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Tiskilwa HS Gymnasium – South Entrance

Home of the Indians

Athletics

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

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

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

Boys Basketball

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

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

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

1st Rd lost to Lamoille 16-13

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Princeton 23-9

Princeton lost to DePue in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Buda 28-14

Princeton beat DePue in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Princeton 25-15

Princeton beat DePue in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Spring Valley Hall 30-12

Semi-final Beat Princeton 34-21

Title Game lost to Bureau Township HS 38-36

  —–  

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

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to DePue 36-10

DePue lost to Mendota in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Mendota 44-18

Mendota lost to LaSalle-Peru in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Spring Valley Hall 49-38

Hall beat Princeton in title game

  —–  

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

Title Game Beat Lamoille 29-17

LaSalle Regional Qualifier

 1st Rd lost to LaSalle-Peru

L-P beat Hall in title game

  —–  

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

  —–  

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

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Cherry 30-29

Ohio beat Manlius in title game

   —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Malden 66-18

Semi-final Beat Cherry 34-18

Title Game lost to Ohio 50-26

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

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

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Malden 50-38

Semi-final lost to Manlius 59-35

Ohio beat Manlius in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Wyanet 46-42

Ohio beat Manlius in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Bureau Township HS 40-37

Bureau Township beat Lamoille in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Lamoille 46-40

Tampico beat Lamoille in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Bureau Township HS 42-35

Manlius beat Lamoille in title game

  —–  

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

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

Semi-final lost to Manlius 83-57

Ohio beat Manlius in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Bureau Township HS 56-47

Semi-final lost to Ohio 67-48

Ohio beat Manlius in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Princeton 94-62

Princeton beat Peru St. Bede in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Princeton 70-42

Princeton beat Mendota in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Mendota 68-65

LaSalle-Peru beat St. Bede in title game

L-P lost in Sweet 16 Rd

  —–  

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

1957-58                  LaSalle Regional Champions    Coach Dale Pienta 

 Season Record Needed

1st Rd Beat Mendota 67-64

Semi-final Beat LaSalle-Peru 62-60

Title Game Beat Princeton 76-75

LaSalle Sectional Runner-Up

Semi-final Beat Toluca 67-65

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

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

Title Game lost to Ottawa 70-65

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

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

Ottawa lost in Sweet 16 Rd

  —–  

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

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

Semi-final Beat Spring Valley Hall 45-43

 Title Game lost to LaSalle-Peru 67-52

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Malden 70-54

Semi-final lost to DePue 60-44

DePue lost to Bureau Township in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Bureau Township HS 72-57

DePue beat Bureau Township HS in title game

  —–  

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

Semi-final Beat Malden 78-57

Title Game lost to Ohio 58-46

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Malden 60-33

Semi-final Beat Ohio 60-51

Title Game lost to Manlius 54-49

  —–  

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

    —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Wyanet 64-54

Manlius beat DePue in title game

  —–  

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

Semi-final Beat Ohio 69-48

Title Game Beat DePue 56-51

LaSalle Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Princeton 56-43

 Semi-final lost to LaSalle-Peru 57-49

L-P beat Mendota in title game

  —–  

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

Semi-final Beat Ohio 69-60

Title Game lost to Lamoille

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Lamoille 49-44

Tonica beat Malden in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Ohio 84-55

Semi-final Beat DePue 86-46

Title Game Beat Malden 62-40

 Princeton Regional Tournament

 1st Rd lost to Peru St. Bede 59-44

Mendota beat Princeton in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Ohio 82-54

Semi-final Beat Lostant 71-52

Title Game Beat Malden 74-50

LaSalle Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Peru St. Bede 67-48

Semi-final lost to LaSalle-Peru 50-43

L-P beat Princeton in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Tonica 55-39

Tonica beat Manlius in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Manlius 50-44

Semi-final Beat Spring Valley Hall 53-52

Title Game Beat Putnam County 70-68

Wenona Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Princeville 78-58

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

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

Streator Woodland beat Princeville in title game

Woodland lost in Elite 8 Rd

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat DePue 71-59

Semi-final lost to Spring Valley Hall 64-58

St. Bede beat Hall in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Hall 81-41

Hall beat St. Bede in title game

Hall lost in Sweet 16 Rd

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to St. Bede 68-40

Buda Western beat St. Bede in title game

Western lost in Elite 8 Rd

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

Buda Western placed 4th in State

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Putnam County 74-48

Semi-final Beat Hall 54-42

Title Game Beat Peru St. Bede 50-48

Spring Valley Sectional

Semi-final lost to Roanoke-Benson 73-70

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

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

R-B Beat Buda Western in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Putnam County 64-43

Semi-final lost to DePue 55-48

DePue beat St. Bede in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Malden 70-54

Semi-final Beat St. Bede 46-38

Title Game Beat Princeton 51-50

Wenona Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Ottawa Marquette 68-65

Marquette lost to Wethersfield in title game

Wethersfield lost to State Champ Providence in Sweet 16

  —–  

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

DePue won Regional

DePue lost in Sweet 16 Rd to State Champ Luther South

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Bradford 91-54

Semi-final Beat Buda Western 66-52

Title Game Beat DePue 69-53

Spring Valley Sectional

Semi-final lost to Serena 79-66

Putnam County beat Serena in title game

Putnam County lost in Elite 8 Rd

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Wyoming 68-50

Semi-final Beat Bradford 54-49

Title Game Beat Buda Western 58-54

Spring Valley Sectional

Semi-final lost to Putnam County 64-48

PC beat Mendota in title game

PC lost in Sweet 16 Rd

  —–  

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

Regional Scores Needed

Spring Valley Sectional Champs

Semi-final Beat Mid County 62-47

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

Super-Sectional Champs

Title Game Beat Mt. Morris 65-55

Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Flanagan 51-33

Flanagan lost to Lawrenceville in title game

  —–  

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

Regional Scores Needed

Spring Valley Sectional Champs

Semi-final lost to Mid-County 70-62

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

H-BR lost in Elite 8 Rd

  —–  

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

Regional Scores Needed

Spring Valley Sectional Champs

Semi-final lost to St. Bede 48-46

Ohio beat St. Bede in title game

Ohio lost in Sweet 16 Rd

  —–  

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

Ohio placed 2nd in IHSA State Tourney

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tiskilwa HS Basketball – 1982-83 – Elite 8 Finalist

Displayed at Kelly’s Restaurant, Tiskilwa, Illinois

Tiskilwa HS Football Field

Tiskilwa HS Football Pressbox

Football

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

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

1945-46   6 – 2                                                 Coach Virgil Keithly

1946-47   6 – 2                                                 Coach Virgil Keithly

1947-48   7 – 2                                                 Coach Virgil Keithly

1948-49   6 – 1                                                 Coach Virgil Keithly

1949-50   5 – 2                                                 Coach Virgil Keithly

1950-51   4 – 5                                                 Coach Virgil Keithly

1951-52   6 – 3                                                 Coach Robert Perry

1952-53   7 – 2                                                 Coach Robert Perry

1953-54   5 – 3                                                 Coach Richard Franklin

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

1955-56   6 – 2                                                 Coach Richard Franklin

1956-57   6 – 1 – 1                                            Coach Richard Franklin

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

Newspaper Article Regarding Coach Franklin

Courtesy of Roberta VanBriesen

Coach Richard Franklin

Submitted by Roberta VanBriesen

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

1958-59   7 – 1                                                     Coach Bob Prusator

1959-60   3 – 5                                                     Coach Bob Prusator

1960-61   3 – 5                                                     Coach Bob Prusator

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

1962-63   5 – 3                                                     Coach Bob Prusator

1963-64   7 – 1                                                     Coach Bob Prusator

1964-65   7 – 1                                                     Coach Bob Prusator

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

1966-67   4 – 4                                                     Coach Bob Prusator

1967-68   1 – 6                                                     Coach Dave Doolittle

1968-69   3 – 5                                                     Coach Dave Doolittle

1969-70   7 – 1                                                     Coach Dave Doolittle

1970-71   5 – 2 – 1                                                Coach Dave Doolittle

1971-72   3 – 3 – 1                                                Coach Dave Doolittle

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

1973-74   5 – 2                                                     Coach Dave Doolittle

1974-75   4 – 3                                                     Coach Dave Doolittle

1975-76   2 – 5                                                     Coach Dave Doolittle

1976-77   0 – 9                                                     Coach Randy Oberembt

1977-78   6 – 3                                                     Coach Randy Oberembt

   —–  

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

                             Indian Valley Conference Champs

                             IHSA Playoffs

                             1st Rd Beat Cambridge 20-13

                             2nd Rd lost to Hampshire 22-12

Hampshire lost to Arcola in state title game

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1979-80   7 – 2                                                     Coach Randy Oberembt

1980-81   7 – 2                                                     Coach Randy Oberembt

   —–  

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

                             Indian Valley Conference Champs

                             IHSA Playoffs

                             1st Rd Beat Alexis 40-22

                             2nd Rd lost to Gridley 14-12

Gridley lost to Freeport Aquin in semi-final

Aquin beat Maroa-Forsyth in title game

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1982-83   7 – 2                                                     Coach Randy Kruger

1983-84   6 – 3                                                     Coach Randy Kruger

1984-85   6 – 3                                                     Coach Randy Kruger

1985-86   3 – 6                                                     Coach Greg Sarver

1986-87   2 – 7                                                     Coach Greg Sarver

1987-88   4 – 5                                                     Coach Greg Sarver

*1988-89   4 – 5                                                    Coach Greg Sarver

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

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

Tiskilwa Football Stats By The Numbers:

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

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

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

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

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

49 – Career touchdowns by Doug Compton.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1st Rd lost to Alexis 28-0

Alexis lost in 3rd Rd

—–  .

1990-91   6 – 3                                                      Coach John McKenzie

1991-92   5 – 4                                                      Coach’s name needed

1992-93   6 – 3                                                      Coach’s name needed

1993-94   5 – 4                                                      Coach’s name needed

1994-95   1 – 8                                                      Coach Greg Sarver

1995-96   0 – 9                                                      Coach’s name needed

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Boys Track and Field

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

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

1978-79     Bob Kunkel         880 Yard Run                  5th Place

1980-81     Todd Schertz      Shot Put                          3rd Place

                   Tom Schertz       Discus                             7th Place

   —–  

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

                 Todd Schertz      Shot Put                        3rd Place

                 Tom Schertz       Discus                           4th Place

                 Tom Schertz       Shot Put                        7th Place

                 Doug Compton    Long Jump                   5th Place

   —–  

1982-83     Tom Schertz        Shot Put                       4th Place

                   Brian Stewart      Triple Jump                  6th Place

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

Track Memories from Steve Birdsley (Class of 1975):

“

Tiskilwa HS Girls 2ND Place Track Trophy

DIsplayed Proudly at Kelly’s Restaurant, Tiskilwa, Illinois

Girls Track and Field

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

The individual winners and the better teams are listed below.

1980-81   Teresa Colby   800 Meter Run   4th Place

1982-83   Lane Suarez   800 Meter Run    3rd Place

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

               SCORED 34 POINTS, TEUTOPOLIS SCORED 46

                    Individual Medalists  

               Lane Suarez      400 Meter Dash        State Champion

               Lane Suarez      800 Meter Run          State Champion

               800 Meter Medley Relay Team           State Champions  

                     4 X 400 Meter Relay Team                  5th Place

1985-86    Missy Sims        Shot Put                    7th Place

1986-87    Missy Sims        Shot Put                    2nd Place

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Girls Volleyball

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

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

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

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

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

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Girls Basketball

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

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

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

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Great Coach

Bob Prusator –   Boy’s Basketball  1958 -1986  

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

                          Class A Elite 8 – 1982-83

                          8 – Regional Titles

                          4 – District Titles

                        11 – 20+ game-winning seasons  

                          Boy’s Football  1958 – 1967

                          53 – 20 overall

                          Two undefeated / untied seasons

                          Two one-loss seasons

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

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EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

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

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

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

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

Tiskilwa HS Pep Band of 1975-76

Submitted by Jim Kouzmanoff

Pep Band Article in 1976 IHSA Basketball Program

Submitted by Jim Kouzmanoff

Seeking Further Information

If you have information you would like to share regarding Tiskilwa High School please contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .

Tiskilwa Football Bleachers

High School in Background

Timewell School Gymnasium 2013

Photo by Roberta Van Briesen

Athletics

We are quite certain that the Timewell High School boys participated in competitive basketball. We believe they competed in baseball and track as well. We are in need of your assistance here. School team nickname, team colors, fight song, coach’s names, and team records are all items we are searching for.

Boys Basketball

Though the Timewell High School basketball team did not win any IHSA hardware, we are certain they had some nice seasons over the years. We did locate some scores from the annual IHSA Tourney on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores, along with the location of the tourney, are listed below. If you have season records, coaches’ names, and/or photos of Timewell High School basketball teams please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.

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

1st Rd lost to Industry 30-19

Industry lost in 2nd Rd to Chandler

Beardstown beat Hersman for title

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

1st Rd lost to Versailles 37-34

Versailles lost in 2nd Rd to Rushville

Rushville beat Beardstown in title game

1935-36                 Camp Point District Runner-Up     Coach’s name & record needed

Semi-final beat Golden 43-13

                             Title Game lost to Augusta 26-24

1936-37 through closing of school:  Postseason scores, records, coaches’ names needed.

Extra-Curricular Activities

We are also interested in items and activities that made Timewell High School unique.  Band, chorus, plays, meetings, clubs, and dances were likely all a part of the Timewell High School experience. If you have knowledge of these please write and share them with us.

Seeking Your Assistance

Photos and information regarding the former Timewell High School can be e-mailed to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .  You can also send items to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.  60631

**The following photos were taken in 2013 in Timewell by Roberta Van Briesen. Place your cursor over any photo and “left Click” your mouse for a larger view of any particular photo.

Tilden HS Bluebirds of 1943-44

Photo Courtesy of

Boys Basketball

In the Picture to your right is the 1944 Tilden High School “Meteor” basketball squad.  We do not know the team results of that year, however we do know that Tilden High School’s coach that year was Thies Lohrding.  Coach Lohrding and the boys are viewed in the following order:

Back Row:  Coach Theis Lohrding, Connie Sperling, Everett Moody, Cecil Schwartzkopf, Henry Poston

Front Row:  Dean Dufour, Donald Atkin, Rudolph Fox

One score involving the Tilden High School basketball team involved in the IHSA State Tournament was located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” This score is listed below.

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

1st Rd lost to Baldwin 46-37

Extra-Curricular Activities

Tilden High School likely offered other activities besides athletics. Band, choir, dances, student government, and other activities were probably an important part of the Tilden High School experience.

We Need Your Assistance

Please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net if you have ANY further information on the history of Tilden and its former school system. Photos of the high school building are always a great addition. You can write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.  60631

Thomson gymnasium ticket booth

Athletics

The Thomson High School Trojans and Lady Trojans had some real nice seasons during their lifespans.  We are certain, in researching the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org), that boys basketball and softball were offered at the school. It is probable that other sports such as baseball, track, volleyball, and possibly even football were offered at the school. We are searching for the school fight song, coach’s names, and team records of the better teams in THS history.

Boys Basketball

The Trojans of Thomson High School were the talk of the state in 1972.  In the first season of the two class basketball system in Illinois, “tiny” Thomson High School defied the odds and placed fourth in the IHSA’s inaugural Class A State Tourney.  Coach Stan McCrudden led the Trojans that year to a 27 – 6 record.  In addition Thomson High won three District titles prior to their incredible season in 1972.  It is noted that Devin Ehrich was one of the leaders of the Thomson Basketball team prior to its closing, having participated in the IHSA’s three-point competetion in 2004.

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

1st Rd Beat Hillsdale 20-14

2nd Rd Scores Needed

Moline Beat Annawan in title game

1922-23 through 1931-32 Need coaches names, records, and postseason scores.

1932-33                Savanna District Tourney      Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat East Dubuque 32-15

                             2nd Rd Beat Chadwick 17-15

                             Semi-Final lost to Hanover 30-18

Savanna beat Hanover in title game

1933-34  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1934-35                Morrison District Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Milledgeville 35-15

Morrison beat Fulton in title game

1935-36                Savanna Regional Tourney    Coach’s name & record needed

(Thomson did not compete in District Tourney)

1st Rd lost to Fulton 61-8

Fulton beat Hanover in title game

1936-37                Elizabeth District Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Pearl City 43-17

                             Semi-Final lost to East Dubuque 37-33

Warren beat East Dubuque in title game

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

1938-39                Savanna Regional Tourney    Coach’s name & record needed

(Thomson did not compete in District Tourney)

1st Rd lost Morrison 32-25

Fulton beat Savannah in title game

1939-40                Shannon Dist. Runner-Up    Coach’s name & record needed

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to Chadwick 34-24

1940-41                Elizabeth District Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Lyndon 43-28

                             Semi-Final lost to Chadwick 32-27

Shannon beat Chadwick in title game

1941-42  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1942-43                Shannon District Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Shannon 60-16

Hanover beat Shannon in title game

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

1944-45                Shannon District Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Shannon 48-19

Shannon beat Chadwick in title game

1945-46                Shannon District Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Shannon 39-38

Shannon beat Chadwick in title game

1946-47                Shannon District Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Pearl City 54-52 (O/T)

Shannon beat Pearl City in title game

1947-48                Shannon District Champs    Coach’s name & record needed

                             Semi-Final Beat Pearl City 56-42

                             Title Game Beat Shannon 38-36

                             Mt. Carroll Regional Runner-Up

                             1st Rd Beat Lanark 49-48

                             Semi-Final Beat Fulton 47-43

                             Title Game lost to Morrison 46-31

1948-49                Pearl City Dist. Runner-Up   Coach’s name & record needed

Semi-Final Beat Peral City 54-39

                             Title Game lost to Shannon 59-36

1949-50  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1950-51                Thomson District Champ     Coach’s name & record needed

Semi-Final Beat Lyndon 55-44

                             Title Game Beat Shannon 51-47

                             Fulton Regional Tourney

1st Rd lost to Lanark 63-46

LANARK (63): D. Miller 23, Daws 13, Derrer 8, R. Miller 7, Sturtevant 6, Lotz 4, Gouker 2.

THOMSON (46): J. Murray 18, Sikkema 9, Houzenga 7, Halfman 5, Prins 4, D. Murray 3.

Morrison beat Milledgeville in title game

1951-52                Pearl City District Tourney      Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Pearl City 52-51

Pearl City Beat Shannon in title game

1952-53                Thomson District Tourney      Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Chadwick 66-61

Shannon beat Chadwick in title game

1953-54  12 – 10   Postseason scores needed    Coach Cross

1954-55                Postseason scores needed    Coach Cross

1955-56                Thomson Dist. Runner-Up   Coach Cross

                             Semi-Final Beat Shannon 59-58

                             Title game lost to Chadwick 76-68

1956-57                Chadwick District Tourney      Coach Cross

1st Rd lost to Chadwick 72-71

Chadwick beat Shannon in title game

1957-58                Chadwick District Tourney      Coach Jim Chapman.

1st Rd lost to Shannon 68-62

Chadwick beat Shannon in title game

1958-59                Shannon District Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Shannon 97-63

Shannon beat Chadwick in title game

1959-60                Chadwick District Tourney      Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Shannon 75-60

Chadwick beat Shannon in title game

1960-61                Shannon District Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Chadwick 79-42

Shannon beat Chadwick in title game

1961-62  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1962-63                Lyndon District Tourney         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Chadwick 70-43

Chadwick beat Shannon in title game

1963-64  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1964-65                Thomson District Tourney      Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Chadwick 74-65 (O/T)

Shannon beat Chadwick in title game

1965-66                Shannon District Champs    Coach’s name & record needed

Semi-Final Beat 60-47

                             Title Game Beat Chadwick 58-44

                             Prophetstown Regional Tourney

                             1st Rd Beat Lanark 53-43

                             Semi-Final lost to Fulton 73-37

Fulton beat Morrison in title game

1966-67                Thomson District Tourney      Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Shannon 70-58

Chadwick beat Shannon in title game

1967-68                Lyndon District Tourney         Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Lyndon 73-67

Chadwick beat Lyndon in title game

1968-69                Tampico District Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Chadwick 61-58

Lyndon beat Chadwick in title game

1969-70                Thomson Dist. Runner-Up   Coach’s name & record needed

                             Semi-Final Beat Tampico 69-55

                             Title game lost to Shannon 84-63

1970-71                Shannon District Champs    Coach’s name & record needed

Semi-Final Beat Shannon 74-51

                             Title Game Beat Milledgeville 70-69

                             Prophetstown Regional Tourney

                             1st Rd Beat Prophetstown 57-53

                             Semi-Final lost to Morrison 81-76

Fulton beat Morrison in title game

1971-72   27 – 6    Team Placed FOURTH in IHSA Class A Tourney!!   Coach Stan McCrudden

                             Morrison Regional Champions

                             1st Rd Beat Fulton 83-71

                             Semi-Final Beat Mt. Carroll 94-71

                             Title Game Beat Chadwick 86-73

                             Port Byron Sectional Champions

                             Semi-Final Beat Lanark 75-74

THOMSON (75): Hebeler 22, Hill 21, Robinson 21, Erich 8, Dykstra 3.

LANARK (74): Wehmeyer 24, Martz 19, Ludwig 14, Jenkins 13, Dambman 4.

                             Title Game Beat Galena 75-69

THOMSON (75): Robinson 23, Dykstra 20, Hill 13, Hebeler 9, Erich 8, Eagle 2.

GALENA (69): Bussan 29, Olson 10, Wubben 10, Norman 7, Schmidt 5, Malone 3.

                             Super-Sectional Champions
Thomson 84, Farmington East 73
Quarter-Final Winner
Thomson 72, Streator Woodland 56
Final Four Finalist

                             Mounds Meridian 81, Thomson 74

(Mounds Meridian lost in title game)

                             3rd Place Game

                             Raymond Lincolnwood 90, Thomson 69

The 1971-72 Thomson team holds the Illinois High School state record for most points scored in a season with 3,006! Senior Don Robinson was the State Tournament’s leading scorer with 123 points in four games with games of 30-29-28-36, and was named to the All-Tournament team. Mike Hill contributed 46 points and 44 rebounds in the four games.  During the season Robinson averaged averaging 27 p.p.g. while his teammates Ron Hebler and “Leaping” Mike Hill averaged near 20 ppg.

After attending college, Robinson became the head girl’s basketball coach at Prophetstown High School where he won his 500th game in 2006-07.

1972-73                Fulton Regional Tourney         Coach Stan McCrudden

                             1st Rd lost to Savanna 78-72

Fulton beat Chadwick in title game

1973-74                Morrison Regional Tourney     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Mt. Carroll 73-69

                             Semi-Final lost to Morrison 84-57

Fulton beat Morrison in title game

1974-75                Fulton Regional Tourney         Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Mt. Carroll 41-34

                             Semi-Final lost to Fulton 64-57

Fulton beat Morrison in title game

1975-76                Morrison Regional Tourney     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Morrison 62-54

                             Morrison beat Milledgeville in title game

1976-77                Fulton Regional Tourney         Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Morrison 97-61

                             Morrison beat Mt. Carroll in title game

1977-78                Morrison Regional Tourney     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Fulton 72-41

                             Morrison beat Mt. Carroll in title game

1978-79  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1979-80                Fulton Regional Tourney         Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Fulton 70-49

                             Fulton beat Chadwick in title game

1980-81                Morrison Regional Tourney     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Sterling Newman 69-52

                             Chadwick beat Morrison in title game

1981-82  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1982-83                Fulton Regional Tourney         Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Fulton 71-54

                             Morrison beat Fulton in title game

1983-84                Morrison Regional Tourney     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Fulton 49-46

                             Fulton beat Morrison in title game

1984-85  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1985-86                Savanna Regional Tourney     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Morrison 81-73

                             Sterling Newman beat Chadwick in title game

1986-87                Sterling Regional Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Morrison 87-66

                             Morrison beat Sterling Newman in title game

1987-88                Milledgeville Reg. Runner-Up Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Sterling Newman 68-63

                             Semi-Final Beat Morrison 83-75

Title game lost to Chadwick 62-53

1988-89                Fulton Regional Tourney         Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Sterling Newman 63-40

                             Morrison beat Newman in title game

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

1990-91                Sterling Regional Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Prophetstown 52-44

                             Fulton beat Prophetstown in title game

1991-92                Milledgeville Reg. Tourney       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Prophetstown 76-65

                             Morrison beat Sterling Newman in title game

1992-93                Prophetstown Reg. Tourney     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Sterling Newman 78-73

                             Morrison beat Prophetstown in title game

1993-94                Fulton Regional Runner-Up   Coach’s name & record needed

                             1st Rd Beat Prophetstown 59-37

                             Semi-Final Beat Milledgeville 64-59

                             Title Game lost to Morrison 77-60

1994-95 through 2004-05   Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

Girls Softball

There must be some great softball programs in Thomson.  The Thomson High School girls softball program faired extremely well in the 1990s and early 2000s.  The team of 1993-94 made it all the way to the Elite 8 before falling to Vienna.  A Sweet 16 appearance as a “coop” team followed in 2001-02.  If you have any further information on the Thomson HS girls softball program and subsequent success please write to us.

1993-94      19 – 3       IHSA Tourney Elite 8                      Coach Don Mathey

                                 Regional Champions

                                 Sectional Champions

                                 Super-Sectional Champions

                                 Elite 8 Finalist

                                 Lost to Vienna 3 – 0

Vienna Finished 4th Overall

1994-95                      Regional Champions
1995-96                      Regional Champions
1999-00      12 – 9                                                              Coach Jerry Biederman
2000-01      19 – 10      Regional Champions                     Coach Jerry Biederman

2001-02      28 – 5        IHSA Tourney Sweet 16 Finalist!   Coach Jerry Biederman

                                  Regional Champions

                                  Sectional Champions

                                  Super-Sectional Finalist

                                  Lost to Sherrard 3 – 2

Sherrard Lost in Elite 8 Round

Theatre

The Illinois Theatre Festival is the largest, non-competetive high school theatre festival in the world. It was organized in 1976 by teachers from the Chicago suburbs. This festival is still going strong as they perform at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) and Illinois State University every other January. Thomson High school participated in this festival in 1976.

Need Your Help

If you have any further information regarding Thomson High School, especially photos of the old school building, and of teams, or coaches, please complete a School Submission Form or Guest Commentary Form.  You can e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or contact us via postal mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.    60631

Thomson School Smoking Restriction Sign 2018

Thomson HS Entrance 2018

Thomson HS Gymnasium Entrance 2018

Thomson School Message Sign 2018

Thomson School Building 2018

Thomasboro High School’s athletic and extra-curricular activities are in need of research as well. We could find no mention of the school’s accomplishments on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). Thomasboro HS team nickname, colors, fight song, team records, and coach’s names are all items we are seeking. If you have any information please contact us via the means listed below.

Searching For More Information

Thomasboro High School was the likely the pride and joy of Thomasboro for at least five decades.  THS’ many successes and achievements should not be forgotten.  If you have any information you can share about Thomasboro High School, especially a photo of the old high school building, please send it to us.  You can contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or by real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.  60631

Thebes High School Building

http://genealogytrails.com/ill/alexander/thebessc.htm

Thebes (population 478) is located in far southwestern Illinois in the west-central portion of Alexander County. Illinois Route 3, also known as Riverview Drive, is the main roadway that takes you to and from Thebes. Bean Bridge Road also takes you into Thebes. The St. Louis / Southwestern Railroad travels through the south and eastern edges of town. The Canadian National Railroad passes by the western edge of town.The Mississippi River flows by and forms the western edge of Thebes.

Thebes was originally established in the mid-1830s. The town at one time was known as Sparhawk’s Landing named after brothers with the last name of Sparhawk. The name was eventually changed to Thebes after a city of the same name which was the ancient capital of Upper Egypt. Thebes was the county seat of Alexander County from 1845 – 1860. The town is located about 30 miles north of Cairo.

Thebes almost immediately had schools which housed K-8 grades. One of the first school buildings in Thebes burned in 1912, approximately the same year the high school was established. The first graduating class of Thebes High School was the class of 1915.

Thebes High School served the town and surrounding farm families for over five decades. In 1951, lightning damaged the Thebes High School and classes were held as various locations in the town. The repairs were completed around 1954-55. Thebes High School continued in operation until the end of the 1967-68 school year.  In the summer of 1968, Thebes High School closed and was annexed by the nearby Tamms Egyptian school system.

The Thebes High School building was probably used as a grade school for several years after the high school was closed. The grade school was eventually closed as well. The Thebes High School building was demolished in 2005.

Several items for this article were located at the web address of http://genealogytrails.com/ill/alexander/thebessc.htm .

Thebes High School “Quick Facts”:

Year High School built:                          1912-14

Year of first graduating class:               1915

Year High School building renovated:  1954-55

Year closed:                                             1968

School Colors:                                         Scarlet & Grey

School Nickname:                                   the “Tigers”

School Song:                                          “We’re Loyal To You, T.H.S.”

                                                                 Submitted by Doris A. Isom 

                                                                 University of Illinois Fight Song Tune

 We’re loyal to you T.H.S.

                                                We’re scarlet and grey, T.H.S.

                                                We’ll back you to stand

                                                ‘Gainst the best in the land

                                                For we know you have sand, T.H.S.

                                                Rah! Rah!

                                                So crack out the ball, T.H.S.

                                                We’re backing you all, T.H.S.

                                                Our team is our fame protector:

                                                On! Boys for we expect a

                                                Victory from you T.H.S.!

Athletics

Boys Basketball

Basketball was the top sport in Thebes, as with area schools Cairo, Mounds, Mound City and archrival Tamms. Thebes enjoyed many years of success with two District Championships won, both of which are listed below. Several IHSA tournament scors involving Thebes HS were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These are listed below as well.

1915 – 1927  Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

1927-28             IHSA District Champions       Coach’s name & record needed

                          District Scores Needed

                          IHSA Sectional Qualifier

                          Sectional Scores Needed

1928-29  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1929-30             IHSA District Champions                     Coach’s name & record needed

                          District Scores Needed

                          Herrin Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Buncombe 48-17

Buncombe lost to Mt. Vernon in semi-final

Mt. Vernon lost to Carbondale in title game

1930-31  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1931-32  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

1st Rd lost to Mound City 26-23

Cairo beat Ullin in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Anna 27-26

Anna lost in semi-final

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

1st Rd lost to Tamms 32-31

Tamms lost to Mound City in semi-final

Mound City beat Cobden in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Anna-Jonesboro 59-31

A-J beat Mound City in title game

1936-37  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1937-38              Thebes District Runner-Up                  Coach’s name & record needed

Title Game lost to Wolf Lake 58-37

1938-39  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1939-40   9-11    Cairo Regional Tournament                   Coach Gentry Lowe

1st Rd lost to Cairo 55-24

Cairo beat Wolf Lake in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Cairo 51-23

Cairo lost to Wolf Lake in title game.

1941-42  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1942-43             Anna Regional Tournament                    Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Anna-Jonesboro 82-34

A-J beat Cairo in title game

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

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

1st Rd lost to Cairo St. Joseph 44-35

Cairo St. Joseph beat Mound City in title game

1945-46              Ullin District Tournament                       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Ullin 48-41

Cairo St. Joseph beat Ullin in title game.

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

1st Rd Beat Belknap 63-39

                            Semi-final lost to Dongola 50-32

Dongola lost to McClure in title game

1947-48               Thebes District Runner-Up                Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat McClure 56-21

                             Semi-final Beat Cairo St. Joseph’s 49-47

                             Title Game lost to Dongola 37-36

1948-49               Anna Regional Tournament                  Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Tamms 42-32

                            Semi-final lost to Anna-Jonesboro 57-41

A-J beat Mounds in title game

1949-50             Cairo Regional Tournament                    Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Cairo 68-41

Cairo lost to Anna-Jonesboro in title game

1950-51  12-8    Anna Regional Tournament                    Coach Charles Goforth

1st Rd lost to Cairo 81-43

Cairo beat Mound City in title game

1951-52             Cairo Regional Tournament                    Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Cairo 81-41

Cairo lost to Anna-Jonesboro in title game

1952-53             Anna Regional Tournament                    Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Cairo 72-50

Cairo lost to Anna-Jonesboro in semi-final

A-J beat Cobden in title game

Thebes and Mound City made Illinois High School Basketball history in a February 24, 1953 game. It was the first time that two teams combined to score 200 points in a game, despite the fact that Thebes came up in the losing end in overtime, 109-99.

1953-54  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

One of the best players to grace the hardwood for Thebes was Dick Waddell. His 50 points scored in a December 3, 1954 game against Ullin H.S. is the school record.

1954-55  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1955-56             Anna District Tournament                       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Mound City 91-70

Mound City beat Mounds in title game

1956-57              Wolf Lake District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Mound City 67-31

Mound City Lovejoy beat Mound City in title game.

1957-58             Anna District Tournament                       Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Mound City 79-45

Mound City Lovejoy beat Dongola in title game.

THS’s basketball team also had a big rivalry with Tamms before 1968, including the years when Charles “Chico” Vaughn was king of the court for Tamms (and the state of Illinois) from 1956 through 1958.

1958-59               Anna District Tournament                     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Mounds 58-46

                            Semi-final lost to Mound City 68-40

Mound City beat Mound City Lovejoy in title game

1959-60               Mound City District Tournament           Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Goreville 63-62

                            Semi-final lost to Mound City Lovejoy 102-53

Lovejoy lost to Mound City in title game

1960-61              Grand Chain District Tournament          Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Mound City 96-28

Mound City beat Mounds in title game.

1961-62             Cobden District Tournament                   Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Ullin 78-73

Ullin lost to Mounds Douglass in semi-final

Douglass lost to Cobden in title game

1962-63             Cobden District Tournament                   Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Mounds Douglass 68-51

Douglass lost to Cobden in semi-final

Cobden beat Goreville in title game

1963-64  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1964-65  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1965-66  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1966-67  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1967-68  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1967-68 was the final season for Thebes High School, they consolidated with Egyptian High School in Tamms in the summer of 1968.

Baseball

The Thebes Baseball program had some great teams in it’s hey-day and they won one District Championship, which is listed below. Season record and coach’s name of this and other teams at Thebes High School are needed.

1946-47                IHSA District Champions                  Coach’s name & record needed

District Scores Needed

Extra-Curricular Activities

Other activities such as school plays, FFA, FHA, GAA, band, and chorus may also have been a very important part of the Thebes High School student experience.  Please contact us if you have information on these activities as well.

Memories

**From Frederick Smith (Class of 1966):

“I attended the Thebes High School from 1963 until Dec 1966.  The FFA (Future Farmers of America and the FHA (Future Homemakers of America) were a very important part of the school curriculum.  Baseball was another major event for after school activities. The school was first integrated in the 1966-67 school year by five students that were bused to the school. Normally it took about 1 hour or longer to get to school using the school bus from our home in Olive Branch. The school had grades K to 12 in it until 1968.  My graduating high school class was only 17 students which was the largest class in several years.”

Seeking More Information

More information is being sought about Thebes High School; use the Guest Commentary Form to sumbit. Corrections are welcome as well. If you have more Information about THS, including photos of the school, nickname, other athletes and other great teams and high school memories you would like to share please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you may also write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago,  IL  60631

The only information accessed via the IHSA web site regarding Thawville High School was regarding its boys’ basketball team. It is assumed the school offered track and possibly baseball for the boys and cheerleading for the girls. We are told tennis was also offered for the boys of THS. If you have any information regarding the Thawville High School athletic program, please follow the directions below.

  ————————————————————————-

Boys Basketball

The Thawville boys were a dominating force during the 1930s winning 5 District titles (the last in the 1939-40 season) and one Regional title. The team was coached by Vivan Blakely from the 1935-36 season through the last season of existence in 1948-49. Their successes are listed below along with several scores from a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.”

1931-32               IHSA District Champions!          Coach’s name & record needed

District Records Needed

IHSA Sectional Qualifier

Sectional Scores Needed

   —–

1932-33               IHSA District Champions!          Coach C.F. Fahrkopf

season record needed

District Records Needed

IHSA Sectional Qualifier

Sectional Scores Needed

   —–

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

1st Rd Beat Gibson City 34-27

2nd Rd Beat Piper City 9-6

Semi-final lost to Fisher 33-19

Fisher lost to Rantoul in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Melvin 22-17

Melvin lost to Paxton in title game

  —–  

1935-36               Gibson City Regional Tourney     Coach Vivan Blakely

                            season record needed

1st Rd lost to Fairbury 35-18

Fairbury lost to Paxton in semi-final

Paxton beat Strawn in title game

  —–  

1936-37   29 – 4   Watseka Regional Champions  Coach Vivan Blakely

1st Rd Beat Chatsworth 35-23

Semi-final Beat Watseka 31-18

Title Game Beat Gilman 22-14

Champaign Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Paxton 22-16

Paxton lost to Champaign in semi-final

Champaign lost to Decatur in title game

Decatur lost in IHSA State Championship game

  —–  

1937-38               Martinton District Champions   Coach Vivan Blakely

season record needed

early round District scores needed

Title Game Beat Donovan 17-9

IHSA Regional Qualifier

Regional scores needed

   —–  

1938-39               IHSA District Champions!          Coach Vivan Blakely

season record needed

District Records Needed

IHSA Regional Qualifier

Regional Scores Needed

  —–  

1939-40               IHSA District Champions!          Coach Vivan Blakely

                            season record needed

District Records Needed

IHSA Regional Qualifier

Regional Scores Needed

   —–  

1940-41  Postseason scores and record needed     Coach Vivan Blakely

1941-42  Postseason scores and record needed     Coach Vivan Blakely 

1942-43  Postseason scores and record needed     Coach Vivan Blakely 

1943-44  Postseason scores and record needed     Coach Vivan Blakely 

1944-45  Postseason scores and record needed     Coach Vivan Blakely 

1945-46  Postseason scores and record needed     Coach Vivan Blakely 

1946-47  Postseason scores and record needed     Coach Vivan Blakely 

1947-48  Postseason scores and record needed     Coach Vivan Blakely 

   —–  

1948-49               Sibley District Tournament            Coach Vivan Blakely

                            season record needed

**1st Rd lost to Roberts 48-35

Sibley lost to Strawn in second round

Strawn lost to Melvin in semi-final

Melvin lost to Buckley in title game

**Final basketball game for Thawville High School. Consolidated with Roberts in the summer of 1949 to form the Roberts-Thawville School District.

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The Celebrations!

The Thawville fans came out in droves when it was time to honor their hometown heroes. The photo below was taken in 1936 at a celebration for the basketball team’s great season. Some of those present and shown in the photo include:

Dolores Olson, Jesse Allen, Jean Allen, Orval Steigman, Glen Woodard, Marvin Steigman, Wayne Zick, Bill Allen, Paul Bennett, Raymond Veatch, Vernon Olson, Carleton Remsburg, Lewis Dingledine, Ruth Mason, Pearl Mason, Helen Allen, Ruth Lenhert, Phyllis Hapenny, Bill Weber, Elsie Veatch, Fern Onken, Florence Diercouff and Mae Eshleman.

Celebration Dinner

Photo taken in 1936

Boys Tennis

Thawville High School had some excellent tennis teams and players in its day. One player in particular, Lyle Grohler, even participated in the state finals during his career at Thawville.

Seeking Your Help

If you can provide any more information regarding Thawville High School, please complete a School Submission or Guest Commentary Form. We are especially interested in information on the better teams and players of Thawville’s high school days. You can e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net 

Thawville High School

Class of 1933

Submitted by Mary Hildenbrand and Sandra Kay

List of Graduates in Photo Above:

Gerald I. Wagner, Loran Townsend, Charles Don Fahrnkopf, Orval A. Stiegman, Leroy Hildenbrand, Merton D. Pierce, Carlton Remsburg, Gladys Lydia Martin, Vivian Ruth Kelley, Verdie Evelyn Wagner, Violetta A. Crawford, Ethel Louise Robbins

Submitted by Mary Hildenbrand and Sandra Kay

List of Graduates in Photo Above:

Rosella Austin, Marie Bales, Alvin Zecker, Kinley Hynd, Glen Woodward, Royce Olson, Lois H. Zick, Joe L. Tomsheck

Thawville HS Class of 1944

Submitted by Sandra Kay

Year opened in Teutopolis:                1862

Year moved to Westmont:                 1927

Year closed:                                        1978

School colors:                                     Blue & Gold

School nickname:                               “Lakers”

In researching the school history, we were unable to find proof that the school offered extra-curricular activities for its students. One would believe that St. Joseph’s could have offered intramural sports for the all-male student body, along with other clubs. We are hopeful that an alumnus can tell us more about their experiences at the school, and fill us with details at the addresses given below.

MEMORIES

From Doug Dreher:

“I was viewing the page associated with the above title and noticed that the school colors and nickname were marked as “unknown.” I attended this seminary from 1966 to 1970. The school colors were blue and gold. The school nickname was the “Lakers” because of the 3 lakes that existed on the property.”

From Michael Lorch:

“My name is Michael Lorch. I attended St Joe’s from 1970 through 1975. While there I worked on the farm with Brothers Art, Rock, Pat and Damien. After graduation I continued to help out on the farm until 1977.”

From former student Ned Hoedebecke:

“I had the privilege to grow up in Teutopolis, IL and attend St Joseph’s Seminary at Westmont, Il from 1962-63. During my one year at Westmont, my great uncle, Father Fabian Merz, PFM, was the head of the seminary. We did play sports against local schools, but because we were cloistered (not allowed off the school ground during the entire semester), the local school teams came to us.

“I remember basketball and baseball were played, but don’t recall any other sport played with local schools. Internally, because of the 3 large lakes we were able to play intramural ice hockey when the lakes froze hard enough. It was a tough transition to take a small-town boy/farm kid, who was used to being outdoors and free to go where he wanted, and cloister him for an entire school year.

“The seminary life was very strict. Our bedroom was very large and had over 100 boys sleeping in the same room. I was 6’3” tall but my bed was a 6′ old metal frame with a very saggy spring center and thin mattress. We couldn’t talk except after a bell was rung during meal times and during exercise time. We went to daily Mass in the morning and another couple chapel times during the day.

“Of course we had class in the morning and afternoon and could talk to the teacher. In my freshman year, among other classes, I took three languages: English, Latin and Greek. Even though I determined that it wasn’t my vocation to become a priest, it was a unique experience for me and taught me many lessons for life.”

From Lee Baumgart:

I was a student during the 1972-73 school year. We played soccer and travelled to different schools as well as them coming here. I also remember the three lakes and ice hockey games. The guys from the bigger cities gave us a bad time about figure skates to play hockey…they wore the real thing.

I think I was the first one to do ice fishing on the lakes. We’d get an axe from the tool shed which Fr. Ambrose German maintained. He was from my hometown (Humphrey, NE) and a classmate of my mom’s, so it didn’t take too much talking to get tools. I had a supply of wax worms from my dad to use as bait. Our language classes consisted of Spanish and German.”

from Fr. Joseph “Ted” Havrilka (1975 graduate, submitted 10/11/2018):

“I attended St. Joseph Franciscan Seminary from 1971-75, The magnificent chapel, built in the Tudor Gothic style, was over three stories high. The windows on either side of the name depicted symbols of the Litany of Loretto with the corresponding Latin invocations.

“The clerestory windows were perhaps 6-8 feet tall and depicted the life of St. Francis of Assisi. The rose window in the choir loft depicted the Six Joys of St. Joseph. The windows in the Friar’s Choir, directly right of the sanctuary, had tall narrow windows depicting angels playing various musical instruments and singing.

“The impressive tower (in the photo at the top of the page), stood directly over the sanctuary and altar. The four corners depicted the Four Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), and a large image of the Holy Spirit was in the center, which could be backlit at night.

“To the left of nave – in one of the little “chapels” with side altars where priests said the daily Masses in the pre-Vatican II days – was a special altar that housed the complete relics of a Roman boy martyr named Saint Innocent. The relics consisted of whose skull was encased in wax, sculpted with his features. His hands and feet were covered with gilded mesh/gauze, and there was a large vial of his dried blood in the gold and glass case. The relics could be lit and there was a heavy red curtain that could be used to conceal the entire display.

“The larger organ, a 1928 Moeller, was in the choir loft. The smaller organ, a 1940’s Wicks Fuga Model, was in one of the small chapels to the left of the nave (it had been brought from the former St. Anthony Hospital in south St. Louis when the hospital relocated).

“Of note were two large angels holding electric light trees on either side of then high altar. In our day, the lights would be turned on right before the celebration of Mass to signal the beginning of the Professional Hymn or Exposition Hymn for Benediction.

“The statues of Mary and Joseph were wooden-carved with gold leaf trim. Mary was depicted as the “Virgin of the Apocolypse” and Joseph as “St. Joseph the Worker.” Those statues now grace the interior of St. Anthony’s Church in Quincy, IL, which used to be served by the same Province of Franciscan Friars who staffed our high school seminary.”

from Robert Heman (submitted 6/23/2025):

“I attended the minor seminary in Westmont from 1957 ’til 1962. I believe our entering class of over 60 students was the largest ever. We had to have two sections of each subject for the first year or two until enough guys dropped out. The centennial celebration in 1962 was a highlight of my time there. I remember being allowed to stay up until the wee hours of the morning to finish the decorations. The new gym was built during my time there, and that was a “big deal.” One of my fondest memories is of the time after chapel when many of us would walk around the oval driveway in front of the building and solve the problems of the world through wafting cigarette smoke provided by upper classmen. A highlight was the election of Pope John XXIII. During study hall that day, Fr. Gildard came in and proclaimed, “Habemus papam. Nullam scolam! (English translation: “We have a new Pope. No school!”)”

WE’RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION….

about the history of St. Joseph Minor Seminary, whether it be in Teutopolis or Westmont. Please contact us at dr.veeman@gmail.com or you can send your information thru the U.S. Postal Service to the following address:

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 North Neva

Chicago, IL  60631

St. Joseph Minor Seminary Tower

courtesy of : http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM6NF0_St_Joseph_Seminary_Tower_Shrine_Memorial_Teu

Terre Haute Letterman’s Sweater of 1931

Courtesy of Betty Painter Wright

Athletics

Terre Haute High School did not win any IHSA hardware, however they obviously had some competitive teams in the 1940’s. According to a basketball schedule sent to us by Lyle Slagle the boys from Terre Haute played Biggsville twice in the 1946-47 season. Terre Haute High, in fact, gave Biggsville one of its five losses that year beating the Red Devils 36-32, a loss later avenged by Biggsville HS by a score of 42-20.

Also during the school’s final years, Jimmy Hunter helped led the Wolves’ basketball program as he scored a total of 2,103 points in a four-year career between 1950-54 under the tutelege of Coach Joseph Jones. In his final season, Hunter averaged 32 points per game with a high of 46 against Media.

Basketball was the main event in Terre Haute, baseball and track were offered as well. School team coach’s names, team records, ANY items regarding Terre Haute High School would be appreciated and shared on this page of the Glory Days website.

Track Star Ray Painter 1931

Courtesy of Jean Dougherty

Wolves’ Baseball Team of 1958-59

Courtesy of Jean Dougherty

THHS Basketball Team of 1930-31

Courtesy of Verona Lovitt Wood (1934 THHS alumna)

We Are Seeking Your Assistance…

…regarding the many accomplishments of the townspeople and schools system of Terre Haute.  Sports, we are sure, were just a part of the experience.  You can e-mail photos, memories, and information to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net  . You can write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St. 

Chicago, Il.   60631

The Tennessee High School Tigers offered boys basketball and probably track and baseball.  This information is needed to be shared with others.  Though not mentioned on the IHSA web site as winning “state” hardware, we are told the Tennessee Tigers had some excellent teams over the years.  If you have this knowledge please take the time to write us and share this information with others.  The efforts and accomplishments of the former alumni and townspeople who made this high school succeed should never be forgotten.

Can You Help Us Out?

Please share your knowledge of the Tennessee School System with us.  You can see there are many gaps to be filled.  Let’s fill in the blanks before the many great memories are lost forever.  Please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.  60631

Tennesse Vintage Photos

Photos by Gerald White, Submitted by John Bybee (left click on photo for enlarged version)

Tennessee Train Depot

Photos by Gerald White, Submitted by John Bybee (left click on photo for enlarged version)

Tennessee Vintage Photos

Photos by Gerald White, Submitted by John Bybee (left click on photo for enlarged version)

Tennessee Vintage Photos

Photos by Gerald White, Submitted by John Bybee (left click on photo for enlarged version)