strack

1967-68       4 – 4                                               Coach Lynn Strack

1968-69       8 – 0      Undefeated Season!      Coach Lynn Strack

1969-70       1 – 5 – 2                                          Coach John Ganley

1970-71       4 – 3 – 1                                          Coach John Ganley

1971-72       2 – 6                                               Coach Willie Wellhausen

1972-73       1 – 6 – 1                                          Coach Willie Wellhausen

1973-74       4 – 4                                               Coach John Lyons

1974-75       6 – 3                                               Coach John Lyons

1975-76       3 – 6                                               Coach John Lyons

1976-77       0 – 9                                               Coach John Lyons

1977-78       6 – 3                                               Coach John Lyons

1978-79       3 – 6                                               Coach John Lyons

1979-80       9 – 1    IHSA Class 1A Playoffs   Coach John Lyons

                               Undeafeated Regular Season

                               1st Rd – Lost to Caitlin 35-8

Caitlin lost in semi-final round to Chenoa

Chenoa placed 2nd

1980-81     14 – 0    IHSA Class 1A Champs!  Coach John Lyons

                               Undefeated Season!

                               1st Rd Beat Jacksonville Routt 18-12

                               2nd Rd Beat Martinsville 14-0

                               Semi-final Beat Roseville 35-34 (O/T)

                               Title Game Beat Lexington 17-16

*Atwood-Hammond scored on a safety in the title game tying an IHSA record for number of safety’s recorded in a title game!

1981-82       4 – 5                                               Coach John Lyons

1982-83       1 – 8                                               Coach John Lyons

1983-84       3 – 6                                               Coach John Lyons

1984-85       1 – 8                                               Coach John Lyons

1985-86       3 – 6                                               Coach Bill Estes

1986-87       4 – 5                                               Coach Tim Burk

1987-88       5 – 4                                               Coach Tim Burk

1988-89       6 – 3                                               Coach Tim Burk

1989-90       7 – 3  IHSA Class 1A Playoffs     Coach Tim Burk

                             1st Rd lost to Rossville-Alvin 36-6

Rossville lost to Arcola in Elite 8

Arcola lost to Lexington in semi-finals

Lexington lost to Orangeville in title game

1990-91       5 – 4                                               Coach Tim Burk

1991-92       3 – 6                                               Coach Scott Bales

1992-93       3 – 6                                               Coach Scott Bales

1993-94       5 – 4                                               Coach John Lyons

*The 1993-94 season is the last season as a solo school for Atwood-Hammond High School.  (http://www.ihsa.org/SportsActivities/BoysFootball/RecordsHistory.aspx )

As the South Piatt “Wildcats”

Atwood-Hammond entered into a co-op agreement with Bement High School beginning in the 1994-95 school year.

1994-95     2 – 7                                                   Coach John Erwin

1995-96     2 – 7                                                   Coach John Erwin

1996-97     3 – 6                                                   Coach Jerry Smalling

1997-98     6 – 4    IHSA Class 1A Playoffs       Coach Jerry Smalling

1st Rd lost to Lexington 29-28

Lexington lost in 2nd Rd.

1998-99     5 – 4                                                    Coach John Hayden

1999-00     2 – 7                                                    Coach John Hayden

2000-01     6 – 4    IHSA Class 1A Playoffs        Coach John Hayden

                             1st Rd lost to Lexington 41-8

Lexington lost in Elite 8 Rd

2001-02     3 – 6                                                    Coach John Hayden

2002-03     5 – 5    IHSA Class 2A Playoffs        Coach John Hayden

                             1st Rd lost to Tremont 49-8

Tremont lost in Elite 8 Rd

2003-04     7 – 4    IHSA Class 1A Playoffs        Coach John Hayden

                             1st Rd Beat Fisher 35-13

                             2nd Rd lost to Leroy 33-0

Leroy lost to Galena in State Championship game

2004-05     4 – 5                                                    Coach John Hayden

2005-06     4 – 5                                                    Coach John Hayden

2006-07     2 – 7                                                    Coach John Hayden

2007-08     3 – 6                                                    Coach John Hayden

2008-09     3 – 6                                                    Coach John Hayden

2009-10     5 – 5    IHSA Class 1A Playoffs        Coach David Elder

                             1st Rd lost to Brown County 34-0

Brown County lost in 2nd Rd to Tuscola

Tuscola won IHSA State Title

2010-11     4 – 5                                                    Coach David Elder 

*2011-12    2 – 7                                                    Coach David Elder

*Last season for the South Piatt Wildcats

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Atwood-Hammond boys basketball program competed through the very final season of the school’s existence. Following their football team’s amazing season, and likely with nearly all of the same athletes, the team of 1980-81 had the largest amount of success in the IHSA State Tournament, making it all the way to the Sweet 16 in a two-class system. All of the seasons from 1950-51 through 2007-08 are listed on the IHSA website. Season records for the teams of 2008-09 through 2013-14 are needed. Several scores involving Atwood-Hammond in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are listed below as well.

1948-49 (need record)Bethany District Tournament     Coach’s name needed

1st Rd Beat Arthur 44-35

                                    Semi-final lost to Neoga 39-29

Neoga beat Findlay in title game

1949-50 (need record)Arthur District Tournament         Coach’s name needed

Semi-final lost to Lovington 56-20

Lovington lost to Windsor in title game 

1950-51        3 – 18      Atwood District Tournament      Coach Les Gadbury

1st Rd lost to Arcola 58-43

Arcola lost to Arthur in semi-final

Arthur lost to Bethany in title game

1951-52        4 – 17      Bethany District Tournament     Coach Les Gadbury

1st Rd lost to Lovington 48-46

Lovington lost to Arthur in semi-final

Arthur beat Bethany in title game

1952-53        1 – 20    Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Les Gadbury

1953-54        4 – 18    Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Les Gadbury

1954-55        6 – 16    Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Les Gadbury

1955-56        4 – 16    Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Ed Noffke

1956-57        8 – 17    Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Ed Noffke

1957-58        9 – 15    Findlay District Runner-Up       Coach Ed Noffke

Title game lost to Windsor 60-53

1958-59        3 – 18    Lovington District Tournament     Coach Les Gadbury

1st Rd lost to Lovington 56-52

Lovington lost to Windsor in semi-final

Windsor beat Arthur in title game

1959-60        3 – 17    Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Joe Rockford

1960-61        9 – 12    Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Joe Rockford

1961-62      18 – 9      Lovington District Tournament     Coach Wayne Hammerton

Semi-final lost to Arthur 67-53

Arthur lost to Bethany in title game

1962-63      12 – 10    Lovington District Tournament     Coach Wayne Hammerton

Semi-final lost to Bethany 50-47

Bethany lost to Windsor in title game

1963-64      11 – 12    Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Wayne Hammerton

1964-65        5 – 15    Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Dean Stroble

1965-66      15 – 8      Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Dean Stroble

1966-67        9 – 13    Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Dean Stroble

1967-68      16 – 11    Lovington District Runner-Up  Coach Dean Stroble

                                   1st Rd Beat Findlay 75-65

                                   Semi-final Beat Windsor 65-64 (O/T)

                                   Title Game lost to Arthur 57-48

1968-69      18 – 10     Findlay District Champs          Coach Dean Stroble

Semi-final Beat Bethany 72-68

                                   Title Game Beat Windsor 71-52

                                   Arcola Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Arcola 64-62

Arcola lost to Mattoon in title game

1969-70         9 – 14    Lovington District Tournament   Coach Earl Avenatti

Semi-final lost to Windsor 50-42

Windsor lost to Findlay in title game

1970-71         8 – 16    Findlay District Tournament       Coach Earl Avenatti

                                   1st Rd Beat Windsor 62-56

                                   Semi-final lost to Findlay 96-50

Findlay beat Bethany in title game

1971-72       10 – 14    Arcola Class ‘A’ Regional           Coach Jack Sunderlik

                                   1st Rd Beat Arcola 78-67

                                   Semi-final lost to Lovington 72-69

Lovington lost to Sullivan in title game

1972-73       10 – 14  Postseason scores unavailable   Coach John Conklin

1973-74       17 – 7    Postseason scores unavailable   Coach John Conklin

1974-75       16 – 10  Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Leonard McKean

1975-76         3 – 21  Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Leonard McKean

1976-77       18 – 8    Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Leonard McKean

1977-78         8 – 16  Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Tim Burk

1978-79       10 – 16  Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Tim Burk

1979-80       10 – 13  Postseason scores unavailable   Coach Tim Burk

1980-81       26 – 4  IHSA Class A Sweet 16 Finalist  Coach Tim Burk

                                  IHSA Regional Champions

                                  Regional Scores Needed

                                  Tuscola Sectional Tournament

                                  Semi-final Beat St. Joe-Ogden 52-40

                                  Title Game Beat Chrisman 53-39

                                  IHSA Super-Sectional Finalist

                                  Title Game lost to Pana 46-45

Pana lost to Liberty in Elite 8 round

Liberty lost to Dunlap in semi-final

Liberty placed 4th in tourney

Dunlap lost to Madison in title game

1981-82        9 – 14    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Skip Romine

1982-83        5 – 18    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Skip Romine

1983-84        2 – 22    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Bill Carpenter

1984-85        1 – 21    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Bill Carpenter

1985-86        2 – 20    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Bill Carpenter

1986-87        9 – 15    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Tim Burk

1987-88      11 – 14    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Tim Burk

1988-89        1 – 22    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Harry Kunsch

1989-90      13 – 13    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Harry Kunsch

1990-91      17 – 9      Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Harry Kunsch

1991-92        1 – 22    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Scott Bales

1992-93        1 – 22    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Scott Bales

1993-94        0 – 23    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Scott Bales

1994-95        1 – 21    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Ray Lamb

1995-96        2 – 21    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Ray Lamb

1996-97        1 – 22    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Toby Whiteman

1997-98        2 – 22    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Toby Whiteman

1998-99        7 – 18    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Toby Whiteman

1999-00      17 – 10    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Toby Whiteman

2000-01        4 – 22    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Shane Smith

2001-02        9 – 18    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Ed Coller

2002-03      11 – 19    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Cory Whitt

2003-04      11 – 21    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Ed Coller

2004-05      19 – 11    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Ed Coller

2005-06        8 – 19    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Ed Coller

2006-07      19 – 10    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Ed Coller

2007-08      11 – 18    Postseason scores unavailable  Coach Rich Wilson

2008-09   Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

2009-10   Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

2010-11   Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

2011-12 (need record)         IHSA Regional                  Coach’s name needed

1st Rd lost to Arcola 67-45

Arcola lost to Windsor in semi-final

Windsor lost in Sweet 16 Rd

2012-13 (need record)         IHSA Regional                  Coach’s name needed

1st Rd lost to Lovington 68-33

Lovington lost in Sweet 16 Rd.

2013-14   Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

Three members of the “Rajene” track & field program earned medals in the IHSA State Meet. The names, events, and medals won by these athletes are listed below.

1994-95        Melissa McMillan    Class ‘A’ 400 Meter Dash     3rd Place

1997-98        Tosha Stevens        Class ‘A’ 1600 Meter Run     6th Place

2004-05        Lacy Mitsdarffer      Class ‘A’ 400 Meter Dash     8th Place

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

The “Rajah” track & field program produced four boys who earned a total of seven medals in the IHSA State Meet. The names, events, and medals won by these athletes are listed below.

1975-76       Randy Cherry      Class ‘A’ Pole Vault       6th Place

1976-77       Randy Cherry      Class ‘A’ Pole Vault       4th Place

2001-02       Andy Hendrix      Class ‘A’ Long Jump     3rd Place

2002-03       Andy Hendrix      Class ‘A’ Long Jump     7th Place

2003-04       Justin Wierman   Class ‘A’ Discus             6th Place

2004-05       Justin Wierman   Class ‘A’ Discus             5th Place

2009-10       Steve Bryan         Class ‘1A’ Triple Jump  9th Place

Atwood-Hammond HS Track Conf. Champs 1958

Submitted by Larry West

First row: Steve Rahn, Delbert McDivitt, Joe Daugherty, Gerald Alexander, Timmy Behrend, John Pourchot, Bob Dallas

Second row: John Swartz, John Martin, Frank Andrews, Joe Sanders, Larry Harshbarger, Larry Sawyer, David Behrend, Dennis Behrend

Third row: Bill Beatty, Eddie Mosely, Jim Daugherty, Roy Dallas, Coach Les Gadbury, Larry West, David Schmidt, Jim Brown, Bill Austin

1958 Track “Bests”

High Hurdles         Roy Dallas          16.0           1st Place in Conference Meet

100 Yard Dash      Bill Austin           10.4           Tied School Record, 2nd in Conference Meet/4th @ District

Mile Run               Larry West          4:42           School Record/3rd in Conference Meet

Frank Andrews    5:01           F/S School Record

440 Yard Dash      Bill Beatty           56.5

880 Yard Run        Larry West          2:10           Tied School Record/3rd in Conference Meet

180 Low Hurdles    Roy Dallas          22.9           2nd in Conference Meet

220 Yard Dash      Bill Austin            22.6           School Record/Conference Champ/District 2nd Place

High Jump             Roy Dallas          5’11.5″        Conference Champion

Dave Schmidt      5’08.5″        F/S School Record

Broad Jump           Bill Austin           19′ 3″          3rd in Conference Meet

Pole Vault             Dennis Behrend   10’3″

Shot Put               David Behrend      49’2.5″        Conference Champion

John Swartz         44’10”         4th in Conference Meet

Discus                  Joe Sanders        140’9″          School Record/4th in Conference Meet

David Behrend      131′            Conference Meet Champ

*Results reprinted from 1958 school yearbook.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The girls basketball program had some nice seasons on the hardwood court. We currently only have three seasons available to list here. We know that the girls basketball program formed a cooperative agreement with Arthur High School at some point. Season records, coach’s names, and any other information is welcome regarding Atwood-Hammond High School “Rajene” basketball.

2002-03        6 – 17             Coach Lynn Farmer

2005-06        8 – 20             Coach Bill Lyons

2006-07        5 – 22             Coach Bill Lyons

GIRLS SOFTBALL

The softball program was involved in a cooperative agreement with Bement High School at some point however the following records are listed on the IHSA website for Atwood-Hammond High School.

2002-03         10 – 10 – 1             Coach John Strack

2003-04           9 – 13                  Coach John Strack

2004-05         10 – 13                  Coach John Strack

2005-06           9 – 13                  Coach John Strack

2006-07         15 – 9                    Coach John Strack

2007-08         12 – 8                    Coach John Strack

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Currently only two season records are listed on the IHSA website regarding the A-H HS volleyball program. If you have further information to add please contact us via the means listed at the bottom of this page.

2007-08         9 – 19             Coach Bill Lyons

2008-09       10 – 19             Coach Bill Lyons

BASS FISHING

Atwood-Hammond HS also competed in the sport of Bass Fishing, qualifying for the IHSA State Finals in 2009-10!

2009-10      IHSA State Qualifier        Coach Brian Fay

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

We know the experience at Atwood-Hammond High School was a very well-rounded one. We are confident that Band, Choir, Student Government, and other activities were offered. In addition clubs such as FFA, FHA, NHS, and many others were available for the students as well. If you have additional information regarding the activities at A-H HS please contact us.

WE ARE SEEKING FURTHER INFORMATION

If you have any further information to share regarding Atwood-Hammond High School please contact us via e-mail at IHSGDWEBSITE@COMCAST.NET or via USPS at the following address:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il.  60631

Atwood-Hammond School District Offices

Photo by Dennis Downey

Atwood-Hammond HS Events Sign 2014

Photo by Dennis Downey

Small towns lovingly tug home their daughters and sons

Sun, 11/24/2013 – 7:00am | John Foreman

Approach the little burg of Atwood through the country — and there is, frankly, no other way to approach — and the first thing you see are the lights. They glow high in the pitch black of an autumn evening, higher than anything in town save perhaps the big grain elevator that once gave places like Atwood their reason to exist.

By the time you depart the car and test your jacket against the night air, the very atmosphere seems charged with the current of those lights. I’ve experienced those sensations perhaps a hundred times, felt that tingle of the electricity. I remembered it instantly.

Friday night offers the full week’s entertainment in thousands of places like Atwood. That’s not a complaint. People don’t seek such places in search of excitement. But an evening’s diversion under those big lights seems welcome by nearly everyone.

They’ll have it no more, not in Atwood, one more town now dark the whole week long.

These are the Friday night lights — storied in Texas, perhaps, but instantly recognizable in communities from Southern California to upstate New York. In villages, they mark the social center of the week, not for athletes and adolescents, but for everyone still able to board a pickup truck or minivan and make it to the school.

(I used to marvel that my late mother-in-law, who raised three boys, would decades later still drive herself to a spot facing the end zone and roll down her car windows. Severe arthritis kept her in the car, and milling fans on foot blocked the view from the seat. But she could see the scoreboard, hear the P.A., feel the airborne electricity and still make it home in time to see if the highlights she missed had somehow found their way to the TV news. If that seems odd, you’ve never lived in a place like Atwood.)

This night — this particular night — they were calling the game at Fred Boll Field in Atwood “the last homecoming.” It would be the final opportunity for those who graduated from Atwood-Hammond High School (or from Atwood Township High School before that) to see the lights, climb the noisy bleachers or cling to the surrounding fence.

And they came. Came from all over. Came from Arizona and Georgia and California. Came in numbers no one really expected, I think, to watch a game none of them particularly cared about. Mostly, like me, they just wanted to be there — maybe to feel the electricity they’d forgotten, maybe to bathe for a few minutes in the warm water of nostalgia, maybe just to see who else would come. But they came. And it had almost nothing to do with football.

Homecoming everywhere is the designated event to welcome back alumni. They rarely indulge. I hadn’t been to a homecoming game since I reached the age of majority. It’s really for the kids — a time to build floats and to wear flowers and fancy dresses and ride convertibles.

Tonight, the alumni came by the hundreds, someone thought maybe a thousand of them. At a school that graduated maybe 50 or 60 youngsters a year at its peak and far fewer now, a thousand is a lot. But the word had been sent and the welcome set out. In the west end zone, a tent awaited each decade of grads, each stocked with homemade cookies and jugs of lemonade and festooned with memorabilia from their era — pictures, old sweaters and football jerseys. Someone knew they would come.

There, beneath the lights, the decades all merged. The carefully managed high school cliques dissolved faster than the lemonade mix. Old classmates who may rarely have spoken as kids greeted each other with open-armed embraces. Age melted like ice cubes. Extended conversations arose between people who’d never even met before.

And at halftime, they toured the old school — now physically much smaller than it once was, as if it had sometime since been left in the dryer too long. Could the halls really have been so short? The rooms so very small? Everything was otherwise unchanged. The English room was still where the English room belonged. Biology was still in its appointed place.

And casual eavesdropping suggested that the inhabitants of the place maybe didn’t change so much over the years. A 60-year-old can be heard excitedly: “Do you remember that one time when we …?” as she passed through the library. A few minutes later, someone else — maybe 30 years her junior, giggles: “Do you remember that one time when we …?”

But as small as the old place has become, it is way too big for the current occupancy. The pictures of each graduating class on the wall tell the story. My own class of baby boomers was one of the largest, it turns out. Come next year, the handful remaining will make the trip to school at Arthur, a nice little town not really all that different.

Little Atwood will grow quieter still in the absence of school plays and Friday lights and boys in cars on gravel parking lots. Who knows what will become of the old brick building and Boll Field.

But I think I now know something that will remain. There are bonds, you see — long, strong and invisible — that tie people together against great differences of time, station and space.

This came back to me last week as I listened to people talk about Gifford. Those from there, but no longer of there, spoke of the need — not just the desire — to go back and help. “Those are my people,” one told an interviewer.

Maybe small towns are just that way. People grouped so closely for 10 or 20 years become like the ingredients in a long-simmering soup. They may seem as different as cabbage and carrots. But take one away, even far away, and it nonetheless retains the taste of all the others.

We live in a world where everything must be big. Big fish eat little fish. Big stores eat little stores. Big towns eat little towns. “Global” is almost a synonym for good. “Universal” is better.

But small isn’t bad. Good things, my mother told me, come in small packages.

People must be tightly bound to fit in small places. Some of us chafed at those bonds. We were far more alike than we knew, and we so wanted to be different. But the tethers stretch over great time and great space and great change without ever fully loosing their pull — be the occasion a great community maelstrom or no more than one last chance to happily share the lights.

John Foreman, publisher of The News-Gazette, can be reached by email at foreman@news-gazette.com or by mail at P.O. Box 677 in Champaign.

Atwood Township High School

Now Atwood-Hammond High School

Atwood Township HS Inscription Stone

Photo by Dennis Downey

The History of Atwood High School

Atwood (population 1,290) is located in lower-eastern Illinois about 25 miles east of Decatur.  Atwood is unique in that it stradles the county lines of Piatt (western Atwood) and Douglas (eastern Atwood) counties.U.S. Route 36 passes by the south side of town.  The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad travels through the center of town.  The Lake Fork Creek passes by the western edge of Atwood.

Atwood was officially recognized as a town in 1874. It’s name is likely taken from a town of a similar name in the eastern USA. However, some say the town name is derived from statements made by early settlers who would often meet “at the wood” or that the original town was described as “one at the wood.”

The history of the Atwood former solo school system is in need of research. We believe that the residents of Atwood had begun an educational process in their town during the late 1800s.  A high school probably followed shortly after.  We know that Atwood High School served the town’s children through the late 1940s.  It was then that consolidation talks began with Atwood’s neighbor to the west, Hammond.  The talks were solidified in 1948 when the Atwood-Hammond School District was established.

The high school for the new district was located in Atwood, where it remained until the close of the 2013-14 school year. Atwood-Hammond High School was closed and consolidated with nearby Arthur High School. The Atwood High School building is scheduled to be razed in the summer of 2014.

Atwood High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                         late 1800s / early 1900s

Year consolidated:                 1948

Consolidated to:                     Atwood-Hammond School District

Atwood HS team nickname:    the “Rajahs”

Atwood HS team colors:         Black & Gold

School Fight Song:                 unavailable

The Atlas High School boys participated in basketball. It is probable that baseball and track were offered as well. The team nickname, uniform colors, fight song, coaches names, and season records are being sought.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Below is the extent of the information we currently have regarding the Atlas High School basketball program. Please contact us if you have further information to add.

https://sites.google.com/site/xtmi2000/il1935dist-1

Pittsfield District Tournament

Round 1 – Atlas 24, Milton 22 (O/T)

Round 2 – Hull 51, Atlas 18

(Hull lost in semi-final round.)

—–

https://sites.google.com/site/xtmi2000/il1936dist

Griggsville District Tournament

Round 1 – Rockport-Atlas 28, Rockport 22

Round 2 – Milton 58, Rockport-Atlas 19

(Milton lost in semi-final round)

—-

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The Atlas High School kids also probably had a chorus, band, dances, clubs, and other activities to make their high school experience complete.  If you have information or memories you would like to share, Please contact us via the means listed below.

WE WELCOME YOUR IN-PUT

Do you lhave items you wish to share about Atlas and its former high school?  Please drop us a line at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  A photo of the former HS building is always a great addition.  Items can also be mailed to us at:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.    60631