The History of Martinton High School Martinton (population 375) is located in upper-eastern Illinois, some might even say lower northeastern Illinois. Martinton sits in the northeastern portion of Iroquois County. The town is situated about 15 miles southeast of Kankakee. County Road 2100 E runs by the west side of town and connects it to U.S. Route 52 about 1 1/2 miles to the south. The Union Pacific Railroad passes through the east side of town. A brief history of the town of Martinton reveals that the town was established in 1871 by a man named Peter Martin. A post office was established there in 1873, and the Chicago, Danville, & Vincennes Railroad laid tracks through the area helping to spur on its early growth. The following information regarding the history of Martinton High School and the school system in general was located at the web address of http://genealogytrails.com/ill/iroquois/Martinton-Township.htm: “The first public school was erected in 1875, with an enrollment of 74 students from the village and surrounding areas. Later years out lying schools were built: Liberty, College Corner, Old Burg, Pittwood, Jarvis, Weygandt, Pleasant Valley, and Schoon. A two-story building was constructed in 1896 and the first teacher was V. A. Hathaway. In 1911 a brick school, costing $12,000 was built. It consisted of eight grades and two years of high school. Later the same building housed a three-year high school. In 1948, consolidation was voted on to create Community School District #3. Classes continued in Martinton until the fall of 1967. The new elementary school was built three miles west of Donovan. It now serves Beaverville, Beaver, Concord, and Martinton Townships. All high school students of these townships go to Donovan High School.” The following information was supplied to us by Mark Stuckey: “The village of Martinton was established in 1875. I am not certain what the last year for Martinton High was, but Martinton grade school was closed in 1967. At that point it was 1st through 6th grade. Then in 1968, the newly formed school district opened it’s new building in rural Donovan for K-6 grade. Prior to 1967, Martinton grade school was a 1st through 8th grade school. In 1966, the 7th and 8th grade classes began the consolidation with Donovan, Beaverville, and Iroquois. When the Martinton school building was closed, the Martinton Lions club purchased or was given the building. They tried to keep it open for their meetings and also as a community center. It became to costly to maintain and was torn down around the late 1970’s.” The former school grounds were located on the northwest side of town, just west of the Martinton baseball diamond and park. A playground now inhabits the space. Martinton High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1911 Year closed: 1948 Consolidated to: Donovan School District Martinton HS team nickname: the “Elks” Martinton HS team colors: Purple & Gold School Fight Song: unavailable |
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Marseilles High School “Panthers”
The History of the Marseilles High School “Panthers” The city of Marseilles has a very long and rich history, playing a vital part in the growth of Illinois in the early 1800s. Marseilles’ current population is 4,655. It is located in eastern LaSalle County on U.S. Route 6 approximately 5 miles east of Ottawa. If you are familiar with Interstate 80, Marseilles is located on East 24th Road three miles south of I-80 at exit 97. One nickname given the town by the locals is “Matchtown” because of the former match factory located there. The history of the town is evidenced by the number of historical transportation routes that run through it. Marseilles is located along the banks of the mighty Illinois River, once a vital link to the western United States from the east. In the 1800s, there was a need to build a direct link from Chicago and Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. A result of that effort was the Illinois and Michigan Canal, which also runs thru the middle of town. The later 1800s saw the need for railway transportation from Chicago to the western and southern parts of the United States. The Rock Island Railroad originally ran tracks through Marseilles until that railroad went bankrupt around 1980. Those tracks are currently used by the Iowa Interstate and CSX lines. The CSX railway has trackage rights, due to the result of a merger of the C&O and B&O railroads. Add to this the smaller Gum Creek on the east side of town and the Long Creek on the west side of town and Marseilles had plenty of reasons for folks to visit, live, and make a good life for themselves.
The school system in Marseilles has a long and storied history. Marseilles’ first school was built in 1835, while the first high school classes were taught in 1868. It is known the high school served the community proudly until 1990 when, for various reasons, the high school was deactivated. The high school-aged students of Marseilles now attend Ottawa High School. The old high school building now serves as Marseilles Elementary and Junior High School. Marseilles High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1868 Year modern building opened: 1936 Year of merger with Ottawa 1990 Now used as: Marseilles Elementary & Junior High School School nickname: the “Panthers” School colors: Red & Black School Fight Songs: Marseilles Loyalty & Panther Fight 1) Marseilles Loyalty (used until the early 1960’s, sung to the Illini Loyalty) We’re loyal to you, Marseilles High We’ll ever be true, Marseilles High We’ll back you to stand ‘Gainst the best in the land For we know you have sand, Marseilles High Rah! Rah! So smash that blockade, Marseilles High Go crashing ahead, Marseilles High Our team is our fame protector On, boys, for we expect a Victory from you, Marseilles High Che-he-Che-ha, Che-ha-ha-ha Che-he-Che-ha, Che-ha-ha-ha Marseilles, Marseilles, Marseilles! Fling out that dear old flag of black and maroon You have your sons and daughters fighting for you Like men of old, on giants Placing reliance Shouting defiance Oske wow-wow Amid the broad, green fields that nourish our land For honest labor and for learning we stand And unto thee we pledge our heart and hand Dear Alma Mater, Marseilles High! 2) Panther Fight (written by former band director Don Sherrard) (click to play at bottom of the lyrics) Hail to the Panthers Raise the black and red. With the colors flying o’er us Onto victory we’ll be led! Rah! Rah! Rah! Steadfast and loyal Every heart beats true. And we’ll FIGHT!, FIGHT!, FIGHT! FIGHT with all our might Marseilles High, for you!! |
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Maroa High School “Trojans”
The History of Maroa High School Maroa (population 1,654) is located in east-central Illinois in north-central Macon County. U.S. Route 51 is the main roadway through Maroa and connects it to Decatur located just 13 miles to the south. The Illinois Terminal Railroad travels through Maroa as well. The Lake Fork Creek flows to the north of Maroa. The town was officially established in 1854 and has a long and rich history. According to the book “Place Names of Illinois” by Edward Callary, the town name of Maroa was of Native American origin. It was named by the Illinois Central Railroad officials. Maroa is the only town of this name in the United States. The history of the high school is in need of research. It is known that the first school in the area was established in 1854 as well. It is quite probable that the townspeople had a high school in place by the late 1800s. Maroa High School served the community and children of Maroa on a solo basis for many years. An anonymous person submitted information stating that kids of Forsythe had been attending Maroa High School for many years, probably at least as early as 1948 when the Maroa High School District was formed. However the official name of the school was not changed to Maroa-Forsythe until approximately 1959. The high school for the district remained in Maroa. We believe the original building is still used and is pictured above. Please contact us if you have any further information on the history of Maroa High School. Maroa High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800s Year new HS District Formed: 1948 Consolidated to: Maroa-Forsyth High School Maroa HS team nickname: the “Trojans” MHS team colors: Blue & Gold School FIght Song: unavailable
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Marine High School “Clippers”
The History of Marine High School Marine (population 910) is located in southwestern Illinois about 10 miles east of Edwardsville and 25 miles northeast of East St. Louis. Marine sits in the east-central portion of Madison County. Illinois Route 143 is the main roadway to and from Marine. Other roadways leading to Marine include Madison County roads of Pocahontas Road (from the north) and, of course, Marine Road (from the south). Route 143 connects Marine to Illinois Route 4, one mile to the west, and Interstate Highway 70, two miles to the southeast. The history of the town of Marine and its former school system was sent to us by Shirley A. Daiber. A majority of Shirley’s documentation is rewritten below with her permission. The Village of Marine Begins The first settlers of Marine Township were Major Isaac H. Ferguson and John Warwick, brothers-in-law who built their cabins in 1813 in Section 33, about three miles south of the current village of Marine on what is known today as the Marine-St. Jacob Road. The first efforts to create a town followed the arrival of Rowland P. Allen from the east in 1817. He was looking for a place to settle for himself and several sea-faring friends. In 1818, he and Elijah Ellison and their families came from New York and settled near the site of the current cemetery. Thery were joined in 1819 by several other men with sea-faring backgrounds and other New Yorkers. Losing no time, a town was platted and lots were offered for sale in 1820, “in the town of Madison in the Marine Settlement,” by Curtis Blakeman, George Allen, and several other settlers. The sale was held on 18 November 1820 but was not a success. The name “Marine’ was fiven the settlement to reflect that many early pioneers were sea captains so it was in rememberance of their seafaring life. The Marine Settlement and the place to be called “Madison” were just small groups of cabins. In 1834, the town was laid out but north of the settlement and given the name Marine–again in rememberance of the early pioneers. The streets were laid out by George W. Welsh, James Semple, Jordon Jeffries, and Abraham Breath. It was platted on 10 May 1836, and recorded in the Madison County Courthouse on 14 July 1836 by Abraham Breath and George and Mary Welsh. It was described as part of Section 16 Town 4 North Range West of the Third Principal Meridian in Madison County, Illinois. It was incorporated on 08 March 1867, and re-incorporated under general law on 23 April 1888. School Begins The following is a summary of Shirley A. Daiber’s account of the history of Marine Schools: The first classes in the “Marine Settlement” were started in 1814 in the smokehouse of Isaac Ferguson. There were ten or twelve students and the teacher was Arthur Travis. Several smaller schools were constructed in the area until a new one-room brick school building was built in the late 1830s. This school soon became too small and another building was constructed. This one-room brick building still stands in the town of Marine and is used as a private residence. A new two-room school was built nearby. It was a frame building which became known as the Marine Academy. A two-story brick building was completed in 1862 and was known as the “German School”. This building also survives today and is utilized as apartments in Marine. The Marine Public School Building The next school, known as the Marine Public School, was a two-story, six-room building constructed in 1874 on the east side of Duncan Street on the block between Silver Street and South (now Magnolia) Streets. This school was built by the contractor, F. Oswald, of Alhambra, Illinois, at an initial cost of $10,000.00. Much of the brick was made in Marine in the brickyard kiln operated by the Tiemans. A yellow clay brick was used as accent trim for the building and was also manufactured at Marine with the name MARINE, IL so imprinted. The school was completed in 1875 at a total cost of $13,000.00. The six-room structure had four rooms downstairs and two rooms upstairs. It housed eight elementary grades and in 1918, was extended to include two years of high school. In 1924, courses were extended to provide three years of high school. Due to the extension of classes, there was no graduating class in 1925. Grades 1 – 8 were located downstairs and high school with a small library was upstairs. The high school continued for the school year 1950-51. The students went to Highland High School for the remaining one/two years of high school education. From the year 1951 through 1956, the building was solely used as a grade school. The building remained empty after the new Marine Grade School was opened in 1956 and was razed in August of 1966. Several courses of study were offered at Marine High School. Essay contests, chorus, band, yearbook “Clipper” staff, Latin Club, Glee Club, and cheerleading were all offered for extra-curricular activities. The high school curriculum included such sports as volleyball, basketball and track. The school colors were orange and black. The school existed through the early 1950s when consolidation talks between the neighboring towns of Troy, St. Jacob, and Marine took place. In 1951 these talks became a reality. In that year the Triad School District was formed between the three towns. The high school for the new district landed in Troy. A grade school, built in 1955, remains in Marine to this day, providing education for children in grades PK – 5. Marine High School Quick Facts Year 2-year HS opened: 1918 Year 3-year HS started: 1924 Year closed: 1951 Consolidated to: Triad School District (Troy) Marine HS team nickname: “Clippers”? Marine HS team colors: Orange & Black School Fight Song: unavailable
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Maquon High School “Orangemen”
The History of Maquon High School Maquon (population 318) is located in western Illinois in southwestern Knox County. Illinois Route 97 is the main road leading to and from town. Route 97 connects Maquon to Galesburg just 17 miles to the northwest. The At & St Railroad also runs some tracks through Maquon. Maquon lays a great claim to fame in that it is the ONLY town in the entire world named Maquon. A great web site to learn more about the town of Maquon is found at: www.maquon.org . Maquon traces education for its children to the mid to late 1800s. The following bit of information was researched by Denis Shenaut: “A two story frame building was built in 1866 at a cost of $7,000. The frame school was built next to where the brick school you have pictured above was later built. The first high school graduating class came out of Maquon in 1891. The brick school was built in 1903 and occupied in 1904. The gym was added to the brick school in 1934. This school is still standing.
In July of 1948, Maquon petitioned to detach from Spoon River Valley into Knoxville, and the school year of 1948-1949 was spent as a part of the Knoxville School District. Later, irregularities in the petition were proven and Maquon reverted back to Spoon River Valley, where it had belonged all year. (Students pictured in the photo to the right clockwise: Betty Peterson (President), Richard Shenaut (Vice President), Doris Cottom, Harold Clark, Colleen Morse, Shirley Nott, Dorothy Cottom, Beverly Cecil (Secretary & Treasurer) In September on 1949, reorganization began in earnest. Senior students were transported to the village af Fairview where they joined their peers from London Mills, Ellisville and Fairview in a strong, well-staffed high school. A Junior High School of grades 7, 8 and 9 was maintained in Maquon using the high school facilities. The grade and junior high schools stayed in each town until 1973 when the present Spoon River Valley High, Junior High and Grade School was built. At some point the basketball games were played in London Mills when the high school was in Fairview because I attended many games as a small child in London Mills. Henry Bennett was the coach at the time.” The building pictured below was built in 1882 and is one of the first schools (Fruit Hill School) built in the Maquon area. It currently houses a school / Indian artifact museum. Great job by the Maquon folks for recognizing and salvaging true history. Maquon High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1891 (first graduating class) Year closed: 1949 School nickname: “Orangemen” School colors: Orange & Navy Blue School FIght Song: unavailable
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Maple Park High School “Parkers”
The History of Maple Park High School Maple Park (population 765) is located in northeastern Illinois in the west-central area of Kane County. A small portion of Maple Park extends into DeKalb County. Maple Park is located on County Line Road just north of Illinois Route 38. The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad travels through town. The Union Ditch sits just tot he west of Maple Park. The history of the town of Maple Park is in need of research. The early history of the Maple Park School system was provided to us by Sandy Busby. The article was scanned and is provided below.
The high school for the new District has an address of Maple Park, though we believe the school complex is outside of the immediate community. The building pictured above was found on the website address of www.angelfire.com/il3/maplepark . It is a photo of the original Maple Park High School building. It now serves as the Maple Park Civic Center. Maple Park High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s Year closed: 1958 Consolidated to: Kaneland School District (Maple Park) Maple Park HS team nickname: the “Parkers” MPHS team colors: Green & White School Fight Song: “Fight for the Green and White” written by Lucille Posson in 1935 We will Fight for the Green and White boys, And We’ll cheer for Maple Park Never Daun-ted, ne-ver Taun-ted We will Fight for Maple Park! We’ll be Loy-al to our old school Boys Till we die we’ll praise her name In vic`try or de-feat, We’ll nev-er dare re-treat, But Fight for Maple Park! REVISED VERSION We will cheer for the Green and White boys We’ll fight for Maple Park Never Daun-ted never Taun-ted We will fight for Maple Park! Rah Rah! We’ll be loyal to our old school boys until they die We’ll praise their name though victory n defeat We’ll never dare retreat But we’ll fight for Maple Park! Rah Rah! |
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Manteno Our Lady Academy Catholic High School
The History of Our Lady Academy Catholic High School Manteno (population 6,414) is located in the lower northeastern portion of Illinois. Manteno sits in the north-central portion of Kankakee County. Interstate Highway 57 passes through the west side of town. Illinois Route 50 passes directly through the heart of town. Manteno is about 10 miles north of the town of Kankakee. The Illinois Central Railroad passes through Manteno. Lake Manteno is located on the city’s north side. A brief but informative history of the town of Manteno is found at the web address of http://www.manteno.com/history.htm. Briefly, the town name stems from the name of a half-Indian maiden who was one of the early settlers of the area. The area was first settled in 1832 and was organized as a township in 1855. The history of Our Lady Academy, a catholic high school for girls, was sent to us by our good friend Sherree Benoit. A newspaper article was written on September 30, 2007 in the Manteno Daily Journal by writer Phil Angelo, the paper’s Senior Editor. The article covers the history of the former school and its importance to the area at the time it was open. A summary of that article is as follows: Our Lady Academy was opened in 1907. It began as a grade school (1-8) which accepted local students and boarding students from the area. An all-girls high school was established in 1919. The school had over 200 students at its highest enrollment, many of whom were from the Chicago area. The school was established by the Sisters, Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary. The high school closed in 1956. The grade school remained open through 1964. At that time it became the home of St. Joseph parochial school. As St. Joseph, the school closed for good in 1968. The buildings that were a part of the school were razed in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. Reasons for the school’s closure were cited as rising costs, lowering enrollment, and a lack of nuns to teach. The following information regarding the school building first known as Our Lady Academy was provided to us by Joe Murphy: “I grew up directly across the street from “The Academy” as we called it when growing up. The Manteno school district used the building as an elementary school (second and third grades) for a short period in the 70’s. I was the last second grade class in the building (1973-74). It was then used by St. Joseph’s Church for religious education classes on Sunday’s. The main building was razed in 1980.” Our Lady Academy Catholic High School Quick Facts Year grade school opened: 1907 Year all-girls HS opened: 1919 Year HS closed: 1956 Year renamed St. Joseph: 1964 Year all classes ceased: 1968 Used as public grade school: 1968 – 1974 School buildings razed: between 1974 and the early 1980s Athletics: likely not offered as inter-scholastic program while utilized as a high school |
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Mansfield High School “Cardinals”
The History of Mansfield High School Mansfield (population 949) is located in eastern Illinois in far northern Piatt County. The town is located on U.S. Route 150 about 11 miles northwest of Champaign. Interstate Highway 74 passes just north of Mansfield as well. Lake Mansfield and the Madden Creek lay to the north of town as well. The Conrail Railroad parallels US Route 150 while the Norfolk & Western Railroad intersects with the Conrail and runs north and south though town. Mansfield was established in 1870 and named after a town of the same name in Ohio. Mansfield was officially recognized as a town in 1876. The following history information regarding Mansfield High School was provided to us by Patricia (Shores) Amdor (MHS Class of 1963): “The first high school courses at Mansfield were offered in the late 1880s and were held in a frame school building on the north side of town. The first graduating class from Mansfield High School was the class of 1890 with 3 students earning their diplomas. In 1894 a new brick school building was erected which housed both the grade school and high school. In 1920 an addition was made to the brick school building to provide room for the growing enrollment. In 1921 Mansfield Community High School District was officially organized. Originally, all the students who graduated from the one-room country grade schools came into Mansfield for high school. Later, when all the one room schools closed, that building became the grade school. A new brick high school building (pictured above) was erected in the late 1930s with the class of 1940 (with 22 students) becoming the first group to graduate from this building.” Mansfield High School served the community and surrounding farm children from approximately 1887 through 1971. It was in December of 1970 that the residents of Mansfield and Farmer City agreed to consolidate their school districts. The vote was an overwhelming in favor of consolidation. The vote totals of each area of the district follows: Mansfield: 144 for / 82 against. Mansfield Rural: 118 for / 48 against. Farmer City: 292 for / 148 against. It was in July of 1971 that the consolidation of the two school districts became official. Students of both schools later agreed the name of the new school district would be Farmer City-Mansfield. The high school for the new district was located in Farmer City. The Mansfield High School building was used as the FC-M Junior High School. Farmer City-Mansfield was joined by Bellflower High School in 1985. The name of the school district was changed to the Blue Ridge School District.. The Mansfield HS building today serves as Blue Ridge Junior High. Mansfield High School Quick Facts Year opened: late 1800’s Year closed: 1971 Consolidated to: Farmer City-Mansfield High School Mansfield HS nickname: the “Cardinals” School colors: Red & White School Fight Song: “Mansfield Loyalty”
We’re loyal to you, Mansfield High, We’re red and we’re white, Mansfield High, We’ll back you to stand, ‘gainst the best in the land, For we know that you can, Mansfield High!! So go down that (court / field), Mansfield High And bring up the score, Mansfield High. Our team is the greatest team, So come on and let’s all scream For we want a victory Mansfield High!! **Special thanks to DONNA (WOLF) ROBERTS for providing the fight song! |
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Manlius High School “Red Devils”
The History of the Manlius High School Red Devils The peaceful village of Manlius and its 375 residents sits approximately 1/2 mile east of Il. Rt. 40 and 4 miles north of Interstate 80. This is approximately 12 miles northwest of the Bureau County seat of Princeton. The Manlius school system was started in 1913. That year the people coerced a student from Buda High School to tranfer to Manlius High School so they could honor a graduating “class” in their first year of existence. Therefore Laura Rennick serves the distinction of being the first graduate of Manlius High. The Manlius school system also took students from the nearby village of New Bedford (population 100) and produced some incredibly talented and successful athletic teams over the many years it was in existence which will be highlighted furhter on down the page. In the early 1990s the high schools of Manlius, Walnut, Wyanet, and Buda-Sheffield Western all researched the possibility of consolidating into one school district. This consolidation effort became a reality in 1995 as the four schools make up what is now known as Bureau Valley High School. A new school building was built on Il.Rt. 40 just west of Manlius. The old high school building, pictured above, was demolished in 1997. The building, originally built in 1920, had the “new addition” on your left, which included a gym, added on in 1931 . The memories created in the building should live on forever. (School photo and information courtesy of Kenneth Rodgers, MHS Class of 1944) Manlius High School Quick Facts Year opened: 1913 Year HS Building Built: 1920 Year Gym added to HS: 1931 Year closed: 1995 Year Building Torn Down: 1997 School nickname Red Devils School colors: Red, Black, and White School gym: Bollman Fieldhouse, New Bedford School fight song: “We’re Loyal To You Manlius” We’re loyal to you Manlius High. We’re red and we’re black, Manlius High. We’ll back you to stand ‘Gainst the best in the land For we know you have sand, Manlius High. Rah! Rah! So crack out the ball, Manlius High. We’re backing you all, Manlius High. Our team is our fame protector: On! Boys for we expect a Victory from you Manlius High!
Che-he, cha-ha, cha-ha-ha-ha, Manlius High School, Rah, Rah, RAH!
Fling out that dear old flag of Red and Black, Lead on your sons and daughters Fighting for you Like men of old, on giants. Placing reliance, shouting defiance Oskee-wow-wow——— Amid the broad green plains that nourish our land, For honest Labor and for Learning we stand. And unto thee we pledge our heart and our hand, Dear Alma Mater, Manlius High! ATHLETICS The Red Devil athletes were known throughout the years for their competitive nature. The Manlius “Red Devils” were known as the “Maroons” until a nickname change occurred in 1940 to the “Red Devils”. Competing in the old Little Eight (until 1958), Blackhawk (until 1976 – For more information on the Blackhawk Conference check out John Ballentine’s article on the GREAT CONFERENCES page of this site.), and then Indian Valley Conferences (through its closure), as well as many years ran concurrently in the Bureau Valley Conference, MHS brought many conference championships as well as some IHSA District and Regional hardware. The basketball team competed for many years in the then infamous Bollman Fieldhouse in New Bedford. At one time this gym was THE premier gym in the area, playing host to several Conference tournaments as well as several District and Regional tournaments. The gym building still stands, now used in a private capacity. Next to the Bollman Fieldhouse is an older, now unused baseball diamond. It is believed that Red Devil Baseball teams once played there (A side note is that New Bedford hosted a couple of national Softball tournaments in the 1930’s and 1940’s). The more successful teams according the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) are listed below. |
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Manito Forman High School “Braves”
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The History of Manito Forman High School
Manito (population 1,733) is located in central Illinois about 20 miles southwest of Peoria. Roads leading to and from the northeastern Mason County city are County Road #4 and County Road #15. The Chicago & Midland Railroad also leads you through the town of Manito.
Manito supported its own high school (on this site as well) independently for over five decades. The late 1940s brought the State of Illinois push for consolidation leading to a change in Manito. Several area country schools and possibly even a small town high school or two (Forest City?) joined forces with Manito to create the Forman School District. This effort became a reality in 1951 with the high school for the new district located in Manito.
Manito Forman School District served the area for forty years. In the late 1980s and early 1990s consolidation talks arose between the Forman and Green Valley (also on this site) School Districts. This effort was finalized in 1991 with the creation of the Midwest Central School District. The high school for this district remained in Manito.
The original Manito Forman High School building is now used as an apartment building.
Manito Forman High School Quick Facts
Year opened: 1951
Year consolidated with Green Valley: 1991 (Midwest Central High School created)
Forman HS team nickname: the “Braves”
School team colors: Orange & Royal Blue
School Fight Song: Forman Braves Fight Song
Thank you to Angela Knuppel
Behind the Forman Braves we’ll fall in line
We’re gonna win that game for sure tonight
It’s for the dear old school we love so well,
We’re gonna yell and yell and yell and yell and yell
We’re gonna fight fight fight for every score
And then we’ll turn around and fight some more
We’re gonna leave old (game opponent) in the dust
Yes we must
Rah, Rah, Rah ah ah !!!
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Manito Forman High School had some great success on many levels throughout its existence (www.ihsa.org). Boys competed in baseball, basketball, golf, track, and wrestling for sure. The girls were offered basketball, volleyball, softball, and track. Forman competede against their rivals from Green Valley, Mason CIty, Easton, and Havana in the Blackhawk Conference. If you have information on other sports being offered please write to us via e-mail. We are also looking for the school fight song for Manito Forman High School. BOYS BASEBALL The baseball program at Manito Forman High School truly hit its peak in the 1980s. Six Regionals, four Sectionals, and four trips to the state finals in Class’A’ highlighted the diamond success of the Forman High School hardballers. Unfortunately these are currently the only records and information we have available. The excellent accomplishents of the 1980s are listed below. 1981-82 Regional Champions Still noted from this season is Chris Kniseley’s no hitter, pitched against Hartem (Hartsburg-Emden), on May 11, 1982! 1982-83 Regional Champions
Regional Champions Sectional Champions Quarter Final Winner Beat Eldorado 5 – 4 Final Four Finalist Lost to Alton Marquette 5 – 4 Marquette eventual State Champs
Regional Champions Sectional Champions Quarter final Winner Beat Teutopolis 7 – 1 Final Four Finalist Lost to Columbia 6 – 1 Columbia eventual State Champs
Regional Champions Sectional Champions Elite 8 Finalist Lost to Alton Marquette 10 – 9 Marquette eventual State Runner-up 1988-89 18 – 14 IHSA Class ‘A’ Elite Eight Coach Randy Cihlar Regional Champions Sectional Champions Elite 8 Finalist Lost to Anna-Joneboro 14 – 4 Anne-Jonesboro placed Third GIRLS BASKETBALL The Manito High School girls basketball program made a state finals appearance of their own. The 1980s saw the peak of this program as well. A total of five Regionals were won during a six year period. The team of 1981-82 made a run to the State Finals by winning their Sectional and Super-Sectional titles after finishing the regular season undefeated. The coaches name and team record of the 1982 squad are listed below. The records and coaches names of the other teams are not currently available. 1980-81 Regional Champions
Undefeated Regular Season Regional Champions Sectional Champions Super-Sectional Champions Beat Farmington East 54 – 48 (O/T) Elite 8 Finalist Lost to Quincy Notre Dame 54 – 47 Notre Dame eventually Third Place winners 1983-84 Regional Champions
BOYS BASKETBALL The Manito High School boys team also had some great seasons in their day. A total of EIGHT Regional titles were won by the hardwood court boys teams. The best seasons in the program’s history are listed below. 1951-52 15 – 8 Coach Gene Brodman 1952-53 19 – 6 Regional Champions Coach Gene Brodman 1953-54 21 – 7 Coach Gene Brodman 1954-55 6 – 18 Coach Gene Brodman 1955-56 11 – 12 Coach Don Eklund 1955-57 9 – 16 Coach Don Eklund 1957-58 15 – 11 Coach Wayne Beach 1958-59 19 – 8 Coach Earl Neeman 1959-60 21 – 9 Regional Champions Coach Earl Neeman 1960-61 17 – 9 Coach Earl Neeman 1961-62 9 – 16 Coach Harry Statham 1962-63 10 – 13 Coach Harry Statham From Phil Shadid: “After coaching basketball two seasons at Forman (his first as a high school head coach), Harry Statham coached three years at Dwight Township High (24-45 record), and then became the men’s head basketball coach (1966) at McKendree College in Lebanon, IL. He is now in his 43rd season and has become the winningest men’s basketball coach in college history. As of Feb. 1, 2009, he has coached in 1363 games, which is a record, and has 984 wins, also a record.” 1963-64 18 – 9 Regional Champions Coach Chuck Conrady
1965-66 13 – 14 Coach Chuck Conrady 1966-67 20 – 7 Coach Chuck Conrady 1967-68 16 – 10 Coach Chuck Conrady 1968-69 25 – 3 Regional Champions Coach Chuck Conrady
1971-72 9 – 14 Coach Jim Johnson 1972-73 16 – 11 Coach Mike Mueller 1973-74 14 – 12 Coach Mike Mueller 1974-75 21 – 6 Coach Mike Mueller 1975-76 21 – 5 Coach Bill Wills 1976-77 13 – 12 Coach Bill Wills 1977-78 19 – 8 Coach Rich Vana 1978-79 13 – 14 Coach Rich Vana 1979-80 18 – 8 Coach Rich Vana 1980-81 20 – 8 Regional Champions Coach Rich Vana
Macon Co. Tourney Runner Up 1982-83 10 – 15 Coach Rich Vana 1983-84 15 – 13 Regional Champions Coach Rich Vana 1984-85 15 – 11 Coach Rich Vana 1985-86 13 – 13 Coach Rich Vana 1986-87 15 – 10 Coach Stan Prosser 1987-88 12 – 13 Coach Stan Prosser 1988-89 3 – 20 Coach Stan Prosser 1989-90 8 – 17 Coach Stan Prosser 1990-91 12 – 13 School’s Last Season Coach Siltman *In 1987 Doug Swan was named to the All-Tournament team of the prestigious Macomb-Western Holiday Basketball Tourney. **From our good friend Phil Shadid: “Information regarding the MASON COUNTY BOYS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, which was held for 68 years, and ended in 1989: Manito Foreman won the County tournament 3 times and finished second 12 other times!!” BOYS GOLF MFHS competed in boys golf. The coach of the linksters from 1977 through 1980 was Coach Mike McGuckin. 1977-80 Coach Mike McGuckin GIRLS SOFTBALL The Manito High School ladies had some success on the diamond as well. The girls of 1986-87 brought home a Regional title. We are searching the team record of this and other great MFHS softball teams. 1986-87 Regional Champions Coach Becky Hayes GIRLS TRACK & FIELD The Lady tracksters had some real nice success in the late 1980s winning two Sectioinal Championships in 1988 and 1989. The program also boasted several individual and relay mecalists which are listed below, 1979-80 Julie Hasty Discus 8TH Place 1980-81 Julie Hasty Discus 6TH Place Karen Sondag High Jump 6TH Place 1982-83 Teresa Miller 200 M Hurdles 6TH Place 1987-88 Team Won the Sectional Championship State Meet Medalsits Relay Team 4 X 100 M Relay 7TH Place Relay Team 800 M Medley 7TH Place Relay Team 4 X 200 M Relay 8TH Place 1988-89 Team Won the Sectional Championship State Meet Medalists Relay Team 800 M Medley 7TH Place 1990-91 Relay Team 4 X 100 M Relay 3RD Place Relay Team 4 X 200 M Relay 5TH Place BOYS TRACK & FIELD The thinclads on the boys side were not without their moments. Two Medals were won at the IHSA Class ‘A’ State Track Meet. 1984-85 Relay Team 4 X 800 M Relay 6TH Place 1988-89 Pete Hilst 300 M Hurdles 6TH Place GIRLS VOLLEYBALL The lady netters did not bring home any IHSA hardware but they did have a very successful program. The best records and the coach’s names are listed below. 1975-76 Coach Stampanato 1976-77 Coach Pieczanka 1977-78 Coach Pieczanka 1979-80 10 – 9 Coach Barb White 1980-81 Coach Stan Prosser 1981-82 12 – 7 Coach Stan Prosser 1982-83 Coach Stan Prosser 1983-84 12 – 11 Coach Stan Prosser 1984-85 15 – 10 Coach Stan Prosser 1985-86 Coach Stan Prosser 1986-87 16 – 9 Coach Stan Prosser 1987-88 Coach Stan Prosser WRESTLING The Manito Forman High School grapplers had some great individual performances over the years Two of the boys, Cory Daker and Shane Daker, each won individual state championships in the respective weight classes! Team records and coaches names are not available at this time. 1983-84 Tom Nelson 112 lbs. Weight Class 4TH Place 1984-85 Chuck Reed 105 lbs Weight Class 2ND Place 1985-86 Chuck Reed 112 lbs. Weight Class 2ND Place Tom Nelson 132 lbs. Weight Class 2ND Place 1989-90 Cory Daker 103 lbs. Weight Class STATE CHAMPION!! Shane Daker 125 lbs. Weight Class STATE CHAMPION!! 1990-91 Cory Daker 112 ;bs. Weight Class STATE CHAMPION!!
Nice Job DAKER BOYS!! CROSS COUNTRY – BOYS We know the boys of Forman High School competed in cross-country. James Daniel McIntosh was a member of the harriers in 1980. If you have any further information regarding the Forman HS cross country team please contact us. SPEECH / INDIVIDUAL EVENTS The English Department at Manito Forman was not without merit. How about its claim to a top five state-wide finish in this IHSA sponsored competition?! This occurred in the 1958-59 school year when the Forman team placed FIFTH in State Competition. The main cause behind this finish was the state championship won by Larry Woiwode in the Original Comedy Category. Great Job Larry! 1958-59 Team Finished FIFTH in STATE Competition!! Individual Medalist Larry Woiwode Original Comedy STATE CHAMPION!!
Final Team Standings 1.) Calumet City (Thornton Fractional) 14 2.) DuQuoin (H.S.) 10 3.) LaGrange (Lyons) 9 3.) Maywood (Proviso East) 9 5.) MANITO FORMAN HIGH SCHOOL 5 5.) Elgin (H.S.) 5 5.) Geneseo (Darnall) 5 5.) Champaign (H.S.) 5 9.) Winnetka (New Trier) 4 9.) Northbrook (Glenbrook) 4 9.) Carthage 4 9.) Greenville 4 9.) Staunton 4 9.) Freeport (H.S.) 4 |
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| WE NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE
There are MANY missing parts to the wonderful history of Manito Forman High School. IF you can help fill in the information we are searching for, as well as any new information you wish to share, please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. We are especially interested in a photo of the Manito Forman HS building. You can aslo write to us at: Illinois HS Glory Days 6439 N. Neva St. Chicago, Il. 60631 |