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Illiopolis Cinder Track and Football Field

ATHLETICS

The Illiopolis kids were a very competetive bunch.  Several titles were won and several state medals were earned.  Included was a State Championship!!!  The boys competed in basketball, track, and football.  The girls competed in track, basketball, and volleyball.  School team nickname, colors, fight song, team records, and coach’s names are all being sought.

GIRLS TRACK& FIELD

Move over Hebron, Illiopolis High School has a “David vs. Goliath” story of its own!!  How about a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in girls track!  How about that this championship was won in a one class system!  The girls went on to add three more top-five finishes, ALL in the original one-class format.

An incredible group of athletes, led by Debi Kilhoffer, and the team, led by Coach Shirley Alford, brought home a slew of medals which led to this incredible run by the Lady thinclads of IHS.

From a good fan of the site, “Kaylorjd”, regarding the Illiopolis lady trackster success of the 1970s:

“Yes our lady tracksters were awesome – worthy almost of a movie. Among them, I believe Debi Kilhoffer went on to Illinois State University and, rumor had it, ended up holding a national record in the hurdles for one day. Rita Lamb went on to run the 800 at ISU – by the way, she is Rick Lamb’s sister”

1972-73          Jani Blakeman         High Jump     State Champion!!      

1973-74           STATE CHAMPIONS!!                     Coach Shirley Alford

                          District Champions

                           Individual Medalists

 Debi Kilhoffer           110 Yard Hurdles            State Champion!!

                           Relay Team              400 Yard Relay               State Champions!!

                           Relay Team              880 Yard Relay               State Champions!!

                           Jani Blakeman         80 Yard Hurdles              4TH Place
Connie Huyear          880 Yard Run                 8TH Place

                           Final Team Standings

                           1)  ILLIOPOLIS HIGH SCHOOL                     17                          

2)  Park Ridge (Maine South)                          13

2)  Springfield (Southeast)                              13

4)  New Lenox (Lincoln-Way)                          10

4)  Chicago (Harrison)                                    10

4)  Mt. Prospect (Prospect)                            10

7)  Chicago (Parker)                                        9

7)  Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)                      9

7)  Park Ridge (Maine East)                            9

10)  Cahokia (H.S.)                                           8

10)  Mendon (Unity)                                          8

10)  Chicago (Hirsch)                                        8

10)  Sycamore                                                 8

1974-75          Finished FOURTH in State Meet Competition!!          Coach Shirley Alford

District Champions

                          Individual Medalists

Debi Kilhoffer             110 Yard Hurdles             2ND Place

                          Debi Kilhoffer               80 Yard Hurdles             4TH Place

                          Jeanne Kilhoffer         Long jump                      2ND Place

                          Relay Team                 1 Mile Run                      3RD Place

                          Relay Team                 400 Yard Relay               5TH Place

                          Final Team Standings

1)  Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)                     24

2)  Springfield (Southeast)                              18

2)  Chicago (Calumet)                                    18

4)  ILLIOPOLIS HIGH SCHOOL                     14

5)  Lansing (Thornton Fractional)                     12

6)  Chicago (Dunbar)                                      10

6)  Park Ridge (Maine East)                            10

6)  New Lenox (Lincoln-Way)                          10

9)  Cahokia (H.S.)                                           9

10)  Mt. Prospect (Prospect)                              7

10)  Carthage (Hancock Central)                         7

1975-76         Finished SECOND in State Meet Competition!!           Coach Shirley Alford

                        Individual Medalists

                        Debi Kilhoffer                110 Yard Hurdles            STATE CHAMPION!!

                        Debi Kilhoffer                 80 Yard Hurdles             2ND Place

                        Debi Kilhoffer                 Long Jump                    2ND Place

                        Rita Lamb                       880 Yard Run                 3RD Place        

                        Relay Team                    1 Mile Relay                  3RD Place

                        Relay Team                     400 Yard Relay             5TH Place

                        Relay Team                     880 Yard Medly             5TH Place 

                        Final Team Standings

1)  Chicago (Calumet)                      21

2)  ILLIOPOLIS HIGH SCHOOL       18

                        3)  Carthage (Hancock Central)         14½

4)  Evanston (Twp.)                          12

4)  East Moline (United)                    12

6)  Lansing (Thornton Fractional)        10

6)  LaGrange (Lyons)                        10

8)  New Lenox (Lincoln-Way)               9

9)  Moline (H.S.)                                 8

10)  Belleville (West)                             7

10)  Park Ridge (Maine East)                 7 

1976-77       Finished FIFTH in State Meet Competition!!                 Coach Shirley Alford

                       Individual Medalists

                       Debi Kilhoffer                  110 Yard Hurdles           STATE CHAMPION!!

                       Debi Kilhoffer                    80 Yard Hurdles           STATE CHAMPION!!

                       Rita Lamb                         880 Yard Run                8TH Place

                       Final Team Standings

                       1)  East Moline (United)                     16

2)  Evanston (Twp.)                            15

3)  Cahokia (H.S.)                              14

4)  Hillside (Proviso West)                  13

5)  ILLIOPOLIS HIGH SCHOOL         12

5)  Watseka                                      12

7)  Galesburg (H.S.)                           10

7)  Piper City (Ford Central)                10

9)  Bartonville (Limestone)                    9

10)  Chicago (University)                        8

10)  Chicago (Lindblom)                         8         

1977-78       Rita Lamb                880 Yard  Run             7TH Place

1987-88       Kathy Whitehead     400 Meter Dash           6TH Place

INCREDIBLE RUN by the Lady Illiopolis HS Tracksters!!

Illiopolis Football Press Box

Photo By Beau Spencer

FOOTBALL

The Illiopolis boys football team held their own as well.  A total of four trips were made to the IHSA State Football Playoffs.  In this group the Illiopolis grid iron heroes made it to the Final Four on one occassion and the Elite Eight on another!!

Coach Jerry Smalling had the longest tenure of any coach at IHS, spending 28 years at the school and leaving with an overall record of 138 – 105. The football field at Illiopolis was officially named Smalling Field in honor of their great coach.

1950-52                                                                                       Coach W.L. Tomlinson

1952-53     6 – 1                                                                            Coach Dave Messenger

1953-54                                                                                       Coach Dave Messenger

1954-55                                                                                        Coach Walter Forsyth

1955-56                                                                                        Coach Tony Licocci

1956-57     5  – 3                                                                           Coach Tony Licocci

1957-58     4  – 3                                                                           Coach Tony Licocci

1958-60                                                                                        Coach Tony Licocci

1960-63                                                                                        Coach Jim Luallen

1963-64                                                                                        Coach Richard Isett

1964-65                                                                                         Coach Jerry Smalling

1965-66     4 – 3 – 1                                                                        Coach Jerry Smalling

1966-67     8 – 1                                                                             Coach Jerry Smalling

1967-68     8 – 1                                                                             Coach Jerry Smalling

1968-69                                                                                         Coach Jerry Smalling

1969-70     5 – 1 – 2                                                                        Coach Jerry Smalling

1970-71     8 – 0                                                                             Coach Jerry Smalling

1971-72     7 – 1                                                                             Coach Jerry Smalling

1972-73     4 – 4                                                                             Coach Jerry Smalling

1973-74                                                                                        Coach Jerry Smalling

1974-75     7 – 3          Oualified for Class 1A Playoffs!                  Coach Jerry Smalling

                                       Sweet 16 Finalist

                                       Lost to Concord Triopia

Triopia Finished 2ND

Illiopolis Football Team of 1974

Submitted by Richard Savage (From IHSA State Playoff Program)

1975-76     7 – 2                                                                             Coach Jerry Smalling

1976-77                                                                                          Coach Jerry Smalling

1977-78     8 – 1                                                                              Coach Jerry Smalling

1978-79     6 – 3                                                                             Coach Jerry Smalling

1979-81                                                                                        Coach Jerry Smalling

1981-82     6 – 3                                                                             Coach Jerry Smalling.

1982-83   11 – 1      Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs!!                 

                             Coach Jerry Smalling

                             Undefeated Regular Season

                             Final Four Finalist

                             Beat Williamsville 35 – 7

                             Beat Jacksonville Routt 6 – 0 (O/T)

                             Lost to Zeigler-Royalton 20 – 8

Zeigler-Royalton won Championship

The Pirates of 1982 – IHSA Final 4!!

1983-84     5 – 4                                                                       Coach Jerry Smalling

1984-85     7 – 2                                                                       Coach Jerry Smalling

1985-87                                                                                   Coach Jerry Smalling

1987-88     5 – 4                                                                       Coach Jerry Smalling

1988-90                                                                                   Coach Jerry Smalling

1990-91     5 – 4                                                                        Coach Jerry Smalling

1991-92                                                                                   Coach Jerry Smalling

1992-93                                                                                   Coach David Bills

1993-94     5 – 4                                                                        Coach Dave Jacobs

1994-95     5 – 4                                                                        Coach Dave Jacobs

1995-96                                                                                    Coach Skip Mathieson

1996-97     5 – 4                                                                         Coach Skip Mathieson

1997-98                                                                                    Coach Skip Mathieson

1998-99   10 – 2          Qualified for Class 2A Playoffs               Coach Skip Mathieson

                                       Elite 8 Finalist

                                       Beat Clifton Central  18 – 15

                                       Beat Pearl City  27 – 14

                                       Lost to Aledo 39 – 20

Aledo won State Championship 

1999-00     5 – 4                                                                        Coach Skip Mathieson

2000-02                                                                                    Coach Rick Austin

2002-03     5 – 5           Qualified for Class 3A Playoffs!!            Coach Josh Johnson

                                        Lost to Tolono Unity

2003-04                                                                                    Coach Mike Kearney

*Coach Jerry Smalling was inducted into the Illinois Football Coach’s Hall of Fame in 1989!  Coach Smalling is said to stay in contact with his Illiopolis roots, attending many Sangamon Valley Storm football games (Thank you to Jack Campbell for this information).

Football Memories

The 1982 Pirates finished the regular season as the #2 scoring team in the state, behind Joliet Catholic.  During the regular season the Pirates outscored their opponents 367-53 for an average score of 40-6. If not for a severly sprained ankle by Phil Young in the last regular season game and a blown out knee by fullback Bill Ballinger on his way to 193 rushing in the first playoff game against Williamsville, the Pirates would possibly have went on to win the Class 1A Championship that year!!”

ICHS Football Team of 1952 – Record 6-1

The Pirates Football Team of 1920

Regarding the above football team photos:

*In the 1920 photo the tall skinny fellow second from right in the back row is likely the same Robert Williams of state track 220 and long jump lore from the early 1920’s of Illiopolis you will read about below.

*Notice in the 1952 football picture  #55, #56 and #38.   They are the fathers of #74, #64 (top row 4th and 5th from left) and #9 (middle second row) respectively on the 1982 team.

Boys Track & Field

Three boys won individual medals at the IHSA State Track & Field Meet.  One athlete, a boy named Robert WIlliams, socred second in two events leading the IHS team to an overall eighth place finish!!

1921-22B           Team Finished EIGHTH in State Meet Competition!  

                              Individual Medalist

                              Robert  Williams           220 Yard Dash                 2ND Place

                              Robert  Williams           Long Jump                      2ND Place            

Final Team Standings

                               1)  Forrest                                        19½

2)  Elmwood                                     15 1/5

3)  Greenfield                                    12

4)  Toluca                                         10

5)  Monticello                                     9

5)  Wheaton (H.S.)                             9

7)  Carlinville                                      8

8)  ILLIOPOLIS HIGH SCHOOL         6

                               8)  Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)                 6

8)  Onarga                                         6

1923-24B             ??  Smith             220 Yard Dash                 4TH Place

1979-80A             John Finch           Triple Jump                     4TH Place

1908 SANGAMON COUNTY TRACK, ORATORICAL & ESSAY MEET, May 2

Acting as the host school, Illiopolis wound up third in Track with 26 points (Auburn 42, Chatham 35) and coupled with 30 points in Oratorical & Essay, fell one point short in the overall competition (Auburn 57). Illinois Traction System special trains brought students and fans in from all over the county to take part in the meets.

Some streets were closed for the straight-away runs, which included running uphill to reach the finish line for the Half-Mile run. The Oratorical & Essay competition took place in the Opera House where Donald F. Clearwater of Illiopolis took first in Oration (speech) and Rose Warren of Illiopolis third in Essay.

In Track, Elmer Dickerson won the 220-yard Low Hurdles in a time of 29 1/5^th seconds, was second in the Standing Broad Jump and third in the 100-yard Dash. Roscoe Foster won the Hammer Throw (tossed it 98 feet, 8 inches), placed second in the Shot Put; Russell Johnson took first in the Discus with a throw of 86 feet, 11 inches. William Maxwell gained third in the Running Broad Jump. Illiopolis took second in the Half-Mile Relay.

By 5 pm all awards had been given as fans and students departed on their trains back home. As the Illinois State Journal (Springfield) reported: “Before nightfall Illiopolis was again a deserted village, save for the cheers that were sent up now and then by local students.”

Illiopolis HS Gymnasium 2012

Now Sangamon Valley Grade School Gym (Submitted by Bruce Firchau)

BOYS BASKETBALL

One District title and one Regional title, coming in back to back seasons, hi-lighted the Illiopolis HS boys basketball program.  Other solid seasons, as listed on the IHSA website, are in turn listed below. Coach Dave Orr had some real nice seasons, we are told, in the 1970s.  Coach Orr went on to coach at El Paso High School.  He is the son of Coach Paul Orr of Anchor High School fame.

1970-71    21 – 6    Cerro Gordo District Champions      Coach Bill Devers

                               Semi-Final Beat Cerro Gordo 68-51

                               Title Game Beat Argent-Oreana 66-51

                               Decatur Regional Tourney

                               1st Rd Beat Decatur MacArther 64-61

                               Semi-Final lost to Decatur Eisenhower 76-56

Eisenhower beat Stephen Decatur in title game

Sangamon County Tournament Champions

                               1st Rd Beat Auburn 55-37

                               Semi-Final Beat Rochester 48-44

                               Title Game Beat Riverton 62-61

Illiopolis HS Boys Basketball Team 1970-71

Submitted by Mary Ellen Gass & Phil Shadid

Front row, from left: Bill Dever, head coach; Paul Lee, mascot; Dave Orr, assistant coach.

Standing, from left: Terry Kapper, Tyler Lyons, Mike Dobrinsky, John Bruntjen (scored the winning basket with 2 seconds left to give IHS a 62-61 win over Riverton in the championship game), Chuck Kilhoffer, Don Pickel, Jared Carroll, Rick Blakeman, A. Kilhoffer, Gary Leonard.

1971-72               Warrensburg Regional Champions    Coach Bill Devers

                            Semi-Final Beat Macon 102-53

                            Title Game Beat Warrensburg-Latham 49-43

                            Shelbyville Sectional Tournament

                            Semi-Final lost to Raymond Lincolnwood 61-57

LINCOLNWOOD (61): Hobson 35, Boehler 9, Fuchs 7, Sarver 5, Snyder 3, Aherin 2.

ILLIOPOLIS (57): Lyon 19, Kapper 16, Carroll 13, Blakeman 7, Pickel 2.

Lincolnwood beat Athens in title game

Lincolnwood would place 3rd in IHSA Class A Tourney

1975-76                                                                              Coach Dave Orr

1976-77                                                                              Coach Dave Orr

1977-78                                                                              Coach Dave Orr

1978-79    18 – 9                                                                  Coach Dave Orr

1979-80      7 – 15                                                                Coach Roger Albright

1980-81      5 – 17                                                                Coach Roger Albright

1981-82    11 – 11                                                                Coach Jack Handy

1987-89                                                                              Coach David Fitzgerald

1989-90    15 – 10                                                                Coach David Fitzgerald

1990-91    18 – 7                                                                  Coach David Fitzgerald

1991-93                                                                              Coach David Fitzgerald 

1993-94    14 – 12                                                                Coach Mark Camfield

1994-95    16 – 10                                                                Coach Mark Camfield

1995-96    18 – 11                                                                Coach Mark Camfield

1996-97    16 – 11                                                                Coach Mark Camfield

1997-98    15 – 11                                                                Coach Mark Camfield

1998-99    15 – 13                                                                Coach Mark Camfield

1999-00                                                                               Coach Skip Mathieson

2000-01                                                                               Coach Todd Venters

Sangamon County Tournament

Illiopolis was successful in this tournament on many occassions.  Check out their resume’ as provided by Mark Jurenga:

One championship  – 1971

Six 2nd Place finishes

Five 3rd Place finishes

Five 4th Place finishes

Illiopolis HS Gym 2012

Now Sangamon Valley GS Gym (Submitted by Bruce Firchau)

Illiopolis HS Gym Bleachers 2012

Now Sangamon Valley GS Gym (Submitted by Bruce Firchau)

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Some of the Lady roundballer seasons are listed on the IHSA website.  No tournament hardware was won, however some nice seasons were recorded.

1987-89                                            Coach David Fitzgerald

1989-90    15 – 10                              Coach David Fitzgerald

1990-91    18 –  7                               Coach David Fitzgerald

1991-93                                            Coach David Fitzgerald

Charles Raymond Demmitt – Class of 1904

Professional Baseball Player

Great Athletes

*Charles Raymond Demmitt – (IHS 1902-04)

Charles Raymond “Ray” Demmitt was born on February 2, 1884 in Illiopolis, Illinois the son of James F. and Emily Whitesides Demmitt. He attended Illiopolis High School from 1902 through 1904.  He played baseball for the University of Illinois in 1905 and 1906 and for the minor leagues, before going to the major leagues in April, 1909.

Demmitt played for the New York Highlanders (Yankees) 1909; St. Louis Browns 1910 and 1917-1918-1919; Detroit Tigers 1914 and Chicago White Sox 1914-1915.  In his 7-year career as a big league outfielder, Demmitt batted .257 with 8 dead ball era homers. He enjoyed his best full major league season by hitting .281 for the 1918 St. Louis AL club. He died on February 19, 1956 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois at the age of 72.

He was found living back in Illiopolis in the 1920 Census.

*Rick Lamb (1975-76 through 1978-79) – fan Rob Proctor had this to say about former Pirate great Rick Lamb:

“Star Rick Lamb (6′ 8″, 245 pounds) … Rick lead the team to several conference titles and tourney championships in his era under coach Dave Ore.  In his final season Rick averaged 36 points per game, which was one of the highest for the state that year.  He went on to a successful college career at Illinois State University where he played for four seasons.” Lamb, after finishing at Illinois State University, went on to try out for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. He ended up being the MVP of the CBA league and played in the European League as well.

Rick Lamb was named the Decatur Herald & Review Small School Player of the Year in 1979.

*Eric Weaver (Class of 1991) – Eric averaged 35 points and 22 rebounds his senior year. He went on a brief stint in the majors as a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Seattle Mariners. He was arguably the best all around athelete in Pirate athletic history, being the quarterback of the football team as well. He turned down a  baseball scholarship to Bradley University, where he very likely would have played basketball as well.  In addition to the Dodgers and Mariners, he also played briefly with the Anaheim Angels. The last two summers, he has coached the Springfield Rifles baseball team.

*Brian Herold – As part of the 1982 football team, Middle Linebacker Brian Herold made the Chicago Sun-Times All-State team for Class 1A.

*Philip Young – was an All-Area selection for the Decatur Area, while several players offensively and defensively made All-conference as well in 1982.

MUSIC

Illiopolis High School Band

Submitted by Janie Cruise

Music Director Richard Cruise

The Illiopolis kids won the one and only state championship in the history of the school. The school’s musicians and choir, led by Director Richard Cruise, earned the IHSA school championship in 1960! Mr. Cruise served at Iliopolis High School from 1952 – 1960. The kids of Illiopolis gained first place honors at the IHSA Music Sweepstakes contest held at Milikin University in Decatur. Illiopolis scored 64 points in the two day competition beating Greenview and Metcalf Young America high schools for the title. According to an article from the Illiopolis Sentinal Newspaper dated April 28, 1960, the following students were recognized at the competition:

*Mixed Chorus – Superior

*School Band – Superior

*Boys Chorus – Excellent

*Joe Wofford – Tuba – Superior

*Jackie Chinnock – High Voice – Excellent

*Gerald Dunham – Medium Voice – Excellent

*Mixed Clarinet Quartet – Excellent

(Elaine Peters, Karen Johnston, Kathy Murphy, Walter Beck)

*Brass Duo – Excellent

(Jan Booker, Sharyn Kent)

*Vocal Trio – Excellent

(Sandra Ervin, Gail Bruntjen, Gerald Dunham)

*Mixed Vocal Ensamble – Excellen

(Gayle Grieshiem, Sally McDonald, Marsha Layton, Mary Meister, Paul Ford, Walter Beck, Joe Lamb, Bill Reeder)

Submitted by Janie Cruise

Courtesy of Janie Cruise

Illiopolis High School Band – “SUPERIOR”

Submitted by Janie Cruise

Illiopolis High School Band – “SUPERIOR”

Submitted by Janie Cruise

If You Would Like To Share More Information…

…about the many accomplishments of Illiopolis High School please write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net . You can write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.     60631

Illiopolis High School Entrance

The Hurst-Bush High School athletes had state-wide success in the boys sports of track, basketball, and cross country (www.lhsa.org). It is possible that baseball and football may also have been offered at one time.  One Hurst-Bush thespian even won a medal at the IHSA speech competition.  Information such as conference affiliation and school fight song are being sought.

——————————————————————-

Boys Basketball

The boys basketball program at Hurst-Bush won a total of eight District titles spanning a time period of four decades. The “golden” era would appear to be the late 1940s and early 1950s.  Between 1947 and 1951 the H-B boys won four of the five district titles they competed for. Unfortunately the team records and coach’s names of these and other great Hurst-Bush High School teams are not available.  Several basketball scores were located on a website titled “Illinois Post Season High School Basketball Scores.” These scores have been copied and are listed below.

1932-33               DuQuoin District Champions         Coach’s name & Record Needed.

1st Rd Beat Valier 27-19

2nd Rd Beat Vergennes 37-20

Semi-Final Beat DuQuoin 21-19 

Title Game Beat Murphysboro 35-27

Carbondale Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Metropolis 46-22

Benton beat Metropolis in title game

—–

1943-44               Ava District Champions                   Coach’s name & Record Needed.

Semi-Final Beat Vergennes 52-31

Title Game Beat Campbell Hill 39-36

Murphysboro Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Murphysboro 32-31

Carterville beat Carbondale in title game.

—–

1946-47               Vergennes District Champions        Coach’s name & Record Needed.

1st Rd Beat Tamaroa 89-37

Semi-Final Beat Ava 47-39

Title Game Beat Royalton 36-31

Carbondale Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Carbondale U-High 43-42

Murphysboro beat Herrin in title game

CARBONDALE UNIVERSITY (43): Sisk 15, Reinhardt 11, Renfro 6, Jennings 6, Williams 4.

HURST-BUSH (42): L. Johns 20, Langston 8, Childress 7, Snider 3, Sanders 3, Nichols 1.

  —–

1947-48               Hurst-Bush District Champions         Coach’s name & Record Needed.

Semi-Final Beat Grand Tower 74-46

Title Game Beat Royalton 46-38

Murphysboro Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Elkville 39-33

HURST-BUSH (39): Langston 13, Smith 10, Sanders 9, Snider 5, Brandon 2.

ELKVILLE (33): Claybrooks 12, Nance 8, Chamness 5, Wolfe 3, Casleton 3, Jackson 2.

Semi-Final lost to Herrin 53-41

HERRIN (53): Henley 15, Hatfield 11, Miller 11, Eckert 8, Duncan 4, Hardcastle 4.

HURST-BUSH (41): Langston 15, Snider 10, Sanders 6, Brandon 4, Smith 4, Proffit 2.

Murphysboro beat Herrin in title game.

—–

1948-49               Vergennes District Champions         Coach’s name & Record Needed.

Semi-Final Beat Vergennes 53-47

Title Game Beat Grand Tower 49-43

Pinckneyville Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Sparta 64-55

SPARTA (64): Holloway 20, Partlington 13, Ingram 8, Burns 8, Fair 7, Nordberg 5, Blind 2, Moffat 1.

HURST-BUSH (55): Snider 26, Proffit 12, Hester 9, Harrison 4, Langston 2, Brandon 1, Childress 1.

Nashville beat Sparta in title game.

  —–

1950-51               Hurst-Bush District Champions                  Coach Bob Smith

1st Rd Beat Vergennes 78-36

Semi-Final Beat Royalton 53-39

Title Game Beat Carbondale Attucks 51-50

Murphysboro Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Carbondale 58-52

Semi-Final lost to Herrin 72-58

Marion beat Herrin in title game.

—–

1958-59               Carbondale District Champions                  Coach Gene Dick

 1st Rd Beat Gorham 70-56

Semi-Final Beat Alto Pass 77-56

Title Game beat Carbondale Attucks 57-55

MARION REGIONAL RUNNER-UP

1st Rd Beat Marion 68-63

Semi-Final Beat Murphysboro 59-54

Title Game lost to Herrin 73-56

HERRIN (73): Turni 26, Ward 21, Doughty 12, Brandon 10, Wharton 5, D. Williams 1.

HURST-BUSH (56): Newton 29, Winters 10, Caps 8, Madden 6, Hindman 2, Nichols 1.

  —–

1960-61               Carbondale District Champions                  Coach Richard Ruggles

1st Rd Beat Vergennes 94-74

Semi-Final Beat Gorham 64-61

Title Game Beat Elkville 65-61

Marion Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Murphysboro 68-67

Marion beat Murphysboro in title game.

                          This team was also champs of:

                          Shawnee Christmas Tourney

                          Anna Mid-Winter Tourney

**Coach Richard Ruggles would go on to coach the famous Cobden Appleknockers to a second place finish in the 1963-64 state tournament.

—–

1962-63             Carbondale District Tournament                   Coach’s Name & Record Needed.

1st Rd lost to Carbondale Attucks 67-49

**Final Game listed on the website Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores.

  —–

1965-66             Carbondale Regional Tournament

(Hurst-Bush did not assigned to District Tourney this season.)

*1st Rd lost to Carbondale 94-24

*Final boys varsity basketball game for Hurst-Bush High School.

__________________________

**IHSA records still (as of 2010) listed involving the Hurst-Bush Hummers as brought to our attention by Bert Gordon:

#1 in State History – Most FT’s attempted, game, team:  (75) Hurst Bush vs. Trico…..Nov. 21, 1956;

#1 in State History – Most FT’s attempted, game, both teams: (121) Hurst Bush vs. Trico….Nov. 21, 1956;

#4 in State History – Most FT’s attempted , game, team (64), Hurst vs. Trico…….Dec. 4, 1964

#11 in State History – Most FT’s Made, team:  (45) Hurst (H.-Bush) vs. Campbell Hill (Trico), Nov. 21, 1952

#11 in State History – Most Ft’s Made both teams:  (71) Hurst (H.-Bush) (45) vs. Campbell Hill (Trico) (26), Nov. 21, 1952

——————————————————————

Track & Field

Three male tracksters brought home a total of five medals for Hurst-Bush High School from the IHSA State Track Meet.  The boys who competed actully just missed making the H-B teams finish in the top ten for their years.  Hurst-Bush would have finished 11th in both in 1943 and 1957 if the IHSA recognized such a feat.  The individual medalists are listed below.  Note the two State Champions who both won their events in the old one-class system!

Joe Dewees also had this to add about the Hurst-Bush High School Track & Field program:

“Hurst – Bush HS was the original host for many years in the 1940’s and 1950’s of the popular and well attended Mineral Area Track Meet…an invitational team track meet that featured area track teams from all over southern Illinois and as far north as the East St. Louis area.  The meet was eventually transferred to SIU where it was held for many years.”

1937-38     Joseph Daltow       Discus             3RD Place

1941-42     Ralph Corse           1 Mile Run      3RD Place

1942-43     Ralph Corse           1 Mile Run      STATE CHAMPION!!

1955-56     Tom Fann              Pole Vault       3RD Place

1956-57     Tom Fann              Pole Vault       STATE CHAMPION!!

——————————————————————–

Cross Country

The boys cross country team had one season in which its harriers competed with the “big boys” at the state cross country meet.  The team of 1953-54 qualifed for the state meet, though they did not earn a top ten finish.

1953-54     Qualified for State Meet Competition

——————————————————————–

Speech Individual Events

Joe Spagnoli showed that the kids of Hurst-Bush were a multi-talented lot.  Joe competed in the IHSA State Speech Competition in 1941.  Joe’s efforts were rewarded with a fourth place finish in the “serious” category.

1941      Joe Spagnoli       Serious Category        4TH Place

———————————————————————

Need Your Assistance

If you have any further information or corrections to make regarding Husr-Bush High School please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  We are especially interested in a photo of the high school building.

Hurst-Bush High School – 2006

Photo Courtesy of Adam Rosoho

“Memories Are All That’s Left”

Former Hurst-Bush Students Remember Days in School

http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2008/05/31/local/24631214.txt

By Codell Rodriguez, The Southern Illinoisian Newspaper

Saturday, May 31, 2008 10:57 PM CDT

HURST – All that’s left of the school where Jackie Tweedy spent most of her career are a few bricks, four lights and two numbers off the old scoreboard, a sign from the girl’s bathroom – and lots of memories.

Whether it was the mischief she and her friends caused, hanging out at the local diner, the Powder Puff, at lunch or making friends, Tweedy had a strong bond with Hurst-Bush Community High School, which opened in 1922 and closed in 1966.

So when it was finally torn down in May, she and other graduates had mixed feelings.

Yvonne Holland, who graduated in 1954, said while it was hard to see it go, the building was so decrepit it was time to let it go.

“It was kind of sad because so many of us went there,” Yvonne said. “It’s also a relief because it was caving in.”

Her husband, John Holland, also graduated in 1954 and was a custodian there for 33 years. He said the school was a fixture in the area.

“It’s sad that it’s gone,” John said. “It’s something we won’t see there anymore that we’re used to seeing.”

Jackie said some of her fondest memories include the time spent with her friends.

“It was just amazing,” John said. “Just being able to sit with my friends and sit out on the lawn.”

John’s best memories include playing sports as a member of the H.B. Hummers; Yvonne remembers the delicious food at the Powder Puff. She said the owner’s chili recipe was divine.

“The lady there had the best chili in the world,” Yvonne said.

But the former students also look back and laugh about some of the more mischievous times at the school, including memories of smoke billowing out from under a bridge where all the kids who smoked went to escape from the watchful eye of the faculty. Yvonne and Jackie also remember a few exploits of their own.

“A friend and I set the clock forward, the bell went off, and everyone went home,” Yvonne said.

Tweedy remembers her cousin spitting out a window only to have the mass of saliva land on a teacher’s head.

“I’ll never forget it,” Jackie said. “We all got in trouble.”

John said he is proud of his roots at the school. He said many great students came from the school, including a few doctors and future faculty members.

So even though the bricks have fallen, the legacy lives on in the students.

“We all did good,” Yvonne said. “We’re not in jail and we don’t do drugs. We all did good.”

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com / 351-5804

Hume High School Gymnasium – 2009

Constructed in 1939

Cornerstone – Hume HS Gymnasium Building

Athletics

The accomplishments of the Hume High School kids is is need of research also.  Basketball and track were offered for the boys.  This is evidenced by their success documented on the IHSA web site www.ihsa.org.   It is believed baseball was played at Hume HS too.  We are searching for the school team nickname, colors, and fight song as well as the conference membership of Hume High School.

Boys Basketball

The Hume HS basketball program had some real nice seasons. Some of the scores involving Hume HS participating in the annual IHSA State Tournament were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are posted below. We are in need of season records and coaches’ names for nearly all of the Hume High School basketball seasons.

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

1st Rd lost to Kansas 33-10

Kansas beat Charleston in title game

—

1922-23 through 1932-33  Postseason scores, records, and coaches’ names needed.

—

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

1st Rd lost to Redmon 25-24

Redmon lost to Longview in semi-final

Longview beat Brocton in title game

—

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

1st Rd lost to Newman 30-8

Newman lost to Tuscola in 2nd Rd

Tuscola lost to Villa Grove in title game

—

1935-36              Paris District Tourn. Runner-Up          Coach’s name & record needed

Semi-final Beat Newman 27-22

Title Game lost to Rardin 17-16

—

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              Sidell District Runner-Up                     Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Scottland 53-15

Semi-Final Beat Allerton 44-37

Title Game lost to Indianola 41-19

**In 1941 both teams from the championship game of the District Tournament advanced to the Regional Tournament.

Westville Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Georgetown 36-35

Semi-Final lost to Danville 39-36

Indianola beat Danville in title game.

Indianola lost to Urbana 32-31 in Sectional Semi-final.

Urbana placed 2nd at State Tourney losing to Morton Township (Cicero) 32-31

—

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  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

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

—

1947-48  28 – 3  SIDELL DISTRICT CHAMPIONS            COACH LEO BERNS

The Hume High School Basketball team excelled when they succeeded as District Champions in the 1947-1948 season! Check out the resume’ for this team as provided by  Harold Stone:

Edgar County Tournament Champs

Tied for Ambraw Valley Conference Championship

Runner-up Ambraw Valley Tournament

**Sidell District Tourney Champions – Scores

1st Rd Beat Ogden 49-46

Semi-Final Beat Indianola 58-32

Title Game Beat Allerton 45-38

**Westville Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Catlin 44-40

Semi-final lost to Georgetown 53-41

Georgetown lost to Danville in title game

The team members and their coach, as viewed in the photo below, are as follows:

Front L to R

Phil Roller, Nelsie McMullen, Gene Compton, Pat Carr and Carroll (Peno) Johnson

Back L to R

Conrad Dillman, Mike Carr, Carroll (Bud) Coombes, Bill McMullen, Junior Steen, Sam Overton and Coach Leo Berns

Hume HS Basketball Team of 1947-48

District Champions

Harold Stone provides his memories and thoughts of this team:

“Here was a team that only had three losses all season and two of the losses were to arch rival Metcalf who, in just two years time, would combine with Hume to form Young America HS.  Let your mind dwell a moment on how good Young America might have been in 1947-48 !

The athletic banquet honoring Hume’s 28 and 3 team was huge.  In those days the banquets were a community “potluck” affair.  I was 12 years old and remember I how I had never seen so much food! That year (1947-48) the Illinois State High School Basketball Champion was Pinckneyville.  The guest speaker at the Hume athletic banquet was Pinckneyville Coach Duster Thomas and he brought along his State Champion starting five !  I remember what an impression that made on me, then only a sixth grader.”

—

1948-49               Sidell District Runner-Up                 Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Ogden 52-41

Semi-final Beat Fairmount 64-52

**Title Game lost to Indianola 67-54

**Final game as Hume High School, school merged with Metcalf High School in the summer of 1949 to form the Young America School District.

—

Boys Track & Field

One male trackster from Hume High School earned a gold medal and a big mark of respect for the Hume High School athletic program.  Bill Barrett was the STATE CHAMPION in the 1 Mile Run at the 1921 Class ‘B’ State Track Meet.  His efforts actually placed Hume 9th overall when you discount the tie scores in front of Hume that year.   Excellent job Bill Barrett!

1920-21B      Bill Barrett        1 Mile Run             STATE CHAMPION!!

Harold Stone, an avid fan of the Hume and Young America (Metcalf) Schools, provided these interesting bits of information regarding Bill Barrett:

“Bill Barrett listed in the Hume High School site that was State Champion in the mile run 1921, came from a family of 14 children, 10 boys and 4 girls.  One of the 4 girls was Sister Mary Blanche Barrett who was Principal at Springfield Sacred Heart Academy in Springfield for 27 years.

Bill Barrett died at the early age of 31 at Morgantown, W Va, after undergoing surgery to have gall stones removed.  He was employed to start his 5th year as  High School Basketball Coach at Rowlesburg, W Va.  Of the 4 full years he coached at Rowlsburg W Va High School, they won the state tournament 2 times !

Tina Barrett, Bill Barrett’s granddaughter,  has had a great career on the LPGA tour.”

Hume Memorial to Edward Doisy

Distinguished Alumni

A 1910 graduate of Hume HS was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1943 in Physiology and Medicine!  Edward Adelbert Doisy locally born and bred, graduated from Hume High School in 1910, the University of Illinois in 1914, and earned a Doctorate at Harvard University.  He went on to a career in teaching and research at St. Louis University, where he discovered the nature of Vitamin K, its chemical structure, and its role in the clotting of blood.  He died in 1986 at the age of 92.

http://www.boston.com/globe/search/stories/nobel/1986/1986e.html

A memorial stone stands in the Hume City Park in his honor and can be viewed directly above. Click on the photos to view a larger version.

Hume Tractor

Built in 1917

The Hume Tractor

For a brief period, maybe two years, the town of Hume was in the farm tractor business.  In 1917 the Hume Tractor was being manufactured at a factory in town. Its success was short lived as there were only around 300 models manufactured before the company was discontinued.  There is believed to be only one Hume Tractor still available in the world today.  It is pictured to the right.

—

Seeking Further Information    

If you have any information you can share regarding the history of Hume and its former school system please take the time to share it with us so we can share it with others.  The hard work of the Hume ancestors should be forever remembered.  You can e-mail items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.   60631

School Bell & Memorial

Hume, Illinois

Hume HS Graduation Program – 1897

World War II Memorial

Hume, Illinois

The Humboldt High School athletic program likely included the sports of basketball, baseball, and track.  It is possible that at one time or another football or other sports were offered as well.  We are searching for team records, coaches names, and individual accomplishments.  Also welcome are the “quick facts” items we are missing above, including team nickname, uniform colors, and school fight song.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Humboldt High School boys played a basketball game against Hindsboro High School in 1944.  The outcome of the game is not available.  This information was uncovered by David Kent Coy during his research of Hindsboro High School. Some IHSA Tournament scores were found on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” The results of these games are listed below.

If you have any further information about the Humboldt High School basketball program, please e-mail us at the address listed below.

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

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

1st Rd Beat Findlay 26-15

                           2nd Rd lost to Charleston 51-14

Charleston won District title.

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

1st Rd Beat Charleston T.C. 35-25

                           2nd Rd lost to Shelbyville 48-25

Shelbyville lost in semi-final round

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

1st Rd lost to Sadorus 24-20

Other District scores unavailable

1936-37                Matoon Regional Tournament                   Coach’s name & record needed

(no District tourney’s this year)

1st Rd Beat Windsor 40-34

                            Semi-final lost to Matoon 35-27

                            Matoon won Regional title game

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

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

1938-40 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed

1940-41 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed

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

1842-43 Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed

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

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

1st Rd lost to Atwood 55-29

Atwood won District title

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

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

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

1st Rd lost to Findlay 48-37

Findlay lost District title game

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

**1st Rd lost to Lovington 59-31

Lovington lost in semi-final game

**Final game for the Humboldt High School Tigers, consolidated with Matoon in the fall of 1949.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

We suspect that Humboldt High School offered several extra-curricular activities on top of sports.  School dances, clubs, band, and chorus were possibly offered to the HHS students as well.

HEROIC ALUM

Omar C. Payne, who attended Humboldt High School and may have graduated in the late 1930s, is buried in the American War Cemetery Henri-Chappelle, Belgium. Mr. Payne was killed during combat in World War II near Untermaubach-Obermaubach, Germany. To view a page dedicated to his service please visit:

http://www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/index.php/american-war-cemetery-henri-chapelle-p/61268-payne-omar-c

TO FORWARD FURTHER INFORMATION ON HUMBOLDT HIGH SCHOOL:

Contact us via e-mail at:     ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net (photos are welcome)

Write to us via USPS at:    IHSGD Website

                                       6439 N. Neva St.

                                       Chicago, Il.     60631

Hull High School had one awesome season in boys basketball and had one athlete place in the State Track Meet under the old one-class system. It is probable that HHS also offered baseball during its existence.  If you have any information on the great teams of Hull High School’s past we are hopeful you will share it with us.

Boys Basketball

The Hull High School boys won two District Titles and had one GREAT run winning a Regional, Sectional, and making the Elite Eight under the old one-class system.  In fact the 1935-36 HHS boys and Coach E. L. “Gene” Ihrig finished the season at 31 – 2 losing to eventual State Champion Decatur 30 – 27 in the quarter-finals!  What an incredible run by this small town.  The excitement must have been bristling in town with the team’s accomplishments.  We are looking for a photo of the team and any newspaper articles from the area covering their great season.  The other two DIstrict title teams are listed however team records and coaches names are not available. Several scores involving Hull High School in the IHSA State Tourney were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are listed below.

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

1st Rd Beat Golden 30-24

                                      2nd Rd lost to New Salem 37-15

Kinderhook beat Pittsfield in final

1922-23 through 1931-32  Postseason scores, records, and coach’s names needed

1932-33                         Pittsfield District Champions              Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Pleasant Hill 25-21

                                      2nd Rd Beat Kinderhook 17-14

                                      Semi-final Beat Barry 33-30

                                      Title Game Beat Nebo 26-19

                                      Decatur Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Springfield 33-16

SPRINGFIELD (33): Hallberg 8, Frazee 6, Gord 6, Martin 5, Holliday 4, Cook 2, Warren 2.

HULL (16): M. Whitney 4, Kennedy 4, Rogers 4, Davis 2, W. Whitney 2.

Springfield beat Quincy in title game

Springfield HS lost to Harvey Thornton 14-13 in state title game

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

1st Rd Beat Pearl 43-13

                                      2nd Rd lost to Barry 19-15

Pittsfield beat Kinderhook in title game

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

1st Rd Beat Baylis 47-3

                                      2nd Rd Beat Atlas 51-16

Lost in semi-final round

Pittsfield beat Kinderhook in title game

1935-36        31 – 2        Pittsfield Regional Champions           Coach E.L. “Gene” Ihrig

                                      Not assigned to play in District

                                      Regional Scores

                                      1st Rd Beat Pearl 26-18

                                      Semi-final Beat Perry 25-20

                                      Title Game Beat Pittsfield 41-23

                                      Pittsfield Sectional Champions

                                      1st Rd Beat Quincy 22-16

                                      Semi-final Beat Jacksonville 28-17

                                      Title Game Beat Beardstown 25-16

                                      State Tourney Finals – Sweet 16

                                      Beat Chicago Phillips 35-23

                                      State Tourney Finals – Elite 8

                                      Lost to Decatur 30-27

Decatur beat Danville 26-22 in state title game

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

   District Scores Needed

                                      Pittsfield Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Pleasant Hill 22-18

Pleasant Hill lost to Nebo in title game

1937-38 through 1941-42  Postseason scores, records, and coach’s names needed.

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

1st Rd lost to Pleasant Hill 29-9

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

1944-45                         Pittsfield Regional Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Pittsfield 66-43

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

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

1947-48  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1948-49  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

Last season for Hull High School, school closed in the summer of 1949.

Boys Track & Field

One Hull High School lad brought home a medal from the IHSA State Track Meet (www.ihsa.org).  His name and accomplishment are listed below.

1934-35     Fred Bushmeyer          440 Yard Dash          5th Place

Can You Add To This Page?

Help us remember all the great things about Hull and its former High School before those who remember are no longer around to tell the great stories.  You can e-mail photos and 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  

Year opened:                        1875

Year Hudson HS bldg. built: 1907

Year HS closed:                   1936

Students now attend:            Normal Community West High School

School colors:                       unknown

School nickname:                 unknown

School song:                        unknown

We do know that boys’ basketball was offered at Hudson. In the winter of 1930-31, the school competed in the junior division of the McLean County Tournament and lost in two games. There is no word as to whether or not Hudson offered any of sports or extra-curricular activites. We are in need of finding out, so if you know, please contact us below for submitting your information.

FAMOUS CITIZENS

Though these three gentlemen did not attend Hudson High School they are considered some of Hudson’s “Famous Sons.”

Melville Stone (1848-1929) — Helped found the Chicago Daily News and was manager of the Associated Press in its younger days. Stone is also responsible for consumers having list prices of 59 cents, 69 cents, 99 cents, etc. and then being able to sell the Daily News for a penny when change was not able to be made in pennies from a dollar amount.

Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) — Hubbard was a writer that was born in Bloomington before settling in Hudson as a youth. His biggest success was being a philosopher and writer, penning the essay “A Message to Garcia” in 1899 which received critical acclaim and was made into two movies. Hubbard lost his life with his second wife in 1915 when the boat they were travelling on was sunk by a German submarine.

C.J. “Buffalo” Jones (1844-1919) –The noted outdoorsman was involved with trying to cross-breed cattle and buffalo, and hunted wild game in Africa with former President Theodore Roosevelt (a good friend). Roosevelt appointed Jones as the first game worden of Yellowstone National Park in 1901, and developed a ranch & game reserve at the northern boundary of the Grand Canyon. Jones also wrote Western stories before his death.

Present-day Hudson Grade School

Hudson, IL

CAN YOU HELP US….

…..gather more information about the former Hudson High School? We certainly would like to hear from you if you do have anything that made by significance, such as photos of the school or any sports teams, words and music of the fight song, and so on. We’ll gladly take your submissions at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net  or write to us at the address below. Every little bit is aprpeciated, so please let us know. Thanks!

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 North Neva

Chicago, IL  60631

As stated above, we are certain that Hoyleton High School boys competed in basketball.  It is likely that baseball and track were offered as well.  Hoyelton HS fight song, coach’s names, and team records are being sought.

Boys Basketball

Some excellent research was completed by Doug Bradley of Columbus, Ind.  Doug found the following information while searching the internet.  He located Hoyleton High School yearbooks from 1946, 1947, 1948, and 1950.  Doug in turn summarized the information and sent it to us as follows:

“There may have been no nickname before 1947-48. October 29, 1947 basketball players Leroy Greiman, a sophomore, and Ronald Dykstra, a freshman, won a contest to choose the new nickname, “Thunderbolts”. School colors may have been Blue and White (1946, ’47, and ’50 yearbooks had blue and white covers).”

1945-46     17-17     Coach Norman W. Beck

(best record in school history

Sparta Junior Tournament Class B champs)

1946-47       3-16     Coach Norman W. Beck

1947-48                  No HS team

1948-49        N/A     Coach J.C. Deaton

1949-50       9-10     Coach J.C. Deaton

We were also advised that the boys lost in the second round of the 1928 District Tournament in Greenville to Patoka 49 – 15.  They must have won their first round game however.

Other Activities

Dances, plays, band, chorus, clubs, all were likely a part of the high school experience in Hoyleton.

Noteable Folks From Hoyleton

Hoyleton is the hometown of former S.F. Giants pitcher Kirk Rueter, who just retired last year (2006) with over 130 victories in the majors.

If You Have Any Information…

…you would like to share regarding the Hoyleton High School successes we urge you to share them with us.  The hard work and dedication of those who made the school work and succeed should not be forgotten.  You can e-mail information (especially a photo of the HS building) to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.com .  You can also write to us at:

Illinios HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.   60631

Boys Basketball

An excellent record was kept of the boys’ basketball progress through the closing of the school in 1972. The school produced two District Titles and two other twenty-game winners. Hopedale started its program in 1918-19 with a female head coach and started winning that season by winning a tournament.

The Hopedale High School gynasium was known as a “cracker box” (as were many small town gyms of the day). The bleachers covered one side of the floor and were only three rows high. The stage at one end of the gym filled up quickly with a standing-room-only availability. Some fans even developed seats using the window sills found on each end of the floor. The length of the court also played a part in Hopedale’s home court advantage as the top of the key intersected with the center circle. There was also only one foot of room between the wall on the three sides of the gym and the out of bounds line. (thank you to Roger Springer for this information and insight).

The great thing is the two best seasons listed record-wise occurred during the last two years the school was opened. The Hopedale High Indians boys basketball team went out on a great note, thanks in part to 6-7 post player Steve Rich, who set a single-game scoring record at the McLean County Tournament in 1971. Rich is considered the tallest player in school history.

1918-19                   first season                                         Coach Estelle Yewell

Won Bi-County Tournament

1921-22                  Won Tazewell County Tournament     Coach’s name needed

Peoria District Tournament

1st Rd lost to Peoria Manual 32-17

Manual lost to Peoria Central in title game

1921-22                  Mason City District Tournament          Coach’s name needed

 1st Rd Beat Lincoln 39-23

                               2nd Rd. Beat Delevan 35-14

Semi-Final lost to Athens 27-26

Athens Beat Green Valley 32-21 in title game

1930-31        8-14                                                               Coach Burton Carlock

1938-39      15-  9                                                               Coach Ray Caton

1946-47      10-13   Minier District Runner-Up                coach unknown

 1st Rd Beat Goodfield 51-21

Semi-final beat Deer Creek 28-23

Title Game lost to Minier 53-32

1948-49      20-  8   Minier District Runner-Up                Coach Ed Thommen

 1st Rd Beat New Holland 54-42

Semi-final beat San Jose 54-49

Title Game lost to Green Valley 44-33

1956-57        9-12   Tremont District Tournament              Coach (?) Adolphson

                                1st Rd. Lost to Danvers 75-68

Minier beat Danvers in title game

1958-59      20 – 8    Green Valley District Tourney            Coach Ron Thomas

1st Rd Beat Minier 72-50

                                 Semi-Final lost to Green Valley 63-61 (O/T)

Danvers beat Green Valley in title game

1969-70      14 – 12   Delevan District Champions          Coach Richard Burt

                                 Semi-final Beat San Jose 57-56

                                 Title Game Beat Stanford 55-47

                                 Pekin Regional Tournament

                                 1st Rd lost to East Peoria 71-48

Pekin beat Limestone in title game

1970-71      22 – 5     Green Valley District Champions  Coach Richard Burt

                                 McLean County Tourney Champs

                                  District Tournament Scores

                                  Semi-final Beat Tremont 65-45

                                  Title Game Beat Green Valley 79-70

                                  East Peoria Regional Tourney

                                  1st Rd lost to Peoria Limestone 73-48

Limestone beat Washington in title game

1971-72      21 – 6    Tremont Class ‘A’ Regional Runner-Up Coach Richard Burt

Mackinaw Valley Conference Champs

                                 Regional Tourney Scores

                                 1st Rd. Beat Tremont 81-61

                                 Semi-Final Beat Hartsburg-Emden 95-66

                                 **Title Game lost to Delevan 66-63

**Final game for the Hopedale High School Indians boys basketball team.

Some of the great players in Hopedale High’s history include:

Orville Augsburger, Class of 1932?; Robert J. Anderson, baseball, Class of 1942; Steven Rich, basketball, Class of 1972

Boys Track & Field

Two Indians brought home medals from the IHSA State Track Meet under the one-class system. B. A. Prater was the coach and athletic director at Hopedale High in the 1960’s. Mr. Prater and Richard Dutton spent one summer putting in Hopedale’s cinder track. Now that is small town dedication at its best!

1928-29     Emitt Lentz    High Jump         3rd Place

1962-63     Jim Morris     440 Yard Dash    2nd Place

Baseball

The Indians had a program that was playing as far back as the fall of 1924, and competed in the Corn Belt League with members such as Carlock, Stanford, Delavan, Minier, Tremont, Mackinaw, and Armington.  Hopedale won several conference titles in this league and also showed their worth in the Mackinaw Valley Conference as well.

1924-25   5-5   in fall                                      Coach Lyle Baker

Won Corn Belt League title in spring

1925-26           Corn Belt League champs    coach unknown

1926-27           Corn Belt League champs    coach unknown

1927-28           Corn Belt League champs    coach unknown

1929-30           Corn Belt League champs    coach unknown

1930-31           Corn Belt League champs    coach unknown

1948-49  7-3     2nd in Mackinaw Valley          coach unknown

1950-51           2nd in Mackinaw Valley           coach unknown

1958-59  4-2                                                 coach unknown

1967-68  5-5                                                 coach unknown

1971-72           Last season                           Coach Dick Burt

Looking for More Info

We are hopeful an area enthusiast can “fill in the blanks” regarding the Hopedale High School successes and history. We are always in need of photos of the old school building and great teams. If you wish to help us out, please complete a School Submission form or CONTACT US form. You may also e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.    60631