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By 1964-65, enrollment was down to 133 students and the Franciscan order was considering their options to whether or not they would keep the school open. It was decided that the class of 1967 would be the final one to graduate from the school, while remaining students would be placed in other Catholic schools. The school building itself was turned back over to the parish for use as a grade school.

Low enrollment, inadequate spaces and facilities, along with dropout and mortality rates, were the reasons given for closing the school.

New building opened:       1927

Year it became all-girls’:     1944

Addition built:                    1961

Year closed:                        1967

School colors:                   Burgundy & White

School nickname:             unknown

School song:                     unknown

ACTIVITIES

We are unaware that there were any extra-curricular activities for the students at Sacred Heart on May Street, although it may be easy to imagine that they enjoyed intramural sports and GAA, plays, music, dances, and other things to round out their high school careers. We are curious as to what the students did to stay involved at the school.

MEMORIES

**From Maureen (Carey) Hanson (Class of 1961):

“I am a proud graduate of Sacred Heart – 70th & May Streets. I graduated from grammar school in 1957 and SHHS in 1961. We are a proud and loyal group from the greatest parish on the south side of Chicago. We meet every couple of years for a celebration of the wonderful years and childhood we all shared or, as we have come to believe, “a time and place unmatched by any other.” This is the message on a remembrance card from a previous gathering.

To start off, the school colors for the high school were burgundy, trimmed in white. I still have my high school sweater. I don’t remember a mascot. Our school paper was ‘The Maroon’ and I believe that it was published monthly. Per my copy of ‘The Maroon’ for June 1, 1961, thirty nine seniors were to receive their diplomas at 4:00 p.m. in Church with Father Reuter, the parish pastor, presiding. Our yearbook was The Thesaurus.

During our four years in high school at SHHS, we had many activities from academics to the arts to sports. We enjoyed plays, fashion shows and music festivals. In sports we participated in intramural volleyball and basketball, as well as the C.Y.O. girls’ high school volleyball tournament each year. On the religious side, we had the Legion of Mary, May Crowning each Spring and dramatic ceremonies as a part of the liturgical calendar. Each year we participated in, or endured, a silent retreat. We usually enjoyed our juke box in the gym at lunch time every day except for Lent when the music was silent. As I recall, we usually had volleyball games between the different classes during Lent.

I believe that Sister Frances DeSales was the principal the whole time I was in high school. When I graduated from grammar school on June 13, 1957, Sister DeSales was also the principal of the grammar school and, at that time, Msgr. Harry Koenig was the pastor of the parish. I also have a tuition envelope from 1953-54 and the monthly stipend was $1.25 per month and $2.50 in May. This is a little information about this wonderful parish school. I hope that it is helpful in your research.

Our gatherings are well-attended by many of the former parishioners as they reconnect with old friends and neighbors. We have had overflow crowds each time. You are probably aware that the Church was torn down several years ago and, I believe, that the school and convent remain. One of the most treasured door prizes at the gathering is always a brick from the Church. I hope that this info gives you a sampling of the reverence and love we all have for this wonderful parish and school of our younger days.”

**From Cathy Kent:

“Hi, I was enrolled at Sacred Heart in the 50’s. My parents moved because of the changing of the neighborhood in the early 60’s and relocated in the suburbs. I do have some class pictures that I can make copies of to send to you. In fact, I am in touch with Father Ken Fleck, who is pastor of St. George’s Church in Tinley Park, IL.

“I was wondering when the next get together will be for Sacred Heart School. I believe that Father Fleck has attended the gatherings. My mother, her sister and brothers also went to the school back in the 30’s. Please send me any information you might have of the class that would have graduated from grade school in ‘1963. Thank you, Cathy Kent (Mary C. Sukis)

From Jack Manning:

“My name is John (Jack) Manning. I lived at 71st and Elizabeth and graduated from Leo High School in 1947. My family attended Sacred Heart Church and I dated several young ladies from Sacred Heart High School.

“In the mid-1940’s, a priest friend of my family (Fr. Guirsh?) was having dinner with my family and asked me what he could do to attract more young people to the church. I suggested he convert the high school auditorium to a basketball court. The court should run parallel to the state and doors to avoid the large pillars in the room.

“Fr. Guirsh did this and it attracted many young people to the gym. I played, coached, and officiated in tournaments. I played CYO basketball for Sacred Heart at St. Sabina’s.

“I got interested in what’s happened to my South Side, hearing that Visitation High School also closed. I’m checking on (Vice President) Mike Pence’s family. whose father also graduated from Leo HS…his mother graduated from Visitation HS in 1950.

“Sacred Heart CYO has an All-American NBA star (Johhny “Red” Kerr) in the Hall of Fame. He was very tall when he was 12-13 years old, and believe he attended Tilden Tech. I live in Tampa, Florida…left Chicago in 1950 for the US Navy. This is FYI, but getting the gym (at Sacred Heart) is something I’ve very proud of.”

from Patrick Sullivan:

“In 1956 and 1957, Miss Joan Halper was my 3rd grade teacher. One Monday, we came into class and there was a large piece of lumber in one aisle, probably 6′ by 6′ and painted white. We were told that Miss Halper’s (I think brother) played football for Notre Dame and they won the game, and it was a custom in those days, they tore down the goal posts. Somehow, it ended up in our classroom and we were told we were going to bring down some 8th graders with hatchets to make souvenirs for all the classes.

“A few years ago while I was at Mass in Palos Hills, the priest mentioned that Alma Koerner would be bringing up the gifts. I met her after Mass and asked if she had taught at Sacred Heart. She said yes and told me that Joan Halper lived nearby. Miss Halper and I got together and I took her to dinner, where we had a wonderful conversation. She was happy to hear that I remembered her and appreciated the great education I received.

“She has a friend that has copies of the 60th Anniversary Booklet covering the years 1894-1954. There are 45 pages with many photos of the buildings, church interiors over the years, and photos of many priests and nuns. She also let me borrow the Golden Jubilee booklet which covers 1894-1944, showing several classmate photos from the “gay nineties,” as the school titled them.

“Another memory was in 2nd grade. I think we were preparing to make our First Communion and Sister Wlfreda wanted all of us to be seated in rows of desks. We were assigned to specific seats and I sat down in the wrong seat, second seat instead of first. Sister Wilfreda picked me up by my hair from the second seat and moved me to the first seat. Not a great memory, but a lasting memory. I don’t hold a grudge.

“I remember a nun, I think her name was Sister Pascal. She was Irish and if she disagreed with something you said, with a smile she would say “That’s as bad as knocking the “L” out of Kelly.” That was a surprise.

“I have seven report cards from Sacred Heart with the photo of Nicholas W. Loschetter on the envelope. He owns the Heinen and Loschetter Funeral Home at 70th and Racine. They must have been good supporters of our school. Also mentioned was Marcella Heinen Loschetter, the firm’s beautician since 1929.”

“Finally, Miss McDonnell was the most beautiful teacher I ever had.”

From Gloria Lett Lopotowski (dated 10/30/2023):

“I graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1958 and do remember we had a school song.  It was sung to “Under the Double Eagle” march tune chorus.  I only remember some lines to the song, but I do remember the melody.”

CAN YOU PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION TO US….

about the history of Sacred Heart High School on May Street in Chicago? If so, here’s your chance to let us know. We enjoy hearing about the school history, activities, memories created, and photos of the school. Please send them to us at dr.veeman@gmail.com or thru the mail at:

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 North Neva

Chicago, IL  60631

First opened as St. Stanislaus:      1867

Name changed to Sacred Heart:   1873

New building opened:                      1878

Year re-opened:                                 1937

Year it became all-girls’:                   1943

Became 3-yr school:                         1945

Became 4-yr school:                         1947

Year closed:                                       1959

School colors:                                    unknown

School nickname:                             unknown

School song:                                      unknown

During our research, we were unable to find any information regarding any activities that the school provided for its students at Sacred Heart. One would believe that dances, parties, GAA, plays, yearbook, and other types of activities were offered to those students. We would like to hear from an alumnus or friend of the school to fill us in with the details.

MEMORIES AND FACTS

**From former student Pat O’Sullivan:

“I was a student at Sacred Heart (18th St.) from 1938 to 1940. I then went on to DeLaSalle Insttute.  Sacred Heart was in two buildings on 18th St. The nuns lived in a separate building immediateltly east of the school buildings. Our courses were just general high school courses. Times were tough and tuition was only $1 a month.

“The parish church was one block away at 19th and Peoria…it was also named Sacred Heart. It was destroyed by fire some years later but I don’t what year. The parish was my parent’s first parish. We lived in the middle of the between 18th and 19th on Peoria. I was baptized there. I was living in St. Basil Parish when I attended Sacred Heart. My father learned about Sacred Heart from his aunt, who also was living on Peoria street.

“We had no real scheduled outside activities, but we did have organized activities in school. Several friends and I organized a basketball team at a nearby park district. When I attended Sacred Heart, I went to my great aunt’s home for lunch almost every day. Most of my classmates came from the immediate area of Sacred Heart parish. I remember the pastor of the church was named Walsh. I have a lot fond memories of my days at Sacred Heart. Names I remember were Tony Donatelli, Mae Canty, Ed Heery, Noreen Snith, and Jack Hullinger, however I have no knowledge of their whereabouts. Andy Pollard and Ed Walsh also went to DeLaSalle with me. We graduated DLS in 1942.

“A nun I remember was named St. Cyprian.  My memory will take me no further, thanks for bringing many memories back to me.”

**From Georgene Blandi:

“I attended Sacred Heart grammar school up until 1959 with my sister. Our last name was Paciga.. My name is Georgene and my sister is Catherine and another sister is June. We lived at 1710 W. Newberry.

“Our gym class may have been held once a week and we walked to Davorek Park for that. The names I remember Sister Shamus and Miss O’Brien.

“The nuns would ring the bell (a hand bell) at the start and the beginning of each day. Father McDonald was one of the priests at Sacred Heart Church. We made our Communion at Sacred Heart Church.

“Names I remember Judy Radovich, Ralph Tarka, Karen and Nancy Fusco, Sharon Guest (her folks owned Harry’s Resturant on 22^nd and Halsted).  I remember a Jack Galbave, Hope Lang, Mary Ellen Johnson.

“I still have my second grade class picture.”

**From Jerome Paich:

“I remember the song was ‘DEAR SACRED HEART SWEET SACRED HEART, BURNING AND YEARNING…'”

“The priests names that were part of Sacred Heart Church were Father Burns, Farther McDonald, Farther Vanish and Farther Lane. In 1948 when I graduated from Sacred Heart school the Nun’s name was Sister DiSilva. I still keep in contact with Jen Donatelli. I painted the kitchen ceiling of the Donatelli’s.”

**From Donatas Januta:

“I attended Sacred Heart Grammar School in the 5th grade in 1951-1952.

My impression was that it was an Irish parish school at the time. There was

a bakery on Halsted Street owned by a Jewish family and their son was

in our class. I remember thinking that was strange, it may also have been

the first time that I knowingly met someone who was Jewish.”

**From Jan Zrna (Class of 1949):

“I  graduated from Sacred Heart School in June of 1949 wearing our school ribbons which were blue and white. Sister Mary Francis de Sales was our teacher. At that time Father Mahoney  was pastor accompanied  by Father MacDonald and Father John Lane

Chicago Sacred Heart Graduating Class of 1949

Submitted by Jan Zrna

Jan Zrna Diploma, Sacred Heart School, 1949

Submitted by Jan Zrna

Chicago Sacred Heart Safety Patrol 1949

Submitted by Jan Zrna

I always enjoy thinking of my former classmates. We were a tight knit group. We shared the pain and gladness of growing up, as nothing was hidden from us,  which made our life’s experiences a stark reality. I was a patrol boy for three years and a alter boy for four years assisting mass for Fathers Mahoney, MacDonald and Lane

I became a  “gofer” for our school principal Sister Olivette. Since I knew Chicago  like the back of my hand.  For something to do I rode the El all day long in the summer. My buddy and I used to sneak on the El platform and ride all the  transit lines back and forth all day and never got caught.

Oh the sisters always sent me downtown for flowers around Wabash and Van Buran. I was also like some kind of courier between schools picking up or dropping off envelopes (  email was’t invented yet). The flower thing was more frequent.  I never had to pay for them….I  just picked up a bouquet and gave them to the Sisters. They did give me carfare which was about twenty cents for a two way ride.  Although at times I flipped a truck and saved the fare to spend at the penny arcades that lined State down 18th Street from Minsky’s south of  Van Buren.

Once as I was returning with a bouquet of flowers I flipped a truck down 18th Street but the driver stopped suddenly which signaled he knew I was back  there. I  took off running down Canal Street followed by a man. After five blocks I stopped and waited for the  man. I figured he  thought I stolen something from the truck. When he  approached I showed him the flowers but he grabbed my t-shirt and took me back. He saw that the truck was still locked so he kicked me in the rear and I walked back to school.

One cherished activity was the choir. We had a three voice choir in our class that really excelled. For a bunch of  street rats  (we likened ourselves to “The Dead End Kids”) we really had it together. We sang for the nuns, Sunday mass, Benedictions and stage performances at St Stanislaus hall. However; Christmas day and midnight mass was the best honor to our class.

As we grew older another activity we enjoyed was getting out of class to clean  the church. The girls polished the wooden pews while the guys used a machine to polish the floor. All the guys took turns sliding that machine back and forth.

During lent the school got to see the passion play at the local theater. One year we went to the Palace Theater on Halsted Street between 18th and 19th Streets. Another year the whole school marched down to Thalia show  on 18th near Allport Street..

In the school auditorium we had visiting orchestras, movies, class plays, and ringworm exams. By eight grade the church began to allow roller-skating in the  church basement. It had a great wooden floor which was comparable to any skating rink. It was also used for dances and seasonal parties such as Halloween and Valentines Day..

Another time a few of us eight graders were allowed in the convent to move furniture and clean the floor in their reading room. Afterwards ; we were brought down to the basement where the cooking and laundry was done. We were given a slice of apple pie baaked by one of the nuns. I was floored. I didn’t know a nun could bake so damn good!

I kept in touch with Father Lane until he died as pastor of Santa Maria Del Popolo. Some of my classmates like Manuel Adame went to California, Jim Sheeh to the Army and went to New York, Beverly Mihalek ended up in Colorado, I went to  Arizona, other classmates stayed in Chicago ot it’s suburbs  like Ruth Omalley, and Maryjane McCarthy, and my sister to New Lenox.

During the war years our school sold enough war bond stamps to donate a jeep   to the army. One day two soldiers brought a jeep into the school yard and invited everyone to sign their names allover the olive drab vehicle.

Since there was no school cafeteria, once a week I went to Walsh public school  (two blocks south) and bought lunch. It was milk, with ground beef and gravy over potatoes, which is still my favorite.

Tuition was one dollar per month in 1949. We had 33 students in our class which meant 33 dollars a month to the teacher……that’s why they had the sisters of charity running the  school.

Through the years I couldn’t see the girls. I will send 7 pics from third grade wearing high-top laced boots to high heels in eight grade, and the guys from wearing surplus army boots to loafers. The class of 1949 was quite a trip, I wouldn’t trade  for anything.”

YOU CAN HELP US!!!!!

As you can tell, our work has only just begun, and we will accept any help from an alum or friend that attended Sacred Heart High School on 18th Street in Chicago. Facts, photos of the school, the fate of the school building, and memories are wanted. Please send your information to us at dr.veeman@gmail.com or thru the mails at:

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 North Neva

Chicago, IL  60631

Chicago Sacred Heart Program, 1949

Submitted by Jan Zrna

The Quigley Prep HS Pheonix participated in basketball, baseball, track, cross country, volleyball, and team chess were all offered at Quigley.  It is probable that soccer was offered as well. The Quigley Prep fight song, season records, coach’s names, and great accomplishments are all items we are interested in adding to this page.

CROSS COUNTRY

This was Quigley Prep’s most decorated sport as far as IHSA competition is concerned. The Pheonix harriers earned a total of FOUR Regional titles and qalified for the IHSA State Finals as team on three occassions.  Two indivdiuals also earned a total of three medals in state finals competition.

1993-94           Regional Champions   

                      Team Qualified for State Finals Meet

1994-95           Regional Champions                              Coach Fr. Dennis Ziomek

                      Team Qualified for State Finals Meet

1995-96           Regional Champions                              Coach Fr. Dennis Ziomek

                      Team Qualified for State Finals Meet

1997-98           Individual Medalist  –  Nate Shober      18TH Place

2005-06           Individual Medalist  –  Roger Pinon      20TH Place  

2006-07           Regional Champions                              Coach Nathaniel Shober

2006-07           Individual Medalist  –  Roger Pinon       9TH Place

VOLLEYBALL

The netters brought home a Regioinal Championship in the sport of boys volleyball, a sport which hhas become highly competitive in the Chicago area.  The coach’s name and team record of this and other great Pheonix teams are needed.

2002-03           Regional Champions

TRACK

Four Pheonix thinclads won individual medals at the IHSA State Meet!! The school’s strength in Cross Country proved itself here with all five medals coming in the middle to long distance events.

1994-95A Individual Medalist – Willie Bolanos

1600 Meter Run 5TH Place

1995-96A Individual Medalist – Willie

Bolanos 1600 Meter Run 6TH Place

3200 Meter Run 3RD Place

1997-98A Individual Medalist – Victor Garcia 800 Meter Run 3RD Place

1997-98A Individual Medalist – Nate Shober 3200 Meter Run 5TH Place

2006-07A Individual Medalist – Roger Pinon 1600 Meter Run 2ND Place

BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, SOCCER

All of these sports deserve their own category.  It is quite likely that other sports were offered as well.  If you have any information on any of these sports that were participated in at Quigley High, please contact us at eganann@sbcglobal.net.

TEAM CHESS

The boys who competed in this program faired quite well too.  A SECOND Place Finish was the highlight for the school.Top-ten finishes were also achieved in two other seasons.

1990-91    TEAM PLACED SECOND IN IHSA COMPETITION!!  Coach Ray Schuman

2004-05    Team Placed TENTH in IHSA Competition!!

2005-06    Team Placed NINTH in IHSA Competition!!

More Information Needed

We are looking to fill in the question marks regarding the team records, coaches names, and other great accomplishments at Chicago Quigley Preparatory High School.  We especially seek photos of the high school building and great teams.  If you have any information you would like to share regarding Quigley Preparatory High School please complete a School Submission Form or a Guest Commentary Form.  You may also e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.   60631

There is very limited coverage of the Quigley North Norsemen athletic program on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org).  Boys basketball has the most extensive, in fact only, coverage on the site. We are certain that track and baseball were likely offered as well.  Possibly even soccer, wrestling, and other sports were offered for some period during the school’s existence.  We are searching for the school’s fight song and information on any other sports in Quigley North’s brief history.

Boys Basketball

The Norsemen do not appear to have won any IHSA hardware.  The basketball teams are covered from 1964 through 1988. Nine of these teams had records of .500 or above.  Coach’s names and the better team records are listed below.

1964-65    5 – 4                     Coach Tom Kleeman

1965-66    9 – 6                     Coach Tom Kleeman

1966-67  10 – 10                   Coach Bill Schaffer

1967-68  15 – 9                     Coach Bill Schaffer

1968-69  13 -10                    Coach Bill Schaffer

1969-71                               Coach Bill Schaffer

1971-72  16 – 11                   Coach Bill Schaffer

1972-75                               Coach Bill Schaffer

1975-76  18 – 9                     Coach Bill Schaffer

1976-77  13 – 13                   Coach Rev. Jerry Listecki

1977-78                               Coach Rick Ryan

1978-79   18 – 8                    Coach Rick Ryan

1979-83                               Coach Rick Ryan

1983-88                               Coach Roy Wasielewski

If YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN ADD…

…regarding the 27 year history of Quigley North High School please forward it to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also send us items via USPS at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il.   60631

Year closed:                   1950

Building now used as:    Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy

School colors:                 Blue & Gold

School nickname:            the “Blue Raiders”

School song:                   unknown

                          Quick Facts Information Submitted by PETER NEGRO

ATHLETICS

Pullman offered track to its students, and possible other sports such as football, baseball, basketball, and perhaps tennis or wrestling. We are looking for someone who may know about the history of the athletic program at Pullman to tell us more.

TRACK

The school enjoyed success at the state track meet in 1924 as one individual took second in a pair of sprint events and tied for 10th in the team standings. Unfortunately, this is the only sport we were able to find anything on while researching the school’s history.

1924B Tied for 10th in State

STATE FINAL STANDINGS

1   Girard                                      20

10   Chicago Pullman                     8

10   Abingdon                                8

   Individual Medalist

1924B H. Bergstrom                 100-yd dash—2nd place

220-yd dash—2nd place

MEMORIES

From Lawrence Santeford (dated October 1, 2019):

“I happened to find the brief article about Pullman Technical High School. My older twin sisters attended the high school (around) 1947-49. They were able to attend because our grandfathers had worked at Pullman, having come from the Netherlands during the late 1800s.

“My sisters are Lorraine and Laverne Bulteman. Our surname is Santeford, but they married brothers Larry and Harold Bultema about 1949. Lorraine and Laverne are both 89 years old.

“Although our grandfather, Leonard John Santeford, worked at Pullman, I believe they got in on the basis of (another) grandfather, Harry Zeilenga.”

From Lorraine Brochu (dated 8/25/2024):

“Would you have any idea when these megaphones would have been used? I’m guessing this dates between 1922 (when the State Theatre was made) and 1950 (when Pullman Tech became Mendel).”

IHSGD Site

6439 North Neva

Chicago, IL  60631

The Colonels offered gridiron action as a member of the Public League, and locked themselves up in matchups with other schools. As a result, they won a lightweight title as well as two varsity titles, according to Robert Pruter, then won 10 other Public League division titles before the school closed. Thanks to our good friend Tom Sikorski, records from 1925 through 1976 have been added.

1916      Public League Lightweight Champs                        coach unknown

1918   record unknown                                                         Coach Wiggers

Chicago Parker HS Football Team 1918

Sent to us by Michele McNamee

Sitting in the foreground (left to right): W. McNamee, Dyckman, Cox, Holmes, Coach Wiggers (wearing street clothes), Gardner, De Rose, and Fields.

Standing in the background (left to right): Daly, Irwine, G. McNamee, Swift, Crim (wearing street clothes), McRdow, Cross, and Andrews.

Text on image appears to identify Wiggers as: Wiggers. Text also appears to identify Irwine as: Irvine.

[Members of the 1918 Parker High School football team posing in front of a building].

Chicago Daily News, Inc., photographer.

CREATED/PUBLISHED:  1918.

SUMMARY

Informal full-length group portrait of members of the Parker High School football team posing in front of a building in Chicago, Illinois.

NOTES:This photonegative taken by a Chicago Daily News photographer may have been published in the newspaper.

Cite as: SDN-061650, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago History Museum.

1923                   Public League Varsity Champs               coach unknown 

1924                   Public League Varsity Champs               coach unknown

1925      7- 2       Public League Section 1 Champs           Coach Nate Wasserman

1926      3- 3                                                                       Coach Nate Wasserman

1927      1- 3- 2                                                                   Coach Nate Wasserman

1928      7- 2        Public League South Champs                Coach Nate Wasserman

1929      3- 2- 2   Public League South Champs                Coach Nate Wasserman

1930      5- 3- 1                                                                   Coach Nate Wasserman

1931      7- 2        Public League South Champs                Coach Nate Wasserman

1932      2- 6                                                                       Coach Nate Wasserman

1933      4- 3                                                                       Coach Nate Wasserman

1934      3- 4                                                                       Coach Nate Wasserman

1935      6- 1- 1   Public League South Champs                 Coach Nate Wasserman

1936      3- 3                                                                       Coach Nate Wasserman

1937      5- 1                                                                       Coach Nate Wasserman

1938      3- 5- 1                                                                   Coach Nate Wasserman

1939      2- 5- 1                                                                   Coach Nate Wasserman

1940      2- 3- 2                                                                   Coach Nate Wasserman

1941      2- 4- 2                                                                   Coach Tony Antonides

1942      0- 8                                                                       Coach Tony Antonides

1943      1- 5- 1                                                                   Coach Tony Antonides

1944      7- 1- 0                                                                   Coach Tony Antonides

1945      6- 1- 1                                                                   Coach Tony Antonides

1946      6- 2                                                                       Coach Tony Antonides

1947      5- 2-1                                                                    coach unknown

1948      0- 7                                                                       coach unknown

1949      2- 5- 1                                                                   Coach Barney Negronida

1950      4- 4                                                                       Coach Dick Frain

1951      1- 6- 1                                                                   Coach Pierce Van Auken

1952      0- 4- 2                                                                   Coach Pierce Van Auken

1953      3- 3- 1                                                                   Coach Ed Tobin

1954      5- 1                                                                       Coach Ed Tobin

1955      4- 2- 1                                                                   Coach Ed Tobin

1956      0- 6- 1                                                                   Coach Ed Tobin

1957      4- 2                                                                       Coach Ed Tobin

1958      0- 8                                                                       Coach Ed Tobin

1959      2- 5                                                                       Coach Ed Tobin

1960      2- 5- 1                                                                   Coach Ed Tobin

1961      3- 4                                                                       Coach Ed Tobin

1962      5- 3                                                                       Coach Larry Scannell

1963      1- 5- 1                                                                   Coach Charles McBride

1964      1- 5- 1                                                                   coach unknown

1965      1- 4- 2                                                                   coach unknown

1966      9- 0        Public League Blue Champs                  Coach Larry Scannell

1967      4- 3                                                                       Coach John O’Toole

1968      5- 3        Public League Blue Champs                 Coach Roy Curry

1969      1- 6                                                                       Coach Roy Curry

1970      8- 1- 1   Public League Blue/Green Champs       Coach Roy Curry

1971      3- 4                                                                       Coach Roy Curry

1972      7- 2        Public League Blue South Champs       Coach Roy Curry

1973      8- 1        Public League White South Champs     Coach Roy Curry

1974      4- 4                                                                        Coach Roy Curry

1975      2- 5                                                                        Coach Roy Curry

1976      3- 4        Last season as Parker                              Coach Roy Curry

1926 Chicago Parker football team

courtesy of Elva Martinez

1939 Parker football team (2-5-1)

Courtesy of Ken Parent

BOYS’ SWIMMING

The Parker tankmen made their presence felt at the state meet a couple of times and came away with medals as a result for their hard work and efforts to represent the school.

1934  (?) Dempsey                Diving—4th place

1940  Public League South Section Champs  coach unknown

          Wins over Calumet, Bowen, Hirsch, Fenger, and Morgan Park

         State Finalist

          Morris Eppley              100 freestroke—4th place

1939-40 Parker swimming/Public League So. Champs

courtesy of Ken Parent

1948  Tied for 10th Place at State Finals

STATE FINAL STANDINGS

1  Winnetka New Trier                31

10  Chicago Parker                      2

10  Chicago Senn                         2

Individual Placer—(?) Laughlin                 100 breaststroke—4th place

1939-40 Cross-Country/Fencing/Wrestling

courtesy of Ken Parent

BOYS’ CROSS-COUNTRY

The Colonels made their hill and dale debut in the fall of 1939 with just four members, but they made up for the shortage of numbers with quality. According to the 1939-40 Pine, James McKeon was fourth overall at the City Meet, while teammates Julius Stremel and Frank Bina were eighth and ninth, respectively, George Wilkinson took fifth in the junior race for Coach Paul Spade’s team.

FENCING

Parker also boasted of having a team that could handle a foil with deft hands, winning three and losing one match in the spring of 1940. Coach Spade’s team bested Morgan Park Military 10-9, Crane Tech 10-6, and Hyde Park 13-3, while falling to Lindblom. The Colonels were fifth in the city meet that year.

WRESTLING

On the mats, Parker competed with the rest of the Public League schools, compiling a 3-4 dual record for Coach Spade in 1939-40. The Colonels lost their first three meets to Morgan Park, Bowen, and Fenger, before rolling off a win over Hirsch. They dropped a meet to Calumet, but finished the season strong by defeating Mount Carmel and Kelly. Juke Engel represented his school as he won the 110-pound class at the City Championships that year. The following season, Engel repeated as a city champion as the Colonels improved on their season record to finish at 5-1 (see team photo below).

1939-40 Parker baseball

courtesy of Ken Parent

1940-41 Parker Wrestling Team

courtesy of Roberta Bertstein, daughter of Juke Engel (far left in front row)

BASEBALL

The school also offered American’s Pastime in the spring as early as the 1920’s and during the 1939-40 school year, but information was limited (perhaps due to having the yearbook going to press before the school year was over). The 1926 team went 5-3 under Nate (Wass) Wasserman, and alumnus Andy Holmes was the coach of the 1940 team (see team photo above to the right).

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Although it was “back in the day” before a CPS superintendent ruled that girls’ sports should not be allowed, Parker did have a girls’ basketball team. Historian Robert Pruter stated in his research of early girls’ basketball that the school played a home-and-home series with Schurz High School in 1917. We are not aware that the school brought the sport back in the 1970’s prior to its’ closing.

GIRLS’ TENNIS

Prior to joining the IHSA, Parker’s girls had a tennis team in the 1920’s that was successful. The Green & White won the team title in Public League play in 1924. Later on as Public League schools became IHSA members, this sport as well as other girls’ athletic activities ceased at the interscholastic level until the 1970’s.

1939-40 Parker bowlers

courtesy of Ken Parent

BOWLING – Boys & Girls

The Chicago HIgh School Parker Colonels competed in the sport of bowling as well.  Some great scores and team efforts were achieved over the years at Parker High School.

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS—SPEECH

The Parker students could compete in other interscholastic activities other than sports, and the speech team sent one of its own off the state meet that placed high in the finals. In 1947, Joan Spratt brought back an fifth place finish in the oratorical declamation category.

Law & Government students/library assistants

courtesy of Ken Parent

–Carl Diehl — as a member of Dartmouth’s football team he was selected as an All-American in 1925, and was eventually elected to the Helms Football Hall of Fame.

—Tom Hawkins (class of 1955) – was an two-time All-American player for Notre Dame and became a National Basketball Association pro player, and later a notable sportscaster. In his senior year, Hawkins averaged 29 points and 20 rebounds per game as Parker was ranked fifth in the state polls before bowing to Tilden. After college, he played with the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers and Cincinnati Royals during a 10-year NBA career before going into broadcasting.

MEMORIES

“My name is Robert Jensen. My grandfather attended Parker High School from 1914 to 1918 and I have two complete yearbooks, although a little worn over the years, from 1917 & 1918. My grandfather’s name was Frank Finn. He was a star tackle on their football team, coached by a Mr. Wigger. That year they won 5 games tied 2. They lost the divisional championship game. The principal of the school in 1917 was Mr. Owen, in 1918 it was Mr. French. There is no mention of a school song that I can see. This is just a small sample of the information included in these yearbooks. My grandfather went on to become an architect married my grandmother in 1927. They had two children and 12 grandchildren. My grandfather passed away in 1974.”

From Bob Ragon (class of 1954)…

Hello my friend…Graduated in 1954…my days in Chi town was young and furious, spent time in Army, then spent time in the retail field in Mgmt (with) Robert Hall
Clothes in various cities. Then was converted to my Lord, and spent the rest
of my life serving time in the ministry and missionary field…if you want a
complete breakdown. OK…retired now in Florida…oh! lived at 69th and Emerald.

From Alfred Lay (class of 1954) …

·        There was a special school for the deaf in the building. I would frequently see the students outside. I know nothing else about it.

·        The high school was just one part of a remarkable campus that included

o   Parker Elementary School

o   Parker High School

o   Wilson Junior College

o   Chicago Teachers College (Illinois Normal?)

All were in stand-alone buildings with a common campus

Parker Cheerleaders of 1950-51

courtesy of Dorothy Thomas Wilson

From Dorothy Thomas Wharton (class of 1951):

“I recently found your website with the history of Parker High School. I attended Parker Elementary and then the high school from 1947 to 1951. The senior cheerleaders are in the back row of this picture (see above). I can identify 5 of them. Notice the dirty saddle shoes — they had to be boys’ saddle shoes (without perforations).

“We didn’t have our own stadium and football games were played at Shrewbridge Stadium and a couple of others whose names I don’t remember. No Homecoming celebrations. The Junior Prom was held in the gym, decorated by the juniors. The Senior Prom was in a hotel ball room — the South Shore Hotel or others. I have more pictures. The only school song I remember is to the tune of the Notre Dame fight song with not very nice lyrics!

“I went on to Knox College, became a secondary English teacher, have a husband, two children and five granddaughters. We’re retired in Stuart, FL.

Loyally,  Dorothy Thomas Wharton, Parker High Class of 1951.”

from Angela Jones (class of 1958):

“My name is Angela Jones (nee Stevens). I graduated in 1958. I have all four yearbooks, my school sweater, and class ring. I loved and have good memories of my high school years.”

From Dr. Andrew Calhoun:

“I really enjoyed the research work on Parker. I attended Parker Elementary in the early ’60s (see photo below). I remember seeing the high school football team practice on the part of the gravel parking lot. They had green helmets and white uniforms. (In addition,) I also attended Burnside Elementary.”

From Cheryl (Govia) Walker (dated 10/10/2021):

“Hello, my name is Cheryl Govia Walker. My sisters, Trina Govia and Patricia West Govia, attended and graduated from Parker. Trina and I were cheerleaders. Mr. Will Booner coached basketball, and William (Sax) Saxton was a star guard. Another star player was “Stick Man,” James Lewis. Can’t remember others at present. I lost my yearbooks in a flood.”

WE ARE IN NEED OF YOUR ASSISTANCE…

to tell more of the story and history of Parker High School. If you have items such as a photo or information about the words to the school song, names of notable coaches, players, and other alumni, then we want to hear from YOU! Please contact us either emailing us at dr.veeman@gmail.com or by clicking on this CONTACT US link. Or, send us your items to:

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 North Neva

Chicago, IL 60631

Parker Fifth Graders from February 1966

courtesy of Dr. Andrew Calhoun (front row in bow tie)

Year originally opened:                     1888

Year name changed to Tuley:          1908

Year closed to become Clemente:   1974

School colors:                                   Blue & Gold

School nickname:                             the “Wildcats”

School song:                                     “Alma Mater”

Lyrics from the Commencement Exercises Booklet

Provided by SANDRA WILLIAMS

Hail to thee our Alma Mater, Our dear Tuley High,

                      We have joined to sing your praises, now to do or die.

                     Sing we now to thee our colors, which we’ve learned to love

                     Gold so brilliant as the sunshine, blue the sky above.

                     Are thee well, our hours are ending, may we prove to you

                     Don’t you hear our voices bending, Good-by GOLD and BLUE

                     Raise your voices, lift them up, Loud the chorus swell,

                     Hail to thee our Alma Mater, Tuley loved so well!

ATHLETICS AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

It is conceivable that Northwest Division was a member of the Cook County League and Tuley continued that affiliation plus was involved in the Chicago Public League while it was in operation. Noted high school historian Robert Pruter tells us that Northwest Division High School is also credited with being the first public high school in Chicago to have a gymnasium. The school did not win any team titles in the Cook County League, and even though it was a charter member of the Chicago Public League, it did not win any team titles thru 1939.

For certain, we know that track and cross-country were offered at Northwest Division, while baseball and track were available at Tuley. It may have been possible that other sports such as football, basketball, and wrestling were played at the school, but there are no win-loss records to prove that they were offered.

Whether or not the female students competed in athletics is unknown, but one would want to believe that the school offered other activities to round out a student’s experiences such as speech, debate, drama, band, chorus, and dances. We would enjoy hearing from a Tuley grad or interested person that knew the school’s history to contact us with more information.

TRACK AND FIELD

Northwest Division was competitive on the cinder tracks around the state of Illinois, coming home with a top-five finish at the state meet in 1901 and having several individuals bring back some medals for their efforts at the finals in Champaign-Urbana (where they were held at the time), which includes the all-around talent displayed by Frederick Speik. As Tuley, the school brought home medals in the shorter (or speed) events.

As Northwest Division

INDIVIDUAL MEDALISTS

1898 George Bergbom                     440-yd dash—3rd place
1899 Herbert Ahlswede                   Shotput—2nd place

1900 Ernest Quantrall                      High Jump—2nd place

1901 TIED FOR FOURTH IN STATE!!!

STATE FINAL STANDINGS

1   Chicago Englewood                 20

2   Taylorville                                   18

3   Aurora West                               15

          4   Chicago Northwest Division    9

Decatur HS                                   9

INDIVIDUAL MEDALISTS

        Ernest Quantrall                  High Jump—2nd place
Frederick Speik                   Discus—3rd place
Hammer—3rd place
Shotput—2nd place
Standing Broad Jump—3rd place 

As Tuley

INDIVIDUAL MEDALISTS

1907 John Devine                         880-yd run—2nd place

1909 A.N. Sheriff                           220-yd hurdles—4th place

1911 R.G. Solum                           220-yd hurdles—4th place

1912 R.G. Solum                           440-yd dash—4th place

CROSS-COUNTRY 

At the time of researching this page, we were made aware that the school (listed as Northwest Division) did compete in this event, according to Robert Pruter. In November of 1907, Northwest Division along with McKinley, Medill, Crane, Austin, and Oak Park were involved in a meet on the west side of Chicago. Nothing more has been found about Northwest Division’s harriers.

FOOTBALL

Knute Rockne, famous coach of Notre Dame University football from 1918 to 1930, was a student of Northwest Division High School, Notre Dame, and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. A nice history of his life can be viewed at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knute_Rockne .

Although there are no win-loss records to prove that the school did offer this sport on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org), we do know that a Tuley grad did make his way to the professional ranks. Mel Beckett was a center that went on to letter at Indiana in 1950-51, then found himself in a starting role at the same position with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League from 1953-56. Beckett was an CFL all-star in 1956, but was killed in a plane crash while returning home from the game at Vancouver in December of that year.

In his memory, Beckett’s number 40 jersey was retired by the Roughriders, and a trophy that bears his name along with that of another teammate who was killed in the same plane crash (Mario DeMarco) is awarded annually to the top lineman in the CFL’s Western Division.

Thanks to prep historian Tom Sikorski, we have been able to find an history on Tuley’s football program, which began in 1941, and it is possible that Beckett could have played at the school before he went to Indiana. It took a while for the school’s program to achieve a winning record, but there was success on the gridiron for the Wildcats.

1941  0-7  (first team)                                        coach unknown

1947  6-2  (first winning record)                        Coach Jim Tortorelli

1952  5-3  Blue North Division Champs        Coach Jim Tortorelli

1953  6-1  (good record!)                                  Coach Jim Tortorelli

1954  4-3                                                           Coach Jim Tortorelli

1961  5-3                                                           Coach Jim Tortorelli

1962  6-2                                                           Coach Jim Tortorelli

1963  6-3 Blue Northwest Division Champs Coach Jim Tortorelli

1964  8-1 (excellent record!)                             coach unknown

1965  6-2-1                                                        coach unknown

1971  5-3                                                           Coach Bill Galluzzi

1973  3-4-4 (last team as Tuley)                       Coach Bill Galluzzi

BASEBALL

Tuley enjoyed two spring seasons with a trip to the state tournament to take its place to represent the Chicago Public Schools system as one of best in Illinois, prior to the two-class system. One of those seasons was in the school’s final year of operation before it changed its name to Clemente.

1958  17-8   Qualified for State Tourney    Coach Max Nieberg

Lost 11-4 to Des Plaines Maine Township in quarterfinals

             1974  24-7   Qualified for State Tourney    Coach Rich Tomoleoni

                                     Lost 4-1 to Northbrook Glenbrook North in quarterfinals

–Joe Grabowski— notable professional basketball player with Chicago, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia from 1949 to 1961, doing so without going to college. He was discovered playing semi-pro ball with independent teams after high school before he signed with Indianapolis.

—Harold Atteridge— was a lyricist and librettist on Broadway, working for the Shuster Theater chain. More about his works can be found here: http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/notable_writers/C5006 and http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F00715FE3F5E13738DDDAD0994DE405B848DF1D3.

–Saul Bellow— notable novelist, whose works were inspired by his growing up in Chicago, the best known works being The Adventures of Augie March, Herzog, and Humboldt’s Gift

–Sydney J. Harris— Chicago Daily News columnist in the 1950s and 1960s.

—Allen Sherman – was born Allan Copelon, he became a nationally known comedian, especially after his hit, “Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh!” became a huge sensation in 1963.

—Jule Styne – notable composer-songwriter of many standards, including “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend,” and “People.”

—Mike Todd – motion picture producer and showman, was married to actress Elizabeth Taylor at the time of his death in a 1958 plane crash.

—Sam Wanamaker – worked as both a director and actor in motion pictures and television, and in theater, was most responsible for rebuilding the Globe Theater in London.

MEMORIES

From Sandra Williams (Class of 1960):

“I am from the 1960 June Class of Tuley. I was looking for a picture of the school and came across your site. I found many of your facts very interesting. I do remember the baseball team going down state. It was a big deal then – we had a great team.”

From Ruperto Aguirre (former student, attended fall of 1961):

“Is there someone directly now with the old Tuley High School or now with Roberto Clemente (Academy) that can help me?

“Let me briefly explain: When my father passed away on August 14th, 1961, my mother sent me to live with my brother in Chicago, and for four months thereafter I was enrolled at Tuley H.S. on Western Avenue is all that I recall. Now I am 67 years of age and have never forgotten the teachers that were kind and good to us.

“My parents had 14 children and I was the one that left home to live in shelter houses and hobo camps across the country. Once living on the streets of Chicago, I belonged to a neighborhood youth group called “The Latin Counts” of 18th Street and would like someday to see them or have contact with them again.

“I know some of them might have gone to Tuley. But all that I know are there first names and they are: Louie, little Ray, and more importantly was our leader “Sal,” who I have featured in my autobiography (“Midnight Confessions”) and life’s journey. Besides that book, I’ve written various others but my memories of the city of Chicago and its great people have always been close to my heart”

“My name that I used in Chicago was “Rusty” and I am trying to reach some of those members of the “Latin Counts” that I briefly knew when I was in your city.

“At 17 years, I rode box cars throughout the United States but I have never forgotten those memorable times I had as a youth in Chicago… please contact me at silverfoxuno@hotmail.com. Thank you and anxious to hear from you, Ruperto Aguirre.”

From Nydia Esther Cruz Terracina (class of 1968):

“I graduated in 1968. My name then was Nydia Esther Cruz. In the film/tv industry my name is NYDIA RODRIGUEZ TERRACINA. I married my high school sweet heart Vidal Rodriguez, who also went to Tuley. He died in 1980 in a motorcycle accident. I then remarried Mr. Terracina – married 30 years!

“If you happen to look me up in the IMBD movie site…all the features I have worked on are listed under that name. I am not trying to toot my horn but I DO get a “kick” out of saying “from Humboldt Park, Tuley High to the big screen!”…and reflecting that back then…I had NO idea where I would end up!  I have the BEST memories from Tuley High School…I absolutely loved it there! The teachers were so upright and fair in the treatment of students.We were treated with such respect!

“I happened to look up your site because my daughter was telling me about her upcoming 10 year high school reunion. I was telling her that our graduating class was large. I tried to looked it up on your site and unfortunately I couldn’t find the number. It was held at the “Armory” located at the corners of Kedzie and North Anenue. Do you happen to know the size of the 1968 graduating class? Thank you so much for your time and energy! With regards, Nydia. Go WILDCATS!”

From Francisco Villarreal (Class of 1971):

“My name is Francisco, but the 1971 yearbook has me down as Anthony, I graduated in 1971 I was on the basketball team in 1970 They call me (Hopper) because of how high I jumped that name comes to me since Grammar School, a friend named Peter Estrada gave me that name and it stayed with me till High School.

“I love that name and many people knew me by that name only. Any way I just wanted to leave some Comment for you or who ever is reading this I LOVED TULEY HIGH SCHOOL some of my best years of my life you can say are in my memories with Tuley I had lot’s of friends, partied, had lots of girlfriends, and I enjoyed going to school, never had any bills to pay or problems, never worried about what was going to happen to me or where was my life going all I did was in joy life.

“Now, I have a family, bills to pay, a very responsible job a carrier, problems in the world, wars, a no good President that we don’t know where the country is going, the music is different these day–it wasn’t like the olden days when you can really here the music and enjoy it. What’s this rap music now? That’s that all about I hate it. Stress everywhere am older now not sick thank god but I do have to take care of my self not like when I was a teenager.

“So you see, this is why I miss my golden years at Tuley. Why do we have to change? I’ll never know why. Well, I am glad of my life right now because I have what I have because of a good education from Tuley and I want to thank you for that, I’ll see you who’s ever reading this and I hope you have time to reply on this short story of my and how I miss those Years. God Bless. Tony Villarreal (HOPPER)”

From Rita Hernandez (class of 1971, from June 5, 2021):

“(I was) happy to read Tony (Hopper) Villarreal’s story.

“I remember my English teacher Mrs. Liberian. She always checked on me since I was a new student from Albuquerque. NM. Also my zero-period woodshed teacher.

“I enjoyed typing on the verityper. I can’t recall the other classmate who also typed. I see remembeclassmates. We typed for the school paper.

“I was very shy & homesick coming to a big city was frightening. Sad to find out no one knows what happened to all the memorable. It will be 50 years (this year and) wish we could have a reunion.

“I moved back to Albuquerque, but my siblings still live in Illinois. Hope to hear from more classmates!”

From Patricia Falbo (Class of 1963) who tells us this bit of Tuley HS information:

“I think our class was one of the last that had the split grades which were A and B. (A graduating senior was 4A while those who just became seniors were 4B.)”

WE HAVE MORE ROOM FOR INFORMATION…

and you can help us out with telling us more about Northwest Division/Tuley High School. Just submit your information to us by clicking on this CONTACT US link or send an email to dr.veeman@gmail.com. Things like win-loss records, names of other notable graduates, and just memories of the school are nice to have. For those who prefer regular mail, here is our address:

Illinois High School Glory Days

6439 North Neva

Chicago, IL  60631