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Ridge Farm Grade School Gymnasium

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Athletics

The Ridge Farm Bulldogs had many successful seasons throughout their storied history.  The boys competed in basketball, track, and football while the girls competed in volleyball, basketball, and track.  Other sports may have been offered as well.  Conference affiliation, championship teams, and great coaches are all being sought.

Boys Track & Field

The Ridge Farm boys tracksters of the 1910s and 1920s were a very competitive group. The boys of this era brought home a total of nine individual medals.  The team of 1912-13 finished FOURTH at the State Track Meet!!  This was accomplished in a one-class format! All of the points for tihis finish were earned by an athlete named Henderson.   The medal winners and team standings are listed below.

1912-13      Team Finished FOURTH at the STATE TRACK Meet!!

                  Individual Medalist

                  ??  Henderson            1 Mile Run              STATE CHAMPION!!

                                                     880 Yard Run          2ND Place

                  Final Team Standings

                  1.)  Oak Park-River Forest HS            34

2.)  Chicago University HS                 29

                  3.)  Raymond HS                              12

4.)  RIDGE FARM HIGH SCHOOL     10

4.)  McLean HS                                10

6.)  LaGrange Lyons HS                     7

7.)  Springfield HS                              6

7.)  Roodhouse HS                             6

9.)  Harvey, Sullivan, Rock Island, Virginia, & Oregon all tied with 5

1913-14B   Individual Medalist

                 ?? Fletcher              High Jump                  STATE CHAMPION!!

1914-15B   Individual Medalist

?? Fletcher              220 Yard Dash             3RD Place

1921-22B   Individual Medalist

                 ?? Spurlock             Shot Put                      2ND Place

1922-23B   Individual Medalist

                 ?? Pugh                   Long Jump                 4TH Place

1923-24B   Individual Medalists

                 ?? P. Beauchamp    100 Yard Dash             5TH Place

                 ?? Busby                  440 Yard Dash             3RD Place

1925-26     Individual Medalist

                 P. Beauchamp         100 Yard Dash             5TH Place

Girls Basketball

The Lady Bulldogs basketball program brought home a Regional Championship in the early 1980s.  Unfortunately the team records and coach’s names of these and other great girls basketball teams are not currently available.

1982-83         Regional Championship                Coach Robert Knight

Boys Basketball

The boys also had some great teams in their history.  The Bulldogs of the late 1940s and 1950s were said to be very competitive.  The 1960s saw some great teams as well, including two District titles.  The records that are available are listed.  Coach Keith Baldwin had some real nice success in the 1960s as well and he wold go on to have a career coaching record of 476-233 until retiring at Watseka in 1991.

1960-61               Chrisman District Champions

                            Semi-Final Beat Kansas 61-48

                            Title Game Beat Chrisman 49-48

                            Paris Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Charleston 62-45

Charleston beat Newman in title game

1962-63               Ridge Farm District Champions

                            Semi-Final Beat Metcalf Young America 69-57

                            Title Game Beat Brocton 58-44

                            Casey Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Newman 65-64

Paris beat Casey in title game

1965-66   14 – 11                                      Coach Keith Baldwin

1966-67   21 – 7                                        Coach Keith Baldwin

1967-68   14 – 11                                      Coach Jim Miglin

1968-69   26 – 3                                        Coach Keith Baldwin

1969-70   17 – 7                                        Coach Keith Baldwin

1985-86               Westville Class ‘A’ Regional Tourney

*1st Rd lost to Chrisman 61-58

Chrisman beat Catlin in title game

*Final varsity boys basketball game for Ridge Farm High School.

Girls Volleyball

The Lady Bulldog netters finished out the school’s history with a bang.  The program won three straight Regional titles including one in the school’s final solo season.  Coach Donny Hackler led the led the Lady Bulldogs through their final four incredible seasons, allowing the Ridge Farm volleyball program to go out on top! 

1983-84             Regional Champions            Coach Donny Hackler

1984-85             Regional Champions            Coach Donny Hackler

1985-86             Regional Champions            Coach Donny Hackler

Football

The football teams of the 1950s were said to have had winning records each year, perhaps even a conference championship or more.  More information is needed on the team records and coaches names of these teams.  Some of the better team records and accomplishments are provided by the research of Tom Sikorski.

1953  6-0-1       Independent                                              Coach Juby Parke

1955  3-3           Initial season in East Central Conference    Coach Juby Parke

1956  4-2-1       3rd place East Central Conference              Coach Juby Parke

1957  7-1           East Central Conference Champs          Coach Juby Parke

1958  8-0           East Central Conference Champs          Coach Jim Clark

1960  7-1           East Central Conference Champs          Coach Jim Fredenberger

1961  7-1           2nd place East Central Conference            Coach Jim Fredenberger

1962  8-0           East Central Conference Champs          Coach Ken Calhoun

1963  5-3                                                                         Coach Tom Jenkins

1967                                                                                Coach Dale Miller

1970  4-4                                                                         Coach Mike Wood

1973  4-4-1                                                                      Coach Joe Stokes

1974  5-3                                                                         Coach Joe Stokes

1984  5-3            3rd place East Okaw Conference              Coach Tom Magruder

Ridge Farm last independently fielded a football team in 1985.  Last win was 18-16 over Newman that year

Notable Players

*Rusty Rumple – set Ridge Farm records for passing and points in bassketball as well as track & field records.

*Donny Hackler – Set Ridge Farm track & field records.

*Ronny Farris – Set Ridge Farm track & field records.

*Don Farris –  Set Ridge Farm track & field records.

*Keith Rigdon – All-state center in 1965

Memories

From Kraig Rigdon.

“I was a member of the last class to attend Ridge Farm High School. I grew up there and played sports. I can provide a lot of info about the sports and coaches. I also have many pictures of the old High School. My father, Keith Rigdon, was a member of the 1965 Football team and was named to the Little All-State Team as a Center. Other notable athletes included Steve Spesard who broke the state single game scoring record with 63 in one game, before there was a 3 point line. He was named all-county, all-conference, and earned all-state honors.”

Seeking More Information

If you have any further information to add regarding the many successes of Ridge Farm High School, especdially a photo of the old high school building, please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.   60631

Ridge Farm High School Building Rear View

Richmond did offer Basketball as a sport. Did they offer other sports? They might have not won any IHSA hardware, but we are sure there were many successful seasons over the years.

Seeking Your Assistance

If you have ANY further information about Richmond High School before it became Richmond-Burton High School, please share it with us.  Photos and information can be e-mailed to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can write to us via real mail at:

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

Athletics

Reynolds High School competed in baseball and track.  It is a fact they fielded a boys basketball and football team. Any further information on Reynolds High School’s athletic program would be appreciated.

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Boys Basketball

The Reynolds High School boys basketball team may have had many great seasons, however only one netted an IHSA title.  The team of 1936-37 won their District and advanced to the Regional Tournament.  The team record and coach’s name of this and other great RHS teams are not available. Some scores involving Reynolds High School participating in the annual IHSA State Tourney are available on the website titled Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores. A few of these are listed below.

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

1st Rd lost to Annawan 35-15

Annawan lost in title game to Moline

—–

District scores for Reynolds from 1922 – 1931 not available / needed.

—–

1931-32        Rock Island District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Sherrard 21-18

Rock Island beat Moline in title game.

—–

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

1st Rd lost to Hillsdale 18-17

Rock Island beat Orion in title game.

—–

1933-34         Rock Island District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Aledo 54-18

Moline beat East Moline in title game.

—–

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

1st Rd lost to Andover (forfeit)

Moline beat East Moline in title game

—–

1935-36          Reynolds District Tournament           Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Bye

Semi-Final lost to New Boston 25-13

Keithsburg beat Port Byron in title game

—–

1936-37         Reynolds District Champions           Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Matherville 52-27

Semi-Final Beat Coal Valley 26-17

Title Game Beat New Boston 11-9 

Moline Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Orion 28-13

Moline beat East Moline in title game.

—–

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

—–

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

1st Rd Beat Joy 19-9

Semi-Final lost to Sherrard 24-21

Alpha beat Sherrard in title game.

—–

1939-40          Rock Island Regional Tournament  Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Moline 60-21

Moline beat Rock Island in title game.

—–

1940-41          East Moline Regional Tournament  Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Moline 45-16

Moline beat Orion in title game.

—–

1941-42          Rock Island Regional Tournament  Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Moline 49-19

Moline beat Rock Island St. Joseph in title game.

—–

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

1st Rd lost to East Moline 57-24

Moline beat East Moline in title game.

—–

1943-44          East Moline Regional Tournament  Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Moline 61-16

Rock Island beat East Moline in title game.

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1944-45          Rock Island Regional Tournament  Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Rock Island 85-12

Moline beat Rock Island in title game.

—–

1945-46          East Moline Regional Tournament  Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Rock Island 52-23

East Moline beat Rock Island in title game.

—–

1946-47          Rock Island Regional Tournament  Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to East Moline 59-30

Rock Island beat Moline in title game.

—–

1947-48          East Moline Regional Tournament  Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Rock Island 59-29

Moline beat East Moline  in title game.

—–

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

1st Rd lost to Joy 44-42

New Boston beat Aledo in title game.

—–

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

1st Rd lost to Aledo 65-28

Aledo beat New Boston in title game.

—–

1950-51          Aledo Regional Tournament           Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Sherrard 65-33

Sherrard beat Aledo in title game.

—–

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

1st Rd lost to Joy (Reynolds forfeited due to severe weather issue.)

Aledo beat Sherrard in title game.

—–

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

1st Rd lost to Alexis 62-55

Joy beat Aledo in title game.

—–

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

1st Rd lost to Joy 74-45

Joy beat Winola in title game.

—–

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

1st Rd lost to Winola 55-50

Joy beat Aledo in title game.

—–

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

1st Rd lost to Little York 78-46

Little York beat Aledo in title game.

—–

1956-57         Sherrard Regional Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Sherrard 57-50

**Semi-final lost to Aledo 55-48

Alwood beat Aledo in title game.

**Final boys basketball game for Reynolds High School, became part of the Rockridge High School district in the summer of 1957.

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Football

We know that Reynolds competed in the Corn Belt Conference.  The football team of 1956-57, their last as an independent school, saw the school pride ring out as the team captured the Conference title.

1955  4 – 4                                                             Coach Walt Thorpe

1956  6 – 1 – 1    Corn Belt Conference Champs

Reynolds last independently fielded a football team in 1956.  Consolidations formed Taylor Ridge-Rockridge for 1957

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If You Have ANY Further Information…

…about the history and many accomplishments of Reynolds High School please forward it to us so we can help RHS’ memories live on forever.  This is not limited to sports, ALL information is welcome.  You can e-mail photos and information to ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.

Reynolds Grade School (Former H. S. Building?)

Reynolds, Illinois

Reno Gymnasium Building 2017

Submitted by Dennis Downey

Athletics

Reno High School definately competed in boys basketball and track.  They may have also competed in baseball. If you have any other information you can provide regarding the history of the Reno High School athletic program please forward it to us so we may share it on this page.

Boys Basketball

The Reno High School boys basketball team brought home a District title during the 1942-43 season.  This is the only accomplishment listed on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) .  If you have any more information such as coaches names, team records, conference affiliation/championships, please forward it to us. The year of the District Championship is listed below.

Several scores involving Reno High School were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are posted below as well.

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

1st Rd lost to St. James 27-17

Greenville beat Vandalia in title game.

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

1st Rd lost to Coffeen 31 – 2

Vandalia beat St. Elmo in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Sorento 25-23 (O/T)

Hillsboro beat Litchfield in title game

1935-36               Ramsey District Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed.

  1st Rd Beat Sorento 50 – 9

                            Semi-final lost to Ramsey 45-17

Ramsey beat Panama in title game

1936-37 through 1939-40:  No scores available for Reno High School.

1940-41               Vandalia District Tournament          Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to St. James 27-17

Greenville beat Vandalia in title game

1941-42   Scores not available.

1942-43               Sorento District Champions         Coach’s name & record needed.

 Semi-final Beat Mulberry Grove 44-29

                            Title Game Beat Panama 27-21

                            Staunton Regional Tournament

                            1st Rd lost to Staunton 61-19

Staunton lost to Greenville in title game 

1943-44  No scores available for Reno High School.

1943-45               Sorento District Tournament          Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Panama 50-28

St. Jacob beat Panama in title game

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

1st Rd Beat New Douglas 67-23

**Semi-final lost to Fillmore 36-18

Livingston beat Fillmore in title game

**Last score listed on this site for Reno High School.

Reno Gymnasium 2017

From Dennis Downey:

“Here are four photos taken of the Reno High School gymnasium in 2017: two front, one side, and one rear of what is left of the Reno high school’s gym. Through the brambles, bushes, down wet farm fields and a rock road sets the gym surrounded by all sorts of things and falling apart. The little town is a collection of three churches and about 15 houses at a crossroad. And, here sits the building. If only we could go back to its glory days. I asked a couple about it, and they said kids play inside now and then, but the roof is falling in.”

Seeking More Information

As you can tell there is a lot of information that needs to be added to the Reno High School history of this page.  There were many people and residents of the town that made the era of Reno High School a successful one. The efforts of these people should not be forgotten.  We are especially interested in photos, most importantly one of the old school building.  You can e-mail this information to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.   You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.  60631

Reno Gym Building 2017

Submitted by Dennis Downey

Reno Gym Building 2017

Submitted by Deniis Downey

Year school building opened:         1910

Year High School closed:              1952

Consolidated to:                            Brocton-Redmon HS

Year all school functions ceased:   1968

School building today:                   10-unit apartment bldg.

School nickname:                          the “Indians”

School colors:                               Orange & Blue

School Fight Song:                        unavailable

Athletics

Redmon High School definately offered boy’s basketball.  The Indians competed in six-man football as well.  Track and baseball may have been a part of the sports program at Redmond as well.  If you have any information you can offer regarding the Redmon High School ahtletic program please follow the directions below.

Boys Basketball

The Redmon basketball program was a good one.  This is evidenced by the four District Championships they won in the 1940s. Unfortunately we do not currently have all of the team records and coach’s names of all of these and other great Redmon High School teams. We did locate some scores from the IHSA State Tourney involving Redmon High School. Those scores are added below.

  —–  

1930-31            Mattoon District Tournament     Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Humboldt 22-16

Mattoon beat Paris in title game

  —–  

1931-32             Mattoon District Runner-Up!    Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Gays 36-16

2nd Rd Beat Hindsboro 26-21

Semi-Final Beat Charleston 28-22

Title game lost to Mattoon 20-15

  —–  

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

1st Rd lost to Marshall 23-22

Marshall beat Chrisman in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Hume 25-24

2nd Rd lost to Longview 53-14

Longview beat Brocton in title game   

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Pesotum 35-23

 2nd Rd lost to Arcola 36-23

Arcola lost to Tuscola in semi-final

Tuscola lost to Villa Grove in title game

  —–  

1935-36           Paris District Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Scottland 56-9

Semi-Final lost to Hume (score needed)

Rardin beat Hume in title game.

  —–  

1936-37            Greenup District Tournament   Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Casey 38-8

Charleston beat Casey in title game

  —–  

1937-38           Kansas District Tournament       Coach Edward “Ed” M. Leamon

1st Rd lost to Brocton 45-22

Brocton beat Ashmore in title game. 

(Paris placed 3rd in State Tourney)

  —–  

1938-39           Ashmore District Tournament.   Coach Edward “Ed” M. Leamon

1st Rd Beat Gays 39-14

Semi-Final lost to Lerna 30-14

Brocton beat Lerna in title game.

(Paris lost in State Title game)

  —–  

1939-40  Postseason scores & record needed.   Coach Edward “Ed” M. Leamon

  —–  

1940-41          Kansas District Tournament          Coach Edward “Ed” M. Leamon

1st Rd lost to Kansas 28-16

Kansas beat Westfield in title game. 

  —–  

1941-42          Ashmore District Champions       Coach Edward “Ed” M Leamon

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game Beat Ashmore 37-11

Charleston Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Kansas 35-30

Semi-final lost to Paris 69-21

Paris beat Charleston in title game

Paris lost State Title Game to Centralia 35-33

  —–  

1942-43           Kansas District Tournament      Coach Edward “Ed” M. Leamon

1st Rd Beat Westfield 75-23

Semi-Final lost to Kansas 50-30

Kansas beat Brocton in title game. 

(Paris won State Championship)

  —–  

1943-44          Ashmore District Champions         Coach Edward “Ed” M Leamon

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game Beat Oakland 38-18

Casey Regional Tournament   

1st Rd lost to Casey 57-31

Paris beat Casey in title game. 

  —–  

1944-45          Ashmore District Tournament        Coach Edward “Ed” M. Leamon

Season record needed

1st Rd Beat Ashmore 35-33

2nd Rd lost to Newman 31-20

Newman beat Oakland in title game

  —–  

1945-46          Kansas District Runner-Up         Coach Edward “Ed” M. Leamon

Season record needed

1st Rd Beat Lerna 54-31

Semi-final Beat Hindsboro 26-25

Title Game lost to Kansas 58-28

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Ashmore 60-35

Semi-Final lost to Brocton 50-34

Kansas beat Brocton in title game. 

(Paris won State Championship)

Redmon HS Indians of 1946-47

Coach Carroll Dunn

1947-48              Kansas District Champions             Coach Carroll Dunn

 Season record needed

Semi-final Beat Kansas 48-37

Title Game Beat Hindsboro 44-42

Casey Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Charleston Teachers HS

Charleston lost in semi-final to Casey

Casey lost to Paris in title game

  —–  

1948-49              Brocton District Champions            Coach Gerald Mieure

Season record needed

1st Rd Beat Kansas 39-37

Semi-final Beat Newman 37-31

Title Game Beat Chrisman 51-43

Paris Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Casey 53-43

Casey lost to Paris in title game

Redmon Indians 1948-49 District Champions

Coach Gerald Mieure and Principal Verne Roche

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

1st Rd lost to Newman 46-44

Newman beat Chrisman in title game

  —–  

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

1st Rd Beat Westfield 48-41

Semi-final lost to Newman 54-27

Newman lost to Kansas in title game

  —-  

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

**1st Rd lost to Longview 52-50 (2 O/Ts)

Longview lost to Kansas in semi-final

Kansas beat Chrisman in title game

**Final game for Redmon High School, consolidated with Brocton in the summer of 1952.

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Football

The boys of Redmon High had played with the pigskin too.  Redmon High Schol offered 6-man football for a while in the 1940s, possibly into the 1950s.  Team records and coach’s names are needed.

Redmon Six-Man Football Team 1947-48

Courtesy of Don Ogden

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Grade School Greats

One of the great Redmon grade school basketball teams of all-time was the group of 1946 pictured to your right. The team had 30 wins and one loss which was the County Tournament. The Little Indians had one starter sick for the game we lost which hurt us immensely. The team was invited to the Charleston tournament that year and beat Matoon,Casey, Paris {Who eventually won the State Tournament That Year} then beat Charleston by 14 Points in Championship game. Redmon was not eligible for The State Tournament this year because they had played too many games.  Thanks to Don Ogden for this interesting grade school story!

Redmon Grade School Basketball – 1946

Team Record 30 – 1

Seeking Your In-put

If you have any information you would like to share regarding Redmon High School or the town of Redmon, or the consolidation of Brocton-Redmon, please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form.  You may also write us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net 

The Class of 1950 as Sophomores (1947-48)

Courtesy of Don Ogden

Reddick High School Mascot

http://www.reddickbulldogs.com

Athletics

The Reddick High School Bulldogs definitely competed in boys’ basketball, their lone District title confirms this. The Reddick R.U.C.E. consolidation produced even more great teams. Reddick also offered baseball, track, and football.   Reddick competed from 1944-1956 in the Kankakee Valley Conference along with their then arch-rival Herscher. They then moved to the Northeast Conference for a short time before later settling in the Vermilion Valley Conference. We are hopeful for your assistance in remembering the Reddick High School athletic history.

Regarding the photo of the basketball gymnasium above, our good friend Gerry Halpin, a long-time contributor to the Glory Days site and a former student of Reddick RUCE, provides this bit of informaiton:

“The Cow Palace”.  This Quonset-hut gym was built in 1951.  It has just 5 rows of permanent bleachers on each side, and was usually packed for Bulldog games.  The low, rounded ceiling made it one of the LOUDEST gyms around – a great home court advantage.  I was a player in the 1969 fresh-soph game when a Kankakee Westview player, not used to low gym roofs, shattered the center light with a full-court shot at the end of a quarter.  This building still stands and is used by Reddick Elementary School.”

Boys Basketball

The Reddick Bulldogs and Reddick R.U.C.E. teams each brought home their own IHSA hardware. Reddick High School won a District title in the 1935-36 season. Another great season on record was the 1938-39 Bulldog team, who finished at 19 – 9.

As Reddick R.U.C.E. the Bulldogs won another 6 District Championships to go along with five Vermillion Valley Conference titles. In fact, the Bulldogs of 1963-64 won their District and finished the regular season undefeated!  The 27 – 0  R.U.C.E. boys made it to the Regional Semifinal game (the Round of 64!!!) before losing to a tough Pontiac team to finish their season at 27 – 1.  The team of 1962-63 also finished the regular season undefeated and won their District before falling in the semi-final of the Regional tournament to finish at 26 – 3.

Between 1958 and 1971, the Bulldogs won 6 District titles, and were knocked out in the Regional by Pontiac 5 times.  The 1969 team advanced the farthest, defeating Herscher and Dwight in the Regional before losing the final to Pontiac .  Despite all the great teams, Reddick never won a Regional title in boy’s basketball.  

Reddick R.U.C.E. High School basketball has found a claim to fame also in IHSA history that may never be broken. On December 15, 1964, the Bulldogs took on the boys from Dwight High School. In a great contest, the Reddick boys fell to Dwight in nine (9) OVERTIMES 76 – 72!!! This game is also listed in the National Federation (Basketball) Record Book as one of the longest games in high school basketball history!

As Reddick High School

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

1st Rd lost to Forrest 57-14

Forrest Beat Pontiac in title game

1927-28                                                                            Coach Orin Hertz

1928-29    3 – 2                                                                 Coach Orin Hertz

1929-31                                                                            Coach Orin Hertz

1931-32                Kankakee District Tourney                  Coach Orin Hertz

1st Rd lost to St. Anne 20-13

Bradley beat Herscher in title game

1932-33                Dwight District Tourney                       Coach Orin Hertz

  1st Rd Beat Mazon 29-25

2nd Rd lost to Pontiac 35-21

Pontiac beat Morris in title game

1933-34  14 – 3     Dwight District Tourney                       Coach Orin Hertz

1st Rd lost to Dwight 36-24

Dwight beat Mazon in title game

1934-35  15 – 7     Dwight District Tourney                       Coach Orin Hertz

  1st Rd Beat Caberry 27-20

2nd Rd lost to Fairbury 29-26

Gardner beat Cullom in title game

1935-36  13 – 12   Kempton District Champions           Coach Orin Hertz

 1st Rd Beat Piper City 37-14

                              Semi-Final Beat Cornell 33-18

                              Title Game Beat Cullom 22-16

                              Dwight Regional Tourney Runner-Up

                              1st Rd Beat Wilmington 22-20 (O/T)

                              Semi-Final Beat Cullom 29-17

                              Title Game lost to Dwight 24-19

Reddick High School District Champions

1935-36 Season – RHS’ First District Championship Team

1936-37                 Kempton District Tourney                  Coach Maynard Ferden

1st Rd lost to Kempton 21-11

Kempton beat Chenoa in title game

1937-38  11 – 13    District scores unavailable                 Coach Maynard Ferden

1938-39  19 – 9     Kankakee Regional Tourney              Coach Maynard Ferden

1st Rd lost to Bradley 41-9

Bradley beat Peotone in title game

Reddick not assigned to a District this season

1939-40  10 – 11   Dwight Regional Tourney                   Coach Maynard Ferden

1st Rd lost Dwight 41-24

Dwight beat Mazon in title game

Reddick not assigned to a District this season

1940-41    3 – 16   District scores unavailable                  Coach Richard Woy

1941-42  12 – 8     District scores unavailable                  Coach Richard Woy

1942-43    6 – 11   Dwight Regional Tourney                    Coach Richard Woy

1st Rd lost to Braidwood 38-31

Gardner beat Odell St. Paul in title game

1943-44    7 – 9     Dwight Regional Tourney                    Coach George Sauerwein

1st Rd lost to Gardner 55-44

Gardner beat Pontiac in title game

1944-45                Dwight Regional Tourney                    Coach George Sauerwein

1st Rd lost to Coal City 71-41

Coal City beat Gardner in title game

1945-46                Dwight Regional Tourney                    Coach George Sauerwein

1st Rd lost to Pontiac 58-25

Pontiac beat Cullom in title game

1946-47  14 – 8     Dwight Regional Tourney                    Coach George Sauerwein

  1st Rd Beat Kempton 47-43

  Semi-final lost to Coal CIty 57-43

Forrest beat Coal City in title game

1947-48  10 – 8     Dwight Regional Tourney                    Coach David Williams

1st Rd lost to Forrest 58-42

Forrest beat Coal City in title game

1948-49    8 – 14   Dwight Regional Tourney                    Coach David Williams

1st Rd lost to Forrest 58-32

Forrest beat Coal City in title game

1949-50    1 – 16   Dwight Regional Tourney                    Coach David Williams

1st Rd lost to Coal City 65-33

Odell St. Paul beat Pontiac in title game

As Reddick R.U.C.E. High School

Reddick RUCE High School Gymnasium Interior 2019

Courtesy of Reddick Fire Department

Reddick Gym Front Entrance 2019

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

Reddick Gym Floor 2019

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

1950-51     2 – 19  Dwight Regional Tourney                    Coach David Williams

1st Rd lost to Dwight 54-45

Odell St. Paul beat Pontiac in title game

1951-52     3 – 15  Gardner Regional Tourney                  Coach Ralph Keller

1st Rd lost to Wilmington 64-41

Forrest beat Braidwood in title game

1952-53     7 – 16  Chatsworth District Tourney                Coach Ralph Keller

1st Rd lost to Odell 53-45

Cullom beat Odell in title game

1953-54     4 – 19   District scores unavailable                  Coach Ralph Keller

1954-55     5 – 19  Wilmington Regional Tourney             Coach Ralph Keller

1st Rd lost to Pontiac 60-59

Braidwood beat Pontiac in title game

1955-56   10 – 11  Chatsworth District Tourney                Coach Ralph Keller

1st Rd lost to Chatsworth 42-36

Odell St. Paul beat Saunemin in title game

1956-57   16 – 8    Cullom District Tourney                       Coach Ralph Keller

1st Rd lost to Saunemin 60-57

Cullom beat Saunemin in title game

1957-58   24 – 4     Odell District Champions                Coach Ralph Keller

 1st Rd Beat Chatsworth 70-56

                              Semi-Final Beat Odell 61-51

                              Title Game Beat Odell St. Paul 84-60

                              Wilmington Regional Tourney

                              1st Rd Beat Braidwood 60-52

                              Semi-Final lost to Pontiac 71-51

Wilmington beat Pontiac in title game

1958-59   16 – 7     Chatsworth District Runner-up       Coach George Birkett

                              1st Rd Beat Odell St. Paul 52-47

                              Semi-final Beat Cullom 67-59

                              Title Game lost to Kempton 44-42

1959-60   19 – 8     Cullom District Tourney                      Coach Ralph Sackett

1st Rd Beat Saunemin 58-46

                              Semi-final lost to Odell St. Paul 77-59

Odell St. Paul beat Cullom in title game

1960-61     9 – 14   Odell District Tourney                         Coach Ralph Sackett

                              1st Rd lost to Odell St. Paul 70-45

Odell St. Paul beat Kempton-Cabery in title game

1961-62   16 – 4     Chatsworth District Tourney                Coach Gary Johnson

                              1st Rd Beat Piper City 64-43

                              Semi-Final lost to Chatsworth 37-36

Chatsworth lost to Odell St. Paul in title game

1962-63   26 – 3     Chatsworth District Champions       Coach Gary Johnson

                               Vermilion Valley Conf. Champs

                               District Tourney Scores

                               Semi-final Beat Kempton-Cabery 61-34

                               Title Game Beat Odell St. Paul 67-51

                               Dwight Regional Tourney

                               1st Rd Beat Coal City 70-46

                               Semi-final lost to Pontiac 45-44

Braidwood beat Pontiac in title game

Reddick HS Basketball 1962-63

1963-64   27 – 1     Cullom District Champions              Coach Gary Johnson

                               Undefeated Regular Season

                               Vermilion Valley Conference Champs

                               Ranked 16th in Final Regular Season Poll

                               District Tourney Scores 

                               Semi-Final Beat Saunemin 86-48

                               Title Game Beat Odell St. Paul 60-55

                               Gardner Regional Tourney

                               1st Rd Beat Mazon 68-35

                               Semi-Final lost to Pontiac 73-62

Pontiac Beat Coal City in title game

Pontiac lost in Sectional title game

1964-65   17 – 9      Odell District Runner-Uo                 Coach Harlan Smith

                               Semi-Final Beat Odell 83-68

                               Title Game lost to Odell St. Paul 72-70

1965-66   13 – 11    Cullom District Tourney                      Coach Harlan Smith

                               1st Rd Beat Kempton-Cabery 68-44

                               Semi-Final lost to Saunemin 66-54

Braidwood beat Saunemin in title game

1966-67   11 – 13    Odell District Tourney                         Coach Harlan Smith

Semi-Final lost to Odell 65-52

Odell beat Braidwood in title game

1967-68   14 – 9      Odell District Runner-Up                  Coach Harlan Smith

                               1st Rd Beat Odell 70-55

                               Semi-Final Beat Saunemin 75-58

                               Title Game lost to Mazon 48-42 (O/T)

1968-69   24 – 4      Odell District Champions                 Coach Glenden Lehnus

                               Vermilion Valley Conf. Champs

                               Semi-Final Beat Flanagan

                               Title Game Beat Odell 92-74

                               Pontiac Regional Runner-Up

                               1st Rd Beat Herscher 79-56

                               Semi-Final Beat Dwight 66-56

                               Title Game lost to Pontiac 61-47

PONTIAC (61): Legner 16, Cushing 15, Woodward 10, Dodson 10, Thompson 5, Green 2, Clark 2, Blakeman 1.

REDDICK (47): Bice 26, Rieke 4, Fieldman 4, Ron Schultz 3, Rog. Schultz 3, Da. Oelschlager 3, Wepperchet 2, Bryant 2.

Pontiac lost in Sectional title game

1969-70   16 – 9      Cullom District Champions              Coach Steve Tosh

                               Vermilion Valley Conf. Champs

                               District Scores

                               1st Rd Beat Odell 58-56

                               Semi-Final Beat Saunemin 60-48

                               Title Game Beat Cornell 57-50

                               Pontiac Regional Tourney

                               1st Rd lost to Coal City 69-67 (O/T)

Pontiac beat Dwight in title game

1970-71   17 – 10    Mazon District Champions               Coach Steve Tosh

                               Semi-Final Beat Flanagan 71-59

                               Title Game Beat Odell 56-42

                               Herscher Regional Tourney

                               1st Rd Lost to Pontiac 68-46

Pontiac beat Coal City in title game

1971-72     7 – 16    Clifton Class A Regional                     Coach Steve Tosh

                               1st Rd Beat Odell 74-68

Semi-Final lost to Herscher 72-42

Dwight beat Herscher in title game

1972-73   13 – 15    Clifton Class A Reg. Runner-Up      Coach Dennis Kagel

                               Verm. Val. Conf. Tour. Champs

                               1st Rd Beat Odell 52-48

                               Semi-Final Beat Tri-point 51-48

                               Title Game lost to Clifton Central 47-38

CLIFTON CENTRAL (47): Tholen 14, Decker 10, Marry 9, Taden 6, Krumweide 6, Anderson 2

REDDICK (38): Oelschlager 16, Brusnigham 10, Kilbride 5, Houberg 4

1973-74   22 – 6     Clifton Class A Reg. Runner-Up      Coach Dennis Kagel

Vermilion Val. Conf. Champs     

                               Verm. Val. Conf. Tour. Champs

                               Regional Scores

                               1st Rd Beat Saunemin 67-51

                               Semi-Final Beat Herscher

                               Title Game lost to Dwight 54-51

DWIGHT (54): Drinan 22, D. Anderson 21, J. Anderson 6, Halloran 5.

REDDICK (51): Oelschlager 21, Houberg 15, Brusnighan 8, Cuddy 7.

1974-75   12 – 13    Clifton Class A Regional                    Coach Dean Brucker

1st Rd lost to Odell 75-40

Dwight beat Odell in title game

1975-76                  Clifton Class A Regional                    Coach Dean Brucker

1st Rd lost to Mazon-Verona-Kinsman 67-47

Dwight beat Wilmington in title game

1976-77     6 – 17    Onarga Class A Regional                  Coach Dean Brucker

1st Rd lost to Ford Central 80-62

Ford Central beat Forrest-Strawn-Wing in title game

1977-78     9 – 15    Gilman Class A Reg. Runner-Up    Coach Jim Castle

(The team of 1977-78 placed 2nd

in the Regional tourney, beating

the No. 1 and 3 seeds before losing

the title game to the no. 2 seed.)

1st Rd Beat Ford Central 54-47

                                Semi-Final Beat Tri-Point 37-36 (2 O/T)

Title Game lost to Chatsworth 50-47

CHATSWORTH (50) Scott 25, Hornickel 8, Galloway 6, Hobart 5, Rebholz 4, Thomsen 2.

REDDICK (47): Steichen 14, Brusnighan 14, Oelschlager 8, Hansen 5, Barker 4, Fritz 2.

1978-79                   Onaga Class A Regional                   Coach Tom Greene

                                1st Rd lost to Chatsworth 62-54

Ford Cetnral beat Chatsworth in title game

1979-80                   Dwight Regional Runner-Up           Coach Tom Greene

                                1st Rd Beat Herscher 64-56 (O/T)

                                Semi-Final Beat Gardner 53-51

                                Title Game lost to Dwight 87-57

1980-81                   Dwight Class A Regional                    Coach Tom Greene

Placed 2nd – Plano Holiday Tourney

Regional Scores

1st Rd Beat M-V-K 77-65

Semi-Final lost to Dwight 49-43

Coal City beat Dwight in title game

1981-82   13 – 14     Gardner Class A Regional                  Coach Tom Greene

                                1st Rd Beat M-V-K 70-63

                                Semi-Final lost to Reed Custer 76-56

Gardner-South Wilmington beat Reed Custer in title game

1982-83                   Coal City Class A Regional                 Coach Tom Greene

1st Rd lost to Dwight 47-46

Dwight beat Coal City in title game

1983-84     8 – 17     Dwight Class A Regional                    Coach Tom Greene

                                1st Rd Beat Wilmington 77-65

                                Semi-final lost to Dwight 83-59

Dwight beat Gardner-South Wilmington in title game

1984-85     1 – 20     Dwight Class A Regional                    Coach Dave Lett

1st Rd lost to G-S-W 88-47

Dwight beat Coal City in title game

1985-86                   Herscher Class A Regional                 Coach Dave Lett

                                1st Rd Beat Dwight 60-50

                                Semi-Final lost to Wilmington 65-45

Wilmington beat Mazon-Verona -Kinsman in title game

1986-87     2 – 19     Coal City Class A Regional                 Coach Dennis Hansen

                                1st Rd lost to M-V-K 79-55

M-V-K beat Herscher in title game

1987-88                   Dwight Class A Regional                     Head Coach Mike Ball

                                **1st Rd lost to Reed Custer 88-65      Asst. Coach Jim Giacchino

Wilmington beat Dwight in title game

**Final boys basketball game for Reddick RUCE High School.

Reddick Gym Ticket Booth

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

Redick Gym & Stage 2019

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

Reddick Basket & Scoreboard 2019

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

Reddick Scorer’s Table Bulldog Mascot 2019

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

Reddick Gym Bleachers 2019

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

Reddick Gym Floor 2019

Courtesy of the Reddick Fire Department

The Reddick High School Bulldogs used their tough, farm kid work ethic to produce some excellent football teams. The 1946 team finished at 7-1 as co-champs of the Kankakee Valley Conference and won the league title in 1947 (only their third year of competing in football) at 8 – 0!

The 1947 boys in fact were considered the highest scoring football team in the state of Illinois! The team scored 273 points to average 34.1 points per game while allowing only 30 points for a 3.75 points per game defensive average.  The magical 1947 season is documented below and includes actual scores of the games played that year. Coach George Sauerwein left his mark on the Reddick gridiron, leading the RHS Bulldogs to a 20-16-1 record from 1944-1948.

The success continued on the gridiron as Reddick R.U.C.E. High School.  Many tough, competitive teams competed under the Friday night lights in Reddick. The boys won Vermillion Valley Conference titles in 1957 (a perfect in 8 – 0!), 1977 (their lone IHSA playoff appearance), and in 1980. The best of the R.U.C.E. football teams are listed below too.

Reddick HS Football Field 1950

Submitted by Richard Curl

As Reddick High School:

1946     7-1    Kankakee Valley Conf. Co-Champs Coach George Sauerwein

1947     8-0    Kankakee Valley Conf. Champs      Coach George Sauerwein

                       Reddick  61    Gardner     0

                       Reddick  40    Momence   6

                       Reddick  34    Saunemin  0

                       Reddick  13    Bradley     12

                       Reddick  34    Herscher    6 

                       Reddick  33    St. Anne     0

                       Reddick  19    Kankakee St. Patrick   6

                       Reddick  39    Wilmington 0

Reddick HS Football

Undefeated 1947-48 Powerhouse

As Reddick R.U.C.E. High School:

1950-51    1 – 6 – 1                                                        Coach David Williams

1951-52    2 – 6                                                             Coach Ralph Keller

1952-53    0 – 8                                                             Coach Ralph Keller

1953-54    0 – 8                                                             Coach Ralph Keller

1954-55    1 – 7                                                             Coach Ralph Keller

1955-56    0 – 8                                                             Coach Ralph Keller

1956-57    3 – 4 – 1                                                        Coach Ron Thiede

Reddick Bulldogs – Team of 1956

Submitted by Verna Thiede

1957-58    8 – 0      North Eastern Conf. Champs           Coach Ron Thiede

                            (Photos and articles below)

The Undefeated Champs of 1957

MORE PHOTOS OF THIS TEAM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

The Bulldogs of 1957-58 – Undefeated Champs

Submitted by Verna Thiede

Reddick Backfield & Coach Thiede – 1957 Champs

MORE PHOTOS OF THIS TEAM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

1958-59    6 – 2                                                             Coach George Birkett

1959-60    5 – 3                                                             Coach George Birkett

1960-61    4 – 3 – 1                                                        Coach Ralph Sackett

1961-62    4 – 4                                                             Coach Gary Johnson

1962-63    5 – 3                                                             Coach Gary Johnson

1963-64    4 – 3 – 1                                                        Coach Gary Johnson

1964-65    5 – 3                                                             Coach Harlan Smith

1965-66                                                                        Coach Harlan Smith

1966-67    3 – 5                                                             Coach Harlan Smith

1967-68    4 – 4                                                             Coach Harlan Smith

1968-69    3 – 5                                                             Coach Robert Grisolano

1969-70    2 – 3 – 1                                                         Coach Steve Tosh

1970-71    0 – 8                                                              Coach Steve Tosh

1971-72    1 – 7                                                              Coach Tom Harvey

1972-73    0 – 8                                                              Coach Tom Harvey

1973-74    4 – 4                                                              Coach Greg Dempsey

1974-75    5 – 3                                                              Coach Greg Dempsey

1976-77                                                                         Coach Greg Dempsey

1977-78    8 – 2      Vermillion Valley Conf. Champs     Coach Tom Greene

                             Class 1A Playoff Qualifier

                             Lost 12 – 8 to North Shore Country Day

in 1st Round

1978-79    5 – 4                                                              Coach Tom Greene

1979-80                                                                         Coach Tom Greene

1980-81    7 – 2                                                              Coach Tom Greene

1981-82    6 – 2                                                              Coach Tom Greene

1982-83                                                                         Coach Tom Greene

1983-84    3 – 5                                                              Coach Tom Greene

1984-85    1 – 8                                                              Coach Dave Lett

Baseball

The Reddick High School Bulldogs proved their multi-talented abilities in baseball as well. The 1939 diamond men went undefeated in the regular season, while the 1948 squad won the Kankakee Valley Conference crown. As R.U.C.E., the baseball boys had two nice seasons in the early 1970s, winning the Vermillion Valley Conference championship in 1971.

As Reddick High School

1927-28    3 – 1                                                       Coach Orin Hertz

1928-35                                                                  Coach Orin Hertz

1935-36                                                                  Coach Kenneth Leonard

1936-37                                                                  Coach Maynard Ferden

1937-38    4 – 2                                                       Coach Maynard Ferden

1938-39    6 – 0                                                       Coach Maynard Ferden

1939-40    4 – 2                                                       Coach Richard Woy

1940-41    2 – 2                                                       Coach Richard Woy

1941-42                                                                  Coach Richard Woy

1942-45                                                                 Coach George Sauerwein

1945-46    5 – 3                                                       Coach George Sauerwein

1946-47    7 – 0                                                       Coach George Sauerwein

1947-48              Kankakee Valley Conf. Champs  Coach David Williams

1948-49    4 – 2                                                       Coach David Williams

1949-50    5 – 1                                                       Coach David Williams

As Reddick R.U.C.E. High School

1950-51    2 – 6                                                       Coach David Williams

1951-52    2 – 4                                                       Coach Ralph Keller

1952-53    2 – 5                                                       Coach Ralph Keller

1953-54    2 – 5                                                       Coach Ralph Keller

1954-55    0 – 5                                                       Coach Ralph Keller

1955-56    4 – 2                                                       Coach Ralph Keller

1956-57    5 – 1                                                       Coach Ralph Keller

1957-58                                                                  Coach Ralph Keller

1958-59                                                                  Coach George Birkett

1959-60    5 – 1                                                       Coach George Birkett

1960-61                                                                  Coach Ralph Sackett

1961-64                                                                  Coach Gary Johnson

1964-68                                                                  Coach Harlan Smith

1968-69                                                                  Coach Steve Tosh

1969-70    5 – 2                                                        Coach Steve Tosh

1970-71    7 – 1   Vermillion Valley Conf. Champs  Coach Steve Tosh

1971-72    1 – 8

1972-73    5 – 4                                                        Coach Dennis Kagel

1973-74    3 – 4                                                        Coach Dennis Kagel

1974-75    4 – 5                                                        Coach Dean Brucker

1975-77                                                                   Coach Dean Brucker

1977-82                                                                   Coach Jim Castle

1982-83                                                                   Coach Jeff Wepprecht

1983-84    2 – 19

1984-85

1985-86    0 – 5

1986-87    4 – 4                                                         Coach Jon Hodge

1987-88                  Last Season

Girls Athletics

Girls athletics were not recognized by the IHSA until 1974. Therefore, there are no listings of Reddick girl’s teams until after that time with the exception of postal tournaments that were held in conjunction with the Girls’ Athletic Association and the IHSA. The Reddick R.U.C.E. girls had some excellent seasons in volleyball, basketball, and track. The best of these are listed below.

Girls Volleyball

No less than three (3) conference championships were won by the lady netters.  The years were 1983, 1984, and 1986.  The records and coaches names are listed below.

1976-77    1 – 5                                                        Coach Janis Pritchard

1977-78                                                                   Coach Theresa Browning

1978-79                                                                   Coach Debra Freed Hanson

1979-80                                                                   Coach Barbara Jansen

1980-81    3 – 5                                                         Coach Barbara Jansen

1981-82                                                                   Coach Barbara Jansen

1982-83  19 – 4    Vermillion Valley Conf. Champs  Coach Barbara Jansen

1983-84  18 – 7    Vermillion Valley Conf. Champs  Coach Barbara Jansen

1984-85  18 – 7                                                         Coach Barbara Jansen

1985-86    8 -12                                                        Coach Wilbur

1986-87  16 – 4    Vermillion Valley Conf. Champs   Coach Dennis Hansen

1987-88    9 – 10                                                       Coach Brett Desper

Girls Basketball

Two great records along with a conference and Regional championship belonged to the talented Lady Bulldogs of the early 1980s. Their accomplishments are listed below.

1976-77

1977-78                                                                   Coach Theresa Browning

1978-79                                                                   Coach Debra Freed Hanson

1979-80                                                                   Coach Barbara Jansen

1980-81    2 – 14                                                       Coach Dana Parker

1981-82  11 – 9                                                         Coach Burton

1982-83

1983-84   21 – 3   Vermillion Valley Conf. Champs   Coach Tom Greene

1984-85   23 – 4   Regional Champions                     Coach Jon Hodge

1985-86                                                                    Coach Jon Hodge

1986-87   14 – 9                                                         Coach Jon Hodge

1987-88     8 – 16                                                       Coach Jon Hodge

G.A.A. Postal Tournament

The early Reddick RUCE girls could shoot the rock, too. The Illinois Girls’ Athletic Association held an annual “Postal Tournament” in the days before girls’ sports were recognized and organized. Each school was encouraged to enter a contest in which the girls had a set time to make as many hoops as they could. Their totals were then mailed in and a winner declared by who made the most. The Reddick RUCE ladies placed second in this event in both 1958 and 1959.  The girls actually won the State Championship in 1963! 

Girls Track & Field

Two Reddick R.U.C.E. girls medaled at the Class ‘A’ State Track meet.  Their excellent efforts are listed below.

1982-83    Gina Christensen     Discus          4th Place

1983-84    Gina Christensen     Discus          2nd Place

1983-84    Sandy Harris            Shot Put      4th Place

Other GREAT Accomplishments at Reddick High Schools

*Reddick High School’s FFA Chapter was formed on October 17, 1929, one year after the national organization was formed.

*Reddick High School was one of the first schools in the state to utilize buses to get the kids to and from school.  This was begun in 1934.

*The Reddick High School building doubled as a home for very brief Reddick Junior College.  The college existed from 1934-36 when then-Principal O. A. Towns was able to land state grant money. This was a boost to graduates who were unemployed and couldn’t afford to go to a four-year school. Unfortunately, the money source was exhausted and Reddick J.C. ceased to exist.

Noteable Graduates

*Laurin Henry, (class of 1938), was considered a presidential transition expert.  In fact, he authored a book titled “Presidential Transitions” in 1960 regarding President Eisenhower leaving his office to the incoming President John F. Kennedy. His book received national attention and acclaim!!

*Jerry Joyce, (class of 1957) who was an Illinois State Senator from 1974 – 1981.

*Mary K. O’Brien, (class of 1984) who was an Illinois State Representative from 1996-2004 and is now an Illinois Appellate Court Judge.

*Dr. Joseph Miesenbach (class of 1966), Chief of Staff at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee.

*Hugh Van Voorst (class of 1952) director of the State Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics, now Chairman of the Board of Kankakee Community College.

*Jerry Krieg (class of 1965), starred in football and basketball at Reddick R.U.C.E. High School. Krieg played college football at Illinois State University where he was named to the Second Team Little All-American college football squad in 1969 as a defensive lineman.  In 1995, Jerry Krieg was named to the centennial all-time ISU football squad. Jerry Krieg carried his competitive edge to the hardwood court after leaving ISU. Now known as “Coach Krieg”, Jerry’s teams have gone to win over 400 games at four different Illinois High Schools and is a member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame!

*Irma Unz (class of 1921), returned to Reddick High School as a teacher several years later and eventually became the school’s principal until her retirement in 1971. She continued to serve the school system for eight more years as a substitute teacher living directly across the street from the school building.  Ms. Unz was one of the speakers at the school’s final graduation in 1988. She passed away in 2000 at the age of 96.

Memories

From former principal Michael Stagliano, Ph.D, who served as Reddick R.U.C.E.’s final principal as well:

“I served as the last principal of Reddick HS.  Essentially, I was the K-12 principal of the district prior to deactivation of the high school.  I too agree with you and your graduates/posters to the site that Reddick had a rich history.”

SINCERE GRATITUDE

***Special thank you to Rich Curl, true Reddick fan, as well as Jim Ridings, who authored the books “History of Reddick High School” and “Memories of Reddick High School” for providing much of the information for this page.

If You Have Any Information…

…you would like to share regarding Reddick High School and Reddick R.U.C.E. High School, please contact us so we can share the information with others. You can e-mail items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.    60631

Football Team and CHeerleaders of 1957-58

Photo Taken at the Class Reunion of 2008

Reddick High School

Reddick HS Gym 2017

Reddick Grade School Classrooms & Gym 2017

Reddick Grade School Building 2017

Reddick HS Gym 2017

Reddick HS Gym Entrance 2017

The Raymond High School Redbirds had IHSA tournament success in the sports of boys basketball and boys track and field. We believe the school competed baseball and possibly football as well.We are searching for the school fight song and conference affiliation of Raymond High School.

Boys Basketball

The Raymond High School Redbirds won a total of four District ttles.  Unfortunately this all we know about their success (www.ihsa.org).  Chuck Trent located several season records and coaches’ names listed below. We also located some scores from the IHSA State Tournament on a site titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores”. These scores are listed below. Coaches names, team records, and other successes are being sought.

1916-17             Montgomery County Tourney (2nd Place)

Championship – Hillsboro 21 Raymond 18

1919-20             Montgomery County Tourney (2nd Place)

Championship Hillsboro beat Raymond

1921-22 through 1932-33  Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

1933-34                  Springfield District Tournament                Coaches’ name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Auburn 16-10

Auburn lost to Springfield Feitshans in semi-final

Feitshans lost to Springfield HS in final

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

1st Rd Beat Coffeen 30-23

                               2nd Rd lost to Witt 31-28

Witt lost semi-final to Hillsboro

Hillsboro beat Litchfield in final

1935-36                  Morrisonville District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Donnellson 35-8

                               Semi-final lost to Farmersville 30-28

Farmersville beat Morrisonville in title game

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

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

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

1939-40  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1940-41                   IHSA District Champions                       Coach’s name & record needed

District Scores Needed

                                IHSA Regional Qualifier

                                Regional Scores Needed

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

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

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

1944-45                   Witt District Runner-Up                          Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Tower Hill 48-22

                                Semi-final Beat Rosamond 38-28

                                Title Game lost to Witt 36-33

1945-46  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1946-47                   Virden Regional Tournament                    Coach’s name & record needed

(Raymond did not compete in District)

Regional Scores

1st Rd lost to Springfield Lanphier 51-38

Lanphier beat Feitshans in title game

1947-48                   Springfield Regional Tournament             Coach’s name & record needed

(Raymond did not compete in District)

Regional Scores

1st Rd lost to Springfield Cathedral 62-27

Cathedral beat Lanphier in title game

1948-49    9 – 16      Virden Regional Tournament                   Coach Herman Presley

(Raymond did not compete in District)

Regional Scores

1st Rd lost to Springfield Cathedral 49-38

Cathedral lost to Girard in semi-final

Girard lost to Springfield HS in title game

1949-50    5 – 17      Springfield District Tournament                Coach Claude Shelton

1st Rd lost to Rochester 62-37

                                Rochester lost to Divernon in title game

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

Season Record Needed

                                District Scores

                                1st Rd Score Needed

                                Semi-final Beat Divernon 59-53

                                Title Game Beat Farmersville 50-47

                                Virden Regional Tournament

                                1st Rd Beat Glenarm Ball Township HS 42-34

                                Semi-final lost to Auburn 62-58

Auburn lost to Springfield Lanphier in title game

1951-52  15 – 10      Glenarm District Tournament                    Coach Ray Truebe

                                1st Rd Beat Divernon 62-58

                                Semi-final lost to Pawnee 63-60

Pawnee beat Girard in title game

1952-53                   Postseason scores & record needed         Coach Ray Truebe

1953-54                   Postseason scores & record needed         Coach Ray Truebe

1954-55                   IHSA District Champions                         Coach Ray Truebe

                                District Scores Needed

                                Virden Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Auburn 85-65

Auburn lost to Springfield Feitshans in semi-final

Feitshans lost to Lanphier in title game

1955-56                   IHSA District Champions                         Coach Ray Truebe

                                Season Record Needed

                                District Scores Needed

                                Springfield Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost Springfield Cathedral 63-58

Cathedral lost to Lanphier in title game

1956-57                   Postseason scores & record needed         Coach Ray Truebe

1957-58                   Postseason scores & record needed         Coach Ray Truebe

1958-59                   Palmyra District Tournament                     Coach Ray Truebe

Season Record Needed

District Scores

1st Rd Beat Girard 82-53

                                Semi-final lost to Farmersville 64-54

Farmersville lost to Springfield St. James in title game

1959-60    7 – 15      Raymond District Tournament                  Coach Ray Truebe

1st Rd Beat Girard 58-57

                                Semi-final lost to Farmersville 56-34

Farmersville beat Palmyra Northwestern in title game

1960-61  11 – 13      Postseason scores needed                       Coach Ray Truebe

1961-62    9 – 13      Raymond District Runner-Up                 Coach Monte Nohren

1st Rd Beat Springfield St. James 82-61

                                 Semi-final Beat Pawnee 69-65

*Title Game lost to Farmersville 46-41

*Final game for Raymond High School. Consolidated with Farmersville in the summer of 1962 to form the Lincolnwood School District.

Boys Track & Field

Picture this, it is 1913 and you are a kid from Raymond competing in the IHSA State Track Meet.  There is no different “classes” for you to compete in.  You will compete against kids from Chicago, Springfield, Rock Island, kids from everywhere in the state.  Should you pack it up and leave or stay and do your best? We all know that answer and the Raymond kids showed their competitive nature.  The Raymond High School tracksters of 1913 finished THIRD in the State Meet among all schools in Illiinois.  Pretty incredible for a group of “farm kids” as the meet writers sometimes referred to the smaller town’s kids back then.  We are looking for the first name of an athlete named Belknap.  The great accomplishments of RHS thinclads in 1913 and 1955 are listed below.

1912-13     Team Finished THIRD in IHSA STATE MEET Competition!!

                 Individual Medalists

                 Henry Bitterburg        Shot Put         STATE CHAMPION!!

                                                     Discus             4TH Place

                 ??    Belknap              Shot Put          2ND Place

                 Robert Seward          440 Yd Dash     2ND Place

                 Final Team Standings

1.)  Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)      34

2.)  Chicago (University)                    29

3.)  RAYMOND HIGH SCHOOL       12

                 4.)  McLean                                         8

4.)  Ridge Farm                                   8

6.)  LaGrange (Lyons)                         7

7.)  Springfield (H.S.)                          6

7.)  Roodhouse                                   6

9.)  Harvey (Thornton)                        5

9.)  Sullivan                                        5

9.)  Rock Island (H.S.)                        5

9.)  Virginia                                         5

9.)  Oregon                                         5

1954-55     Robert House       High Jump      4TH Place

Boys Baseball

The Raymond High School boys competed in baseball each year. The flkoowing records and coaches’ names were provided by Chuck Trent.

1948-49    3 – 4       Coach Herman Presley

1949-50    4 – 5       Coach Claude Shelton

1951-52    3 – 5       Coach Ray Truebe

1952-53                  Coach Ray Truebe

1953-54                  Coach Ray Truebe

1954-55                  Coach Ray Truebe

1955-56                  Coach Ray Truebe

1956-57                  Coach Ray Truebe

1957-58                  Coach Ray Truebe

1958-59                  Coach Ray Truebe

1959-60    1 – 5       Coach Ray Truebe

1960-61    1 – 6       Coach Ray Truebe

1961-62    3 – 3       Coach Monte Nohren

Boys Football

Mark Jurenga did some research and came up with this bit of information on the Raymond HS boys.  They did compete on the grid iron in the early 1900s.  In a game against Hillsboro in 1904 the Raymond boys gave a gallant effort but lost by a score of 26 – 0.

Memorable Principal

Mr. Raymond R. Crum was Principal at RHS for several generations. He is remembered and beloved by many.

Memorable Stories

From Linda Solis regarding her father and uncle who graduated from Raymond HS in the late 1940s:

“(My father) had 5 brothers; all but one of them served in the military during WWII. His brother Elmer actually was drafted his senior year of high school because he’d already turned 18. After serving in the Navy for four years, Elmer came back and finished high school, graduating with my dad’s class (1947).”

Need More Information

If you have any further information available regarding the history of Raymond High School and its many achievements pleae contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us via USPS at:

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.     60631

From the Jounal-News Newspaper, Monday, June 23, 2008: 

“Gone But Not Forgotten”
by Kyle Herschelman

For more than 80 years, the old Raymond High School/Grade School building symbolized the future of those in the panhandle of Montgomery County.

At 3:19 p.m. on Monday, June 23, that future became history as the last wall of the old brick building on Prairie Street was brought down.

While the school hadn’t been used since 2003, the impact it had on the community is without question.

Whether it be as a high school in the early years or as a grade school later on, the school has seen generation after generation pass through its doors in search of knowledge.

The setup of the building was fairly simple, and undoubtedly familiar to many of those in the Raymond area who graced its halls.

There were the two front entrances to the school, separated, one for boys, one for girls. And for many years, they were uniformly used that way.

There was the office, which was oddly tucked away in-between the entrance level and the top floor. The school didn’t really have a first, second, and third floor, but more of a series of half floors connected by wide staircases with wooden banisters.

There was the gym, the site of hundreds of basketball games, school plays, book fairs, and numerous other community events.

And then there was the study hall, a massive space surrounded by class rooms on either side. For years it was the study area for hundreds of students but for the last 30 years of its use, there was a sense of danger and mystery surrounding the hall.

Since as early as the 1970s, children were forbidden from crossing the middle of the study hall floor in fear that the floor would give way, giving the student a much quicker, and much more painful, way to get down to the gymnasium directly below.

Fortunately no one ever did take the plunge but concerns over the building’s overall structural soundness eventually led to it’s closing in July of 2003.

After a spirited fight to keep the building open went by the way side, the blade finally fell on the issue of demolishing the old school during the February meeting 2008 of the Panhandle School Board when they accepted a bid for the demolition.

With a projected demolition cost of $190,000, the destruction of the grade school will cost roughly $80,000 more than what the building cost to erect almost 90 years before.

History

The idea of the building came to fruition in 1919 after the community saw the need for a bigger high school and voted to build the new structure.

With $110,000 in bonds, the new Raymond Community High School was finally completed in 1920 under the supervision of school board president A.A. Central, secretary Dr. C.R. Driskell, and school board members John McCallum, Alva Jones, and Thomas Doyle.

In the 1923 edition of The Raymonian, the first ever volume of the Raymond Community High School yearbook, a description of the school’s dedication ceremony was included.

The description, which was written by “a senior who was there”, is below:

High School Dedication:

On November the twenty-second the beautiful new High School building was formally dedicated with a very appropriate program. Music was furnished by the High School Chorus and the address of the evening was delivered by Rabbi Ben Harrison of St. Louis. Following this, light refreshments were served to over seven hundred guests and friends of the school. Seniors acted as conductors through the building and those present were loud in praise of the community spirit to which the school is a lasting memorial.

While C.G. Vernon was the first principal at the new school, one of the most beloved principals to grace the halls of the building was Raymond R. Crum.

Starting in 1940, Principal Crum spent 31 years at the helm of the school, overseeing some of the most pivotal points in the district’s history.

In 1947, the Raymond and Harvel Schools were consolidated to eventually form the Panhandle District.

Two construction projects followed in 1956 and 1958 to add an annex and a junior high school building but the biggest change came in 1962.

That year the Raymond High School and Farmersville High School (which included students from Waggoner) consolidated to form the new Lincolnwood High School. With the larger student population, the need for a new school building became apparent, leading to the building of the new high school, which is still in use today, in 1970.

The 1970-1971 school year not only marked Principal Crum’s final year at the school, but also marked a new beginning for the building he spent his entire career in.

The old high school housed the junior high for a period of time before they too moved to the new school. From there, the building was the home to Raymond Grade School until the end of the 2003 school year. To put things in perspective that means the final sixth grade class to attend the old school will graduate from the “new” high school next year.

Although it is now reduced to a pile of wood, metal and bricks, the fond memories of the school still remain.

“I hate to see it go,” Don Bergdolt, principal of Raymond Grade School for 15 years, said prior to the demolition. “It’s an old building but it has a lot of character, a lot of history. It really is an institution.”

Marvin and Wanda Schroeder both taught at the old school, combining for more than 70 years of teaching experience between them.

Mr. Schroeder taught in Raymond from 1947 to 1984, spending 24 years at the old building before moving on to the new high school. Mrs. Schroeder worked from 1953 to 1960 in the high school before putting in 30 more years as a teacher at Raymond Grade School.

“At one point, I had taught in three different high schools and was still in the same room,” Marvin Schroeder explained. “I started with Raymond Community High School. When they organized the unit district (with Harvel), they dropped the Raymond Community High School and made it just Raymond High School in the Panhandle Unit. And then, of course, the consolidation of Farmersville and Raymond was 1962.”

“I taught in every room in the building except the old home economics room and the band room,” Wanda Schroeder remembers. “Back then, the enrollment was growing and you moved around according to the space that was available. Some of these rooms were little. If you had a bigger class, you got a bigger room.”

But for the Schroeders, the attachment to the building goes further than just a place where they used to work. Since the fall of 1961, the couple has made their home just across Prairie Street, a stones throw away from where they spent all those years educating the area’s youth.

“We had some really good years there and a lot of good people to work with,” Mrs. Schroeder said. “I’m sorry to see it go.”

The final phase of the demolition will take place in September with the landscaping of the area. According to Panhandle Superintendent Connie Falconer, the district has formed a committee to work on a memorial to commemorate the building and it’s meaning to the community.

Whatever the committee decides to do, the memories of those who attended the school will never wane. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, grandparents and grandchildren can all look back fondly and reminisce about their time at the old brick building on Prairie Street.

And no trackhoe, no dump truck, no demolition can ever take that away.

For more photos of the Raymond Grade School, or to share your memories with us, visit www.thejournal-news.net.

For those wishing to own a piece of the school, bricks from the old building will be sold to help benefit the Lincolnwood High School Post-Prom. Along with a brick, the buyer will also receive a commemorative sketch of the building and a plaque with a brief history of the structure. For more information, contact Kim Jaeger at 227-4559.

Athletics & Extra-Curricular Activities

We know that the Ray High School boys competed in the sport of basketball.

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

If You Have Any Information You Wish to Share:  

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

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Av.

Chicago, Il.  60631

Ray History – Left Click on Photo for Larger View

Submitted by John Bybee

Ray History – Left Click on Photo for Larger View

Submitted by John Bybee

Ray History – Left Click on Photo for Larger View

Submitted by Jophn Bybee

It is likely that Raritan High School, though its existence was short lived, had activities for its’ students to participate in. The high school likely did not participate in athletics due to the time period it was actually open (early 1890s). We do know that the grade school participated in athletics though.

MEMORIES

**From Jim Knapp:

“I stumbled across (the Glory Days) website regarding Raritan High School. http://www.illinoishsglorydays.com/id1129.html  While there may have been a high school in the 1800’s the building pictured here, to my knowledge was always a grade school. I attended Rartian Grade School from 1948 through 1956. When I was in the seventh grade they hired the first male teacher at the grade school. Mr. Patterson started a sports program which included a softball team and a basketball team. This would have been around 1955. Our class had the privilege of selecting the school colors, green & white and choosing the team name as the Raritan Wildcats. I grew up in Raritan and this is the first I ever heard about a high school in Raritan. Since the building pictured was not built until 1926, I’m reasonably certain that it was never the high school. However, I must admit that I was not there in 1893.”

Raritan Grade School Classes 7 & 8 in 1955-56

Submitted by Jim Knapp

Far left row front to back: Larry Fields, Denna Garrison, Robert Jacobs, Robert Duncan.

Second row from left: Linda Paulsgrove, Lamar Johnson, George Adams,Chuck Galbraith.

Third row from left: Mary Jo Kemp, Roberta Arnold, John Kelsey.

Far right row: Jim Knapp, Diana VanArsdale, Susan Stephenson

Raritan Grade School Softball Team 1955-56

Submitted by Jim Knapp

Back row: Jim Knapp, Bill Corzatt, Larry Fields, John Kelsey, Chuck Galbraith

Front row: Jay Barry, Wayne Fisher, Robert Duncan, Lamar Johnson.

Raritan Grade School Grades 1 – 4 in 1947-48

Submitted by Jim Knapp

Back row from left: Patty Lee, Gladys Lant, Ronnie Melvin, Darvis Overstreet.

Seated: Mrs. VanDoren, Jim Knapp, Roberta Arnold

Sincere Gratitude

Thank you to Howard Rescot, who conducted the research for this page.

Need Your Assistance

The Raritan High School legacy should not be forgotten. RHS should be remembered and its legacy shared with others. You can e-mail information and items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you can write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il.    60631

Rardin High School likely competed in athletics and other extra-curricular activities.  It is probable that basketball, baseball, and track were all offered at one time.  Unfortunately there is no mention of any sport at Rardin High School on the IHSA website www.ihsa.org.   We are hopeful an area alum or resident can provide some of this information for us.

Activities such as plays, chorus, band, FFA, FHA, and any other activities are af great interest.  What was it that made the Rardin High School experience a great one?  Drop us a line and let us know so we can share it on this page.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Several scores involving the Rardin High School boys basketball team playing in the IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores.” These scores are copied and available below.

The Rardin High School boys basketball team won a District title in 1936!

1931-32                   Mattoon District Tournament               Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Ashton 16-11

Mattoon beat Redmon in title game

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

1st Rd Beat Findlay 26-23 (O/T)

2nd Rd lost to Oakland 36-31

Mattoon beat Neoga in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Neoga 35-10

Charleston beat Mattoon in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Windsor 47-23

Neoga beat Suliivan in title game

1935-36                   Paris District Champions                  Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Hindsboro 22-20

                                Semi-Final Beat Chrisman

                                Title Game Beat Hume 17-16

                                Paris Regional Tournament

                                1st Rd Beat Marshall (Forfeit)

                                Semi-Final lost to Paris

Paris beat Brocton in title game

Mattoon Journal Gazette Newspaper Article

March 02, 1936

1936-37                   Arcola District Tournament                  Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Atwood 32-30

Semi-Final lost to Lovington 27-21

Lovington beat Arcola in title game

1937-38                   Kansas District Tournament                Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Brocton 51-24

Brocton beat Ashmore in title game

1938-39                   Ashmore District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Brocton 32-20

Brocton beat Lerna in title game

1939-40    Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1940-41                   Kansas District Tournament                Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd lost to Ashmore 31-22

Kansas beat Westfield in title game

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

1942-43                   Kansas District Tournament                Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Hindsboro 21-19

2nd Rd lost to Oakland 39-15

Kansas beat Brocton in title game

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

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

1st Rd lost to Oakland 50-45

Newman beat Oakland in title game

1945-46    Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1946-47    Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

**1st Rd lost to Ashmore 56-33

Redmon beat Hindsboro in title game

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

.

Seeking Your Assistance

If you have any information regarding Rardin and its former high school please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form.  You can e-mail items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . As you can see, we are missing a lot of vital information in our attempts to keep the memories of Rardin High alive.  You may also write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.    60631