Illinois High School Glory Days

Burnside High School “Little Giants”

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Burnside High School Building – 2012

Submitted by Roberta VanBriesen

Burnside High School Bell Tower – 2012

A picture containing building, outdoor, brick, tower

Description automatically generated

Photo by Roberta VanBriesen

The History of Burnside High School

Burnside (population approximately 125) is located in upper-western Illinois in the north-central portion of Hancock County. The town is situated about 20 miles west and a little north of Macomb. County Highway 18 is the main roadway to and from Burnside and connects the town to Illinois Route 94 just two miles to the west. The Keokuk Junction Railroad travels through Burnside. Burnside is about 3 blocks long and 3 blocks wide. Carthage, the Hancock County Seat, sits just six miles to the south of Burnside.

Burnside was platted in 1868 by a man named J.B. McMillan. The town is named after Ambrose E. Burnside. a General in the Civil War for the Union. The post office in Burnside was also established in 1868.

The history of the former school system is in need of research. We believe that Burnside may have had a school in place by the late 1800s. A high school program may have been set up in the late 1800s as well, possibly not until the early 1900s though. Burnside High School served the residents of the town and the surrounding farm kids for several years.

It was in 1944 that Burnside High School closed her doors. The kids of Burnside then, and to this day still do, attend high school in Carthage. The fate of the original Burnside High School building appears that it is standing tall today!

Burnside Post Office (Closed) 2012)

A small white house

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Submitted by Roberta VanBriesen

Burnside Community Center 2012

A sign in front of a building

Description automatically generated

(Former GS Gym) Photo by Roberta VanBriesen

From Tom Allen:

“My mother, Enid (Martin) Allen, is a Burnside native and graduated from the three-year high school in 1944 (because she was college-bound she had to travel to Carthage to complete her fourth year). Carthage Hancock Central used the school building as a grade school building for students in the Burnside area for many years after that. The grade school classes of 1982 were the last to attend the school but I’m not sure what grades attended there.

The school is owned by the Burnside community and has been used as a community center since it closed.”

Burnside High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed: 1944

Consolidated to: Carthage Hancock Central High School

Burnside HS team nickname: “Little Giants” or “Little Green Giants”

Burnside HS team colors: Green & White

School Fight Song: (BHS did not have a school fight song.)

Athletics

We know that Burnside High School offered boys basketball, competing with several of the schools in its area on a yearly basis. It is likely that baseball and track were also offered at the school. We are in need of the team nickname, team colors, and school fight song. Also needed are team records, accomplishments, and coach’s names for Burnside High School

Boys Basketball

Burnside High School’s basketball teams of the mid-1930s let the folks of the area hold their heads high. These teams won two District and one Regional Championship as well as a Hancock County Tournament Championship!

The following article was sent to us by Jenny Logan from a book titled “Hancock County History” as found in the Carthage library. The article is found on page 451 and is reprinted in its entirety. It is a FASCINATING account of a truly incredible story regarding the basketball feats of a very small town in a unique time of Illinois history.

“Little Giants Basketball Team”

Most publicized feature of the Burnside School system, and something no one will ever forget who lived in the town in the 1930’s, was the Little Giants basketball team. Ralph L. Vass, Pilot Grove Township Supervisor and Chairman of the County History sub-committee, was a member of this Little Giants squad in the years of 1935, 1936, and 1937. He has written the following about it.

“This team, especially through the three years of 1936, 1937, and 1938, litterally became the wonder of the state of Illinois high school basketball. Burnside, a three-year high school, with an enrollment of between 30 and 35 through this period, with about 15 boys, without a gymnasium and forced to play all games away from home with the crowd against them, with no place to practice but an outdoor court usable only a few weeks in the early fall, built a basketball machine which ran rough-shod over all the four-year high schools of the county, and even the larger ones outside.

WIth a 20 and 1 record in 1937, Burnside won the Regional and was eliminated in the Sectional at Galesburg by a free throw in two overtimes. Knoxville was played in this game. In 1938, with a 29 to 0 record, Burnside lost to Augusta by a few points in the Regional at Carthage. High point of the 1938 season was when they beat Macomb 30 to 6, holding them scoreless the first 22 minutes of the game. Chicago papers gave the Little Giants space comparable to that accorded the University of Illinois five.

The gentlemen of the press generally considered Donald Cox, son of Coach Irwin Cox, star of the team. He was the nephew of Forrest “Shorty” Loudin, a Carthage College football coach of World War I days. “Shorty” was incapacitated by wounds received while serving in the A.E.F. on the Western Front in France in that war and was an invalid in the Cox home in Burnside at the time of his death, about the time Donald became a Little Giants basketball star.

World War II came on right after the era of this Little Giants team, and Donald became an Army man and made the Army his career for the remaining thirty years of his life, dying just a year or so before the writing of this county history. So he virtually replaced his uncle, Shorty Loudin, as a prominent athlete of this county and as an Army man. Irwin Cox, Donald’s father, was a Carthage College graduate, Class of 1924, He coached five years at New Haven, Missouri, before coming to Burnside in the fall of 1929.

Another star player of the Little Giants was Tom Hull, one of the sons of Fred P. Hull, who wrote the 1959 History of Burnside. He later played on the University of Illinois baseball team as an undergraduate in that university. He is now a Springfield, Illinois, insurance executive.”

The several rural schools of the township (Pilot Township) where students learned at least to read and write through the 150 years to the present era of hauling youngsters in yellow buses to town when grade schools have all been discontinued now. The buildings have been sold and torn down or put to other uses. But the familiar names of districts still remain in the people’s thinking to identify rural parts of the township.”

Upon sending this article about this amazing team in western Illinois, Jenny Logan offered the following story. Tom Hull told Jenny that a player on one of these incredible teams was once asked how the Burnside team could play so well when the boys had to practice outside. The player replied that it was easier playing in an indoor gym because there was no wind in there!

Scores fro games involving Burnside High School were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores are posted below.

1935-36 Carthage District Champions Coach Irwin Cox

1st Rd Beat LaHarpe 45-22

Title Game Beat Bowen 38-23

Carthage Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Hamilton 17-15

Semi-final lost to Carthage 22-17

Carthage lost to Colchester in title game

1936-37 20 – 1 Carthage Regional Champions Coach Irwin Cox

1st Rd Beat Bowen 46-12

Semi-final Beat Plymouth 38-6

Title Game Beat Hamilton 29-19

Galesburg Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Knoxville 26-24 (2 O/Ts)

Knoxville lost to Dunlap in semi-final

Dunlap lost to Galesburg in title game

1937-38 29- 2 Plymouth District Champions Coach Irwin Cox

Hancock County Tourn. Champs

Undefeated Regular Season

Plymouth District Title Game

Beat Bowen 31-22

Carthage Regional Tourney Runner-Up

Title Game lost to Augusta 29-18

(Top 2 advance to Sectional)

Canton Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Macomb 29-26

Macomb lost to Galesburg in Semi-final

Galesburg beat Canton in title game.

MEMORIES

**From Enid (Martin) Allen (Class of 1944)

As conveyed by Enid’s son, Tom Allen:

“Enid’s class (1944) was the last to graduate from Burnside high. There were 20 students in the entire 3-year high school her senior year. Most of the students probably went to Carthage, but some might have gone to Ferris or Colusa depending on when those schools closed.
The school colors were green and white; the basketball team was commonly referred to the “Little Green Giants” due ot the color of their uniforms, although officially they were the “Little Giants.”
Although the basketball team primarily practiced outside, they occasionally practiced at the Colusa High School gym in bad weather.
During the basketball team’s best years, somebody could have walked away with the town of Burnside on game nights because everybody went to the games.
Enid doesn’t believe that Burnside ever had a track team, and doesn’t think they had an officially sanctioned baseball team although they might have played a few games against Ferris and Colusa. They didn’t have a basketball team by the time she graduated; she wasn’t sure when they stopped, but remembered her older brother Richard playing. He graduated in 1941 so they at least had basketball through his freshman year of 1938-’39.
There was no school band, and therefor no school fight song.

Hopefully some of this is of interest!”

Looking for More Info

We are hopeful and area enthusiast can “fill in the blanks” regarding the Burnside High School successes and history. We are always in need of photos of the old school building and great teams. If you wish to help us out please complete a School Submission Form or 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

Burnside Community Park 2012

Photo by Roberta VanBriesen

Burnside School Entrance 2012

Courtesy of Roberta VanBriesen

Burnside High School Building Rear 2012

Courtesy of Roberta VanBriesen

Burlington High School “Zephyrs”

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Burlington HS Building in 2012

Courtesy of Bruce Firchau

The History of Burlington High School

Burlington (population 452) is located in northeastern Illinois in the northwestern area of Kane County. Burlington is located on Plank Road about 3 miles west of Illinois Route 47 and 1 1/2 miles south of Illinois Route 72. The Chicago, Central, & Pacific Railroad passes through Burlington as well. The area around Burlington is QUICKLY losing its once solely country setting as Chicago suburbia now surrounds the area.

A history of Burlington Township and the city of Burlington can be viewed on the web page at http://genealogytrails.com/ill/kane/burlington.html. It is likely Burlington residents began a high school for the children in their area by the early 1900s. Burlington High School existed on a solo basis through the 1950-51 school year. In 1951 the school districts of Burlington and Plato Center, as well as many smaller country school districts in the area, agreed to consolidate their efforts. The Central School District was then established for the start of the 1951-52 school year. High school classes were housed at the Burlington High School building before the completion of Central High School in 1957.

Central High School is located in Burlington. A web site with photos of the district’s school buildings can be viewed at

http://www.burlington.k12.il.us/d301/D301_2005.pdf#search=’burlington%2C%20illinois’.

Burlington High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s

Year consolidated: 1951

Consolidated with: Plato Center

Consolidated to: Central High School (Burlington)

Burlington HS team nickname: the “Zephyrs”

Burlington HS team colors: Red & Black

School Fight Song: unavailable

1936 Board of Education

Floyd L. Schairer – President

William J. Peploe – Secretary

Walter W. Seyller

William Van Dusen

M. Edward Lawrence

Leroy W. Thompson – Architect

Gust W. Nelson – General Contractor

Mueller Bros. – Mason Contractor

A.J. Ironside – Heating Contractor

Clifford Smith – Plumbing Contractor

Burlington HS Gym / Stage

Photo by Bruce Firchau

Burlington HS Gym Center Circle

A basketball court with a basketball hoop

Description automatically generated with low confidence

Photo by Bruce Firchau

Burlington HS Gym Opposite of Stage

Photo by Bruce Firchau

A bowling alley with a bowling alley

Description automatically generated with low confidence

Left Click on Photo for Larger Version

ATHLETICS

We know that Burlington High School competed in basketball. We believe that baseball, track, and possibly football were offered as well. Burlington High School team nickname, colors, fight song, team records and coach’s names are all items we are searching for.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Burlington boys basketball program won a total of THREE District Championships. Unfortunately team records and coach’s names of these and other great Burlington HS teams are not currently available.

The gymnasium photos on this page were submitted by Bruce Firchau. Please ‘left click’ on any of the smaller photos to view it in a larger version. The seating capacity of the Burlington High School gymnasium was about 300 people. The tight quarters made for some loud games back in the day though.

Several basketball scores from the IHSA Tourney were located on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores.” These scores and the location of the tournament are listed below.

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

1st Rd lost to Maple Park 32-10

Maple Park lost in 2nd Rd.

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

1st Rd lost to Maple Park 28-17

Maple Park lost in 2nd Rd.

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

1st Rd Beat Creston 30-25

Semi-final Beat Maple Park 16-9

Title Game Beat Plato Center 29-26

DeKalb Regional Tourney

1st Rd lost to Elburn 32-11

Elburn lost in Semi-final round

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

District scores unavailable

DeKalb Regional Tourney

1st Rd Beat Waterman 31-29 (O/T)

Semi-final lost to Oregon

Oregon lost in title game

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

1944-45 Waterman District Runner-up Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Malta 34-33

Title Game lost to Waterman 40-33

1945-46 Maple Park District Champions! Coach’s name & record needed

Title Game Beat Maple Park 53-39

Sycamore Regional Tourney

1st Rd lost to Marengo 44-38

Marengo lost in title game

1946-47 Maple Park District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Kaneville 44-30

Semi-final lost to Big Rock 52-50

Big Rock lost in title game

1947-48 Maple Park District Runner-up! Coach’s name & record needed

Semi-final Beat Hinckley 51-38

Title Game lost to Big Rock 50-41

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

1st Rd Beat Plato Center 59-42

Semi-final lost to Waterman

Waterman won District title

1949-50 Waterman District Runner-up! Coach’s name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Waterman 64-43

Semi-final Beat Big Rock 40-37

Title Game lost to Hinckley 61-41

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

1st Rd Beat Plato Center 49-48

**Semi-final lost to Hinckley 55-44

Hinckley won District title

**Final game for Burlington High School boys basketball. Burlington consolidated with Plato Center High School after the 1950-51 school year to form the Burlington Central School District.

Burlington HS Gym and Stage

A picture containing text, floor, indoor, ceiling

Description automatically generated

Photo by Bruce Firchau

Burlington HS Gym Bleachers 2012

A picture containing floor, indoor, sport, wood

Description automatically generated

Photo by Bruce Firchau

If You Have ANY Further Information

Do you have any information you can share about Burlington High School before its merger with Plato Center in the late 1940s? We are interested in sharing this information on this site, especially photos of the original high school building. You can e-mail items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can “real mail” items to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Burlington HS Veteran’s Honor Roll

A picture containing text, wall, indoor

Description automatically generated

Photo by Bruce Firchau

A water tower on a street

Description automatically generated with low confidence

Burlington, IL

Bureau Township Consolidated HS “Wildcats”

Posted on March 1, 2022January 31, 2025 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Bureau Township High School

Courtesy of Jeffrey Hoover

The History of Bureau Township High School

Bureau Township High School was located in a true country setting. As of the writing of this page, it is only known that Bureau Township High School was located on a country road between Wyanet and Walnut in central Bureau County. This would place the school building about 10 miles northwest of Princeton.

The following history information regarding the former Bureau Township High School was provided by alum Charles Meisenheimer:

“Six, one-room schools consolidated to form the Bureau Township Consolidated School. The first class graduated in 1921 with 6 in the class. The last class graduated in the spring of 1962 with 6 in the class. A total of 319 students graduated during the years the school was in existence.”

The “new” Bureau Township school was featured in a Illinois schools journal from 1920. Excerpts from the article are as follows:

The Bureau Township Schoools are situated in the rural section nine miles northwest of Princeton, and six miles northeast of Wyanet, which is the nearest town. The site of the building is in the very center of Bureau Township, which contains 36 square miles of the most fertile farming land of Illinois. The school is controlled by two Boards. The Consolidated Board consists of six districts containing about 18,000 acres, while the high School district embraces all of this territory with one additional district and two fractional districts. The school site and building are owned by the Consolidated Board, who in turn rent the portion of the building used for high school purposes to the High School Board.

It is the aim of this school to meet the educational neds of the children and to establish it as a social center in the community through various gatherings, entertainments, programs, and athletic meets.

The officers are: Gilbert G. Weller, president of the H.S. Board; Joe Johnson, secretary of the H.S. Board; W.H. Johnson, president of the Consolidated Board; Albert Wilson, secretary of the Consolidated Board; V.C. Ramsmeyer, Superintendent of Schools.

HISTORY

As this particular community was rather isolated from high school facilities, the people had for some time begun to see the needs of some system of centralized schools. Through the efforts of the County Superintendent, Geo. O. Smith, and several influential citizens of the township the plans for consolidation were discussed as early as 1915, but not until the spring of 1917 was anything accomplished. An election of officers for the new district was called, resulting in the election of W. H. Johnson as the first president, Albert Wilson, as the first secretary, and Wilbur Trimble as the remaining Board member. Later the High School Board chose Gilbert G. Willer, president of their Board, and Cutis Plum, secretary.

It was seen immediately that a new building and a suitable size were a necessity, and on August 7, 1917 the proposition was sumbitted to the voters who bonded themselves for the sum of $24,000 extending over a period of twenty years. Since then the voters have seen the need and advantages of such a system, so in order to give it the proper support they have bonded themselves for about $50,000.

Ten acres of ground for the site were donated by Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Johnson, Mr. David Young, Mr. Albert Wilson, Mr. Wilbur Trimble, and Mr. Charles A. Johnson.

Plans for the new building were drawn immediately, but because of the war and high cost of the material the contract was not let until May 4, 1918. The work on the structure was not completed until the following spring. Monday morning, Spril 7, 1919, work was begun in the new building with a teaching force of five, and an enrollment of more than one hundred pupils.

THE SCHOOL BUILDING

The building is beautifully located on a ten acre plot of ground situated in the very center of the township from which one may gain a panoramic view of thousands of acres in any direction.

The outside walls of the building are made of ragged finished hard brick. It measures on the ground 90 feet in length, and 68 feet in depth. The architecture throughout is of pleasing design, and no pains have been spared in making it attractive as well as practical. There are two floors, the basement and two others. The building has two entrances, the north of front entrance leads by means of a vestibule and a flight of stairs to the first floor corridor …

… Occupying one-half of the space of the first floor is the spacious auditorium and high school assembly hall with a seating capacity for more than 400 people. At one end is an elevated stage 25 square feet with two dressing rooms of ample size; while at the back end of the auditorium are two classrooms with folding doors which may be open and made a part of it. Across the corridor are two class rooms, 21 x 30, and four cloak rooms.

Passing the the upper floor one finds to the north side of the corridor two classrooms, a well lighted library; and the outer and inner offices of the Superintendent. To the south of the corridor is a raised floor with a large room in the center for the sciences, and at each end of this floor a suite of two rooms for agriculture and commercial work.

Artificial light is furnished to all parts of the building at any time of the day. The current is obtained from the Spring Valley Utilities Company about thirty miles distant. Water under pressure is available on all of the floors, including the basement. Bubbling drinking fountains furnish drinking water for the children. The gravity system of ventilation allows fresh air to circulate air freely through the rooms.

It was the plan of the architect to make the building as nearly fireproof as possible. Wood was sparingly used, and the stairs within and without the corridors are solid concrete. The finish coat of the corridors, vestibule, and the stairways is a composition known as terrazza, which is not only beautiful, but will wear indefinately.

EQUIPMENT

The supply of equipment is still rather meager in comparison to proposed plans. The library on the upper floor is a well lighted room equipped with a large library table, chairs and sectional bookcases. It contains about 500 indexed bound volumes, besides many pamphlets and bulletins. Several of the best literary magazines, agriculture and home economics journals, and a good daily paper are taken by the school.

This year a gasoline gas machine was installed with furnishes gas for cooking in the Home Economics laboratory, and for the Bunsen burners in the science department.

The Home Economics department is well equipped with cabinets, cupboards, tables, sinks, and an almost complete line of utensils. Eight new desks have been added, thus permitting sixteen girls to work at one time. Sewing machines have been installed also.

The department of Agriculture has ample equipment for the work offered, including miscellaneous apparatus, miscroscope (sic), new laboratory tables and desks, and apparatus cases. An abundance of ground is available for experimental purposes. The departments of chemistry and physics will be developed more fully in another year.

The class rooms of the grades are well equipped with maps, pictures, and reference books. In several of the rooms the new Chicago desks have been placed.

The assembly room and auditorium have a splendid collection of pictures, and pennants. An excellend piano is the property of the school and is used in the opening exercises and in giving entertainments. the school also owns a Victrola which is used in teaching the folk dances and games to the smaller children.

On the upper floor is the Superintendent’s office, which is equipped with office desk, typewriter, typewriter desk, bookcase, office chairs, and telephone.

A large stable owned by a stock company provides a very confortable place of twenty-four stalls in which are kept the cars, horses, and rigs.

COURSE OF STUDY

The Superintendent of the Schools is elected by both the High School Board and the Consolidated Board, and is in charge of both the high school and the grades.

Pupils are admitted into the high school from the grades upon completion of the eighth grade in this school, or from any recognized school doing equivalent work. The work is planned in accordance with state requirements, thus permitting pupils to enter college upon completion of their work in the high school. Sixteen units are required for graduation from the high school. A year of at least agriculture or home economics is required in order to obtain a diploma. Physical training is compulsory of all pupils, unless a certificate is furnished from a physican stating that the child’s health will not permit.

ATHLETICS

The school has excellent facilities for athletics. A large gymnasium is located in the basement with large bleachers to accomodate more than 400 spectators. Shower baths and dressing rooms are located at each end of the building for both the boys and girls. The basket ball cage is a regulation size floow 35×60.

L to R: Assembly Hall, 1920 Basketball Team, Gym

A group of men posing for a picture

Description automatically generated with medium confidence

Football is played in the fall of the year and baseball in the spring. On the ten-acre campus a splendid gridiron and baseball diamond have been laid off. Tennis courts and a track are to be made in the near future. During the winter months four basketball teams are organized, two boys’ and two girls’.

The Athletic Association to which all students belong is a very thriving organization with about $200 in the treasury, this amount having been recieved from the games and entertainments.

All pupils are required to take physical training or participate in some branch of athletics, as it is the aim of the school to develop the child physically and mentally.

SCHOOL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

All the high school pupils belong to one of the two Literary societies; a program is given by one of the societies every two weeks. At the end of the year an inter-society contest is held. Each grade must give a program on some Friday at least four times a school year.

At various times during the year the home talent plays and other entertainments are given.

During the early part of the school year the patrons give their annual reception to the teacher, thus giving the new teachers an opportunity to become acquainted with the parents.

Near the end of the basketball season a local tournament is staged in which all of the surrounding high school participate. And the close of the basketball season a banquet is given to the players. For all such occasions the Home Economics rooms are a very delightful asset.

PLANS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

The school now has seven teachers, but more are to be added in another year. Plans are under consideration for a Teachers’ home, and in all probability it will be erected within another year. A Communit and High School music and lecture course is being organized which will add much to the literary standard of the community.

—

Miscellanous facts from 1920:

No. of districts consolidated: 6

Square miles: 28.5

Assessed valuation: $489,078

Cost of house: $50,000

Annual tax levy: $11,000

Tax rate: 2.20

Annual tax levy before: $3,500

Teachers now: 7

Teachers before: 6

Enrollment now: 133

Enrollment before: 110

Enrollment in grade school: 106

Enrollment in high school: 27

No. studying agriculture: 10

No. studying home economics: 15

Aid from vocational fund: Yes

Public conveyance: No

Years of high school course: 4

Months in year: 9

—

The following questions posed for the 1920 journal were answered by Principal V.C. Ramseyer:

Q – In what way do adults of the community profit by the school?

A – Adults use school as social center, and place for community gatherings. Ladies of Township have Club which meets at school.

Q – In what particular does the school meet the needs of the children and young people in the community in a superior way?

A – Children have advantages of a much better school, also giving the teacher more time to devote to the needs of individual pupil.Young people and old ones as well have a place for wholesome reaction and entertainment in the form of athletics, lecture courses and programs of all sorts.

Q – What complaints are made?

A – No complaint with the majority. Some protest the high tax.

Q – What features give the most universal satisfaction?

A – The feature that gives the most universal satisfaction is the fact that the rural child has the same educational opportunities with this system as does the city child.

—

The original building that was used as a gymnasium is now part of a factory. A photo of the gymnasium as it appears today is posted below. Truly a unique building.

Another unique part of the school facilities was the addition of a “Principal’s House”. That house is pictured below. It is now a Township building used for meetings and voting purposes.

Bureau Township High School Quick Facts

Year school opened: 1918

Year school closed: 1962

School nickname: the “Wildcats”

School colors: Green & White

School building: Gymnasium part of a factory

School fight song: not available

Athletics

Bureau Township High School competed in the Little “8” Conference. The school offered football, basketball, and track for boys. There is very limited information regarding Bureau High School on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org), however it is a fact the Wildcats enjoyed some incredibly successful seasons in all sports.

Bureau Township High School Gym – 2005

Photo Courtesy of Kenneth Rodgers

Bureau Township HS Gym & Garage

Photo Taken in 2011

Basketball Letter – Bureau Township High School

Submitted by Deloris (Gertin) Nanninga

Boys Basketball

The Wildcats brought home one Regional and four District Championships. Three of the Districts were all in a row and “just happened” to occur when BTHS welcomed IBCA Hall of Fame Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine to its staff. It is obvious Coach Giovanine got the Wildcats focused in the right direction. Included in those three seasons was a 42 game regular season winning streak.

A description of the greatest season in Bureau Township Consolidated High School basketball history was provided by Charles Meisenheimer (Class of 1962):

“In the 1959-1960 school year the basketball team compiled a record of a record of 28-1. That year the Wildcats had the best won-lost record in the State. The best won-lost in Bureau County’s history. The most consecutive wins 28-0. They were the winningest team in school’s history.”

The teams of ’58, ’59, ’60 and ’61 were inducted into the Bureau County Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.

1936-37 Regional Champions

1940-41 4th Place – Bureau Cty. Tournament

1948-49 District Champions

1957-58 District Champions Coach “Chips” Giovanine

1958-59 District Champions Coach “Chips” Giovanine

1959-60 28 – 1 District Champions Coach “Chips” Giovanine

1960-61 23 – 4 Final Season Coach “Chips” Giovanine

Football and Track

Information is needed on the Bureau Township High School football and track programs. It is told that one particular football game ended in great success for the Bureau Wildcats. In 1927 they prevailed over their neighbors from Manlius by a score of 100 – 0!

The following information was provided by John Roberts which lists some of the Bureau Township High School grid iron exploits against their neighbors and rivals from Manlius High School along with other facts about the school’s football program:

“The records I found show that BTHS competed in the “Little 8” conference in football at least until the 1953 season. These are some of their football results I found for when BTHS competed in 8-man football.”

1920 *Manlius wins 19-6, and 44-7.

1923 *Manlius wins 51-0. Game decided Conference Champ. Bureau’s conf. Record was (4-1)

1924 *Manlius wins 19-0. Game decided Conference Champion Bureau had a record of (2-1) in Little 6 conference.

1925 *Scoreless tie 0-0, BTHS called West Bureau in yearbook. Muddy field in this game had players sinking in to their ankles.

1926 *Bureau defeats Manlius 60-0.

1927 *Bureau defeats Manlius 100-0.

1928 *Manlius defeats Bureau 2-0.

1935 *no record of BTHS playing MTHS in football.

1936 *no record of BTHS playing football by MTHS.

1938 *lost to Manlius in forfeit 1-0.

1951 2-7

1953 3-5-1

If you can provide further information please contact us at eganann@sbcglobal.net .

Great Coach

Gerald “Chips” Giovanine – started his coaching career at Bureau Township High School after a great high school career at DePue. Chips Giovanine went on to coach at Buda Western and LaSalle high schools. He was inducted into the IHSBCA Hall of Fame after his retirement.

MEMORIES

**From Carter E. Sarver:

“I enjoyed reading the history of this school. My Great Grandfather WH Johnson (The First Board Chairman) and I think my Grandfather Charles Johnson donated land to build the school on. My Mother graduated from BTHS around 1930+/-. I have her graduation program and other information. If I find it I will forward it to you. Great Site!”

Seeking More Information

If you wish to share any information regarding Bureau Township High School, especially a photo of the high school building, please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You may also write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Bureau Township Grade School Students – 1943

Submitted by Deloris (Gertin) Nanninga (Pictured in Front Row on the Left)

Bureau Township High School

Principals House

Bureau Junction High School “Bulldogs”

Posted on March 1, 2022July 10, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Bureau Junction High School Building 2020

Erected in 1898

Bureau Junction HS Building From West Side 2020

Bureau Junction Water Tower 2020

A picture containing text, tree, outdoor, sky

Description automatically generated

The History of Bureau Junction High School

Bureau Junction (population 368) is located in the north-central portion of Illinois in the southeast corner of Bureau County. The town sits about 4 miles southeast of the county seat of Princeton. The Illinois Routes of 26 and 29 come together in Bureau Junction. Interstate Highway 180 sits just one mile to the west and one mile to the south of town. The Illinois River and Spring Lake are located to the east of town while the Hennepin Canal passes by the town’s south side. The Iowa Interstate Railroad also passes through Bureau Junction. The town is more commonly known simply as Bureau.

Bureau was named after a French explorer named Pierre de Beuro (http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilbureau/towns.htm). Information regarding the early start of Bureau have been difficult to find. We do know that the town benefitted from its creation as a railroad crossroad in the mid 1800s. One article stated that Bureau was known as the “city of side tracks”.

We know there was a school in place by the early 1870s. We believe that at one point high school courses were offered as well. The only proof we have at this time is a photo of the high school basketball team taken in 1924 (http://www.genealogytrails.com/ill/bureau/History/Photos/Bureau/photos2.html). We also located IHSA District Tournament basketball scores involving Bureau Junction High School from 1932 – 1942.

Bureau Junction School Inscription Above Entrance

“Bureau School 1898”

Bureau Jumction School Cornerstone 2 Near Entrance

Text

Description automatically generated

Bureau Junction School Cornerstone Near Entrance

A stone with writing on it

Description automatically generated with low confidence

We do know that the Bureau Junction supported a K-8 grade school in town known as Leepertown Grade School. Leepertown Grade School was held in the former Bureau Junction High School building. Leepertwon Grade School was closed in 2013 due to student enrollment losses and financial strife. The kids of Leepertown school continue their education at nearby Ladd Grade School. Any further information would be greatly appreciated.

Bureau Junction High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s

Year closed: 1942?

Consolidated to: Hall Township High School (Spring Valley)

Bureau Junction HS team colors: “Bulldogs” (Leepertown Grade School Mascot)

Bureau Junction HS team nickname: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

Bureau Junction School Gym & Building 2020

ATHLETICS

The boys of Bureau High School competed in basketball. It is probable that baseball and track were also offered. We are searching for information on the school team’s nickname, uniform colors, fight song, season records, and coach’s names.

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Bureau Junction High School boys definitely competed in basketball. They participated in the IHSA State Tournament from the 1920s through at least 1942. A check in newspapers.com did not reveal any high school basketball games played by Bureau Junction after the 1942 District Tournament. This is the entirety of information we have regarding BJHS basketball. Scores from the IHSA State Tournament as found on the website “Illinois Postseason High School Basketball Scores” are reprinted below.

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

1st Rd lost to Lamoille 24-20

Sheffield beat DePue in title game.

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

1st Rd lost to Manlius 18-16

DePue beat Malden title game.

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

1st Rd lost to Spring Valley Hall 33-18

DePue beat Princeton in title game.

1934-35 Season record, district scores, and coach’s name needed.

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

1st Rd lost to Mineral 53-8

Lamoille beat Ohio in title game.

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

1st Rd lost to Wyanet 27-20

Wyanet beat Sheffield in title game.

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

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

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

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

1st Rd Beat Compton 35-15

2nd Rd lost to Wyanet 26-22

LaMoille beat Malden in title game.

1941-42 LaMoille District Tournament Coach’s name & record needed.

1st Rd Beat Compton 26-21

*2nd Rd lost to LaMoille 50-10

Tiskilwa beat Lamoille in title game.

*Possibly the last game played by Bureau Junction High School boys’ basketball team.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Band, chorus, school plays, clubs, and banquets were also probably offered at Bureau High School. Information on these events is welcome too.

MEMORIES

**From Lisa Thompson-Bittel:

“My grandmother, Mabel Brady Morris graduated from this school around 1916-18. Our family owned the land that the trailer house sits on by the school for over a century. I attended this school in the early to late 70’s. In fact we were the first classes to move into the new addition with the particians. My name is Lisa Thompson-Bittel. Is there any way of contacting other adults who attended? My cousin is the current Principal.”

Seeking Your Assistance

If you have ANY further information about Bureau Junction High School please share it with us. Photos and information can be e-mailed to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.

Bureau Junction School Fire Escape Chute 2020

Bureau Junction School Welcome Mat 2020

Bureau Junction School Sign 2020

Bureau Junction School Entrance 2020

Bureau Junction Fire Department Emblem 2020

Former Gas Station Building, Bureau Junction

Photo Taken in 2013 by Roberta Van Briesen

Burbank Queen of Peace High School “Pride”

Posted on March 1, 2022November 7, 2025 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Burbank Queen of Peace High School Building

The History of Burbank Queen of Peace High School

Burbank (population 28,925) is located in south-central Cook County. The eastern edge of Burbank shares a border with the southwest side of the city of Chicago. The main roadways leading to and from Burbank include Central Avenue, 79th Street, and South State Road. Illinois Route 50 (Cicero Avenue) passes through the east side of town as well. The land on which Burbank is located was first settled in 1850. It was not until the 1920s that the area became substantially inhabited. In 1970, Burbank was incorporated into an official Illinois city. Burbank is named for an elementary school, Luther Burbank Elementary, which served the area for many years. Luther Burbank was a well known horticulturalist.

Burbank Queen of Peace High School was established in 1962 by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters as an all-girls catholic high school. During it’s first year operation classes were held at St. Laurence High School, also in Burbank, for the 400 students enrolled while construction of the Queen of Peace High School building was being completed. The Queen of Peace building was completed prior to the start of the 1963-64 school year at which time classes began at that facility.

Queen of Peace High School enjoyed 55 years of service educating young women in the Burbank area. During that time approximately 15,000 students earned their diplomas. The school building was designed for an enrollment capacity of 1,400. This capacity, or close to it, was the norm during the 1960s and 1970s. As recently as 2007 the enrollment of Queen of Peace High School was nearly 700 students. The final year at Queen of Peace there was an enrollment of 288 students. The school closed on June 30, 2017 due to an extended enrollment decline and financial shortfalls.

https://patch.com/illinois/oaklawn/queen-peace-high-school-announces-closing-after-55-years

Sadly the Queen of Peace high school building, gym, and all other buildings that were a part of the school have been demolished. The girls in the area still have an option of attending a catholic high school as the next door neighbor of Queen of Peace, St. Laurence High School, began a new era of accepting female students upon the closure of Queen of Peace High School.

Queen of Peace High School “Quick Facts”

Year Opened: 1962

Year Closed: 2017

Girls now attend: Burbank St. Laurence High School

Building fate: Demolished

School Nickname: “Pride”

School Colors: Green & White

School Fight Song:

Queen of Peace Athletic Letter

A picture containing text, clipart

Description automatically generated

ATHLETICS

The Queen of Peace “Pride” had some excellent successes in athletics. Volleyball sticks out as the most decorated sport in the school’s history. The listings below come from the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). If you have any information to add to any sport listed, or additional information regarding sports or activities not listed, please contact us.

——————————————————————————

VOLLEYBALL

The volleyball teams at Queen of Peace High School were strong throughout the history of the program. A SECOND PLACE finish in the 1977-78 Class ‘AA’ tournament was the highlight. The girls also finished 4TH in 1995-96. The resume for the program is as follows:

State title games: (1) 1977-78 ‘AA’

State final top 4 finishes: (2) 1977-78 (2nd), 1995-96 (4th)

Sectional Titles: 8

Regional Titles: 20

District Titles: 2

—–

1977-78 30 – 7 IHSA Class ‘AA’ 2ND PLACE Coach Glenn Schultz

District Champions

Sectional Champions

Super-Sectional Champions

—–

1978-79 IHSA Class ‘AA’ District Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

1979-80 through 1987-88: Team records & coaches’ names needed.

—–

1988-89 IHSA Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

1988-89 through 1992-93: Team records & coaches’ names needed.

—–

1993-94 IHSA Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

1994-95 Team record & coach’s name needed.

—–

1995-96 35 – 8 IHSA Class ‘AA’ 4TH PLACE Coach Linda Vivona

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

Super-Sectional Champions

—–

1996-97 31 – 6 Coach Peg Meyer

—–

1997-98 30 – 7 IHSA Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach Peg Meyer

—–

1998-99 34 – 5 IHSA Class ‘AA’ Sweet 16 Finalist Coach Peg Meyer

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

—–

1999-00 (needed) IHSA Class ‘AA’ Sweet 16 Finalist Coach’s name needed

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

—–

2000-01 (needed) IHSA Class ‘AA’ Sweet 16 Finalist Coach’s name needed

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

—–

2001-02 (needed) IHSA Class ‘AA’ Sweet 16 Finalist Coach’s name needed

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

—–

2002-03 (needed) IHSA Class ‘AA’ Sweet 16 Finalist Coach’s name needed

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

—–

2003-04 (needed) IHSA Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

2004-05 (needed) IHSA Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

2005-06 (needed) IHSA Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

2006-07 (needed) IHSA Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

2007-08 Team record & coach’s name needed.

—–

2008-09 (needed) IHSA Class ‘4A’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

2009-10 (needed) IHSA Class ‘4A’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

2010-11 Team record & coach’s name needed.

—–

2011-12 (needed) IHSA Class ‘3A’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

2012-13 Team record & coach’s name needed.

—–

2013-14 (needed) IHSA Class ‘3A’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

2014-15 (needed) IHSA Class ‘3A’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

2015-16 (needed) IHSA Class ‘3A’ Regional Champs Coach Karen VanAssen

—–

**2016-17 (needed) IHSA Class ‘3A’ Elite 8 Finalist Coach Karen VanAssen

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

**Final season for Queen of Peace High School.

———————————————————————————————–

BASKETBALL

The Queen of Peace basketball program was also very successful. TEN Regional Championships and a Sectional Championship were highlights. This included a Sweet 16 appearance in Class ‘AA’ in 1992-93.

—–

1988-89 IHSA Class AA Regional Champs Coach’s Name Needed

—–

1989-90 IHSA Class AA Regional Champs Coach’s Name Needed

—–

1990-91 Team record & coach’s name needed.

—–

1991-92 IHSA Class AA Regional Champs Coach’s Name Needed

—–

1992-93 24 – 7 IHSA Sweet 16 Finalist Coach Ray Konrath

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

—–

1993-94 IHSA Class AA Regional Champs Coach’s Name Needed

—–

1994-95 Team record & coach’s name needed.

1995-96 Team record & coach’s name needed.

1996-97 Team record & coach’s name needed.

—–

1997-98 IHSA Class AA Regional Champs Coach’s Name Needed

—–

1998-99 Team record & coach’s name needed.

1999-00 Team record & coach’s name needed.

2000-01 Team record & coach’s name needed.

2001-02 Team record & coach’s name needed.

2002-03 Team record & coach’s name needed.

2003-04 Team record & coach’s name needed.

2004-05 Team record & coach’s name needed.

2005-06 Team record & coach’s name needed.

—–

2006-07 9 – 20 Coach’s Name Needed

2007-08 14 – 15 Coach’s Name Needed

2008-09 9 – 17 Coach’s Name Needed

2009-10 8 – 18 Coach’s Name Needed

—–

2010-11 6 – 20 IHSA Class 3A Regional Champs Coach’s Name Needed

—–

2011-12 5 – 22 Coach’s Name Needed

—–

2012-13 IHSA Class 3A Regional Champs Coach’s Name Needed

—–

2013-14 2 – 28 Coach George A. Shimko

2014-15 8 – 23 Coach George A. Shimko

—–

2015-16 20 – 11 IHSA Class 3A Regional Champs Coach George A. Shimko

—–

**2016-17 28 – 4 IHSA Class 3A Regional Champs Coach George A. Shimko & Alex Shimko

**Final Season for Queen of Peace High School.

—————————————————————————————

COMPETITIVE DANCE

The competitive dance team qualified for the state finals on one occasion.

2014-15 Team Qualified for Class 1A State Finals Coach Ashly Sproule

————————————————————————————-

CROSS COUNTRY

The Pride Cross Country program qualified for the IHSA state finals on 2 occasions and won a Sectional title. One athlete earned medals in 3 consecutive seasons at the IHSA State Meet.

1990-91 IHSA Class ‘AA’ State Qualifier Coach Laura Haggerty

—–

1991-92 IHSA Sectional Champs & State Qualifier Coach Laura Haggerty

—–

1988-89 IHSA Class ‘AA’ State Meet Medalist

Delilah DiCrescenzo – 10TH Place

—–

1999-00 IHSA Class ‘AA’ State Meet Medalist

Delilah DiCrescenzo – 2ND Place

—–

2000-01 IHSA Class ‘AA’ State Meet Medalist

Delilah DiCrescenzo – 3RD Place

——————————————————————————–

SOCCER

Queen of Peace won a total of 3 Regional titles in soccer.

2004-05 IHSA Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

2011-12 IHSA Class ‘1A’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

2012-13 IHSA Class ‘1A’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

———————————————————————————

SOFTBALL

Six Regional titles, three Sectional titles, and 3 Elite 8 appearances were attained by the girls softball program.

—–

1990-91 IHSA Class ‘AA’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

1991-92 through 2001-02: Team records & Coaches’ names needed.

—–

2002-03 30 – 8 IHSA Class ‘AA’ Elite 8 Finalist Coach’s name needed.

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

—–

2003-04 Team record & Coach’s name needed.

—–

2004-05 27 – 11 IHSA Class ‘AA’ Elite 8 Finalist Coach Erin Lorenz

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

—–

2005-06 Team record needed. Coach Erin Lorenz

—–

2006-07 22 – 12 IHSA Class ‘AA’ Elite 8 Finalist Coach Erin Lorenz

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

—–

2007-08 IHSA Class ‘4A’ Regional Champs Coach’s name & record needed

—–

2008-09 through 2015-16: Team records and coaches’ names needed.

**2016-17 IHSA Class ‘3A’ Regional Champs Coach Stephanie Ruvalcaba

** Final Season for Queen of Peace High School.

—————————————————————————————–

TRACK & FIELD

One athlete earned medals in consecutive years at the IHSA State Track Meet.

1999-00 IHSA Class ‘AA’ Individual Medalist

Delilah DiCrescenzo – 1600 Meter Run – 6TH Place

—–

2000-01 IHSA Class ‘AA’ Individual Medalist

Delilah DiCrescenzo – 1600 Meter Run – 7TH Place

————————————————————————-

OTHER EXTRA-CURICULAR ACTIVITIES

It is highly likely that the Queen of Peace ‘Pride’ offered many others activities for its students to participate in. Band, chorus, student government, drama, and many other activities were probably a part of the Queen of Peace experience.

————————————————————————–

IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION…

…regarding the history or activities that were a part of the Queen of Peace High School experience please contact us at the following email address.

Email: ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net

Bunker Hill Military Academy

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

The History of Bunker Hill Military Academy

Coat Pins from Bunker Hill Military Academy

A picture containing text

Description automatically generated

Sumitted by Walter Slonopas

Bunker Hill (population 1,801) is located in southwestern Illinois about 25 miles northeast of East St. Louis. The town sits in the south-central portion of Macoupin County. Illinois Route 159 is the main roadway to and from Bunker Hill. County Highway 14 also travels through town as Illinois Route 138 passes by Bunker Hill just one mile to the north.

According to the Wikipedia address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunker_Hill,_Illinois , the area in which Bunker Hill was first settled was named Wolf Ridge. This settlement occurred in 1830. An early settler named Elijah Lincoln platted a town in his name about a mile south of the current Bunker Hill in 1830. However the post office for the area was located one mile to the north. The idea for the town of Lincoln was eventually abandoned, and Bunker Hill was established around the post office in 1837.

The following information was summarized from two articles we found on the internet; http://www.618connect.com/~bhlibrary/DH/bhma.html and the Wikipedia address of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunker_Hill,_Illinois :

The school most commonly known as Bunker Hill Military Academy got its start in 1859 as simply Bunker Hill Academy as it was not originally considered a military school. The start of the Civil War closed the school in 1862. The school’s building was used as a public school from at least 1862 through 1869.

It was in 1883 that the Bunker Hill Military Academy opened in the same building. The person credited with founding the Military academy is Rev. Samuel L. Stiver. The academy was established to provide strict regiment of classroom learning and discipline for the students, or cadets, who attended there. In the article written by Carolyn Scroggins, the Academy grounds are described in the following manner:

“There were over 100 large shade trees on the four acres surrounding the buildings. Other grounds of six or eight acres included a ball diamond, large areas for gardens and pasture land. Structures included the main Building that was three stories high, a gymnasium with extra rooms at the side for an armory and wheel room, Stiver Hall, carriage house and stables.”

The school’s founder, Reverend Stiver, remained the catalyst of the school’s success through his death in 1910. From 1883 through 1910 the Academy had enrolled 1,050 cadets from 17 different states, with the bulk of those enrolled coming from Illinois and Missourri.

Those Academy leaders who attempted to maintain the success enjoyed by Reverend Stiver were unable to do so. The Academy was closed in 1914. The Academy buildings were torn down, with the bell from the Academy being bought by a local church. The grounds which once held the Academy buildings are now maintained as a park by the local American Legion post.

Bunker Hill Military Academy Quick Facts

Year opened: 1859

Year first closed: 1862 (Civil War)

Used as Public School: 1862-1869

Re-opened as Military Academy: 1883

Year closed: 1914

School team nickname: unavailable

School team colors: Burgandy & Gray

School Fight Song: unavailable

Athletics

The Bunker Hill Military Academy boys competed with other schools in the area in the sports of baseball, basketball, football, and track. The article by Carolyn Scroggins even offers a photo of a baseball jersey of the day bearing the letters “BHMA”. The Bunker Hill cadets often were matched against much bigger schools, including Bunker Hill High School. As Scroggins’ article states:

“BHMA teams often made a good showing at that time by beating teams from larger schools and frequently beating Bunker Hill High School.

Other Extra-Curricular Activities

From Carolyn Scroggins’ article on Bunker Hill Military Academy (http://www.618connect.com/~bhlibrary/DH/bhma.html):

“The recreational program of the Academy was full and varied. The large, well-equipped gymnasium was used for gymnastics, roller-skating, basketball, military drills, assemblies and other things. On the grounds were tennis courts and facilities for croquet, archery, quoits and horseback riding. Ice-skating was enjoyed on shallow lakes nearby.”

Several musical options were offered to the students as well.

If You Have Information to Share…

… regarding Bunker Hill Military Academy, please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. Team records and school building photos are being sought to add to this page. Items can be mailed to us at:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Buncombe High School

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Buncombe Grade School – Former HS Building

Courtesy of Jamie Driskill

Buncombe HS Building – Northeast Corner

A picture containing grass, building, sky, outdoor

Description automatically generated

Submitted by Jamie Driskill

The History of Buncombe High School

Buncombe (population 186) is located in far southern Illinois in west central Johnson County. Illinois Route 37 is the main highway through Buncombe, located 3 miles north of Illinois Route 146. The Slick Creek runs west of town and the Blue Branch creek flows to the south of town. The At & St Railroad makes a swooping curve through Buncombe as well.

We are hopeful someone from the area helps us out with the Buncombe educational history. We believe Buncombe began a school for its children in the late 1800s. We know the high school served the town of Buncombe at least through the 1940s. Buncombe High School closed in 1943. Buncombe residents, however, maintained control of their Grade School and still support the Buncombe Grade School in town for grades K – 8.

Buncombe HS Building – Northwest Corner

A picture containing building, outdoor, street, house

Description automatically generated

Taken By Jamie Driskill – 2007

Articles in the Vienna Times as reviewed by Betty Fritch state that Buncombe school was being built in 1905. The Coon Den School District (just north of Buncombe) was annexed by the Buncombe School District in 1938. The Salem School building was moved into the town of Buncombe and used as a general store that same year.

The fate of the original Buncombe High School building is a good one. It serves as the Buncombe Grade School.

According to Robert Gage, the class of 1943, his graduating class, was the final high school class to earn their diplomas at Buncombe High School.

Buncombe High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s

Year closed: 1943

School nickname: unavailable

School colors: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

Athletics

Buncombe High School had some nice success in boys basketball. As with most small schools in Illinois, Buncombe probably competed in baseball and track as well. We need more information regarding the athletic program. School nickname, colors, fight song, team records, and coach’s names are all being sought, as well as personal stories.

Boys Basketball

The Buncombe High School boys basketball team had two seasons of note recorded on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org). The teams of 1929-30 and 1935-36 won their District titles. Unfortunately the records and coach’s names of these and other great Buncombe teams are not available.

1929-30 District Champions

1935-36 District Champions

MEMORIES

From Robert Gage (Class of 1943):

“The school was always a combination of grade school and high school. The last high school class was in 1943 of which I was a member. The school then reverted to all grade school. Only 5 people were in the graduating class. Only two people names I remember were Ben Mosley and Floyd Stout. Floyd now (2008) lives in Vienna,IL And Ben in upper Michigan.”

Searching For More Information

Buncombe High School and those who worked hard to make it successful deserve to be remembered. If you have ANY information, especially a photo of the BHS school building, please share it with us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Buffalo High School “Warriors”

Posted on March 1, 2022June 29, 2023 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Buffalo High School 1923 – 1938

Buffalo Grade School 1938 – 1968

The Original Buffalo School Building 1870 – 1923

A picture containing text, old

Description automatically generated

Buffalo HS 1898 – 1923

The History of Buffalo High School

Buffalo (population 491) is located in central Illinois about 15 miles northeast of Springfield. This places Buffalo in the northeastern portion of Sangamon County. Old U.S. Route 36 is the main roadway through town going east and west. Main St. is the main roadway for the north and south traffic and connects Buffalo to Interstate Highway 72, just a mile to the south of town. Currently the Norfolk Southern Railroad passes through Buffalo along-side Old Route 36.

An EXCELLENT account of the history of Buffalo and its school system is found in the town’s sesquicentennial (1854 – 2004) booklet titled “The History and Stories of Buffalo, Illinois”. A brief synopsis of the history of Buffalo and its school are as follows:

In 1848 the Great Western Railroad laid tracks through the area on which Buffalo was platted. The first house in what is now the city of Buffalo was built this year as well. The town of Buffalo was platted in 1854. There is much speculation over the origin of the town’s name. Besides the obvious herds of wild buffalo that once roamed our great plains, it is possible that “buffalo” was at one time a term used to refer to those who dwelled along the Carolina seacoast. Even the railroad at first did not recognize the town of Buffalo by its name. The train depot was called “Mechanicsburg” and the post office “Watson”. However, the residents stuck to their favorite name of Buffalo and the name finally sunk in with everyone else. Buffalo grew quickly around the transportation provided by the railroad tracks. By the early 1870s several businesses and houses had sprung up. The town was officially incorporated in 1872.

The first school in Buffalo was begun the 1860s. The first brick school building was erected in 1870. It was built on Carter Street and served the students of the town for 53 years. One of the first high school classes to graduate from Buffalo High School was the class of 1898. In 1923 a new “modern” brick school building was built on Buffalo’s west side. This building included a three-year high school which served the town for 15 years.

In the mid 1930s a consolidation effort was set in motion by the residents of Buffalo, Mechanicsburg, and Dawson, along with the small hamlets of Buffalo Hart and Lanesville. This effort became a reality in 1938 with the creation of the Tri-City School District. What makes this effort unique is that it was the first of its kind in Illinois. That’s right, the very first consolidation of several school districts into one took place between the towns listed in this paragraph.

Buffalo was fortunate to be the center hub of the towns involved and therefore landed the high school for the new district. A new building to house Tri-City High School was erected and put into use in 1938. The former Buffalo school building continued its usefulness through 1968, when enough additons were made to the new structure to deem the 1923 building obsolete. The 1870 and 1923 Buffalo school buildings have been razed.

Buffalo High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1860’s

Year 1st brick school built: 1870

Year 2nd brick school built: 1923

Last time as stand-alone high school: May, 1937

*Year of consolidation: Sept., 1937

Year current school opened: Sept. 1938 (Tri-City Community HS)

Buffalo HS Team nickname: the “Warriors”

School colors: Red & Black

School song: unavailable

*Tri-City: Illinois’ FIRST consolidated school district. Buffalo residents (with Buffalo Hart & Lanesville) voted 165-38 in favor, Dawson voted 94-10, and Mechanicsburg 26-2.

Buffalo High School Class of 1898

Athletics and Extra-Curriculars

Though the sesquicentennial booklet on the history of Buffalo and its school systems is very thorough, it does not mention if the original Buffalo High School offered athletics as part of its curriculum. We know that Buffalo High School competed in boys basketball. We think that BHS may have competed in baseball, and track as well as offered band and other “extras” for its students. There is, however, no mention of the potential successes attained at Buffalo High on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). If you have this information please contact us via the means listed below.

Boys Basketball

Research conducted by Tom Fitch revealed that Buffalo HIgh School indeed competed with other high schools in the sport of boys basketball. The Buffalo HS teams competed against Sprinfield High School in 1935 and against Springfield Converse in 1935 and 1936.

More extensive research regarding the Buffalo High School Warrior boys basketball program has been compiled by Phil Shadid:

“Researching the basketball teams proved to be quite a challenge. The newspapers of the day did not always report scores of small high schools, so the records for prior years are incomplete, except for those shown below.

YEAR WON-LOST COACH

1925-26 11 – 3 B. R. Redman

1926-27 16 – 5 B. R. Redman

1927-28 9 – 5 B. R. Redman

1928-29 4 – 9 William Roberts

1929-30 5 – 10 William Roberts

1930-31 1 – 12 Willard Wright

1931-32 5 – 11 Willard Wright

1932-33 5 – 11 Willard Wright

1933-34 10 – 12 W. R. Cox

1934-35 15 – 8 Melvin Nicol

1935-36 17 – 6 Melvin Nicol

1936-37 3 – 9 Melvin Nicol

1925-26:

Buffalo returned to high school basketball after having not played since the 1917-18 season. This article appeared in the Buffalo Tri-City Register newspaper, December 11, 1925: “We understand that the Buffalo high school will organize a basket ball team in the near future. The old Hershfeld building across the track, now owned by the Farmer’s Bank, is being cleaned up preparatory for the games. It has been eight years since Buffalo school played basket ball. We had two good teams at that time and they played Springfield and surrounding towns, and beat them too. C. F. Seales was the principal. Players in the boy’s team were: John Ben Edwards, Robert Garvey, Albert Hershfeld, Walter and James Pelfer. In the girl’s team were: Helen Reed Herrin, Florence Reed Edwards, Virginia Williams Edgecomb, Martha Edwards and Edna McGinnis.”

Coach B. R. Redman’s seven man crew produced an 11-3 record, including second place in the newly formed Three-Year Oratorical & Athletic Association (later known as the Sangamon County Conference). Harold Owens, who started the season scoring 19 points in a 29-17 win over Rochester, led the team during the year. Lester Ross, Arnott Smith, Ray Osenton, Ken Leckrone, Charles Jones and Charles Loyd contributed greatly during the campaign, but two losses to Chatham proved their downfall in the conference (9-2 record). Buffalo didn’t play in the postseason District tourney.

1926-27:

Coach Redman saw the team win the conference with a record of 11-2, and an overall mark of 16-5. Standing room only crowds packed the Riverton Town Hall for the games that decided the league crown in March 1927. Buffalo avenged two early season losses to Chatham, upsetting their rival 21-13 on March 3. The next day they handled Mechanicsburg 49-29 in the semi-final and then beat Riverton 24-19 to claim the championship. Walter Ivie (who may have played for Chatham the year before: same name as Chatham’s 1925-26 star) was the scoring leader. Others who saw plenty of action were Harold Owens, Ken Leckrone, Ray Osenton, Lester Ross, Charles Lloyd, Charles Jones and Ashley English. Buffalo was an integrated squad, having two African-Americans on the team.

The school would not win the conference again until the 1935-36 season. They did not compete in a postseason District tournament in 1927.

1933-34

W. R. Cox, coach and principal, guided the basketball team to a second place finish in theSangamon County Conferenc’s annual tournament in 1934, finally

defeating Riverton after three losses to their rival. Buffalo edged Riverton 21-20 in the semi-finals of the tourney, and then dropped the championship game to Chatham 30-17.

Freshman Harold Scattergood led the team in scoring, with plenty of help from Ernest Germann and Earl Thompson. In the Springfield District tournament they lost their first game to Chatham, losing for the fourth time in the season to their conference rival.

1934-35

Coach Nicol’s squad finished second to one of their arch-rival’s, Riverton (Dawson was the other), in the Sangamon County Conference (later known as the Sangamo Conference) but beat Riverton for the annual conference tournament championship. The score was 30-26 in overtime on Feb. 16, 1935. (The SCC consisted of 3-year high schools. They did not compete in the annual County tournament, which was for 4-year schools, such as Divernon, Illiopolis, Ball Township, etc.)

The Warriors finished the season winning two games in the Williamsville District tourney before losing to Springfield High School (which went on to capture the

state title that year), 54-11. District tournament fields consisted of all schools in

the area, regardless of size. That’s why Buffalo with its 45 students went against SHS with its 2564! Regionals were added between District and Sectional tourneys the following year, with the smaller schools assigned to Districts.

Harold Scattergood, Russell Shanle, Victor Fuhrwerk and Ernest Germann

were the top scorers for the team during the season.

Buffalo HS “Warriors” of 1935-36

A group of people posing for a photo

Description automatically generated

Courtesy of William Dean Kirby and Phil Shadid

1935-36

Buffalo’s 17-6 record was good enough to win the Conference title. It was their first championship since 1927. Buffalo (10-1 in conference) won two out of

three games with Riverton (9-2) to claim the title. Two conference teams, Dawson and Loami, were disqualified from competition by the Illinois High School Athletic

Association early in the season. (See the Dawson page on this website for the story.) Buffalo had an 11 game winning streak mid-season, culminating with a 23-19 win over Riverton to claim the Sangamo’s championship.

(Team Members from photo to the right include:

Front Row: Guy Raymond Loyd, Mgr.; William Dean Kirby, Harold Scattergood, Chet Owens

Back Row: Melvin Nicol, coach; Fred Hill, Victor Fuhrwerk, James Lyons, Virgil Akers)

Some of their scores were quite one-sided. Buffalo beat Rochester early in the season, 57-3, and later proved that was no fluke by whipping the Rockets again,

46-7. A 48-9 win over Pleasant Plains was followed with a 34-16 victory over newcomer to varsity basketball, Springfield Converse (which would become Lanphier HS in 1937). They lost to Converse later in the season, 19-15. Buffalo lost in the Edinburg District tournament, 23-21, to Riverton, to close out the season, splitting 4 games with Riverton in 1935-36.

Chet Owens, Harold Scattergood, Virgil Akers and Victor Fuhrwerk led in

scoring.

1936-37

Coach Nicol’s team produced a record of 3 wins, 9 losses. They played in the Sangamo Conference again, with Mechanicsburg replacing Rochester. The six team league had five 3-year high schools. The exception was Buffalo, which had 7 seniors in 1936-37. (Those seven seniors were: Harry Aull, Margaret Falconer, Herbert Matthews, Chet Owens, Enid Scattergood, Harold Scattergood and Virginia Young.)

From the Buffalo Tri-City Register, Nov. 13, 1936: “We (Buffalo) have the undisputed distinction of having the worst playing court in the county, if not the

state. Chatham disputed this questionable honor until last winter when their town hall burned and they removed to their well equipped new community building. Riverton, Illiopolis, Kenney, Mt. Auburn and Williamsville refuse to play us on our floor, and so will probably not appear on our schedule; excepting Riverton, with whom we will play a return conference game on Dawson’s floor.” (Later, it was noted that all home games would be in Dawson.)

1936-37 SANGAMO STANDINGS, ENROLLMENTS & FATE OF 3-YEAR SCHOOLS:

Dawson……9-1. 34 students; merged w/Buffalo & Mech’burg to form Tri-City, Sept.1937.

Riverton….9-1. 95; became 4-year school in September 1937.

Loami…….5-5. 40; consolidated with New Berlin, September 1948.

Buffalo…..3-7. 47; consolidated with Dawson & Mechanicsburg to become Tri-City.

Mech’burg…2-8. 31; same as Buffalo & Dawson.

Chatham…..2-8. 44; merged w/Ball Township to form Ball-Chatham district, Sept. 1948.

Buffalo’s three victories in 1936-37: over Chatham twice, 30-18 and 19-16; and over Mechanicsburg, 23-22. The team lost to (Glenarm) Ball Township in the first game of the post-season Ball District tournament on Feb. 24, 1937, to close out their final campaign.

Nine players saw action at some point during the season: Wayne Edwards, Fred Thoele, Dean Kirby, Harold Scattergood, Chet Owens, Carl Loyd, Harry Cook, Herbert Matthews and Harry Aull. Individual records showed Scattergood and Owens the primary scoring leaders for Buffalo, each averaging about 9 points per game.

Two starters for Buffalo for the 1936-37 season also played on the very first Tri-City consolidated team of 1937-38: Kirby and Thoele. That team, coached by Louis Oder, also had five players from Dawson and three from Mechanicsburg. (Tri-City played its home games in the Dawson gym.) The “Tornadoes” had a 21-9 record, won the Niantic District, were runners-up in the Regional to host school Decatur, and lost their first game in the Decatur Sectional to Monticello. (Runner-up in Regional also went to the Sectional as per IHSAA rules in place at the time.)

Coach Oder, who was bringing three groups of players together who were rivals on the court the previous year, decided that no one would have to give up their jersey number to another player. He assigned new numbers to the first Tri-City team: 68,86, 89, 98, etc.

FOOTNOTE: William Dean Kirby, who furnished the photograph of the 1935-36 basketball team, recalled that the players from the three high schools who were rivals in 1936-37, were good teammates on the consolidated Tri-City squad of 1937-38. They got along fine with no problems or jealousies. Coach Oder treated everyone fairly, which was probably responsible for the team making it all the way to the Sectional tournament

Kirby and Thoele saw much action during the 1937-38 season for Tri-City.

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

Reed Osenton was the only Buffalo player to gain a point in the meet, finishing third in the 50-yard Dash. The winner had a time of 6 1/5^th seconds. Buffalo had just one point. The school did not place anyone in the top three in Oratorical & Essay.

1927 TRACK & FIELD, and LITERARY & MUSIC competition:

On May 13, 1927, Buffalo hosted the conference’s second annual Track & Field and Literary & Music meet. Roy Wentz, coach at Springfield High School, handled all the arrangements for the contests.

Walter Ivie won three events to lead his team to victory in the Track & Field competition. Ivie took the Shot put, Pole vault and Javelin. Other track events were the 50, 100, 220 and 440-yard dashes, Half mile run, 220-yard low hurdles, Running broad jump, Running high jump, Running hop-step-jump, and Standing broad jump. Buffalo’s Lester Ross won the half mile in 2 minutes, 24 & one-half seconds, while F. English copped first in the 220-yard low hurdles (30 seconds), and Ray Osenton won the Standing broad jump. Final results: Buffalo 47, Chatham 35, Mechanicsburg 24, Rochester 6, Riverton 4, Loami 1, Dawson 0.

In Literary & Music, competitions were in Declamation (speech/debate), Piano Solo, Vocal Duet, Quartette and Theme. Buffalo placers were Bernice Wiley, 1^st in Piano Solo;

Alice Wynn Hall and Joanna Strode, 2^nd in Vocal Duet; Hall, 3^rd in Theme. The results: Chatham 14, Buffalo 11, Rochester 8, Mechanicsburg 6, Dawson 5, Riverton 1, Loami 0.

OTHER SPORTS WERE OFFERED at Buffalo, but we have no further information.”

Excellent research by our good friend Phil Shadid!!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Much of the information was found by Phil Shadid in microfilm records of the Springfield Illinois State Journal and Register, and the Buffalo Tri-City Register, available at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. A history of Tri-City “As It Was In The Beginning” written by Helen Turley and Perry R. Hall, was furnished to us by a school secretary of Tri-City.

Seeking More Information

If you have ANY further information on the original Buffalo High School please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. A special thank you goes out to the current Tri-City High School staff for providing the Buffalo Sesquicentennial booklet which gaver us much of the information on this page. You can also write to us via USPS at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

(Buda) Western High School “Rams”

Posted on March 1, 2022August 14, 2025 by davenanninga in Uncategorized

Western High School

Buda, Illinois

The History of the Western High School Rams

Buda (population 482) is located in Bureau County, 15 miles southwest of Princeton along Illinois State Route 40 and the Burlington Northern-Sante Fe line from Chicago to Los Angeles. It’s population is around 600, despite being considered as a “ghost town” of Illinois.

Western High School was a result of a name change from Buda High School in 1961, when the Sheffield (population 821) school district was consolidated with the Buda school district. The “Western” part of the name is derived from being the western-most school in Bureau County.

Western High School existed from 1961 to 1995. In the early 1990s talks began between the community school districts of Western, Wyanet, Walnut, and Manlius. These schooldistricts came together to form the Bureau Valley School District which began operation in the summer of 1995. The former Western High School facility was used as Bureau Valley High School from 1995 – 1997 while the new Bureau Valley High School facility in Manlius was under construction. The following information was sent to us by Jeff McCoy as found on the Bureau Valley High School Wikipedia page:

“In 1995, at the now Bureau Valley South (temporary BVHS campus), the name of the new school district was announced to the high school and communities. After a long, drawn-out light and fog show with the first track from Ridin’ the Storm Out playing in the background, a sign revealing the name to be “Bureau Valley High School” was accepted positively by attendees.

From 1995 to 1997, Bureau Valley students attended school at the former Western High School. Three graduating classes studied in this building, which then became Bureau Valley South Elementary.”

Thank you to Ben Atkinson for providing this information.

The Buda Western High School buildings were utilized as a grade school for the Bureau Valley School District through the 2016-17 school year. It was in July of 2017 that the buildings, having been deemed unsafe, were torn down. The following is a link to an article in the Bureau County Republican newspaper which documents this sad event. The gymnasium and newer addition to the school from the 1960s remains and is used by the community of Buda.

http://www.bcrnews.com/2017/07/24/tumbling-towers/akoay5u/

—————————————————————————————-

Western High School “Quick Facts”:

Year opened: 1961

Year closed: 1995

Buildings used for Middle School through 2017, have been razed.

Mascot: Rams

School colors: Black & White

School Fight Song: “Hey Look Us Over”

Conferences: Indian Valley (1977-1995), Blackhawk

Western High School Football Field

School Buildings in Background

ATHLETICS

The Western Rams competed in the Blackhawk and Indian Valley conferences. For more information on the Blackhawk Conference check out John Ballentine’s article on the GREAT CONFERENCES page of this site.

Western High School offered a variety of athletics. Football, basketball, track volleyball, and golf were all offered at one time. Successes were reached on the conference and state contest levels in each sport. The most notable of these successes which we have researched thus far are listed below.

—————————————————————————-

BOYS BASKETBALL

The most successful athletic program on a team level was the Boys Basketball program. Coach “Chips” Giovanne came over from Bureau Twp. in 1961 and led the Rams to a District Championship in 1968 (21-7) and back-to-back Class A State Tourney appearances in 1975 and 1976:

1975 – Finished 29-1 overall with an undefeated regular season and defeated (now AA) Lemont in the Streator Super-Sectional. The Rams lost to eventual third placer finishers Watseka in the opening round of the tournament in Champaign. Bob Sprowls was named to the All-Tournament team with 44 points in the two tournament games. Western was ranked 4th in the Associated Press final polls.

1976 – Finished 31-2 overall with an undefeated regular season and defeated Palos Heights Chicago Christian in the Pontiac Super-Sectional and defeated Havana in the first round of the Elite ‘8’ tournament, 64-54 behind a 24-point effort from Ron “Stick” Happach. They fell to eventual state champions Mt. Pulaski in the semi-finals and fell to Lawrenceville, 65-57 in the third place game.

Overall, the two basketball teams combined for a 49-2 record with a 50+ regular season winning streak spanning between 1974 and 1976.

Brad Bickett, former Ohio High School standout basketball player, took over the program in 1991 and took home Regional championships in 1991, 1992 and 1995. In 1992, the Rams had a record of 19-8. After coaching several seasons at Bureau Valley High School and leading that school to three third place finishes in the IHSA Class A Tourney, Bickett left BVHS and currently coaches for Rock Falls High School.

Here are the season records of the Western High School boys basketball program as listed on the IHSA website. Other IHSA scores were locateed on a website titled “Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores“.

1961-62 16 – 9 Annawan District Tourney Runner-up Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine

Semi-final Beat Atkinson 60-47

Title game Lost to Annawan 59-44

—–

1962-63 18 – 8 Buda District Tourney Runner-up Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine

Semi-final Beat LaFayette

Title game Lost to Annawan 49-45

—–

1963-64 19 – 6 District scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine

—–

1964-65 16 – 9 District scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine

—–

1965-66 11 – 12 District scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine

—–

1966-67 12 – 13 District scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine

—–

1967-68 21 – 7 Bradford District Champions Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine

1st Rd Beat Sparland 83-47

Semi-final Beat Wyanet 53-49 (O/T)

Title Game Beat Neponset 64-53

Kewanee Regional Tourney

1st Rd Lost to Princeville 77-64

Princeville lost in semi-final round

—–

1968-69 18 – 8 District scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine

—–

1969-70 16 – 10 District scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine

—–

1970-71 10 – 16 Neponset District Tourney Runner-up Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine

1st Rd Beat Wyanet 75-60

Semi-final Beat Atkinson 77-68

Title Game Lost to Annawan 79-62

—–

1971-72 16 – 10 New Bedford Regional Tourney Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine

(1st Year of Two-Class Tourney)

1st Rd Beat Wyanet 86-69

Semi-final Lost to Putnam County 95-76

—–

1972-73 16 – 9 Regional scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine

—–

1973-74 18 – 9 Regional scores unavailable Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine

—–

1974-75 29 – 1 ELITE 8 FINALIST!! Coach Gerald “Chips” Giovanine
Blackhawk Conf. Champions

Regional Champions

Regional scores unavailable

Sectional Champions

Beat Princeville 84-59

Beat Toluca 51-50

Super-Sectional Champions

Beat Lemont 51 – 46

Elite 8 Finalist

Lost to Watseka 63 – 57

Watseka placed 3rd

Buda Western HS Rams 1974-75 Elite 8 Finalists