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East St. Louis Lincoln “Tigers” and “Tigerettes”

East St. Louis Lincoln High School
A building with trees in front of it

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Courtesy of Douglas Combs
East St. Louis High School
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Photo by Douglas Combs

The History of East St. Louis Lincoln High School

East St. Louis (population 31,542) is located in southwestern Illinois along the banks of the Mississippi River in northwest St. Clair County. The town sits across the river from its namesake, St. Louis, Missouri. Several roadways lead to and from East St. Louis including Interstate Highways 55 and 64, as well as several Illinois Routes including 3, 111, 157, and 203. Several railroads also travel through town, including the Norfolk Southern and Illinois Central Gulf.

East St. Louis was first settled as “Illinoistown” in 1818 (http://www.eslarp.uiuc.edu/la/LA437-F95/reports/History/timeline.html), however it was not platted officially until 1859. The name was changed from Illinoistown to East St. Louis in 1861. The town has been the victim of flooding and tornadoes on more than a few occasions. After a promising start in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, East St. Louis has fallen into tough economic and crime-ridden times. Only recently has the town started to make a comeback from years of depression.

Lincoln Senior HS Sign – Classes of 1987 & 1989
A sign on a brick wall

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Photo by Douglas Combs

Due to the fast growth rate and growing diversity in East St. Louis in the early 1900’s, it was decided to build an all-African American high school. East St. Louis Lincoln High School was then established in 1909. Lincoln High served the town and area reasidents of East St. Louis for nearly 90 years. It was in the late 1990’s that talks of closing East St. Louis Lincoln and consolidating all students to the East St. Louis Senior High School program took place. It was in 1998 that this movement became effective.

The Lincoln High School building was used as a grade school in East St. Louis for a short time after the high school closed. The former Lincoln High School building is no longer used as a school.

East St. Louis Lincoln High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                       1909

Year closed:                                        1998

Consolidated to:                                   East St. Louis Senior High School

East St. Louis Lincoln team nickname:   the “Tigers” and “Tigerettes”

East St. Louis Lincoln team colors:        Orange & Black

School Fight Song:                               unavailable

ATHLETICS

The East St. Louis Lincoln Tigers and Lady Tigers had A LOT to be proud of.  Check out this resume’ for the Lincoln High School athletic program:

24 – STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS WON!!

32 – OTHER TOP-TEN FINISHES IN STATE COMPETITION!!

54 – Sectional Titles Won

64 – Regional Titles Won

16 – District Titles Won

We are looking for records and coaches’ names of many of the championship teams. There is no need to delay, the Tigers’ and Lady Tigers’ accomplishments will be addressed by sport starting with the most State Championships won.

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GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

The lady tracksters defined girls track & field in Illinois. Between 1977-78 and 1993-94, the Lady Tigers won a total of FOURTEEN STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS and finished SECOND the other three years in this seventeen year period. NINE of the State Championships were in consecutive years. The school also won SIXTEEN consecutive Sectional Championships. In addition between 1994-95 and 1997-98, the school finished in the top-ten three of those four seasons!

Coach Nino Fennoy was at the helm the entire twenty-one seasons listed on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). Coach Fennoy, in fact, continued on as girls’ track coach after the merger with East St. Louis Senior High and remains in that capacity today. The incredible accomplishments of the East St. Louis Linclon Lady Tigers track program is listed below.

1975-76       Individual Medalist

Danette Onyemelukwe    110 Yard Hurdles        6TH Place
80 Yard Hurdles        6TH Place

1976-77       Individual Medalists

Danette Onyemelukwe    110 Yard Hurdles        7TH Place
80 Yard Hurdles        4TH Place

Relay Teams                    

1 Mile Relay               3RD Place
440 Yard Relay          4TH Place
880 Yard Relay          7TH Place

1977-78       IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!!                   Coach Nino Fennoy

                   District Champions

Individual Medalists

Danette Onyemelukwe     

110 Yard Hurdles       STATE CHAMPION!
220 Yard Hurdles       STATE CHAMPION!

Jackie Joyner                     

440 Yard Dash           STATE CHAMPION!
Long Jump                2ND Place

Gwen Brown                     

110 Yard Hurdles     4TH Place
220 Yard Hurdles     2ND Place

Relay Teams                     

1 Mile Relay            STATE CHAMPIONS!
880 Yd. Med. Rel.     2ND Place

1978-79       IHSA STATE CLASS AA CHAMPIONS!!  Coach Nino Fennoy

Individual Medalists

Gwen Brown                      

110 Yard Hurdles     STATE CHAMPION!
220 Yard Hurdles     STATE CHAMPION!

Jackie Joyner                    

440 Yard Dash          2ND Place
Long Jump              STATE CHAMPION!

Debra Powell                      

110 Yard Hurdles     3RD Place
220 Yard Hurdles     4TH Place

Relay Teams                      

1 Mile Relay            2ND Place
400 Yard Relay        3RD Place
880 Yd Med Relay    8TH Place

—–

1979-80       IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!  Coach Nino Fennoy

Individual Medalists

Gwen Brown                        

100 Meter Hurdles    STATE CHAMPION!
200 Meter Hurdles    STATE CHAMPION!

Jackie Joyner                       

Long Jump                 STATE CHAMPION!

Debra Powell                       

100 Meter Hurdles     2ND Place
200 Meter Hurdles     7TH Place

Deborah Thurston                 

Long Jump               3RD Place

Relay Teams             

400 Meter Relay       2ND Place
800 Meter Med Rel.   2ND Place

—–

1980-81        IHSA CLASS AA STATE RUNNER-UP!   Coach Nino Fennoy

                    Final Team Standings

1) Chicago South Shore               52

2) EAST ST. LOUIS LINCOLN     48

3) East St. Louis Senior HS         44

                     Individual Medalists

Debra Powell                       

100 Meter Hurdles    STATE CHAMPION!
200 Meter Hurdles    2ND Place

Gloria Talbert                      

Shot Put                   STATE CHAMPION!                   

Devlin Stamps                      

100 Meter Hurdles     8TH Place

Toni Wallace                        

Discus                       3RD Place

Relay Teams                       

4x100m relay             5TH Place
4x200m relay            4TH Place
4x400m relay            5TH Place

—-

1981-82        IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!  Coach Nino Fennoy

                    District Champions

                    Individual Medalists

                    Toni Wallace                        Shot Put                    STATE CHAMPION!

                                                                 Discus                        2ND Place

                    Georgia Gibson                    100 Meter Dash          5TH Place
200 Meter Dash          4TH Place

                    Novia Harris                          High Jump                 4TH Place
Quintella Jackson                 100 Meter Hurdles      8TH Place
Relay Teams                         4×100 Meter Relay     2ND Place
4×200 Meter Relay     2ND Place
4×400 Meter Relay     2ND Place
800 Meter Med Rel.    STATE CHAMPIONS!

1982-83        IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!  Coach Nino Fennoy

                    Sectional Champions

                    Individual Medalists

                    Toni Wallace                        Discus                         STATE CHAMPION!

                                                                 Shot Put                      STATE CHAMPION!

                    Nicolle Thompson                 200 Meter Hurdles       2ND Place
Georgia Gibson                    100 Meter Dash            3RD Place
200 Meter Dash            4TH Place
Shirley Walker                      100 Meter Hurdles       5TH Place
Relay Teams                         4×100 Meter Relay      STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×400 Meter Relay       STATE CHAMPIONS!
800 Meter Med Relay   2ND Place

1983-84        IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!   Coach Nino Fennoy

                    Sectional Champions

                    Individual Medalists

                    Nicolle Thompson                 100 Meter Hurdles       STATE CHAMPION!
200 Meter Hurdles       2ND Place

                    Mary Cobb                             Long Jump                 STATE CHAMPION! 

                                                                  100 Meter Hurdles       5TH Place
Roslyn Rucker                       400 Meter Dash           3RD Place 

                    Linda Wilson                         Discus                         7TH Place
Marcia Byrd                           200 Meter Dash           8TH Place
Relay Teams                         4×400 Meter Relay      STATE CHAMPIONS! 

                                                                  4×200 Meter Relay      2ND Place
800 Meter Med Relay  2ND Place
4×100 Meter Relay      3RD Place

1984-85        IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!   Coach Nino Fennoy 

                    Sectional Champions

                    Individual Medalists

                    Nicolle Thompson                  100 Meter Hurdles      STATE CHAMPION!
200 Meter Hurdles       STATE CHAMPION!
Mary Cobb                             200 Meter Hurdles       3RD Place
Long Jump                 2ND Place

                    Roslyn Rucker                       400 Meter Dash           2ND Place
Celisa Shy                             800 Meter Run            2ND Place
Linda Wilson                         Discus                        3RD Place

                                                                  Shot Put                     2ND Place
Marcia Byrd                           200 Meter Dash          5TH Place
Marla Cotton                          High Jump                 6TH Place

                    Relay Teams                         4×100 Meter Relay      STATE CHAMPIONS!

                                                                  800 Meter Med Relay  STATE CHAMPIONS!

                                                                  4×400 Meter Relay      STATE CHAMPIONS! 

                                                                  4×200 Meter Relay      3RD Place

1985-86        IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!   Coach Nino Fennoy     

                    Sectional Champions

                    Individual Medalists

                    Mary Cobb                             100 Meter Hurdles       STATE CHAMPION!
Long Jump                  STATE CHAMPION!
Jacqueline Robinson            300 Meter Hurdles        STATE CHAMPION! 

                                                                 100 Meter Hurdles        5TH Place
Roslyn Rucker                      400 Meter Dash             STATE CHAMPION!
Celisa Shy                            800 Meter Run              STATE CHAMPION!
Beverly Powell                     300 Meter Hurdles        2ND Place

                    Marla Cotton                         100 Meter Dash            4TH Place
High Jump                  3RD Place
Linda Wilson                         Discus                         3RD Place
Shot Put                      5TH Place
Sara Fleming                        1600 Meter Run            4TH Place
800 Meter Run             5TH Place
Relay Teams                         4×100 Meter Relay       STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×400 Meter Relay        STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×800 Meter Relay        STATE CHAMPIONS!
800 Meter Med Relay   STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×200 Meter Relay       2ND Place

1986-87        IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!   Coach Nino Fennoy

                    Sectional Champions

                    Individual Medalists

                    Carmelita Williams                100 Meter Dash            STATE CHAMPION!
200 Meter Dash            STATE CHAMPION!
400 Meter Dash            STATE CHAMPION!
Beverly Powell                      300 Meter Hurdles        STATE CHAMPION!

                                                                  100 Meter Hurdles        3RD Place

                    Erica Brooks                           Discus                          5TH Place

                    Erica Eastern                          1600 Meter Run            7TH Place
Relay Teams                          4×400 Meter Relay       STATE CHAMPIONS!

                                                                   4×100 Meter Relay       4TH Place
4×200 Meter Relay       6TH Place

1987-88        IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!    Coach Nino Fennoy

                    Sectional Champions 

                    Individual Medalists

                    Carmelita Williams                100 Meter Dash      STATE CHAMPION!
200 Meter Dash      STATE CHAMPION!
400 Meter Dash      STATE CHAMPION!
Terrell Washington                200 Meter Dash       2ND Place
Rosetta Duncan                      Shot Put                 3RD Place

                    Patrice Liddell                        300 Meter Hurdles  2ND Place
Long Jump             4TH Place

                                                                   100 Meter Hurdles   6TH Place
Savannah Taylor                    100 Meter Hurdles   2ND Place
300 Meter Hurdles   8TH Place
Erica Brooks                           Discus                      8TH Place

                    Relay Teams                          4×100 Meter Relay   STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×200 Meter Relay   STATE CHAMPIONS!
800 Meter Med Rel.  STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×400 Meter Relay    2ND Place

1988-89        IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!   Coach Nino Fennoy

                    Sectional Champions

                    Individual Medalists

                    Carmelita Williams                 200 Meter Dash        STATE CHAMPIONS!
100 Meter Dash        3RD Place

                                                                   400 Meter Dash        3RD Place
Cynthia Tylor                          Long Jump              STATE CHAMPION!
100 Meter Dash        4TH Place
200 Meter Dash        6TH Place

                    Erica Brooks                           Discus                      STATE CHAMPION!

                    Savannah Taylor                    100 Meter Hurdles    3RD Place
Rosetta Duncan                      Discus                       4TH Place
Shot Put                   4TH Place
Patrice Liddell                        300 Meter Hurdles    8TH Place
Long Jump               5TH Place
Relay Teams                           4×100 Meter Relay   2ND Place
4x200m relay           2ND Place
800 Met. Med. Rel.   2ND Place
4×800 Meter Relay   6TH Place

1989-90        IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!    Coach Nino Fennoy

                    Sectional Champions

                    Individual Medalists

Cynthia Tylor                          100 Meter Dash         STATE CHAMPION!
200 Meter Dash         STATE CHAMPION!
Long Jump               STATE CHAMPION!

Rosetta Duncan                      Discus                       2ND Place
Shot Put                    4TH Place

                    Savannah Taylor                    100 Meter Hurdles     2ND Place

Terrell Washington                 100 Meter Dash         2ND Place

Tanya Gasper                         800 Meter Run           3RD Place

                    Marque Sanders                     3200 Meter Run         4TH Place

Angenette Sumrall                 Long Jump                6TH Place

Dorsand Quarles                    300 Meter Hurdles      8Th Place

Relay Teams                          4×100 Meter Relay     STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×200 Meter Relay     STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×400 Meter Relay     STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×800 Meter Relay     STATE CHAMPIONS!

1990-91        IHSA CLASS AA STATE RUNNER-UP!     Coach Nino Fennoy

                    Sectional Champions

                    Indivdual Medalists

                    Tifani Spraggins                     Long Jump                 3RD Place

                    Cicely Scott                            400 Meter Dash           5TH Place
Malina Williams                     200 Meter Dash           5TH Place
Ewona Ferguson                    100 Meter Hurdles       8TH Place
Relay Teams                          4×200 Meter Relay      STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×400 Meter Relay      3RD Place
4×800 Meter Relay      3RD Place

1991-92        IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!    Coach Nino Fennoy 

                    Sectional Champions

                    Individual Medalists

                    Tifani Spraggins                     Long Jump                 STATE CHAMPION!
Cicely Scott                            400 Meter Dash           2ND Place

                    Malina Williams                     100 Meter Dash           4TH Place
Sharon Suggs                        100 Meter Hurdles       5TH Place
300 Meter Hurdles       7TH Place
Latoya Adkins                        200 Meter Dash           7TH Place
Relay Teams                          4×100 Meter Relay      STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×200 Meter Relay      STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×400 Meter Relay      STATE CHAMPIONS!
800 Meter Med. Rel.    STATE CHAMPIONS!

1992-93        IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!    Coach Nino Fennoy
Sectional Champions

                    Individual Medalists

                    Cicely Scott                            400 Meter Dash           STATE CHAMPION!
Ta’Mika Roddy                        Long Jump                 3RD Place
Tifani Spraggins                     100 Meter Hurdles       4TH Place
Dawn Anthony                        100 Meter Dash           7TH Place
200 Meter Dash           8TH Place

                    Sha’Neco Fennoy                   Discus                         6TH Place
Luciana Quarles                     100 Meter Hurdles       8Th Place
Relay Teams                           4×100 Meter Relay     STATE CHAMPIONS!
800 Meter Med. Rel.    STATE CHAMPIONS!

                                                                   4×200 Meter Relay      4TH Place

1993-94        IHSA CLASS AA STATE RUNNER-UP!      Coach Nino Fennoy

                    Sectional Champions

                    Individual Medalists

                    Dawn Anthony                        200 Meter Dash           2ND Place
100 Meter Dash           3RD Place

                    Leah Nolden                           800 Meter Run            4TH Place
Tenessia Bradley                    300 Meter Hurdles      5TH Place

                    Jackie Newby-Trotter              100 Meter Dash          5TH Place
Marsha Cash                           Long Jump                 6TH Place

                    Relay Teams                           4×100 Meter Relay     STATE CHAMPIONS!

                                                                    4×200 Meter Relay     STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×400 Meter Relay     2ND Place
4×800 Meter Relay     3RD Place

1994-95        IHSA Class AA Meet – FOURTH Place   Coach Nino Fennoy

                    Sectional Champions

                    Individual Medalists

                    Angela Gilliam                        Shot Put                     3RD Place
Kanesha Williams                   High Jump                  4TH Place
Tenessia Bradley                    300 Meter Hurdles       5TH Place

                                                                   100 Meter Hurdles       7TH Place
Relay Teams                           4×100 Meter Relay      3RD Place
4×400 Meter Relay       8TH Place
4×800 Meter Relay       7TH Place
800 Meter Med. Rel.    6TH Place

1995-96         IHSA Class AA Meet – SIXTH Place      Coach Nino Fennoy

                     Sectional Champions

                     Individual Medalists

                     Leah Nolden                          800 Meter Run             2ND Place
Angela Smith                         300 Meter Hurdles       8TH Place
Relay Teams                          4×400 Meter Relay      2ND Place
4×800 Meter Relay      2ND Place

                                                                   800 Meter Med. Rel.    6TH Place

                                                                   4×200 Meter Relay       7TH Place

1996-97         Team Won Sectional Championship   Coach Nino Fennoy

                     Individual Medalists

                     Elisha Wright                         200 Meter Dash           8TH Place
400 Meter Dash           7TH Place 

                     Relay Teams                         4×200 Meter Relay      3RD Place
800 Meter Med. Rel.    6TH Place

                                                                   4×100 Meter Relay      7TH Place

1997-98         IHSA Class AA Meet – SIXTH Place      Coach Nino Fennoy

                     Sectional Champions

                     Individual Medalists

                     Elvira Williams                      100 Meter Hurdles       2ND Place
Relay Teams                          4×200 Meter Relay     2ND Place

                                                                   4×100 Meter Relay      3RD Place

INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great Girls Track Athlete

*Jackie Joyner – (1979-81) is, of course, THE Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the internationally reknown track superstar of the 1980’s and 1990’s. Here are some of Jackie Joyner-Kersee’s accomplishments after she left Lincoln High:

*Went to UCLA and competed in track and basketball. Was a four-year starter in basketball and an All-American.

*Olympic medals: Three (3) gold (1988 & 1992 Heptathlon, 1988 Long Jump), one (1) Silver, two (2) bronze.

*First woman in history to break 7,000 points in the Heptathlon at the 1986 Goodwill Games.

*As of August, 2006 still world record holder in Heptathlon AND still holds the six best scores all-time in the Heptathlon.

*As of August, 2006 still #2 all-time in the Long Jump in history.

*Married to world famous track coach Bob Kersee.  

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BOYS TRACK & FIELD

The Tiger boys track & field program at East St. Louis Lincoln High School was EXTREMELY successful as well. Their accomplishments include FIVE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS (including four consecutive), SEVENTEEN Top-Ten Finishes, SIX Sectional Championships, and SIX District Championships!!

Coach Arthur Marshall led the program to their four consecutive State Championships in the early 1980’s. The great accomplishments of the Tiger boys tracksters are listed below.

1939-40      Team Won District Championship

1952-53      Team Finished TENTH at STATE MEET!

                  Could not locate individual Medalists

1953-54      Team Finished FOURTH at STATE MEET!

                  District Champions

                  Individual Medalists

                  Bob Mosby              High Jump              2ND Place
Robert Perkins        440 Yard Dash         2ND Place

                  Jim Shannon           High Jump             3RD Place

1954-55      Individual Medalist

                  Marvin Jones           Shot Put                 4TH Place

1955-56       Individual Medalist

                   Marvin Jones          Shot Put                 4TH Place

1957-58       Individual Medalist

                   Sam Harris              100 Yard Dash        4TH Place

1964-65       Team Finished SEVENTH at STATE MEET! 

                   Individual Medalists

                   Al Swepson             100 Yard Dash        2ND Place
Leon Ware              120 Yard Hurdles    3RD Place
Bruce Davis             Long Jump             4TH Place

1965-66        Individual Medalist

                    Greg Johnson         180 Yard Hurdles    5TH Place

1966-67        Individual Medalist

                    Greg Johnson         120 Yard Hurdles    3RD Place
180 Yard Hurdles    3RD Place

 

1967-68        Team Finished SECOND at STATE MEET!

                    Individual Medalists

                    Greg Johnson         120 Yard Hurdles    STATE CHAMPION!

                                                   180 Yard Hurdles    STATE CHAMPION!

Eddie Patterson      120 Yard Hurdles     5TH Place

                    Relay Team            1 Mile Relay            3RD Place

1969-70        Team Finished EIGHTH at STATE MEET! 

                    Individual Medalists

Freddie Armstrong  220 Yard Dash         4TH Place

Relay Team             880 Yard Relay       2ND Place

1970-71        Team Finished EIGHTH at STATE MEET! 

                    District Champions

                    Individual Medalists

                    Alfred Larry             120 Yard Hurdles     2ND Place

                    Relay Teams           1 Mile Relay            4TH Place
880 Yard Relay        3RD Place

1971-72         Team Finished NINTH at STATE MEET!

                     Individual Medalists

                     Mike Monroe           100 Yard Dash         2ND Place
220 Yard Dash        2ND Place
Derrick Glanton       Discus                     6TH Place

1972-73         IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!   Coach George Holliday

                     Individual Medalists

                     Mike Monroe           100 Yard Dash         2ND Place
220 Yard Dash         2ND Place
Hubert Butler           Pole Vault              4TH Place
Relay Team             880 Yard Relay       STATE CHAMPIONS!

1974-75         Individual Medalist

                     Roderick Glover       120 Yard Hurdles    4TH Place

1976-77         Team Finished TENTH at STATE MEET!

                     Individual Medalists

                     Auphrey Campbell    100 Yard Dash        6TH Place
Roddy McCloud         Pole Vault             6TH Place
Johnnie Poe              330 Yard Hurdles   8TH Place
Relay Team              1 Mile Relay           4TH Place

1977-78         Individual Medalists

              

                     Al Joyner                  Triple Jump           3RD Place
Relay Team              2 Mile Relay           5TH Place

1978-79          Individual Medalists

                     Freddie Simmons     220 Yard Dash        3RD Place
Frank Denzmore       120 Yard Hurdles    6TH Place

1979-80          Individual Medalists

                      Frank Denzmore      300 Meter Hurdles  STATE CHAMPION!

                                                      100 Meter Hurdles   4TH Place
Relay Team             4×100 Meter Relay  7TH Place

1980-81          IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!    Coach Arthur Marshall

                      Individual Medalists

                      Darryl Morgan          High Jump              2ND Place
Barry Malloyd          Long Jump              3RD Place
300 Meter Hurdles    8TH Place
James Hyde             800 Meter Run         3RD Place
Carl Clayborne         High Jump              3RD Place

                      Todd Porter              Long Jump              5TH Place
Willie Davis              Shot Put                  6TH Place
Demetrius Chism      200 Meter Dash        8TH Place
Pole Vault               8TH Place

                      Relay Teams            4×100 Meter Relay  STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×800 Meter Relay  STATE CHAMPIONS!

                                                       4×200 Meter Relay  2ND Place
4×400 Meter Relay  5TH Place

1981-82          IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!     Coach Arthur Marshall

                      District Champions

                      Individual Medalists

                      Barry Malloyd           100 Meter Hurdles    STATE CHAMPION!
Long Jump               STATE CHAMPION!

                                                       300 Meter Hurdles     2ND Place
Jessie Wilson            800 Meter Run          2ND Place
Darryl Morgan           High Jump                4TH Place

                      Leodis Fields            400 Meter Dash         7TH Place

                      Relay Teams             4×400 Meter Relay    STATE CHAMPIONS!

                                                       4×800 Meter Relay     STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×100 Meter Relay     2ND Place
4×200 Meter Relay     3RD Place

1982-83          IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!     Coach Arthur Marshall

                      Sectional Champions

                      Individual Medalists

Dedrick Flowers        1600 Meter Run          2ND Place

Victor Johnson          Shot Put                     3RD Place

Juan Brooks              300 Meter Hurdles      3RD Place
100 Meter Dash          7TH Place

Darwin Rencher        100 Meter Hurdles      8TH Place

Relay Teams             4×100 Meter Relay     STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×200 Meter Relay     2ND Place
4×400 Meter Relay     2ND Place

1983-84          IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!!   Coach Arthur Marshall

                      Sectional Champions

                      Individual Medalists

                      Leodis Fields             800 Meter Run          STATE CHAMPION!
Clarence Smith         100 Meter Hurdles     2ND Place
Antonio Baker           100 Meter Hurdles     5TH Place
Cedric Washington    400 Meter Dash         6TH Place
Jessie Owens            200 Meter Dash          7TH Place
Relay Teams             4×400 Meter Relay     STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×800 Meter Relay     2ND Place
4×200 Meter Relay     5TH Place

1985-86          Individual Medalists 

                      Cecil Shy                   800 Meter Run           5TH Place
Relay Team               4×800 Meter Relay     3RD Place

1986-87          Team Won Sectional Championship

                      Individual Medalists

                      Darryl Graham            Shot Put                     5TH Place

                      Marvin Wright             800 Meter Run            7TH Place
Cecil Shy                    800 Meter Run             8TH Place
Relay Team                4×800 Meter Relay      STATE CHAMPIONS!

1987-88           Individual Medalists

                       Vernon Garrison        Discus                         2ND Place
Ronald Willis             Discus                         8TH Place

1988-89           Team Finished SIXTH at STATE MEET! 

                       Sectional Championship

                       Individual Medalists

                       Ronald Willis             Shot Put                     STATE CHAMPION!
Discus                        4TH Place

                       Relay Teams              4×400 Meter Relay     3RD Place   

                                                          4×200 Meter Relay     7TH Place

1989-90            Individual Medalist

                        Relay Team               4×800 Meter Relay     7TH Place

1990-91            Team Finished THIRD at STATE MEET!

                        Sectional Champions

                        Individual Medalists

                        Maurice Dotson          800 Meter Run           2ND Place
LuCian Scott              Shot Put                    8TH Place

                        Relay Teams              4×800 Meter Relay    STATE CHAMPIONS!
4×400 Meter Relay    2ND Place
4×100 Meter Relay    4TH Place
4×200 Meter Relay    4TH Place

1991-92            Team Finished SECOND at STATE MEET!

                        Sectional Champions

                        Individual Medalists

                        Omari Banner             400 Meter Dash         3RD Place
200 Meter Dash         4TH Place
LuCian Scott               Shot Put                    3RD Place

                        Relay Teams               4×800 Meter Relay    STATE CHAMPIONS!

                                                            4×100 Meter Relay    2ND Place
4×400 Meter Relay    2ND Place

1992-93            Individual Medalists

                        Eugene Anthony          High Jump                 6TH Place
William Byrd                100 Meter Hurdles     8TH Place
300 Meter Hurdles     8TH Place

                        Relay Teams                4×800 Meter Relay     5TH Place
4×100 Meter Relay     6TH Place

1993-94           Individual Medalists

                       Eugene Anthony             High Jump               3RD Place
Relay Teams                  4×800 Meter Relay    3RD Place
4×400 Meter Relay    6TH Place

1994-95            Team Finished SEVENTH at STATE MEET!

                        Sectional Champions

 

                        Individual Medalists

 

                        Keith Rodgers               100 Meter Hurdles     5TH Place
Relay Teams                 4×100 Meter Relay    2ND Place
4×200 Meter Relay   3RD Place
4×400 Meter Relay    8TH Place

 

1995-96             Individual Medalists

 

                         Relay Teams                 4×200 Meter Relay    2ND Place

                                                               4×100 Meter Relay    3RD Place

EXCELLENT!

Great Boys Track Athlete

*Al Joyner – late 1970’s – Won gold medal at 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

*Competed collegiately at Arkansas State University.

*Currently an assistant women’s track and field coach at UCLA.

*Was married to Olympic gold medalist and world record holder Florence Griffith-Joyner.

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BOYS BASKETBALL

This is the sport with the best coverage on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org) and with GOOD reason. Here is another long resume’ for a Tiger sport:

4  – STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!

5  – Final 4 Appearances

6  – Elite 8 Appearances (Super-Sectional Titles)

9  – Sweet 16 Appearances (Sectional Titles)

14 – Regional Championships (Plus Two District Championships)

14 – 20+ Games-Won Seasons

Coach Bennie Lewis led the Tigers through all five of their Final Four appearances and came away with FOUR State Championships and one THIRD Place finish. Coach Lewis’ 27-year stay at East St. Louis Lincoln garnered his teams an overall record of 519-191 for a .731 winning percentage!! Coach Lewis was named to the “100 Legends of IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament team,” in 2007!

Bennie Lewis also ranks among Illinois’ best high school basketball coaches in the following categories:

#19 All-Time – Most Consecutive Winning Seasons (19)

#42 All-Time – Most Career Wins (559)

#44 All-Time – Most Wins One School (497 at Lincoln)

Most Schools Coached to Sweet 16 (2) (Lincoln and later ESL Senior)

Most Championship Games Coached in (4 – all at Lincoln)

Most State Titles – (4 – all at Lincoln)

Most Consecutive State Titles (3 – all at Lincoln)

Most Trophies Won – (6 – five at Lincoln)

Most Consecutive Years Winning Trophy – (4 – all at Lincoln)

Most Games Won in Final 16 Rounds – 24

Most Consecutive Games Won in State Tourney – 30

Most Consecutive Games Won in State Final 16 Rounds – 14

Coach Lewis continued his coaching career at East St. Louis Senior High School where he took two teams to the Elite Eight in Champaign-Urbana. The 1998-99 team went to the State Quarterfinals and the 1999-2000 team placed 3rd. Both of those teams competed in Class AA!

The seasonal records, as listed on the IHSA website, are listed below:

1935-36                 SICCHS Runner-Ups

1946-47    8 – 16     District Champions                         Coach Ellis Moore

1947-48  10 – 15

1948-49    9 – 16     District / Regional Champions

1949-50  17 – 7

1950-51  15 – 9

1951-52  14 – 9

1952-53  20 – 5                                                          Coach John Caldwell

1953-54  18 – 6                                                          Coach John Caldwell

1954-55  19 – 6                                                          Coach John Caldwell

1955-56  25 – 2       (Nice Record!)                              Coach John Caldwell

1956-57  27 – 1       (Great Record!)                             Coach Earl “Tree” Harris
1957-58  22 – 5       Regional Champions                  Coach Earl “Tree” Harris

1958-59  22   2       (Great Record!)                             Coach Earl “Tree” Harris

1959-62                                                                    Coach Henry Harris

1962-63  20 – 4                                                          Coach Earl “Tree” Harris

1963-64  15 – 7

1964-65  21 – 4

1967-68  14 – 9

1968-69                                                                    Coach Earl “Tree” Harris

1969-70  13 – 9                                                          Coach Earl “Tree” Harris

1970-71  19 – 7                                                          Coach Earl “Tree” Harris

1971-72  24 – 4       Regional Champions                  Coach Bennie Lewis

Sectional Championship Game

                             Lost to Collinsville 94 – 82

1972-73                                                                    Coach Bennie Lewis

1973-74  16 – 8                                                          Coach Bennie Lewis

1974-75  14 – 12                                                        Coach Bennie Lewis

1975-76  18 – 6                                                          Coach Bennie Lewis

1976-77  17 – 7                                                          Coach Bennie Lewis

1977-78  14 – 8                                                          Coach Bennie Lewis

1978-79  17 – 8                                                          Coach Bennie Lewis

1979-80  26 – 2       Sweet 16 Qualifier!!                    Coach Bennie Lewis

                             Regional Champions

                             Beat Collinsville 70-49 in TItle Game

                             Sectional Champions

                             Super-Sectional Finalist

                             Lost to Effingham 74 – 68

1980-81  21 – 4                                                          Coach Bennie Lewis

1981-82  29 – 1       IHSA CLASS AA CHAMPIONS!!   Coach Bennie Lewis

                             Regional Champions

                             Sectional Champions

                             Super-Sectional Champions

                             Beat Murphysboro 64 – 50

                             Elite 8 Finalist

                             Beat Arlington Hts.  60 – 46

                             Final Four Finalist

                             Beat Chicago Marshall 57 – 54

                             STATE CHAMPS!

Beat Chicago Mendell  56 – 50

1982-83  26 – 3       Elite 8 Qualifier!!                         Coach Bennie Lewis

                             Regional Champions

                             Sectional Champions

                             Beat Collinsville in Semi-Final 58-57

                             Super-Sectional Champions

                             Beat Benton  53 – 49

                             Elite 8 Finalist

                             Lost to Springfield Lanphier 55 – 47

1983-84  19 – 7                                                           Coach Bennie Lewis

1984-85  19 – 6                                                           Coach Bennie Lewis

1985-86  20 – 7       Sweet 16 Qualifier!                      Coach Bennie Lewis

                             Regional Champions

                             Sectional Champions

                             Super-Sectional Finalist

                             Lost to Carbondale 58 – 55

1986-87  28 – 1       IHSA CLASS AA CHAMPIONS!!    Coach Bennie Lewis

                             Regional Champions

                             Sectional Champions

                             (Beat Collinsville in Semi-Final 48-47)

                             Super-Sectional Champions

                             Beat Mt. Vernon 35 – 26

                             Elite 8 Finalist

                             Beat Oak Forest 64 – 58

                             Final Four Finalist

                             Beat Quincy 55 – 49

                             STATE CHAMPS! 

                             Beat Chicago King 79 – 62

1987-88  29 – 4       IHSA CLASS AA CHAMPIONS!!    Coach Bennie Lewis

                             Regional Champions

                             Sectional Champions

                             Super-Sectional Champions

                             Beat Centralia  69 – 41

                             Elite 8 Finalist

                             Beat Evanston  80 – 56

                             Final Four Finalist

                             Beat Peoria Manual  67 – 50

                             STATE CHAMPS! 

                             Beat Chicago St. Francis  60 – 52

 

1988-89  29 – 4       IHSA CLASS AA CHAMPIONS!!    Coach Bennie Lewis

                             Regional Champions

                             Sectional Champions

                             Super-Sectional Champions

                             Beat Mt. Vernon   55 – 47

                             Elite 8 Finalist

                             Beat Aurora East  72 – 70

                             Final Four Finalist

                             Beat Chicago King  60 – 57

                             STATE CHAMPS! 

                             Beat Peoria Central 59 – 57 (3 O/T)

1989-90  22 – 8       IHSA CLASS AA THIRD PLACE!   Coach Bennie Lewis

                             Regional Champions

                             Sectional Champions

                             Beat Collinsville in Title Game 60-51

                             Super-Sectional Champions

                             Beat Marion  51 – 47 (O/T)

                             Elite 8 Finalist

                             Beat Elgin  64 – 54

                             Final Four Finalist

Lost to Chicago King  54 – 49

                             Third Place Game Winner

                             Beat Quincy  61 – 60



1990-91  11 – 10                                                         Coach Bennie Lewis

1991-92  19 – 7        Regional Champions                  Coach Bennie Lewis

                              Lost Sectional Title Game to

Collinsville 52 – 44

1992-93  16 – 8                                                           Coach Bennie Lewis

1993-94  21 – 7        Regional Champions                  Coach Bennie Lewis

1994-95                                                                     Coach Bennie Lewis

1995-96  15 – 9                                                           Coach Bennie Lewis

1996-97                                                                     Coach Bennie Lewis

1997-98  20 – 7        Sweet 16 Qualifier!                     Coach Bennie Lewis

                              Regional Champions

                              Sectional Champions

                              Beat Collinsville in title game 60-55 (O/T)

                              Super-Sectional Finalist

                              Lost to Centralia 51 – 41

School’s Final Season – Lincoln Tiger Pride to the end!!

More Boys Basketball Facts

Research provided by Mark Jurenga 

*Career record of 13-10 against the storied Collinsville Kahoks.

*Competed six times in the legendary St. Louis Shootout (5-1 record).

1982 – vs. Collinsville W 42-40

1986 – vs. Memphis (TN) Central High W 68-53

1987 – vs. Chesapeake (VA) Indian River  L 56-53

Indian River featured future Georgetown and Miami Heat star Alonzo

Mourning (#2 pick in NBA draft the same year as LaPhonso Ellis)

1988 – vs. Louisville (KY) Ballard  W 68-67

Ballard featured future Tennessee and New York Knicks guard Allan Houston.

1989 – vs. Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei   W 62-48

MD featured future Cal-Berkeley player Reggie Geary

1991 – vs. Jackson (MS) Murrah W 68-60

Murrah had future Mississippi and Chicago Bulls player Otella Harrington.

Schnuck’s Collinsville Holiday Classic.

Record: 24-12  1988 champions. 12 years in tourney.

All-tourney

1986 LaPhonso Ellis MVP, James Harris

1987 LaPhonso Ellis

1988 Cuonzo Martin MVP, Vincent Jackson

1993 Tyrone Caswell MVP, Jamaal Horton

1997 Darius Miles, Terrence Slater

Colinsville Tournament Records (As of 12-20-2007)

Team Records

Single Game

Most Pts. Winning team 114 vs. Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin), 1988

Most Pts. Losing team 83 vs. Belleville (East) (96), 1996

Largest Margin of Victory 68 vs. Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin) 114-46, 1988

Most Rebounds 51 vs. St. Jacob (Triad), 1993

Most Blocked Shots 15 vs. St. Jacob (Triad), 1986

All Games

Most Pts. Tournament 377, 1988

Most Blocked Shots Tournament 38, 1987

Individual Records
Single game

Most steals 8-Cuonzo Martin vs. Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin) 1988

Most Blocks 13-LaPhonso Ellis vs. Springfield (Calvary) 1987

All Games

Most Points 118-Cuonzo Martin, 1988

2pt Field Goal %  .823 (51-62)-Cuonzo Martin, 1988

Most Blocks 32-LaPhonso Ellis, 1987

1983 – Bloomington-Normal State Farm Holiday Classic

Grand Championship Game – Galesburg 93 East St. Louis (Lincoln) 80

Tournament Records

Highest Scoring Championship Game: 173, Galesburg 93 ESL (Lincoln) 80, 1983.

Individual Scoring Champion

1983 – Fred Towns, ESL (Lincoln) 22.25 ppg.

All-Tournament

1983 – Fred Jones, Fred Towns

GREAT PLAYERS

*LaPhonso Ellis, Played basketball at University of Notre Dame and was named to All-century team at ND. #5 pick in NBA Draft by Miami Heat, had 11-year NBA career.(Miami, Minnesota, Atlanta). Currently a radio analyst for the University of Notre Dame radio network (as of 2006-07 season). Named to the “100 Legends of IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament team,” in 2007.

LaPhonso Ellis was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014 as a player. The following is the IBCA HoF write-up for LaPhonso.

Link to view this information:  https://basketballmuseumofillinois.com/hall-of-fame/players/19-hof-players/884-laphonso-ellis/

Year Inducted: 2014

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations: (East St. Louis) Lincoln High School
The University of Notre Dame
NBA:  Nuggets

Biography: LaPhonso Led (East St. Louis) Lincoln High School to IHSA Class AA Championships in 1987 and 1988, earning Parade Magazine and McDonald’s All-American player honors.  In 2007, he was named as one of the “100 legends of the IHSA State BAsketball Tournament”.  LaPhonso went on to amass 1,505 points, 1,075 rebounds and a school-record 200 blocked shots at The University of Notre Dame.  He was drafted 5th overall by the Denver Nuggets in 1992 and played in the NBA until 2003.

—–

*Tyrone Jackson played college basketball at Kansas State from 1982-1985.

He played in 81 games, scored 340 career points, and gathered in 305 career rebounds.

—-

*Vincent Jackson played basketball at Moberly Area (Mo.) Community College from 1989-91. He played basketball at Kansas State from 1991-1993. Vincent played in 60 games, including 50 starts. His junior year averaged 9.1 ppg and his senior year averaged 13.7 ppg (Led K-State in scoring). He had 137 assists in his career, 69 career steals; #15 all-time at KSU. Vincent led team his senior year with 42 steals.

—–

*Cuonzo Martin, Played basketball at Purdue University where he helped Boilermakers to two Big Ten championships. Played for Vancouver and Milwaukee in the NBA. Also played professionally in Italy. Named to the “100 Legends of IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament team,” in 2007. Cuonzo Martin was named new men’s basketball coach at Missouri State University beginning with the 2008-09 season. Cuonzo was named MVP of the Collinsville High School Christmas Tourney in 1988 and 1989. He was also named one of the top forwards in the state of Illinois for high school basketball in 1989 by the Chicago Tribune.

Cuonzo Martin was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014 as a player. The following is the HoF write up for Cuonzo Martin.

Link to view this information:  https://basketballmuseumofillinois.com/hall-of-fame/players/19-hof-players/894-cuonzo-martin/

Year Inducted: 2014

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations: (East St. Louis) Lincoln High School
Purdue University
NBA: Hawks, Grizzlies
Coaching: Missouri State, California, Tennessee, Missouri

Biography: Cuonzo played on 2 IHSA State Championship teams and an IHSA 3rd place team while playing for (East St. Louis) Lincoln High School.  He then had a standout career at Purdue University, scoring 1,666 points while leading the Boilermakers to a 90-37 record.  The squad won 3 consecturive Big Ten titles.  Cuonzo averaged 18.4 ppg during his senior season in 1994-95.  He went on to play several years in the NBA for the Hawks and Grizzlies.  He then turned to coaching, first as an assistant at his alma mater, Purdue University and then as the head coach at Missouri State University, The University of California—Berkley, The University of Tennessee, and the University of Missouri.

—-

*Chris McKinney – Played basketball at San Diego State University where he started on the varsity as a true freshman. He was named on the ballot for the “100 Legends of IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament team,” in 2007. Chris was named to the Collinsville High School Christmas Tournament All-Tourney team in 1989.  He was also named one of the top guards in the state of Illinois for high school basketball in 1989 by the Chicago Tribune. Chris has continued his love for basketball by coaching at the high school level. In the 2012-13 season Chris was the Assistant Coach of the Cahokia High School ‘Comanches’ who placed 2nd in the Illinois High School Association Class 3A tournament!

Chris McKinney was inducted into the Illinois basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2021 as a player. The following is the HoF write-up for Chris McKinney.

Link to view this information:  https://basketballmuseumofillinois.com/hall-of-fame/players/19-hof-players/2888-chris-mckinney/

Year Inducted: 2021

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations: (East St. Louis) Lincoln High School
Oral Roberts University
Midland (TX) Junior College
San Diego State University

Biography: At (East St. Louis) Lincoln High School, Chris averaged 9ppg, 18.2ppg, and 21.7 ppg his soph-sr years respectively, averaged 2.6 and 2.7 assists per game his jr-sr years respectively, and 5.6 and 9 rebounds per game his jr-sr years respectively.  He played in 12 state tournament games with a record of 11-1 which is a record he shares with teammate Cuonzo Martin.  He was among the school leaders at the now closed Lincoln for fg made, ft converted and total points scored.  Chris was selected as an All-State player during both his junior and senior years.  During those two seasons, he was also selected on the All Tournament teams at the IHSA State Finals. Chris was selected as an Honorable Mention on the McDonald’s All American Team.

After his prep days were completed, Chris began at San Diego State University before transferring to Midland (TX) JC.  At Midland, he was an NJCAA All American player. This gained the recognition that led to Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK.  His best overall season was his junior season at ORU where he averaged 15ppg, 3.8 rpg, and 3.2 assists per game.  He played in the European Basketball League and was the MVP for Geissen of German.

—-

*Darius Miles transferred to East St. Louis (Sr). after Lincoln shutdown. He was the 3rd overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. He has also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trail Blazers.

=======================================================

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Lady Tigers had an incredible (that word pops up a lot when you review ESL Lincoln’s athletic history) run of success on their own.  Here is the ESL Lincoln Lady Tigers’ resume’:

1  – STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!!

1  – Undefeated Season

4  – STATE Runner-Up Finishes!!

5  – State Championship Game Appearances

7  – State Tournament Trophies Won

11 – Elite 8 Appearances

12 – Sweet 16 Appearances

20 – Regional Championships (out of 21 seasons covered!)

The East St. Louis Lincoln girls basketball program as recorded on the IHSA website are in turn listed below.

1977-78               Regional Champions

1978-79   32 – 2    IHSA CLASS AA STATE RUNNER-UP!   Coach Earnest Riggins

                           Regional Champions

                           Sectional Champions

                           Super-Sectional Champions

                           Beat Mt. Vernon  86 – 42

                           Elite 8 Finalist

                           Beat Waukegan  71 – 55 

                           Final 4 Finalist

                           Beat Sterling  41 – 33

                           State Championship Game

                           Lost to Skokie Niles West  63 – 47

1979-80   31 – 0    IHSA CLASS AA STATE CHAMPIONS!  Coach Earnest Riggins

                           Regional Champions

                           Sectional Champions

                           Super-Sectional Champions

                           Beat Belleville West  80 – 40

                           Elite 8 Finalist

                           Beat Chicago Maria  64 – 31

                           Final 4 Finalist

                           Beat Buffalo Grove  66 – 38

                           State Championship Game

                           Beat Chicago Marshall   64 – 47 

                          

1980-81   29 – 1    IHSA Class AA Elite 8 Qualifiers!          Coach Earnest Riggins

                           Regional Champions

                           Sectional Champions

                           Super-Sectional Champions

                           Beat Belleville West  51 – 34

                           Elite 8 Finalist

                           Lost to Peoria Richwoods  50 – 43

Richwoods Finished 2ND

1981-82   28 – 3    IHSA CLASS AA STATE RUNNER-UP!   Coach Earnest Riggins               

                           Regional Champions

                           Sectional Champions

                           Super-Sectional Champions

 Beat Belleville West  40 – 31

                           Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Bartonville Limestone 67 – 46

                           Final 4 Finalist

Beat Dixon  53 – 42

                           State Championship Game

                           Lost to Chicago Marshall  57 – 49

1982-83   28 – 2    IHSA Class AA Elite 8 Finalist!              Coach Earnest Riggins      

                           Regional Champions

                           Sectional Champions

                           Super-Sectional Champions

Beat Murphysboro 60 – 36

                           Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Chicago Marshall  72 – 71 (O/T)                        

Marshall Finished 3RD

1983-84   22 – 4    IHSA Class AA Elite 8 Finalist!              Coach Charles McDonald

                           Regional Champions

                           Sectional Champions

                           Super-Sectional Champions

   Beat Highland  45 – 31

                           Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Chicago Marshall  67 – 55

Marshall Finished 4TH

1984-85               Regional Champions


1985-86   29 – 2    IHSA Class AA THIRD PLACE Finish!    Coach Charles McDonald

                           Regional Champions

                           Sectional Champions

                           Super-Sectional Champions

Beat Mt. Vernon  60 – 36

                           Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Des Plaines Maine West  57 – 41

                           Final 4 Finalist

                           Lost to Peoria Manual 51 – 46

Manual State Champs

                           Third Place Game

                           Beat Richards  68 – 37

1986-87   20 – 3    IHSA Class AA Sweet 16 Finalist!         Coach Charles McDonald

                          Regional Champions

                          Sectional Champions

                          Super-Sectional Finalist

Lost to Metropolis  47 – 44

Metropolis Finshed 2ND

1987-88               Regional Champions
1988-89               Regional Champions


1989-90   25 – 1   IHSA Class AA THIRD PLACE Finish!     Coach Charles McDonald

                           Regional Champions

                           Sectional Champions

                           Super-Sectional Champions

                           Beat Olney  69 – 36

                           Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Palatine Fremd  52 – 39

                           Final 4 Finalist

                           Lost to Aurora West  47 – 38

Aurora West Finished 2ND

                           Third Place Game

                           Beat Chicago Mother McAuley  53 – 51                          

1990-91   28 – 2    IHSA CLASS AA STATE RUNNER-UP!   Coach Charles McDonald

                           Regional Champions

                           Sectional Champions

                           Super-Sectional Champions

                           Beat Matoon  80 – 56

                           Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Chicago Washington  54 – 35

                           Final 4 Finalist

Beat Hoffman Estates  58 – 53  (O/T)

                           State Championship Game

                           Lost to Chicago Mother McAuley  69 – 65

1991-92   19 – 6    IHSA Class AA Elite 8 Finalist!              Coach Charles McDonald

                           Regional Champions

                           Sectional Champions

                           Super-Sectional Champions

Beat Centralia  64 – 46

                           Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Des Plaines Maine West 39 – 23

Maine West Finished 3RD

1992-93               Regional Champions
1993-94               Regional Champions

1994-95               Regional Champions
1996-97               Regional Champions

1997-98   28 – 3    IHSA Class AA STATE RUNNER-UP!      Coach Charles McDonald

                           Regional Champions

                           Sectional Champions

                           Super-Sectional Champions

Beat Taylorville  70 – 67

                           Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Quincy  56 – 49

                           Final 4 Finalist

                           Beat Orland Park Sandburg  54 – 31

                           State Championship Game

Lost to Wilmette Loyola Academy  62 – 48

—–

GREAT GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYERS

The Tigerettes have two basketball players who have been inducted into the Illinois Coaches Association Basketball Hall of Fame as Players.

**Jackie Joyner Kersee

Link for the IBCA HoF write up:  https://basketballmuseumofillinois.com/hall-of-fame/players/19-hof-players/1266-jackie-joyner-kersee/

Year Inducted: 2019

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations: (East St. Louis) Lincoln High School
College:  UCLA
USA Track/Olympic Champion
ABL:  Richmond Rage

Biography: Jackie has been called the greatest female athlete of all time by Sports Illustrated.  She starred in basketball and track at (East St. Louis) Lincoln High School.  During her senior season, she led her undefeated squad to the IHSA Class AA Championship with a 64-47 win over (Chicago) Marshall High School.  Jackie accepted a scholarship to UCLA to participate in both sports.  Jackie scored 1,167 career points for the Bruins and started for her 4 seasons on the squad.  Her senior season, 1984-85, Jackie helped the squad to an NCAA tournament appearance before losing to that year’s runner-up, Georgia.  Jackie still ranks in the top 20 Bruins in career points scored.  As impressive as this is, she was simultaneously starring on the track team.  She used a red shirt year from basketball during the 1983-84 year to concentrate on track and qualify for the Olympic Games.  Over the next decade, Jacke won an impressive 3 gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals in Olympic competition.  In 1996, she played briefly for the Richmond Rage of the American Basketball League.  Jackie has dedicated her post competitive life to working for charitable organizations that focus on helping children, notably in her home town of East St. Louis.

—-

**Tina Hutchinson

Link for the IBCA HoF write up:  https://basketballmuseumofillinois.com/hall-of-fame/players/19-hof-players/2829-tina-hutchinson/

Year Inducted: 2021

Category: Players

Schools / Organizations: East St. Louis Lincoln High School
San Diego State University

Biography: Tina Hutchinson played at East St. Louis Lincoln HS, gaining many accolades. She scored more than 3,000 high school points on 78% shooting from the field and 80% from the free throw line.  She averaged over 35 points and 15 rebounds in her senior year, capping it off with 41 points and 17 rebounds in her final game, the quarterfinals of the IHSA state tournament. She was named the Parade Magazine Girls’ High School National Player of the Year and USA Today All-American and Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year. Tina continued her career at San Diego State University and as a freshman had 898 points over 30 games averaging 29.9 points a game.  She had 46 pts. in a single game and both set freshman records across NCAA Division I.  Her 29.9 points per game is 11th all-time for any class. Tina led her team to a berth in the NCAA Tournament. During her sophomore year, Tina suffered a career ending knee injury.

—-

**Toni Wallace

From Mark Jurenga:

Illinois High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Class of 2009, inducted Toni Wallace, who helped East St. Louis Lincoln High place second in the Class AA Girls State Tournament in 1982.

The IBCA Hall of Fame website does not list a bio for Toni Wallace.

The following is the IBCA web link to show that Wallace is a member of this prestigious group:  https://basketballmuseumofillinois.com/hall-of-fame/players/

Great Job Lady Tigers!!

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GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

No State Championships, but WHAT A RECORD!  The harriers of East St. Louis ran quite well too. The Lady Tiger program garnered THIRTEEN Regional Titles, NINE Sectional Titles, ONE District Title, Qualified for the State Meet FIFTEEN times, and placed in the Top-Ten SEVEN Times!!  Coach Nino Fennoy of track fame led the charges at least for two seasons, possibly many more. 

1980-81             Team Qualified for State Meet!
1981-82             Team Qualified for State Meet!

                         District / Sectional Champions

1982-83             Team Finished EIGHTH at STATE MEET!

                         Regional / Sectional Champions
1983-84             Team Qualified for State Meet!

                         Sectional Champions
1984-85             Team Finished SIXTH at STATE MEET!

                         Regional / Sectional Champions
1985-86             Team Finished FOURTH at STATE MEET!

                         Regional / Sectional Champions

                 Individual Medalist – Celisa Shy       15TH Place
1986-87             Team Finished NINTH at STATE MEET!

                         Regional / Sectional Champions

                 Individual Medalists – Sara Fleming        19TH Place

                                                    Erica Eastern        20TH Place
1987-88             Team Finished SECOND at STATE MEET!

                         Regional / Sectional Champions

                 Individual Medalists – Erica Eastern          8TH Place
Sara Fleming        16TH Place

1988-89             Team Finished SEVENTH at STATE MEET!

                         Regional / Sectional Champions

                 Individual Medalist – Montrice Granberry  17TH Place
1989-90             Team Finished TENTH at STATE MEET!

                         Regional / Sectional Champions

                 Individual Medalists – Marques Sanders    STATE CHAMPION!!
Montrice Granberry  6TH Place
1990-91             Team Qualified for State Meet!

                         Regional Champions
1991-92             Team Qualified for State Meet!

                         Regional Champions
1992-93              Regional Champions
1993-94             Team Qualified for State Meet!

                         Regional Champions
1994-95             Team Qualified for State Meet!          Coach Nino Fennoy

                         Regional / Sectional Champions
1995-96             Team Qualified for State Meet!          Coach Nino Fennoy

                         Regional Champions

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BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

The boys Cross Country program had great success under long-time coach Leonard Manley.  Coach Manley’s tenure ent from at least 1979-80 through 1994-95. During this period Manley’s teams won a total of NINE Regional Titles, TWO Sectional Titles, and Qualified for the Stae Meet competition on EIGHT occassions! 

1978-79    Individual Medalist – Aurthur H???        25TH Place

1979-81                                                                      Coach Leonard Manley

1981-82            Team Qualified for State Meet!         Coach Leonard Manley

1982-84                                                                      Coach Leonard Manley

1982-83    Individual Medalist – Dedrick Flowers    12TH Place
1984-85            Team Qualified for State Meet!         Coach Leonard Manley

                        Regional Champions

1985-86            Regional Champions                         Coach Leonard Manley
1986-87            Regional Champions                         Coach Leonard Manley
1987-88            Team Qualified for State Meet!         Coach Leonard Manley

                        Regional Champions
1988-89            Team Qualified for State Meet!         Coach Leonard Manley

                        Regional Champions
1989-90            Team Qualified for State Meet!         Coach Leonard Manley

                        Sectional Champions

                Individual Medalist  – John Jackson       20TH Place
1990-91            Team Qualified for State Meet!         Coach Leonard Manley

                        Regional / Sectional Champions

                Individual Medalist – Marcus Farrell       19TH Place
1991-92            Team Qualified for State Meet!         Coach Leonard Manley

                        Regional Champions

                Individual Medalist – Marcus Farrell       24TH Place

1992-93            Team Qualified for State Meet!         Coach Leonard Manley

                        Regional Champions
1993-94            Team Qualified for State Meet!         Coach Leonard Manley

                        Regional Champions

1994-95                                                                      Coach Leonard Manley

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GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

The lady netters success included 3 Regional Championships and 2 District Championships.  Unfortunately coach’s names and team records are not currently available.

1977-78         District Champions
1981-82         District Champions 

1982-83         Regional Champions

1993-94         Regional Champions
1997-98         Regional Champions

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BOYS FOOTBALL

Three Tiger football teams qualified for the IHSA State Playoffs on three occassions. In 1975, the gridiron boys advanced to the.final four before falling to eventual State Champion Metamora 14-12. The only seasons listed on the IHSA website are listed below.

1975-76          IHSA CLASS 3A FINAL FOUR!!               Coach Jimmie Adams

                     Beat Carmi  33 – 10

                     Beat Newton  32 – 19

                     Lost to Metamora  14 – 12

Metamora Won the State Championship.

East St. Louis Lincoln Football Team 1975
A group of people posing for a photo

Description automatically generated with low confidence
Submitted by Richard Savage (From IHSA State Playoff Program)

1990-91         IHSA Class 5A Sweet 16 Finalist             Coach James Monken

                     Beat Belleville East  13 – 7

                     Lost to East St. Louis Sr.  56 – 14

1991-92         Qualified for IHSA Class 5A Playoffs       Coach James Monken

Lost to Normal Community 14 – 13 (2 O/T)

1994-95   6 – 3                                                               Coach Jimmie Adams

1995-96   5 – 3                                                               Coach Jimmie Adams

1996-98                                                                         Coach Jimmie Adams

OTHER NOTES (courtesy of Don Greco):

The Tigers were part of the ILL-MO conference with other African-American schools in the St. Louis Metro Area, and won the 1949 season title at 10-0-1.

In 1960, Lincoln shutout Cairo Sumner 87-0. In that game, Orville Townsend scored 48 points (equal to eight touchdowns) for Coach Lawrence Simmons’ squad.

Anthony Carson was one of the top passers in the Metro area, completing 72 of 174 passes for 1,263 yards in 1988.

The following two seasons, Lester (Duby) Anderson passed for over 1,700 yards (1,745 in 1989 & 1,708 in 1990) for Coach Jim Monken (who came over after the closure of East St. Louis Assumption).

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BOYS WRESTLING

The grapplers of East St. Louis Lincoln had some good seasons too. A total of six athletes won seven different individual medals while as a team the Tigers won two District Championships.

1965-66     Individual Medalist – Henry Medley      103 lbs.       4TH Place
1966-67     District Champions

1967-68     District Champions

                 Individual Medalists – Mel Jackson        95lbs.        5TH Place

                                                    McNary Nollie   112lbs.        6TH Place

1968-69     Individual Medalist – McNary Nollie      120lbs.        6TH Place
1973-74     Individual Medalist – Dudley Stennis     HWT          5TH Place

1982-83     Individual Medalist – Earl Clark             185lbs.       4TH Place
1994-95     Individual Medalist – Jan Yates             275lbs.       3RD Place

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MUSIC – JAZZ BAND

Lincoln High School excelled in producing high quality musicians, excellent band leaders, and had some incredible success. From 1980 – 1994 the East St. Louis Jazz Band, under the direction of Mr. RONALD CARTER, were named the best jazz band in the United States! Mr. Carter would go on to become a Professor Emeritus at Northern Illinois University!

The jazz program as East St. Louis Lincoln High School has a long and storied history. World Famous and Grammy Award winning musician MILES DAVIS attended East St. Louis Lincoln High School in the early 1940s, getting his start in music while attending the school.

To read more about Mr. Davis and his incredible list of accomplishments and brief biography check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_Davis.

Mr. LEON THOMAS was also a former Lincoln High School student from the early 1970sand a renowned jazz singing performer. 

To read more about Mr. Thomas please check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Thomas

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DRILL TEAM

The East St. Louis Lincoln High School Drill team was one of the best in nation. We are searching and welcoming any in-put regarding the Lincoln HS Drill Team. Here is some words from a former Drill Team Member:

**From Jonnie Barkely:

“I am a 1974 graduate of Lincoln Senior High School in the great town of East St. Louis, IL.  Back then, high school was the bomb and I was a member of the awesome Drill Team, which I don’t see mentioned at all.  We were the top Drill Team back then because we marched and twirled guns.  We participated in parades, school assemblies and performed at half-time shows at football games.  We were once invited by the St. Louis Cardinals to participate in the half-time show at Busch Stadium back in 1973 (guessing).  It was a scary, but once we got on the field it was all or nothing.  We marched, twirled our guns and did our very best.  I can remember for a few practices, our leader asked…I believe it was the National Guard, to attend and show us new moves with the guns.  They taught us how to throw the gun up in the air and catch it at the top and hit the floor in unison.  It was amazing.  We did this at one of the school assemblies, and the crowd went wild cheering for us.”

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GROUP INTERPRETATION

The East St. Louis Lincoln kids had a very diverse program to choose from. Their academic department was strong as well.  Take a look at the successes attained in Group Interpretation competition.

1977-78        Qualified for IHSA State Competition!     

1978-79        IHSA TEAM RUNNER-UP – SECOND PLACE!!
1983-84        IHSA Team Placed FIFTH!

                    Regional Champions

1984-85        Qualified for IHSA State Competition!

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INDIVIDUAL EVENTS MEDALISTS

The Individual Medalist competition proved to be a great experience for many kids as well.  FOUR Regional Championships, ONE Sectional Championship, ONE Top-Ten Finish, and SIX Individual Medalists highlighted the Tiger success in this competition.

1971-72         Individual Medalist – Don Smith          Humor Interp.   3RD Place

1978-79         Individual Medalist – Courtney Vales   Verse                6TH Place

1981-82         Individual Medalists – Barry Malloyd    Humor Duet      3RD Place
Tonette Spencer Humor Duet     3RD Place

1983-84         Regional Champions

                     Individual Medalist – Kim Walker         Prose                6TH Place
1984-85         Regional Champions
1985-86         Regional Champions

                     Individual Medalist – Lonnell Harris     Orig Comedy     6TH Place
1986-87         IHSA Team Placed TENTH!!

                    Regional Champions
Sectional Champions

                    Individual Medalist – Lonnell Harris      Orig Comedy     STATE CHAMPION!!

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THEATRE

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

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OTHER NOTABLE ALUMNI

John Evans provides this tidbit of information on a former student of East St. Louis Lincoln High School:

“Jazz trumpet legend Miles Davis attended East St. Louis Lincoln High School in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER

Then there is this story from Mark Jurenga as viewed in the July 27, 2008 edition of the Belleville News Democrat:

“I’ve got a GREAT story for the site. In today’s Belleville News-Democrat, there is the story of Justin Mallett, currently a pitcher at the Class AAA Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds).

Mallett spent his sophomore year at East St. Louis (Lincoln), then transferred to Belleville (West), but ony pitched six innings. He was cut from the West team as a SENIOR.

He found his way to Meramac Community College and then to Sterling (Kan.) College and was signed by the Cincinnati Reds.

The newspaper link is: http://www.bnd.com/389/story/411340.html

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MEMORIES & FACTS

*From Reginald McClure (Class of 1978)

“I am a 1978 graduate of E.St.Louis Lincoln…Go Tigers…I recently came across this page while looking up one of my old Coachs (Leonard Manley). I ran track and cross-country for Lincoln and have some found memories. I actually was one of Coach Manley’s earliest projects when he first got hired at Lincoln. He came to my house to talk to my Dad about me running cross-country at Lincoln again for my sophomore year. Well I ended up going to Tenesee State University with “Sparky” Fields, Alfredrick Joyner (Sweet Water). We made up those names one weekend while running AAU track for the East St. Louis Railers in the summer of 1978 while at a track meet in Hannibal MO. Anyway this article back lots of memories. I currently reside on the North Shore in Lake County Il. North Chicago is my new E.St.Louis. I raised my children here and still follow high school sports. GO TIGERS!”

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Seeking More Information

Forward any further information regarding East St. Louis Lincoln High School, especially a photo of the high school building, to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.  60631


East St. Louis Assumption/Central Catholic H.S. “Pioneers”

The History of East St. Louis Assumption (Central Catholic) High School

East St. Louis (population 31,542) is located in southwestern Illinois along the banks of the Mississippi River in northwest St. Clair County. The town sits across the river from its namesake, St. Louis, Missouri. Several roadways lead to and from East St. Louis including Interstate Highways 55 and 64, as well as several Illinois Routes including 3, 111, 157, and 203. Several railroads also travel through town including the Norfolk Southern and Illinois Central Gulf. East St. Louis was first settled as “Illinoistown” in 1818 (http://www.eslarp.uiuc.edu/la/LA437-F95/reports/History/timeline.html), however it was not platted officially until 1859.

A boys catholic high school, Central Catholic, was established in 1929.  According to the web address of http://www.eco-absence.org/esl/parsons/petraitis.htm, the history of this school is as follows:

Assumption (Catholic Boys) High School was founded in 1929 as Central Catholic High School at Wabasha and St. Clair Ave. in East St. Louis. It moved to 6th and State Streets in 1931. In 1953, it moved to a modern building at Kingshighway and St. Clair Ave. and changed its name to Assumption High School. Heidemann Field (football) opened up on its campus sometime after 1970. The school became co-ed in 1974 and closed in 1989. Its campus was purchased by the State of Illinois and, after major renovations, re-opened as Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center (a state prison) in 1995″

(Information written by Thomas Petraitis).

For more information on the Assumption and Central Catholic high schools check out www.ahspioneers.org, as provided to us by Jim Fehner.

The original Central Catholic school building has been razed. The following article on the conversion of the Assumption High School building into a prison was provided to us by Douglas Combs. It was written on September 29, 2007, by Scott Wuerz and published in the News Democrat Newspaper:

“Posted on Sat, Sep. 29, 2007

Same building, new purpose: Assumption alums tour prison

Derik Holtmann/BND

Assumption High School Alumni tour the Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center Friday.

BY SCOTT WUERZ     News-Democrat

EAST ST. LOUIS —

A lot of people remember their high school as being a lot like prison.

But for the Assumption High School class of 1957, a tour of their old school Friday made it seem even more that way.

It is a prison.

The former all-boys Catholic high school, which closed in 1989, was reopened six years later as the Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center, a minimum security prison. Located at the corner of St. Clair Avenue and Illinois 111, it houses nonviolent drug offenders who eat in the same cafeteria where students had their lunches, sleep in dorms where classes were once held and work out in the gym where basketball games, band concerts and school dances took place.

“For me, it was great to get to see the gym,” said grad Gerold Thebeau, who transferred to Assumption after three years at St. Henry’s Preparatory School in Belleville. “That’s where the senior prom was held, and I had the first date of my life. Her name was Doris, and she was from Granite City. I never will forget that dance.”

A tour through one of the dorm areas jogged the memory of grad Tim Krumm who said he had freshman and sophomore classes there. In those days, according to Krumm, students sat in the same room all day and their teachers moved from room to room teaching different subjects.

“Everything was regimented,” Krumm said. “You went to your locker at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. They didn’t want you in the hall. And if you were in the hall, there was no talking. Otherwise one of the brothers would slap you in the head.”

Another member of the tour muttered, “I can see Brother Middleton right now.”

Assistant Warden of Operations Jeff Parker told Krumm that students, in some ways, had it harder than the prisoners. “We’re not allowed to hit them,” he said.

Today, the job of the prison staff is to wean inmates off drugs — especially meth — and teach them the skills they need to make something of their lives.

Life is regimented, with long hours of work and classes. There are 671 inmates. They average age 25 and serve about 15 months. Most are from the Chicago area, but one mentioned to the tour group that he attended Assumption in the 1970s.

The tour was arranged by former Illinois State Police Capt., U.S. Marshal and Belleville Police Chief Terry Delaney, who oversaw the conversion of the school into a prison in 1990. The project later was cut from the state budget, then revived, and the prison finally got its first inmates in 1995.

“The one thing I didn’t get a good look at was the old assistant principal’s office — I spent more time there than any place else,” joked Delaney, who said he was a smart-mouthed public school kid when he went to Assumption for some straightening out. “I left with a lot more discipline than I came in with.”

Current warden Jim Davidson is a 1968 Assumption grad.

“It’s surreal to be in here after this is where I went to high school,” Davidson said. “I’ll be up in one of the old classrooms where inmates stay and tell them, ‘You know, I used to sleep a lot in this room, too,’ and they wonder what I’m talking about.”

East St. Louis Central Catholic / Assumption High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                     1929 (as Central Catholic HS)

Year name changed to Assumption:    1953

Year became co-ed:                           1974

Year Assumption closed:                   1989

School building today:                        Southwestern Illinois Correctional Institute

Assumption HS team nickname:         the “Pioneers”

Assumption HS team colors:              Cardinal & Gold

School Fight Song:                            “Cheer, Cheer for Old Assumption High”

Unofficial Words

Beer Beer for old (Central/Assumption) High

You bring the whiskey I’ll bring the rye

Send the loyal freshmen out for gin

And don’t let a sober sophomore in.

Junior’s may stagger Senior’s may fall

But we’ll sober up on wood alcohol.

Loyal kids of Assumption High,

Stagger back to the bar for more!

Athletics

The Central Catholic/Assumption boys had a long traditon of sports excellence. This history continued after the girls joined the school in the fall of 1974. Several great successes were recorded in the school’s athletic program.

These accomplishments continued through the very end, with the school excelling in even its last season, 1988-89. Cheerleaders for this all-boys school came from their sister school, East St. Louis St. Teresa. These seasons, as recorded on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org), are in turn recorded below.

Boys Baseball

The Central Catholic boys of the early 1940s had some excellent seasons. Especially, the teams of 1944 and 1945. Under the leadership of head coach Brother Ed Dunne, these two teams made consecutive trips to the State Championship game, finishing second both times! As Assumption, the boys won a Regional title as well.

As Central Catholic

1941-42             District Champions

1943-44             IHSA STATE RUNNER-UP!!!!           Coach Brother Ed Dunne

                         District Champions

                         Sectional Champions

                         Elite 8 Finalist

                         Beat Chicago Heights Bloom   3-0

                         Final 4 Finalist

                         Beat Chicago Marshall    8-1

                         State Championship Game

                         Lost to Maywood Proviso  9-1


1944-45             IHSA STATE RUNNER-UP!!!!           Coach Brother Ed Dunne

                         District Champions

                         Sectional Champions

                         Elite 8 Finalist

                         Beat Chicago Kelly    6-1

                         Final 4 Finalist

                         Beat Maywood Proviso  5-3

                         State Championship Game

Lost to Chicago Lane Tech   6-1

As Assumption

1964-65             Regional Champions    

**The following are Assumtion High School baseball players that were drafted by Major League baseball teams:

1965 Glenn Flake, Pitcher, was a 25th round draft pick of the Cincinati Reds.

1967 John Howard, Pitcher, was a 22nd round draft pick of the St. Louis Cardinals.

1970 Ed Blake, Pitcher, was a 3rd round draft pick of the Baltimore Orioles.

1970 Don Briddell, Pitcher, signed a Free Agent Contract with the Baltimore Orioles and later player briefly in the St. Louis Cardinal organization.

   

Boys Basketball

Several excellent seasons followed the East St. Louis Central Catholic and Assumption boy’s basketball teams. None, however, were greater than their final one. The boys of the 1988-89 season made certain the school spirit of the many years enjoyed at the school was rewarded when they advanced to the Elite 8 round of the IHSA Class A State Tournament!  Many other great seasons were enjoyed as well, the list as found on the IHSA website is transcribed below.

As Central Catholic

1932-33   20 – 2                                                          Coach Louis Meinhardt

1933-34   18 – 7                                                          Coach Francis Mueller

1934-35                                                                     Coach Mike Culler

1935-36                                                                     Coach Tony Gerhardt

1936-37                                                                     Coach William Callahan

1937-38   13 – 8                                                          Coach Henry Heideman

1938-39                                                                     Coach Henry Heideman

1939-40   16 – 14                                                        Coach Henry Heideman

1940-41   14 – 14                                                        Coach Jack Corcoran

1941-42                                                                     Coach Henry Heideman

1942-43                                                                     Coach Ed Rohrbach

1943-44   16 – 7                                                          Coach Ed Dunne

1944-45   19 – 8                                                          Coach Ed Dunne

1945-46                                                                     Coach Ed Dunne

1946-47   20 – 8                                                          Coach Tom Dunn

1947-48   17 – 11                                                        Coach Tom Dunn

1948-49                                                                     Coach Tom Dunn

1949-52                                                                     Coach George Walsh

1952-53                                                                     Coach George Mattz

As Assumption

1953-54   11 – 8                                                          Coach Robert Astroth

1954-55   16 – 8                                                          Coach John O’Brien

1955-61                                                                     Coach John O’Brien

1961-62                                                                     Coach Dick Mason

1962-63                                                                     Coach Dick Ryan

1963-64   19 – 7                                                          Coach Dick Ryan

1964-65                                                                     Coach Dick Ryan

1965-66   16 – 8                                                          Coach Dick Ryan

1966-67   14 – 9                                                          Coach Dick Ryan

1967-68                                                                     Coach Dick Ryan

  

1968-69   22 – 4                                                          Coach Dick Ryan

                         Mater Dei Tournament Champions

                         Bi-State Conference Co-Champions

                         E. St. Louis City Champions

1969-70   24 – 2                                                          Coach Dick Ryan

                         Mater Dei Tournament Champions

                         Dupo Tournament Champions

                         Bi-State Conference Champions

1970-71   20 – 7                                                          Coach Dick Ryan

1971-74                                                                     Coach Dick Ryan

1974-78                                                                     Coach Lou Gregory

1978-79   17 – 10                                                        Coach Lou Gregory

1979-80   18 – 8                                                          Coach Lou Gregory

1980-81   13 – 12                                                        Coach Ted Daniels

1981-82   17 – 9                                                          Coach Ted Daniels

1982-83   15 – 12                                                        Coach Greg King

1983-84                                                                     Coach Greg King

1984-85   13 – 12                                                        Coach Greg King

1985-86   14 – 11                                                        Coach Greg King

1988-89   24 – 8   IHSA CLASS A ELITE 8 FINALIST!   Coach Ronald Woods

                          Regional & Sectional Champions

                          Sweet 16 Finalist – Beat Flora 73 – 71 (3 O/Ts)

                          Elite 8 Finalist – Lost to Fairbury Prairie Central 68 – 58

                          Fairbury finished 3rd

The following information was researched and submitted by Mark Jurenga regarding East St. Louis Assumption boys basketball team’s participation in the annual Breese Mater Dei High School Christmas Classic:

East St. Louis (Assumption)

MD tourney champions 1968, 1969,1981.

2nd place 1970 and 1976

3rd place 1963, 1972, 1988.

Consolation champs 1962

Assumption’s Rick Suttle continues to be the top scorer all-time at the tourney with 312 points in 4 years 1967-70.

Central Catholic’s Dee Alberts was another great player in his day, having been named honorable mention All-State in 1940-41.

The school’s record at the MD tourney was 50-37.

All-tourney members:

1966- Don Huekla

1968 – Ed Edmiston

Lou Gregory

1969 and 1970- Rick Suttle

1972- Bobb Young

1973- Jerome Heavens

1976- Eric Wright

1979- Gerald Stevenson

1981- Joe Hurst (MVP)

Tony Berry

1988- Ian Stanback

*Ian Stanback, continued his basketball career at Purdue, he also played professionally in Portugal.

Girls Basketball

Two Regional titles highlighted the ladies’ basketball program at East St. Louis Assumption High School. Unfortunately, team records and coach’s names of these and other great Assumption teams are not currently available.

1984-85           Regional Champions

1985-86           Regional Champions

Boys Football 

No less than EIGHT Assumption boys football teams made the IHSA State Playoffs! Coach Jim Monken appears to have built an excellent small school program in a large metropolitan area during his 29-year career at Assumption. Included in these trips was one final “hurrah” in the school’s final year of existence. Here’s some results from the IHSA website as well as from Don Greco about the AHS football program listed below.

1943                  Only had one loss (to E. St. Louis Sr.)

1951    7-3                                                                Coach George Martz

1952    9-1                                                                Coach George Martz

1955    8-3                                                                Coach George Martz

1960    5-5         Defeated East St. Louis Senior          Coach George Martz

First win in 26-year series history, school was dismissed the following Monday

1961    6-4                                                                Coach George Martz

1962                                                                        Coach George Martz

1963    6-4                                                                Coach George Martz

1964    7-2-1                                                             Coach George Martz

1972    7-2       Upsets East St. Louis 36-29                Coach George Martz

1979  10-1      IHSA Class 2A Qualifier                     Coach Jim Monken

                            Elite 8 Finalist!!

                            Beat Carlinville  20-9

                            Lost to Marshall  22-14

1980  10-2     IHSA Class 2A Qualifier                     Coach Jim Monken

                            Final Four Finalist!!

                            Beat Sesser-Valier 19-13

                            Beat Macon  29-8

                            Lost to Danville Schlarman 15-12

                            Schlarman eventual State Champs

Ranked #1 in St. Louis Metro Coaches’ Small School Final Poll

1982              IHSA Class 2A Qualifier                     Coach Jim Monken

                            Final Four Finalist!!

                            Beat Gillespie 21-7

                            Beat Mt. Sterling Brown County 14-6

                            Lost to Casey 20-3

Casey Finished 2nd

1983              IHSA Class 2A Qualifier                     Coach Jim Monken

                            Final Four Finalist!!

                            Beat Williamsville  36-7

                            Beat Hamilton 20-14

                            Lost to Bloomington Cent. Cath.  14-0

BCC finished 2nd


1985              IHSA Class 2A Qualifier                     Coach Jim Monken

                            Lost to Dupo  20-14 (O/T)

1986              IHSA Class 2A Qualifier                     Coach Jim Monken

                            Final Four Finalist!!

Beat Hardin Calhoun  35-6

                            Beat Carlyle 42-25

                            Beat Virden  34-32

                            Lost to Decatur St. Teresa  28-0

St. Teresa finished 2nd

1987              IHSA Class 2A Qualifier                     Coach Jim Monken

Lost to Columbia  27-20

1988              IHSA Class 2A Qualifier                     Coach Jim Monken

  Elite 8 Finalist!!

                            Beat Columbia   28-10

                            Beat Dupo  21-0

                            Lost to Carlyle 12-0

Carlyle won State Championship

Other notable items from the Pioneer football program (courtesy of Don Greco);

–Jerome Heavens: was a three-year starter from 1972-74, wound up with 45 TDs and 3,117 rushing yds, attended Notre Dame (see below)

–Assumption was known for its defense. Two of its own players were among the leaders in interceptions in the St. Louis Metro Area as Jim Manley picked off 10 passes in 1979, and Curt Mink matched his total during the 1987 season.

–Outside of Heavens, the Pioneers also featured Larry Stricklin, Jimmy Collins, and Jacques Norris as their running backs. Stricklin scored 16 TD and 100 points during the 1984 season as he piled up 1,177 yds rushing on 167 carries. Collins had 22 rushing TDs & 134 points as one of the top scorers in the St. Louis Metro Area during the 1985 season, while Norris broke Heavens’ career rushing record with 4,500 yards from 1986-88.

Boys Soccer

We know the boys of East St. Louis Assumption played soccer as well. Only one season is listed on the IHSA website. The year and coach’s name are listed below.

1968-69                   Coach Mike Villa

Boys Tennis

One name placed the stamp of approval on the East St. Louis Assumption High School tennis program. Jimmy Connors was an Assumption Pioneer, placing 5th in the IHSA State Tournament in 1967. More of Jimmy’s accomplishments are listed below under “Great Athletes”.

1967   Individual Medalist – Jimmy Connors    5th Place

Tennis Memories from Donn Hornberger:

“Both Jimmy Connors and his brother Johnny played well and began playing very young. I remember Jimmy and John rolling a tennis ball across their front room floor to me at ages 4 & 6.

First, Jim didn’t play #1 all the time while he was at Assumption. That was often Randy EdmistonRandy, an excellent player, played for Kentucky in college, Murray St., as I recall. Jimmy was taken out of school by his Wimbledon-winning mother, Gladys Thompson, and headed for California at age 16. While at Assumption, Jimmy had merely a mediocre record. Jimmy played briefly for Stanford then turned pro, I recall.

After Randy and Jimmy, coached by Kent DeMars, the team began to win in IHSA meets. The entire DeMars family were all excellent players in the local tourneys. They never attempted to play beyond that but had they, they all would have had remarkable records. There were others that made Assumption one of the best high school tennis team traditions in the entire metro St. Louis area.

BUT…the real story for tennis happened in the mid-70’s after Kent had left, when the team had a truly great player…a female, Julie Garcia. Because of her individual prowess, she played #1 on the boys team after the DeMars brothers graduated. Julie won in the Mississippi Valley tourneys often during the summers and in the local youth tourneys for her respective age group. She began playing at age 14! She began winning at age 15. Coming from the tradition at Assumption, playing against those several terrific players in high school, she was fearless against other players and frustrated most. She was a born winner.

Later, as Julie became a superior player, the Metro East Tennis Association and Youth Tennis Leagues took her case to the Supreme Court of Illinois. The IHSA sought to restrict two female players. The argument was over Julie could continue playing on a boys team…and beating most of the boys she played from the other schools…thus, messing up their seasonal records and drawing attention away from the scholarship-seeking boys. At that time, the girls team was non-existent at many Illinois high schools. Julie, a true champ, didn’t mind playing “up” against the boys, thinking this only strengthened her summer tourney game.

After Julie and Martha Knaust, Waterloo HS, and Youth tennis leagues, Inc. made their case, Julie at Assumption and Martha at Waterloo, both got to play on their all-boys teams. Until we argued for her, the IHSA was threatening to step in and stop both girls from playing against boys at all. The court decided that IF the high school didn’t have a girls team, didn’t have the funds to support one, and didn’t mind if the girls were on a boys team, then it was “Ok” in the State of Illinois for the girls to play on the boys team. This occurred in 1974-75, as I recall. Thanks to Jack Marks, a school teacher (math) at ESTL HS, we went into court and argued successfully for both Julie and MarthaJack was President of Youth Tennis Leagues, Inc. and paid for the attorneys.

Both Martha and Julie spent their high school playing years facing what was supposed to be superior boys and beating them. Both girls had winning records over their four years at their respective schools. Both girls were trail blazers for women’s tennis. Both girls could’ve played at a professional level, no doubt about that. Both girls were offered extensive athletic scholarships for tennis. As far as I know, both girls became nurses. I was very fortunate to have some role in coaching both players.”

Great Athletes

*Jerome Heavens – He was a Parade All-American Running back in 1974 in high school, went to University of Notre Dame as a running back, is currently listed at #4 all-time at ND in career rushing yards.

*Ian Stanback – Played basketball at Purdue upon graduation from E. St. Louis Assumption.

*Eric Wright – Played football at Missouri and was a Pro Bowl Def. Back for the San Francisco 49ers during their great decade of the 1980’s, was all-pro and was a 2nd round draft choice of the 49ers in 1981.

*Jimmy Connors – 1971 NCAA National singles champion for UCLA and UCLA was also the team champion. Connors became an international tennis star who was world’s #1 player for 160 consecutive weeks from July 1974 though August of 1977. Nine times he was the #1 ranked player in the world. He won eight Grand Slam singles titles, teamed with Ilie Nastase for two Grand Slam doubles titles and finished as runner up in mixed doubles with Chris Evert at the 1974 U.S. Open.

*Hank Bauer (Class of 1941) – Baseball great who played for the New York Yankees and won several World Series championships. Read more about Bauer at the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Bauer

*Larry Hoffman (Class of 1962) – named as a Parade All-American Football Player his senior year.

Individual Events

The Assumption High School program in general offered other activities besides sports.  The Individual Events team of 1962 won the District title with Maurice Zollner bringing home a medal from State Competition!!.

1961-62          District Champions

                      Individual Medalist –   Maurice Zollner    Radio     5TH Place

Accomplished Alumni

From our good friend Mark Jurenga:

Richard J. Durbin (Class of 1962)

*B.S. Georgetown University, Washingotn, D.C.

*J.D. Georgetown University, Washington, D.C..

*Eight-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, January 3, 1983-January 2, 1997

*Two-term member of the U.S. Senate, 1996-present

*Senate Democratic party whip (2005-present)

*All information as of 12-31-2007

http://www.infoplease.com/biography/us/congress/durbin-richard-joseph.html

    

Jerry Francis Costello (Class of 1968)

*A.A. Belleville Area College, Belleville, Il.

*B.S. Maryville College of the Sacred Heart, St. Louis, MO

* Eleven term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, August 8, 1988-present.

*All information as of 12-31-2007.

http://www.infoplease.com/biography/us/congress/costello-jerry-francis.html

Rev. Monsignor John T. Myler, Ph.D (Class of 1972)

*Rector, The Cathedral of St. Peter

*Catholic Diocese of Belleville

200 W. Harrison Street

Belleville, Il.  62220

*B.A., M.A., St. Louis University

*M.A. (Theology) M.Div. Kennick-Glennon Seminary

*Doctorate, The Marianum in Rome

Faculty member Don Boevingloh —

Drama teacher and director in the 1970’s —

resides in California and has appeared in over 37 films and television series.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0100634/

                            

Need Your Assistance

As with every page, we are seeking some in-put from an Assumption fan or Assumption alumnus as to the history and great successes accomplished at East St. Louis Central Catholic/Assumption High School. If you can provide us with information please complete a School Submission Form or Guest Commentary Form. You may also write us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or via “real” mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.   60631



East Pawpaw Classical Seminary & Teacher’s Institute

The History of East Pawpaw Classical Seminary & Teacher’s Institute

Paw Paw (population 852) is located in north-central Illinois.  The town is nestled in the southeast corner of Lee County.  County Highways 9 and 10 intersect in Paw Paw.  Interstate Highway 39 passes by town about one mile to the west.

A nice history of the town of Paw Paw can be found at two web addresses.  The information can be found at http://www.leecountyhistory.com/lee_county/pawpaw.htm and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paw_Paw,_Illinois .  A brief summary of these two websites is as follows:

The area where Paw Paw is located was first noticed in the early 1800s.  The first permanent settler to the area established a home in 1834. Settlers soon came to the area due to the abundance of water, food, and logs for building shelter.  Initially the area was split into three parts; East Paw Paw, West Paw Paw, and South Paw Paw. This effort eventually came to recognize the town as simply Paw Paw.  The town derives its unique name from a grove of Pawpaw trees near the area ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pawpaw ). The town of Paw Paw was incorporated in 1882.

A postal service was established in 1837.  By 1847 the population had reached a total of 50 residents.  The year 1850 is cited as the beginning of active growth in the area.  Two grocery stores, a blacksmith, wagon maker, a shoemaker, and a harness maker set up businesses in Paw Paw.

The first school was established in 1836. In 1855 an organization known as the Paw Paw Stock Company was formed.  The leaders of the town and the area recognized the need for an institution of higher learning, offering more than an eighth grade education.  This concept was realized with the creation of the East Pawpaw Classical Seminary and Teacher’s Institute.  A structure was built and the school placed in service.

The East Pawpaw Classical Seminary and Teacher’s Institute was known throughout the area.  It offered courses of higher learing which today would be considered high school and even college level courses.  It is said that teachers, lawyers, physicians, and ministers were trained and received their education from this institution.

The city of Paw Paw had established a high school by the late 1800s.  It is noted on the web page of http://genealogytrails.com/ill/lee/leecitypawhistory.html that the school’s frame building burned to the ground in 1897. The Classical Seminary and Teacher’s Institute may have lived a short life.  It is likely the school closed in the early 1870s, along with a school in South Paw Paw known as Union Academy.  Both school buildings would be utilized as public schools for the village of Paw Paw for several years.

It is stated that schools and progressive thinking, like that which created the Classical Seminary and Teacher’s Institute as well as Union Academy, were vital to the earl growth of America.

East Pawpaw Classical Seminary & Teacher’s Institute

Year opened:                  1855

Year closed:                   1870

Consolidated to:              Paw Paw High Schools

School team nickname:   unknown if sports offered

Memories

  

The following obituary and comments are from Carol Strobe. While conducting research on her family history she discovered this obituary (below) regarding East Paw Paw Seminary graduate Robert Franklin Hamilton.

“I just recently came across your Illinois High School Glory days website asking for additional information about East Paw Paw Classical Seminary.  I’ve attached an obit for Robert Franklin Hampton.  He attended the Seminary and spent several winters teaching in the area’s rural schools.  According to the Illinois Death Index, he passed away on 2/2/1938.  This obit is available on the Joiner History Room website.

I am a Hyde family genealogist and do a lot of research in the Dekalb and LaSalle Co. areas where our early family came from.”

East Paw Paw Seminary Obit of Robert F. Hampton
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Submitted by Carol Strobe
Seeking Further Information

As always, we are seeking further information on East Paw Paw Classical Seminary & Teacher’s Institute as well as information on South Paw Paw Union Academy.  There are likely photos and more indepth information available to share on this page.  If you have this information, please contact us at the following addresses:

E-Mail:          ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net

USPS:          IHSGD Webste

                    6439 N. Neva Ave.

                    Chicago, Il.  60631  

    

East Lynn High School “Hornets”

East Lynn High School – Gymnasium on Right
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Courtesy of Doc Whiteman
East Lynn School Cement Inscription
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“EAST LYNN DISTRICT & TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOLS — 1915”
East Lynn School Building 1882
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Courtesy of Doc Whiteman

The History of East Lynn High School

East Lynn (population approximately 100) is located in far eastern Illinois in northwestern Vermillion County.  Places of note near East Lynn include Danville (20 miles to the south), Bloomington (60 miles to the west) and Indiana (14 miles to the east).  Illinois Route 9 is the main roadway through East Lynn.  The Fountain Creek flows north of town and splits with branches running to the east and west of town.  The Norfolk & Western Rairoad runs beside Route 9 as well.

A nice history of the establishment of the town of East Lynn is as follows:

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The following history of East Lynn High School was supplied to us by Doc Whiteman and was written by Bessie Martin:

East Lynn HS Built in 1915
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“East Lynn’s first school house stood one-half mile north of the present site, but growing population soon demanded larger facilities, so a two-story building was built on the present site in 1882.  On February 22, 1914, a special election was held to decide if East Lynn should have a high school district.  As the election carried, it was decided on on April 11, 1914, to build a large building.  In 1915, the present building was built on the original location of the 1882 building.  The first graduating class was Lawrence Anderson, Edith Luxton McConnell and Esther Erickson.  The first term in the new building saw an enrollment of 23 high school pupils.

Many changes have been made during these intervening years.  In 1925 a new gymnasium was built and was didicated November 6, 1925, with a basketball game against Rankin.  East Lynn won the game 19 – 8.  History does seem to repeat itself as the final high school game played at the gym on February 16, 1973, was also against Rankin, and this time the schore was 88 to 36.  In 1935, a farm shop and farm mechanics building with attached bus garage was built.  This building was replaced in 1961 with the present Industrial Arts building and bus garage.  In 1951, the cafeteria was built in the west end of the gym.  Because of consolidating with various country schools into one unit, it was necessary to build a new grade school, which was completed in 1956.  In 1935 the new transportation system was started when the busses were used for the first time.  Before this time the students had walked, ridden bikes, rode horses or drove carriages. When a horse was driven to school they were left in neighboring barns during the school day. During the winter months it was not uncommon for country students to live with townspeople.

East Lynn High School Campus
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On June 1, 1973, East Lynn High School closes its doors forever and in the future of all students will be bussed to Hoopeston.  East Lynn and Hoopeston consolidated December 9, 1972, and the new unit goes into effect July 1, 1973.  Thus an era comes to a dramatic close. For the first time in many, many yearsthere will be no high school in the village of East Lynn.  Unfortunately, progress and romanticism do not often agree!

Consolidation with nearby Hoopeston was kicked around in the 1930s, however this effort never materialized. As stated above, in 1973 these talks became a reality when the folks of East Lynn joined forces with nearby Hoopeston to create the Hoopeston-East Lynn School District.

All schools were located in Hoopeston, though East Lynn supported a grade school for one year after the consolidation. The 1915 high school building in East Lynn has been razed.  The grade school and former gymnasium now serve as part of a welding facility owned by Rex Geene, a graduate of East Lynn High School..

The East Lynn High School alumni number about 600.  East Lynn’s largest graduating class numbered 19 students.  Most classes, however numbered in the 10 – 12 students range.

East Lynn High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                   late 1800s

Year closed:                    1973

Consolidated to:               Hoopeston-East Lynn High School

East Lynn nickname:        the “Hornets”

School colors:                  Kelly Green & White

School Fight Song:           “On East Lynn”

                                        Written by Marguerite Boehme

                                        East Lynn High School,

                                        East Lynn High School,

                                        We’ll stand up for you (all stand),

                                        Green and White

                                        We’ll fight, fight, fight,

                                        To our colors we are true. 

                                      

                                        Rah Rah Rah!

                                        Stand and cheer, boys,

                                        Never fear, boys,

                                        East Lynn is our pride,

                                        Cheer, cheer,

                                        The gang’s all here

                                        For East Lynn High!

East Lynn High School Gym Building – 2012

Athletics

The East Lynn Hornets had an excellent sports program.  Boys basketball was the feature sport of the school.  The big rival of the Hornets was their future partner, Hoopeston. East Lynn won several District titles (seven) in basketball and probably competed in track & field and baseball as well.  School colors, fight song, and conference affiliation are all being sought.  Girls sports were probably never offered at the school in a competitive manner.

East Lynn High School Center Circle – 2012
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Boys Basketball

The East Lynn High School hardwood court program was stellar. District titles were won in four different decades.  The golden era appears to have been in the early 1950s when the East Lynn boys won four titles in five years!  Some scores from the IHSA Tournament involving East Lynn High School were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are listed below. Unfortunately the team records and coach’s names of these and other great ELHS teams are not available.

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1919-20                Urbana District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Potomac 17-14

2nd Rd lost to Watseka 28-16

Champaign beat Danville in title game.

—–

1920-21                Urbana District Tournament              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Wellington 33-19

2nd Rd lost to Oakwood 28-17

Champaign beat Urbana in title game.

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1921-22                Watseka District Runner-Up               Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Roberts 30-22

2nd Rd Beat Alvin 24-15

Semi-Final Beat Rankin 24-17

Title game lost to Watseka 39-13 (Watseka had beaten Danville in other semi-final.)

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1922-23  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1923-24  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1924-25               Danville District Champions              Coach Orville Roll

Vermillion County Tournament Champions

Danville District Scores

1st Rd Beat Wellington 23-14

2nd Rd Beat Potomac 22-12

Title Game Beat Danville 20-11

Peoria Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Peoria Central 26-16

Peoria Central lost to Canton in title game

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1925-26  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1926-27  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

1927-28  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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

1929-30  Postseason scores, record, and coach’s name needed.

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1930-31               Hoopeston Regional Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Potomac 18-17

Armstrong beat Hoopeston in title game

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

1st Rd Beat Cissna Park 30-12

2nd Rd lost to Wellington 16-14

Armstrong beat Alvin in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Hoopeston 36-21

Potomac beat Armstrong in title game

—–

—–

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

1st Rd Beat Stockland 22-17

2nd Rd Score Needed

Semi-final lost to Potomac 46-16

Potomac beat Watseka in title game

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

1st Rd Beat Woodland 49-4

2nd Rd lost to Milord 36-9

Milford beat Potomac in title game

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

1st Rd Beat Stockland 35-23

Semi-final Rossville 35-22

Title Game Beat Cissna Park 33-28

IHSA Regional Qualifier

Regional Scores Needed

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

1st Rd lost to Milford 23-16

Milford lost to Cissna Park in title game

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

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to Stockland 38-34

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

1st Rd lost to Rossville 27-21

Rossville lost to Armstrong in semi-final

Armstrong lost to Cissna Park in title game

  —–    

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

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1940-41               Cissna Park District Tournament      Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Alvin 32-17

2nd Rd lost to Potomac 51-36

Potomac beat Cissna Park in title game

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

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

Semi-Final Beat Wellington 36-31

Title Game Beat Potomac 50-39

Watseka Regional Runner-Up

1st Rd Beat Milford 53-44

Semi-Final Beat Watseka 46-45

Title Game lost to Cissna Park 42-25

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1943-44               Stockland District Runner-Up             Coach’s name & record needed

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to Potomac 59-37

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

Semi-Final Rd Beat Potomac 40-22

Title Game lost to Wellington 45-41

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

Semi-Final Beat Alvin 26-24

Title Game lost to Rankin 35-29

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

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

1st Rd lost to Potomac 36-33

Stockland beat Sheldon in title game

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

1st Rd Beat Wellington 41-30

Semi-final lost to Potomac 43-42

Potomac beat Sheldon in title game

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1949-50               Potomac District Champions              Coach’s name & record needed

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game Beat Potomac 48-45

Milford Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Cissna Park 53-42

Semi-final lost to Armstrong 46-35

Armstrong beat Rossville in title game

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

1st Rd Score Needed

Semi-final lost to Rankin 49-42

Rankin beat Sheldon in title game

  —–           

1951-52               Wellington District Champions          Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Crescent City

Semi-final Beat Sheldon 75-63

Title Game Beat Rankin 34-32

Hoopeston Regional Runner-Up

1st Rd Beat Rossville 66-44

Semi-final Beat Watseka 59-49

Title Game lost to Armstrong 48-44

  —–        

1952-53               IHSA District Champions                   Coach’s name & record needed

District Scores Needed

Watseka Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Cissna Park 67-50

Cissna Park beat Watseka in title game

   —–  

1953-54   27 – 4   Rankin District Champions                Coach Loyd Champion

Fairbury Tournament Champs

Beat Peoria Limestone 81-71

East Lynn HS had 39 students

Limestone had 1,600 students

Rankin District Tournament

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game Beat Potomac 49-48

Hoopeston Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Cissna Park 68-58

Semi-Final lost to Hoopeston 56-50

Hoopeston beat Watseka in title game

East Lynn Hornets of 1953-54
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Walt (Junior) Johnson, Bill Hill, Don Pierce, Wayne Hammerton, Ray Baldwin and Coach Loyd Champion

**From Walter C. Johnson (Class of 1954):

“Our basketball team in 1954 ended with a 27 win-4 loss record. Probably the most notable victory was winning the Fairbury tournament over Peoria Limestone. It was publicized that we had 39 students and Peoria Limestone had 1600. We had 17 boys in high school – don’t know how many at PL – David and Goliath. We won 81-71… and at that time held the tournament record for most points scored. Our team consisted of me, Wayne Hammerton, Bill Hill, Ray Baldwin and Don PierceRay made 12 of 14 free throw attempts, Wayne had 25 points and Bill 23. I led the rebounding since I was that white guy who could jump. The East Lynn trophies were given away by Hoopeston when the consolidation took place. Tom Swing was able to get me the Championship trophy from this game. No. 22 on your scorecard, No. 1 in your heart. Great memories.”

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1954-55                    Potomac District Runner-Up            Coach’s name & record needed.

Early Rd Scores Needed

Title Game lost to Potomac 99-58

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

1st Rd lost to Potomac 44-24

Potomac beat Rankin in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Potomac 74-53

Rankin beat Sheldon in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Potomac 53-51

Wellington beat Sheldon in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Potomac 57-54

Potomac lost to Wellington in semi-final

Wellington beat Stockland in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Sheldon 88-42

Sheldon beat Potomac for title

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

1st Rd lost to Rankin 72-39

Sheldon beat Rankin for title

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

1st Rd Beat Armstrong 31-19

Semi-final lost to Potomac 60-59

Potomac beat Crescent City in title game

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

1st Rd Beat Henning 65-50

Semi-final lost to Sheldon 60-56

Sheldon lost to Potomac in title game

—–

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

—–

1964-65                     Rankin District Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Wellington 76-60

Sheldon beat Wellington in title game

—–

1965-66                    Sheldon District Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Sheldon 62-54

Sheldon lost Armstrong in title game

—–

1966-67                    Rankin District Runner-Up              Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Sheldon 80-70

Semi-Final Beat Wellington 73-65

Title Game lost to Armstrong 52-50

—–

1967-68                    Armstrong District Tournament        Coach Van Peters

Vermilion County Tourney Champs 

Armstrong District Scores

1st Rd Beat Potomac 78-77

Semi-final lost to Armstrong 74-73

Armstrong beat Sheldon in title game

—–

1968-69                    Armstrong District Tournament        Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Sheldon (score needed)

Sheldon lost to Potomac in semi-final

Potomac beat Crescent-Iroquois in title game

—–

1969-70                    Sheldon District Tournament            Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Rankin 43-38

Semi-final lost to Cissna Park 53-41

Cissna Park lost to Sheldon in title game

—–

1970-71                    Armstrong District Tournament         Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Armstrong 68-49

Armstrong lost to Cissna Park in semi-final

Cissna Park beat Sheldon for title

—–

1971-72                    Bismarck Class ‘A’ Regional             Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Armstrong 62-39

Semi-final lost to Danville Schlarman 80-37

Schlarman beat Potomac in title game

—–

1972-73                     Rossville Class ‘A’ Regional             Coach’s name & record needed.

**1st Rd lost to Bismarck-Henning 74-55

Danville Schlarman beat Hoopeston in title game

**Final boys varsity basketball game for East Lynn High School “Hornets.” Consolidated with Hoopeston in the summer of 1973.

———————————————————————————————–

Memories

**From Mr. Dick Drake:

“I enjoyed reading about the good old days at East Lynn High. I taught there in 1967-1969. I’d like to hear from anyone who remembers those days. I’d especially like to reach Van Peters if anyone knows how. He taught there too. I now reside in Robinson, Illinois where I finished 35 years of teaching.

email janedrake62454@yahoo.com or telephone at 618-546-5299.”

**From Class of 1965 graduate Sherry Williams Johnson:

“We had a good time at East Lynn High School and were well educated.  We were prepared to go on to college or join the work force.  I was raised in the days before women’s liberation but in East Lynn the girls were never told that they couldn’t do something because they were a girl!  Nearly everyone participated in one way or another in everything going on.  We were definitely a team.  Most of our high school friendships are still going strong.  Even if it has been years between seeing each other we pick up where we left off.  E-mail has really helped with communication.

East Lynn Alumni hold an Alumni Banquet every year at the Legion in Hoopeston.  We have supper and visit and honor 60, 50, 40, year classes.  We no longer have a 25 year class.  Our numbers get smaller every year as our graduated die and we are not getting any new members.  We still enjoy visiting with each other.  Since I live in East Lynn (about 100 people)  I know most of the alumni.”

**From Kenneth Moore, East Lynn HS student of 1940 – 42:

“I reflect back frequently about some of the many things I learned in school at East Lynn and agree with your statement that we were well educated there.  I was not in a position to continue on to college following my service in the Navy but I quite often encounter spelling, grammar, and other errors by better educated folks that wouldn’t have been tolerated at East Lynn.  My family was among the very poorest there during those depression years which I remember vividly but my memories of the town and school are more positive than negative.  I am curious to know if you have information about any of the alumni who were in my class.  In fact, I can provide you with a list of all the students in 1941, including my freshman class members.  At the time of the reunion in 1969, only one of the 15 had died but I have learned of the death of some of them since then.  I had actually moved to Hoopeston for the second half of my junior year and first semester of my senior year (1943).  I then moved again to Dwight (IL) Township High School for my last semester in the spring of 1944 and reported to the US Navy shortly thereafter.  However, at the 1969 reunion, the class of 1944 treated me as if I had graduated with them (probably in desperation to enlarge their class!)

The article I found on line indicates that the school opened in the late 1800s and The Eastyn shows that the “new” building was completed in 1915.  It was two-story and included the grade school on the ground floor and the high school on the second floor.  The gymnasium was added in 1925, and a shop and mechanics building with a three bus garage was erected across the street south of the main building in 1939.  The first term (1915-1916) had an enrollment of 23 students.  In 1941, the enrollment was 68 students, including 15 seniors.  The curriculum included 32 courses as well as music and sports (basketball and baseball).  The faculty included Alwin VonBehren who was principal and coach, and six other teachers.  I’m amazed even now that they were able to teach 68 students that many courses.  The school song was written by Marguerite Boehme (I believe) and was sung to the tune of “On Wisconsin”, and was something like, “East Lynn High School, East Lynn High School, we’ll stand up for you (all stand), green and white we’ll fight, fight, fight, to our colors we are true.  Stand and cheer, boys, never fear, boys, East Lynn is our pride, cheer, cheer, the gang’s all here for East Lynn High.”

Notable Roundball Athlete

Wayne Denman – Helped lead the Hornets on the court during the late 1930s and early 1940s, eventually garnering All-State honorable mention honors in 1940-41.

Seeking More Information

If you wish to add ANY information regarding East Lynn and its educational successes (and/or a photo of the high school building) please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.   60631

East Lynn Grade School Addition – 2012
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East Lynn Grade School Addition Plaque – 2012
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East Lynn HS Gymnasium Building – 2012
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DuQuoin Lincoln High School “Warriors”

Du Quoin Lincoln High School
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Du Quoin, Illinois

The History of DuQuoin Lincoln High School

DuQuoin is a city of 6,448 residents located near the tip of southern Illinois in the southeastern corner of Perry County. U.S. Route 51 and Il. Route 152 intersect on the north side of town. The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad runs through the middle of town. Creeks in the area include the Blacksop, Sixmile, Halfmile, and Reese Creeks. Cherry Lake is located on the northeast side of the city. A larger city for reference is Carbondale located about 20 miles to the south of Du Quoin.  The town is quiet except during the late August week when one of the “State Fairs” invades town.

Lincoln High School was a short lived high school which opened in the early 1900’s, possibly around 1910. The school remained active until the mid 1940’s during World War II. It was then annexed into the DuQuoin school system. What made Lincoln High School unique was its original purpose. It was developed for the African-American population of DuQuoin. DuQuoin Lincoln was an all-black high school and was probably not a member of the IHSA. It was a member of the “Southern Illinois Conference of Colored High Schools.”

The High School building served as a school for the DuQuoin School system for decades after its closure. In fact, it was still active through the 2000 school year when a new DuQuoin grade school was built. It is still standing tall and proud, full of history. The photo above was taken in April of 2005.

Information Request:

“My relatives were born in DuQuoin, Ill in the early 1900’s went to the Lincoln High School probably in the mid 1900’s.  I am looking for photos or information on the students at that time.  If you have school information for the below.  Please email me at myravj2003@yahoo.com

Myrtle V. Roberts Johnson – 1909 – 1971

Leroy A. Roberts – 1903- 1956

Harold A. Roberts 1915-1983

Florence R. Roberts Fairfax – 1906-1979

Mable A. Roberts Davis -1916-1986

Thank you. ”

Du Quoin Lincoln High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                                early 1900’s

Year closed:                                                 mid 1940’s

Year all school functions ceased in building:    2000

Building use today:                                        Privately owned

School nickname:                                          the “Warriors”

School colors:                                               Orange & Black

School Fight Song:                                        unavailable (did have a school band)

Du Quoin Lincoln
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Photo of Championship Team of Late 1920s

Athletics

The Du Quoin Lincoln High School Warriors were members of the highly competitive “Southern Illinois Colored Schools Conference”.  Member schools included schools from the towns of Cairo, Colp, Mounds, Mounds City, Brookport, Metropolis, Carbondale, and East St. Louis. Lincoln High School offered basketball as well as baseball and track.  Some of the basketball successes will be touched on below.  If you have any information on the successes of the track and baseball teams please drop us a line.

Boys Basketball

The Lincoln High School Warriors of DuQuoin enjoyed many great seasons and many conference championships. The team pictured above in fact is from the late 1920’s, and won the first SICCHS tournament title in 1927 in addition to being the runner-up in 1929. The Warriors brought home three straight Conference championships and were rewarded wth a Silver Basketball with all of the player’s names engraved on it. It is believed this trophy was kept for several years in a local church; however, its whereabouts as of this writing are unknown.

Members of this team included Sylvester and Valdor Vessel, Andrew Lanum, Maynard Farris, Orlando Scott, Julian Holmes, Alex Hooks, Cecil Johnson, and Robert “Honey ” Jackson. Many of these names were the forefathers of some of the great players in later DuQuoin High School years.

Rides to the away games were given to the players in private cars. Some of the drivers and owners included Professor Smith, E.W. Owens, and Holsey Dabner. Home games were played at the nearby West Park School Gymnasium. What a unique school and unique period of life in Illinois.

Great Coach

Professor Charles “Fess” Smith was a well known coach in the conference and turned out many great teams at the school. It also just so happens that during his tenure he was the ONLY teacher for the High School portion of the school. 

Seeking More information

If you have any more information you would like to share regarding DuQuoin Lincoln High School please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form. You can also e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.   60631


Dundee Community High School “Cardunals”

Dundee Community High School 1922 – 1953
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Courtesy of Gerry Corriveau
Dundee High School Building 1953 – 83
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Dundee High School 1878 – 1922
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Thank you to Gerry Corriveau

The History of Dundee Community High School

Dundee Community High School consisted of students from four different northeastern Illinois towns and the area surrounding them..

Algonquin (population 27,885) is located in the southeastern portion of McHenry County and bleeds into the northeast portion of Kane County. Carpentersville (population 30,586), East Dundee (population 2,955), and West Dundee (population 5,428) are all located in northeastern Kane County. The area sits just north of Interstate Highway 90 with the Illinois Routes of 25 and 31 passing through traveling to the north and south.  Illinois Routes 62, 68, and 72 travel through the area to the east and west.  The area is aobut 35 miles northwest of Chicago.

An excellent and brief history of the four towns together can be read at the following web address: http://www.villageprofile.com/illinois/cardunal/03his/main.html

Former Dundee Community High School teacher Gerry Corriveau wrote and advised us that the high school began its roots in 1873. The first Dundee HS building served the community from 1873 until 1922.  The second building served the district from 1922 until 1955.  The last, and still utilized, Dundee HS building served from 1955 until the school’s closing. Dundee Community High School served the area through the early 1980s. Declining enrollment took its toll and it was decided to close the high school.  In 1983 Dundee Commmunity High School was deactivated.  Students of the area now attend either Dundee-Crown High School or H.D. Jacobs High School.

The former Dundee High School building now serves as the Carpentersville Middle School. To view an excellent website dedicated to the former Dundee Community High School check out www.dundeehs.com made possible by webmaster and Dundee High School graduate Ann Bahnmiller.

Dundee Commmunity High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                                  1873

Year closed:                                   1983

Consolidated to:                              Crown and Jacobs School Districts

Dundee Comm. HS team nickname: the “Cardunals”

Dundee Comm. HS team colors:       Red & Black

School Fight Song:                          “Honor Dundee”

                                                      Written by Burt Mason

                                                      Honor Dundee,

                                                      Honor your name.

                                                      Honor Dundee,

                                                      Honor your fame.

                                                      We’ll be loyal,

                                                      Always true.

                                                      Our colors will come through!

                                                      Rah! Rah! Rah!

                                                      We’ll be loyal

                                                      Black and Maroon.

                                                      We’ll all cheer for you, soooo…

                                                       Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight

                                                       We’ll cheer for our school and you!!

                                                                         SUBMITTED BY 1938 ALUM HENRY KAROLUS

ATHLETICSThe Dundee Community High School Cardunals competed in a variety of sports and faired quite well on a state-competition level.  The school’s nickname is not a misprint.  The nickname of “Cardunals” is a mixture of the four towns that are represented by the school – Carpentersville, East and West Dundee, and Algonquin (Car+Dun+Al) combine to give the Dundee Cardunals their unique nickname.  The Cardinal bird was the school’s mascot however.

Several different sports were offered for the boys and girls of the school.  The information supplied below was found on the IHSA website address of www.ihsa.org.

Dundee HS Gymnasium
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BOYS BASKETBALL

An incredibly rich tradition was built in the 1930s and 1940s for Dundee Cardunal fans.  The era of Coach Eugene de Lacey ran from the 1928-29 season through the 1958-59 season.  During Coach de Lacey’s 31 seasons at Dundee High the Cardunals accomplished the following:

1 – Illinois State High School Basketball CHAMPIONSHIP!!

1 – Illinois State High School Basketball 3RD Place Finish!

5 – Total trips to the IHSA State Basketball Finals (One other trip made in 1917-18)

5 – Sectional Championships

6 – Regional Championships

6 – District Championships

5 – Seasons of 30+ wins

20 – Seasons of 20+ wins

13 – Seasons of advancing past the first round of the playoffs

ONLY 1 “losing” Season in 31 years (11 – 14 in 1952-53)!!! 

Coach de Lacey’s teams accumulated an overall record of 691 – 172 for an .801 winning percentage!!!!!!

Coach de Lacey’s excellent record qualifies him still today, some 47 years AFTER he coached his last game, in the IHSA record book in the following categories:

Most Wins – Career  –  #16 All-Time (though his listed mark of 691 should put him at #12

Most Wins – One School – #9 All-Time (691 should list him at #7 All-Time)

Most Consecutive Winning Seasons – #4 All-Time (24 straight winning seasons)

Most Consecutive Seasons of 20+ Wins – #12 All-Time(11 straight at one time – see below)

Highest Winning Percentage – #9 All-Time (.800)

Truly INCREDIBLE job by Coach Eugene de Lacey and his program!!!!!

During the 70 years of basketball listed on the IHSA website, the Dundee Community High School Cardunal basketball program produced an overall record of  1,077 – 634  for a .629 winning percentage!!  In fact Dundee High School was the 30th school in IHSA history to reach the coveted 1000+ wins plateau doing so during the 1976-77 season!!

Winning records and coach’s names as listed on the IHSA website are, in turn, listed below.

1913-15                                                                 Coach Harland Corzine

1915-16     8 – 7                                                     Coach Walter Hanke

1916-17   11 – 3                                                     Coach Walter Hanke

1917-18     8 – 7                                                     Coach Walter Hanke

1918-19   13 – 6    Elite 8 Finalist!                          Coach Walter Hanke

                           Distrtict Champions

                           Quarter Final Game

                           Lost to Rockford HS 37 – 10

Rockford Eventual State Champ

1919-20   11 – 6                                                      Coach Arthur Twigg

1920-21   13 – 6                                                      Coach Oliver Stenger

1921-22     9 – 7                                                      Coach Oliver Stenger

1922-23   10 – 8                                                      Coach Oliver Stenger

1923-24   11 – 8                                                      Coach Harry Lennox

1924-25                                                                  Coach Harold Sauerman

1925-26                                                                  Coach Russell Franing

1926-28                                                                  Coach Howard Spain
1928-29   13 – 8    District Champions                      Coach Eugene de Lacey
1929-30   23 – 7    District Champions                      Coach Eugene de Lacey

1930-31   30 – 2    District Champions                      Coach Eugene de Lacey

1931-32   24 – 7    District Champions                      Coach Eugene de Lacey

1932-33   29 – 4    District Champions                      Coach Eugene de Lacey

1933-34   30 – 5    District Champions                      Coach Eugene de Lacey

1934-35   20 – 13                                                      Coach Eugene de Lacey

1935-36   25 – 5                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1936-37   39 – 2    Sweet 16 Finalist!                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

                           Regional Champions

                           Sectional Champions

                           Sweet 16 Finalist

                           Lost to Moline 14 – 13

1937-38   34 – 1    IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!        Coach Eugene de Lacey

                           Regional Champions

                           Sectional Champions

                           Sweet 16 – Beat Pekin 36 – 29

                           Elite 8 – Beat Harrisburg 38 – 26

                           Final Four – Beat Paris 51 – 36

                           Championship Game

                           Beat Braidwood Reed-Custer 36 – 29


1938-39   24 – 2     Regional Champions                  Coach Eugene de Lacey
1939-40   25 – 3     Elite 8 Finalist!!                           Coach Eugene de Lacey

                            Sectional Champions

                            Sweet 16 – Beat Rushville 72 – 47

                            Elite 8 – Lost to Granite City 35 – 30

Granite City eventual State Champions

1940-41   20 – 4                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1941-42   19 – 6      Regional Champions                 Coach Eugene de Lacey

1942-43   15 – 5                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1943-44   21 – 2                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1944-45   24 – 4                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1945-46   31 – 3      IHSA THIRD PLACE FINISH!!      Coach Eugene de Lacey

                             Regional Champions

                             Sectional Champions

                             Sweet 16 – Beat Quincy 56 – 49

                             Elite 8 – Beat Decatur 55 – 48

                             Final Four – Lost to Centralia 45 – 44 (O/T)

Consolation Game

                             Beat Rockford East 59 – 53

1946-47   29 – 3      Elite 8 Finalist!                           Coach Eugene de Lacey

                             Regional Champions

                             Sectional Champions

                             Sweet 16 – Beat Springfield 69 – 47

                             Elite 8 – Lost to Champaign 47 – 45

Champaign eventually 2ND Place

1947-48   24 – 2                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1948-49   23 – 3                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1949-50   19 – 7                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1950-51   21 – 4                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1951-52   21 – 4                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1952-53                                                                   Coach Eugene de Lacey

1953-54   19 – 6                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1954-55   14 – 11                                                      Coach Eugene de Lacey

1955-56   17 – 8                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1956-57   18 – 8                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1957-58   16 – 9                                                        Coach Eugene de Lacey

1958-59   13 – 10                                                      Coach Eugene de Lacey

1959-60   10 – 10                                                      Coach John Paul

1960-62                                                                   Coach John Paul

1962-63   15 – 10                                                      Coach John Paul

1963-64   14 – 11                                                      Coach John Paul

1964-65   22 – 6                                                        Coach John Paul

1965-67                                                                   Coach John Paul

1967-68   12 – 11                                                      Coach John Paul

1968-70                                                                   Coach John Paul

1970-73                                                                   Coach Ken Magee

1973-74   18 – 6                                                        Coach Dick Schmidt

1974-75                                                                   Coach Dick Schmidt

1975-76                                                                   Coach Roy Wendling

1976-77   15 – 9                                                        Coach Roy Wendling

1977-78                                                                   Coach Roy Wendling

1978-79                                                                   Coach Paul Judson

1979-80   17 – 10     Regional Champions                Coach Paul Judson

1980-82                                                                   Coach Paul Judson

1982-83   12 – 14     School’s Final Season                 Coach Paul Judson

FOOTBALL

The Cardunal football program is covered thoroughly on the IHSA website as well.  All seasons from 1916-17 through 1982-83 are listed on the site.  Though not quite as successful as the basketball program, the Dundee High School football program had some great seasons.  Coach Eugene de Lacey of basketball fame doubled as the Cardunal head football coach from 1928-29 through 1943-44. Coach de Lacey’s 16 year run and 58 total wins were tops among all Cardunal football coaches. 

The best of the Dundee High School football records and all of the coach’s names are listed below as found on the IHSA website.

1916-17                                                          Coach Rev. William Bond

1917-18    6 – 2                                                Coach Rev. William Bond

1918-19    3 – 1 – 1                                           Coach Rev. William Bond

1919-20                                                           Coach Art Twigg

1920-21    6 – 2 – 1                                            Coach Oliver Stenger

1921-22    4 – 3                                                 Coach Oliver Stenger

1922-23                                                           Coach Oliver Stenger

1923-24                                                           Coach Harry Lennox

1924-25                                                           Coach Harold Sauerman

1925-26                                                           Coach Russ Franing

1926-27    4 – 4                                                 Coach Russ Franing

1927-28                                                           Coach Howard Spain

1928-29                                                           Coach Eugene de Lacey

1929-30    7 – 5 – 1                                            Coach Eugene de Lacey

1930-31    5 – 0 – 2    Undefeated Season         Coach Eugene de Lacey

1931-32                                                            Coach Eugene de Lacey

1932-33    4 – 3 – 1                                             Coach Eugene de Lacey

1933-34    5 – 2 – 3                                             Coach Eugene de Lacey

1934-35    3 – 3 – 1                                             Coach Eugene de Lacey

1935-37                                                            Coach Eugene de Lacey

1937-38    5 – 3                                                  Coach Eugene de Lacey

1938-39                                                            Coach Eugene de Lacey

1939-40    4 – 2 – 2                                             Coach Eugene de Lacey

1940-41    6 – 2                                                  Coach Eugene de Lacey

1941-42    3 – 1 – 3                                             Coach Eugene de Lacey

1942-44                                                            Coach Eugene de Lacey

1944-45                                                            Coach Phil Hardy

1945-46    5 – 3                                                  Coach Phil Hardy

1946-47    5 – 2 – 1                                             Coach Phil Hardy

1947-48    7 – 2                                                  Coach John Burnison

1948-49    7 – 1 – 1                                             Coach John Burnison

1949-53                                                            Coach Phil Hardy

1953-54    6 – 3                                                  Coach Howard Spain

1954-55    6 – 2 – 1                                             Coaches Clyde Finke & Robert Whamond

1955-57                                                            Coach Robert Whamond

1957-58    4 – 3 – 2                                             Coach John Timmerman

1958-61                                                            Coach John Timmerman

1961-62    4 – 4                                                  Coach John Timmerman

1962-63    7 – 1                                                  Coach John Timmerman

1963-64    4 – 4                                                  Coach John Timmerman

1964-65    4 – 4                                                  Coach John Timmerman

1965-66    5 – 2 – 1                                             Coach Russ Roeber

1966-67                                                            Coach Russ Roeber

1968-69    7 – 2                                                  Coach Russ Roeber

1969-70                                                             Coach Russ Roeber

1970-71    6 – 3                                                  Coach Russ Roeber

1971-72    6 – 3                                                  Coach Russ Roeber

1972-75    5 – 4                                                  Coach Jerry Curtright

1975-76                                                             Coach Jerry Curtright
1976-77    6 – 4     IHSA Class 3A Playoffs          Coach Jerry Curtright

                           Lost to Lisle Bennet 18 – 0

1977-78    7 – 2                                                   Coach Jerry Curtright

1978-81                                                              Coach Jerry Curtright

1981-83    2 – 7                                                    Coach Gene Mitz

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GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Lady Cardunals made a trip to the IHSA State Finals.  The team of 1977-78, led by former Alden-Hebron great Paul Judson, made it to the Elite 8 of the State Tournament before falling to eventual fourth place finisher Mattoon.  Team records of other great Lady Cardunal teams are not currently available.

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1977-78     27 – 3            Elite 8 Finalist!                      Coach Paul Judson

                                     Regional Champions

                                     Sectional Champions

                                     Super-Sectional Champions

                                     Beat Skokie Niles West 73 – 70

                                     Elite 8 Finalist

                                     Lost to Mattoon 65 – 61

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1978-79                         Regional Champions

  —–
1982-83    26 – 2           Regional Champions                        Coach Ken Mattini

Sectional Runner-Up

Dundee Holiday Classic Champions

Romeoville Lady Spartan Tourney 3rd Place

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BOYS BASEBALL

The Dundee High School baseball team won a pair of Regional titles and one District title. Tema records and coaches names of these aond other great Cardunal teams are not currently available.

1948-49        District Champions
1961-62        Regional Champions
1971-72        Regional Champions

1982-83    20 – 5               Coach Jerry Curtright

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BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

The Dundee High School harriers won two District titles which qualified the teams for the IHSA State Meet.

1964-65  District Champions – Qualified for State Meet
1966-67  District Champions – Qualified for State Meet

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BOYS GOLF

The linksters won a District title as well.

1974-75    District Champions

1982-83     8 – 7        Coach Roy Wendling

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BOYS TENNIS

Two District titles highlighted the success of the boys tennis team at DCHS.

1977-78    District Champions
1981-82    District Champions

1982-83    5 – 6         Coach Diane Schocker

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BOYS TRACK & FIELD

One District title and three individual medalists highlight the accomplishments of the Dundee Cardunal thinclads.

1930-31   Individual Medalist – ??  Eatinger       440 Yard Dash      5TH Place

1971-72   District Champions

               Individual Medalist – Greg Kries         180 Yard Hurdles  4TH Place
1979-80   Individual Medalist – Craig Everett      High Jump           7TH Place

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BOYS WRESTLING

The Dundee High grapplers had some real nice success including a District title in 1976.  Coach Bob Kenison led the Cardunals to some great season records during their last five years of existence including a 16 – 1 record in the school’s final season!

1975-76                    District Champions

1978-79   14 – 3                                             Coach Bob Kenison

1979-80   13 – 3                                             Coach Bob Kenison

               Individual Medalist – Bill Horcher – 98 Lbs. Wgt. Class – 5TH Place 

1980-81     8 – 8                                             Coach Bob Kenison

1981-82   12 – 4 -1                                          Coach Bob Kenison

1982-83   16 – 1                                              Coach Bob Kenison

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ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT

Dundee Community High School had a well-rounded school system and provided a great deal of opportunities for its children.  Along with athletics, the school offered competition in the IHSA events of Drama, Group Interpretation, and Speech Individual Events.  The Cardunals gained a level of success in each of these events.

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SPEECH INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

One top-ten finish, one Sectional title, one District title, and EIGHT Individual Medals were earned by the Dundee High School kids on a State Competition level!!

1952-53  Individual Medalist – Gary Williams       Comedy        5TH Place

1972-73  District Champions


1973-74  Sectional Champions

              Individual Medalists 

            

              Lynette Billings        Humor Duet          5TH Place

              ??  Reid                   Humor Duet          5TH Place

1974-75  Individual Medalist – Lisa Gagliardi       Orat. Declam.   2ND Place

1975-76  Team Finished TENTH in STATE Competition!!

              Individual Medalists

              Lynette Billings             Humor Duet            STATE CHAMPIONS!!
Christopher French       Humor Duet            STATE CHAMPIONS!!

              Final Team Standings

              1)  South Holland (Thornwood)                         24

2)  Chicago (Luther South)                              12

2)  Joliet (East)                                              12

4)  Rock Island (H.S.)                                      9

4)  Peoria (H.S.)                                              9

6)  Wilmette (Loyola Academy)                         8

7)  Carbondale                                                 7

7)  Deerfield                                                     7

7)  Oak Lawn (Richards)                                   7

10)  DUNDEE COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL        6

1976-77  Individual Medalist – Michael Peddle     Extemp.           5TH Place

1978-79  Individual Medalist – Rob Dorn               Humor Interp   5TH Place

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DRAMA

A District title was won in the Drama department too!

1976-77  District Champions

GROUP INTERPRETATION

1976-77  District Champions

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Seeking Your Help

If you have ANY information you would like to share about the great history and great memories enjoyed at Dundee Community High School we are hopeful you will write to us.  We are especially interested in a photo of the high school building.  You can e-mail us items at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.

Dundee High School Building 1953 – 1983
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Courtesy of http://www.dundeehs.com
Dundee High School Yearbook 1975
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Submitted by Gerald Corriveau

Dundas High School “Pirates”

DUNDAS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1924 / SUBMITTED BY DAN MEEKS
DUNDAS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL UNIFORM 1938 – SUBMITTED BY KERRY HOLTZ

The History of Dundas High School

Dundas (population approximately 300) is located in southeastern Illinois in the north-central portion of Richland County. The town was platted in 1877 however is not recognized as an official Illinois village. It is located on Dundas Lane just east of Illinois Route 130. The Indiana HI-Rail Railroad once traveled through Dundas as well, however the railway was discontinued in the 1990s. Dundas sits about 8 miles north of the county seat of Olney.

The history of the town of Dundas and its former school system are in need of research.  We are certain that Dundas High School existed for a period of time in the town.  We believe it to have been established in the late 1800s, however this may not have occurred until the early 1900s.

Dundas High School served the town and surrounding farm kids for several years.  We do know that it was at the end of the 1941 school year that Dundas High School closed her doors.  The kids of Dundas now attend high school in Olney at East Richland High School.

The fate of the Dundas High School building is being sought.

Dundas High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                           late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed:                            1941

Consolidated to:                     (Olney) East Richland High School

Dundas HS team nickname:    “Pirates”

Dundas HS team colors:         Black & Yellow

Dundas HS Fight Song:          unavailable

Athletics

According to records of the Midland Trail Conference, Dundas High School was a member from the 1930s until the school closed in 1941.  We believe the boys competed in baseball, basketball, and track. We are in search of the school team nickname, team colors, school fight song, and records of any of the DHS teams.  Coach’s names and individual accomplishments are also welcome.

Boys Basketball

We were able to locate some scores for Dundas High School found on the website titled “Illinois Post Season Basketball Scores“. The scores of these games are as follows:

1932 Flora District Tournament

1st Rd lost to Mt. Erie 26-8

Noble beat Olney in title game.

 —–  

1933 Newton District Tournament

1st Rd Beat Bible Grove 54-34

2nd Rd lost to Hutsonville 35-11

Hutsonville beat Robinson in title game. 

—-  

1934 Robinson District Tournament

1st Round – Flat Rock 30, Dundas 28

Flat Rock lost in semi-final game.

  —-  

1935 Newton District Tournament

1st Round – Oblong 51, Dundas 16

Oblong won District title.

  —-  

1936 Bridgeport District Tournament

1st Round – Flat Rock 43, Dundas 197

Flat Rock lost in semi-final round.

  —-  

1937 Sumner District Tournament

1st Rd lost to West Salem 47-22

Allendale beat Sumner in title game

  —-  

1938 Bridgeport District Tournament

1st Rd lost to Allendale 41-20

Flat Rock beat Allendale in title game.

  —–  

1939 Bridgeport District Tournament

1st Rd Beat Landes 52-17

Semi-Final lost to Allendale 42-19

Alledale lost to St. Francisville in title game

  —–  

This is the extent of the scores we were able to locate involving Dundas High School on this site.

   

Extra-Curricular Activities

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

If You Have Any Information You Wish to Share:

Especially a photo of the high school building, please contact us by e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .  You can also mail items to us at:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.  60631

 
 
 
 

Dudley Township High School

Dudley School Building 2019
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Possibly Former HS Building

The History of Dudley Township High School

Dudley (population approximately 150) is located in the east-central portion of Illinois in the southwest area of Edgar County. Dudley sits about 7 miles east and a little south of Paris.  County Highway 20 is the main route to and from Dudley.  It connects the town to Illinois Route 16 just 1 mile to the south.  According to www.mapquest.com  Dudley is about 4 blocks from east to west and 3 blocks from north to south.

The village of Dudley was the benefactor of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad line built in the early 1850s.  Dudley was platted along this line in 1855.  Several businesses and a school were soon established.  By the late 1800s Dudley enjoyed a population of over 300 residents.

The history of the Dudley Township school system is available at the web address of  http://www.archive.org/stream/historyofschools00hump#page/n77/mode/2up .  This address allows you to read the pages of a book titled “The History of the Schools of Edgar County, Illinois” written in 1968  by Charles Humphrey. The following information was taken from this book.

The first recorded official school in Dudley was established in 1855.  From 1855 to 1894 the school was taught in two different locations.  At one time the school was known as Dudley Academy. In 1894 a two-year high school course of study was added to the grades 1 – 8 curriculum. The two-year high school was called Dudley Township High School District No. 156.

In 1904 Dudley Township High School enjoyed its first official commencement exercises. These ceremonies were held every other year through the spring of 1935.  On some occasions Dudley Township High School and Grandview High School would hold their graduation ceremonies together.

It was decided in the spring of 1935 that Dudley Township High School would close.   The kids of Dudley would continue their education at Redmon High School after graduatiing from Dudley Grade School.  Dudley Grade School existed through the 1952-53 school year when it was closed for good.  It was then sold in 1956 and used as a community center.  Dudley students now attend school in nearby Kansas.

Dudley Township HIgh School Quick Facts

Year opened:             1894

Year closed:              1935

Consolidated to:         Redmon High School

Students now attend:  Kansas High School

Unknown if athletics offered

Athletics

We believe that Dudley Township High School competed in boys basketball. Most 2-year schools of the day did, at least for a few years.  Baseball and track may have been offered as well.  “Quick Facts” information is needed for the Dudley High School athletic teams.  Also needed are coach’s names and team records.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Sports were likely not the only activity at DTHS.  It is probable that school plays, clubs, dances, and many other activities were a part of the well-rounded experience at Dudley High School.

Need Your Assistance

If you have any further information regarding the many successes attained at Dudley Township High School before its merger with nearby Redmon, please write to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.  60631

    

Du Bois Grade School

Du Bois School Building
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http://genealogytrails.com/ill/washington/duboisschools.html

The History of Du Bois Grade School

Du Bois (population 222) is located in far south-central Illinois in the southeast corner of Washington County.  The village sits quietly on County Highway 8 about a quarter-mile east of U.S. Route 51. The Illinois Central Railroad passes through Du Bois as well.  Du Bois is located about 15 miles north of its cousin, Du Quoin.

The history of Du Bois and its former educational exploits are in need of research.  We are not certain if Du Bois ever supported high school curriculum.  We do know that Du Bois hosted a grade school for many years for grades K – 8. A photo of that school is at the top of this page.

A nice page that shares information about Du Bois Schools can be viewed at http://genealogytrails.com/ill/washington/duboisschools.html. The brief article on this page mentions the history of the school system in Du Bois, and has a photo of the graduating 8th grade class of 1950.  However, it does not mention the possibility of high school courses ever being offered. Please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast,net if you have information to assist us in our research.

Du Bois School Quick Facts

Year opened:                        late 1800s

Year closed:                         early 1970s?

Consolidated to:                    Nashville School District

Du Bois GS team nickname:  unavailable

Du Bois GS team colors:        unavailable

Du Bois GS team fight song::  unavailable

Athletics

While it is possible that Du Bois School once offered high school courses, and subsequently athletics, at this time we have no evidence of this.

If You Have Any Information to Share

You can contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  Information can also be sent via real mail to:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago,  Il.  60631

 

Downs Community HS “Demons” & Downs Kickapoo Union HS “Warriors”

Downs Community High School
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1920-1963
Downs Kickapoo Union HS Building 1895-1919
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Now a Private Residence (Kev Varney Photo)

The History of Downs High School

Downs (population 1,200) is located in east-central Illinois in the south-central portion of McLean County. The nearest town of note for location is Bloomington, which is located about eight miles to the northwest of Downs. The “main drag” through Downs is U.S. Route 150. County Highways 27 and 36 also converge at Downs. Interstate Highway 74 runs just to the south of the village and has exit ramps allowing you access to and from the town. The Kickapoo Creek flows by the north side of town and the Conrail Railroad lays tracks through Downs as well.

The history of the town of Downs was founded in 1829 as Delta, west of Kickapoo Creek from where a tribe of Kickapoo Indians lived. The village thrived in that location until 1869 when a railroad from Bloomington to Indianapolis was built and the village moved closer to the rails. The name changed to Priceville in honor of John Price, who had platted the land. Another name change came in 1902 when the postal service complained that Priceville was close to Princeville (north of Peoria), so the name Downs comes from Lawson Downs, who was an influential settler of the area from the 1830’s.

Downs Community High School Building 1920-1963
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Courtesy of Brittany Myers

The earliest known history of education in the area began with a subscription school in 1842, and in 1869, the Kickapoo Union district was formed. It wasn’t until 1895 that a three-year high school opened (hence, the color picture posted at the top of this page was the first high school in Downs).  Downs moved into another building in 1920 (black and white photo) because the 1895 building was overcrowded.  The name of the school was changed to Downs Community High School, offering four years of education.

The new location was right across the street from where the Tri-Valley Grade and High Schools are today. The second building served Downs preps until 1963 when Ellsworth and Downs (under one school board) merged the schools together to form Tri-Valley, located at Ellsworth. The district received its name due to the three tributaries in the district…Money Creek, the Sangamon River, and the Kickapoo Creek.

With the exception of the ag shop, which are the current administrative offices of the Tri-Valley District, the building was torn down in 1980 after Tri-Valley moved into its new home across the street (photos of the ag shop building can be viewed below).

Downs Kickapoo Union High School Quick Facts

Year Kickapoo Union opened:      1895 (as a three-year school)

Year Downs HS opened:               1920 (as a four-year school)

Year closed:                                   1963

Consolidated to:                            Tri-Valley School District (Downs)

Kickapoo Union nickname:           Warriors

Downs HS team nickname:           Demons

School colors:                                Blue & Gold

School Fight Song:                        Downs High School Loyalty (sung to the tune of the University of Illinois fight song)

                                We’re loyal to you, Downs High School

                                We’re gold and blue, Downs High School

                                We’ll back you to stand

                                ‘Gainst the best in the land

                                For we know you have sand, Downs High School

                                RAH! RAH!

                               

                                So crack out that ball, Downs High School

                                We’re backing you all, Downs High School

                                Our team is our fame protector

                                On boys, for we expect a

                                Victory from you Downs High School.

                                Che-he! Che-Ha! Che-ha-ha-ha!

                                Downs! Downs! Rah! Rah! Rah!

Downs High School Basketball
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County Champs – 1922-23

Athletics

Downs Kickapoo Union & Community High School’s “Warriors” and “Demons” did compete in  baseball, basketball, and football. The school was a member of the Tri-Valley Conference up to 1948 with other schools in the eastern half of McLean County, such as Anchor, Cropsey, TowandaBellflowerCooksvilleColfaxEllsworthSaybrookand Arrowsmith. After that, it joined the Kickapoo Conference until the conference closed up shop in 1985. Some of the members of that conference were Saybrook-Arrowsmith, Deland-Weldon, WapellaDanversMcLean-WaynesvilleStanfordand Ellsworth.

An interesting note about both conferences: they had travelling trophies that were used to build school pride among the conference members during basketball season. The Tri-Valley called theirs the Little Brown Jug, and the Kickapoo had a tomahawk. Any time a school got possession of the trophy, they tied a long ribbon onto the trophy in their school colors with the name of the school on it, and in some cases, would list the date they took possession of the trophy with the names of the players and coaches from the team.

This is still a common practice today among the schools from the Heart of Central Illinois Conference between conference members. Regardless of what part of the season (conference play, holiday tournaments, the conference’s tournament, or in the state tournament) HOCIC members face each other, the current trophy holder will display the hardware in the center tip circle at mid-court during warmups as a sign that the winner will take possession of the gold-plated basketball when the game is over. (The tradition was started by the Bloomington Pantagraph sometime around WWII when they provided the trophy.)

Boys’ Basketball

As Downs Community High School, the basketball program won two McLean County Tournaments in 1923 and 1930. However, there is no evidence of state tournament trophies or plaques won by Downs Kickapoo Union or Downs Community High School.

In basketball, the Demons won the two county tournament titles as mentioned above, and were competitive up until their merger with Ellsworth.

1922-23  22-2    McLean Co. Tournament Champions  Coach A.C. Ostiguy

1929-31            McLean Co. Tournament Champions   Coach Edwin Drome 

1930-31  22-8-1                                                              Coach Lowell Rissor

1956-57  14-10  (good record!)                                      Coach Winfield Bates

1962-63  12-10  Last year as Downs HS                         Coach Ray Lane

Football

According to a 1908 school manual and guide book on the Downs Public Schools, they played football against Leroy in 1907 contest on the gridiron, and won 11-10.

from Suzan Sprinkle (dated 2/10/2025):

“In the center, holding the football (see photo below), is Lisle Gwynne Hall. They would be in front of Kickapoo Union High School (established 1895 – a 3 year program). What’s puzzling and a mystery for me is why the football has Capt. R. M. Hall printed on it. Lisle’s father was Richard M. Hall. So, I’m wondering if that’s him in the suit possibly. No known picture of him exists. The family moved to Peoria where my grandfather graduated from high school. This picture is actually a postcard.”

Boys Track & Field

According to the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org), only one athlete from Downs medalled at the state track meet. One male athlete (Fred Grafft) brought home a medal in consectuve seasons in the late 1920’s. This was accomplished in old one-class system.

1927-28        Fred Grafft        Javelin                5TH Place

1928-29        Fred Grafft        Javelin                4TH Place

1930 Downs Demons Baseball team
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McLean County Champions

Baseball

The Demons were also known on the baseball diamond, having won the McLean County title in the fall of 1930. They were competitive up thru the end of the school’s operation.

1930  6-0    McLean County Champions                    Coach Lowell Rissor

1956  6-8-1                                                                  Coach Winfield Bates

1958  4-2   (2nd in Kickapoo Conference play)           Coach Philip Somers

1963  7-4   (good record–last season as Downs HS)  Coach Ray Lane

Notable Alumnus

One native of Downs that went on to make a name for himself was Edward O’Rourke (1917-1999). He became a Roman Catholic priest, and then was Bishop of the Peoria Diocese in 1971 before retiring in 1990.

Interesting Fact

A set of triplets served as cheerleaders for the Demons during their four years at the school. Marilyn, Margaret, and Mary Clark manned the sidelines for the Blue and Gold of Downs from 1955 to 1959.

Memories

(from Mary Dawson) “The Union School was also used as a grade school, I would assume after the Downs Community High School was built. My oldest brother was a 1st grader in 1952, and I think he started out at that school. I started school in 1960 and it was at the original part of the current Tri-Valley Grade School across the street from the Downs Community High School.”

(from Mike Larkin) “Around 1946, the Grade School team of Jim Tervin, Ralph Davis, Larry Larkin, “Bud” Daniels, “Teep” Reynolds, Bob Larkin and Danny Rhodes won the McLean County Basketball Championship.

“I attended the Grade School from 1944 until 1950, then they moved the 7th and 8th grades to the high school. Fern Downs was the Grade School Principal..she lived in a trailer house behind the grade school.

“Alvera (Wrench) Chrisman was my first and second grade teacher, Grace Weaver in third grade, Lucille Simpson for 4th grade, Mrs. Warshied in fifth, Duncan ???? in sixth.

“Mr. Ohmart was the high school principal and taught General Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. He died a few years ago in Farmer City.”

(from Bob Larkin) “I think Dick Hoover was on that team, rather than Teep, and Ralph Bustle was a sub along with Danny Rhodes and I. Five 8th graders and three 4th graders who played very little. We all traveled in Mrs Downs’ ’34 Ford, along with three Cheerleaders. (Rhodes may have also driven to some of the games.) We ended up 4th, not first in the county tournament, as I recall.

“In 1950, both the Downs grade school lightweight and heavyweight teams won the “Little Six” conference championships in the Downs High School Gym. I remember Waldo Tinsley sitting in the balcony and pulling so hard on it you could see it move.

“In 1951, many of the same players won the Fresh-Soph conference tournament in Ellsworth. The coach only took five players to the tournament (Dave Roop, Dan Rhodes, Bob Reeves, Richard Blaine and I). In the second of three games, one player fouled out so we finished with four on the floor. I had my 15 seconds of fame when I made two free throws with a couple seconds left to win 35-34. In the third and final game, two players fouled out and we finished with three on the floor. Bob Reeves came through with a couple long set shots and we won the championship by one point. I think Jackie Webb, Nadine Romine, and Margaret Ketner were our cheerleaders.”

Seeking Your Help

If you can provide any more information regarding Downs Kickapoo Union or Downs Community High School please complete a School Submission or Guest Commentary Form. We are especially interested information on the better teams and players from Downs. You can e-mail us at dr.veeman@gmail.com or write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva

Chicago, Il.  60631

Downs Kickapoo Union High School
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Photo by Kev Varney
Downs High School Ag Shop
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Photo by Kev Varney
Former Downs High School Ag Shop
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