Girard High School "Big Red"

Girard High School Building 1870-1919

http://www.archive.org/details/historyofgirardi00gira

The History of Girard High School

Girard (population 2,245) is located in the lower portion of central Illinois in the northeast part of Macoupin County. Girard is situated approximately 20 miles south of Springfield on Illinois Route 4. County Road 12 also leads you to and from Girard. According to www.mapquest.com the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe as well as the Southern Pacific Railroad lines both travel through Girard. The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad line passes by the west side of Girard.

An excellent account of the history of Girard can be read on-line at the web address of http://www.archive.org/details/historyofgirardi00gira . The web address allows you to read each page of a booklet titled "A History of Girard, Illinois, from then 'til now - 1855-1955" written by the Girard Historical Committee. A summary of the origin of the town as read in the book is as follows:

The area in which Girard is currently located was first occuppied by the Pottawanomie Indians. In the early 1800s, probably the late 1820s, a gentleman by the last name of Girard moved into the territory. He soon built a sawmill and several people moved to the area. In 1834 the village was platted and registered as Girard.

The same booklet offers a chapter on the history of the Girard school system. That article, in summary, states that it was in the mid-1850s that the Girard school system was officially established. The first school house, a wooden building, burned down in 1870. A new building was erected soon and a grade school was established. In 1892 the school system added two years of high school study. A third year of high school was added in 1897. The fourth year of high school classes was added in 1904. The school was recognized as a township high school in 1914. A new building for the Girard school system was erected in 1919.

The Girard school system was strong through the early 2000s. It was in the 2006-09 years that consolidation talks became serious between the school districts of GIrard and its nearby neighbor to the north, Virden. Voters decided the timing was right for this effort to take place.

The 2009-10 school year was the final solo year for both Girard High School and Virden High School. The two districts consolidated and now combine to make up what is known as the North Mac School District in honor of the county in which it is located. The high school will be located in Virden while Girard will continue to host a grade school.

A website regarding the Girard schools is located at the web address of http://www.girardschools.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/High%20School

Girard High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1892 (2-year HS)

1897 (3-year HS)

1904 (4-year HS)

Year closed: 2010

Consolidated to: North Mac High School (Virden)

Team nickname: "Big Red"

Uniform colors: Red & Black

Fight Song: unavailable

ATHLETICS

The Girard High School "Big Red" athletic program had some incredibly successful seasons. Below are listed the seasons for each sport recorded on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). Included in the Big Red success stories is a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!! The boys track team of 1923-24 won the IHSA Class'B' State Title over some very tough competition. There were also some District, Regional, and Elite 8 teams as well as some Gold Medal individual stars. If you any further information regarding the Big Red athletic program please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.

BOYS BASEBALL

A Regional Championship in 1990-91 highlighted the baseball program's successes. The team's record and coach's name for this season are needed. Several other season records are also missing. Please contact us if you have this information to share.

1990-91 Regional Champions

2004-05   14 - 14                                          Coach Kevin Seifert
2007-08     1 - 12                                          Coach Erik Berkley

GIRLS SOFTBALL

Only two seasons of girls softball are listed on the IHSA website. We know there are many more seasons to record. Below are the two seasons which we were able to locate.

2004-05    7 - 15                                           Coach Kris Eldridge
2007-08    0 - 12                                           Coach Ernie Dunn

BOYS BASKETBALL

Two District Championships and four Regional Titles put a great finish to the excellent basketball program enjoyed by Big Red fans over the years. One of the school's best seasons came as recently as 2008 with the boys winning a Regional championship with a 27 - 6 record. Several coaches names are missing. Please contact us if you can add to the list below.

1913-14     4 - 0
1915-16     4 - 8
1916-17     4 - 2                                            Coach E.N. Hopson
1917-18     3 - 4                                            Coach A.B. Black
1922-23     7 - 3
1926-27                                                        Coach C.E. McGee

1936-37 District Champions

1938-39     3 - 14
1941-42     6 - 15                                           Coaches:Richard Wetty, C.E. McGee, Beedle
1943-44   17 - 5
1948-49   24 - 5                                             Coach William Lewis
1949-50                                                        Coach William Lewis
1950-51     5 - 16                                           Coach William Lewis
1951-52                                                        Coach William Lewis
1952-53   12 - 7
1953-54   10 - 8
1954-55                                                        Coach Gene Manuel
1955-56   10 - 14                                           Coach Gene Manuel

1956-57                  District Champions

1960-61 16 - 10 District Champions Coach Bryce Boston

1961-62                                                        Coach Bryce Boston
1962-63     9 - 15                                           Coach Bryce Boston
1963-64   13 - 12                                           Coach Bryce Boston
1964-65     4 - 17                                           Coach Ron Bodtke
1965-66                                                        Coach Ron Bodtke
1966-67                                                        Coach Ron Bodtke
1967-68     8 - 14                                           Coach Tom Owens
1968-69   10 - 13                                           Coach Tom Owens
1969-70     8 - 15                                           Coach Bruce Bell
1970-71     4 - 18                                           Coach Robert Parrish
1971-72   14 - 11                                          Coach Ned Bond

1972-73   23 - 6       Regional Champions     Coach Ned Bond

1973-74   1 - 20                                           Coach Ned Bond
1974-75    7 - 15                                           Coach Ned Bond
1975-76     8 - 14                                           Coach Ned Bond
1976-77     5 - 18                                           Coach Rick Fehr
1977-78     3 - 18                                           Coach Rick Fehr
1978-79     9 - 15                                           Coach Don Beard
1979-80   16 - 12                                           Coach Don Beard
1980-81 20 - 7            (nice record)               Coach Don Beard
1981-82   21 - 6            (nice record)               Coach Don Beard
1982-83   11 - 13                                           Coach Mike O'Connell
1983-84   18 - 9                                             Coach Mike O'Connell
1984-85   13 - 10                                           Coach Leonard Seiler
1985-86     9 - 14                                           Coach Leonard Seiler
1986-87   10 - 13                                           Coach Leonard Seiler
1987-88   12 - 10                                           Coach Leonard Seiler

1988-89 21 - 7 Regional Champions Coach Leonard Seiler

1989-90     1 - 21                                           Coach Dave Dutton
1990-91     8 - 16                                           Coach Cliff Cameron
1991-92   14 - 11                                           Coach Cliff Cameron
1992-93   14 - 9                                             Coach Cliff Cameron
1993-94     5 - 18                                           Coach John Downs
1994-95     2 - 21                                           Coach John Downs
1995-96     0 - 23                                           Coach John Downs
1996-97     0 - 23                                           Coach David Farris
1997-98     3 - 21                                           Coach David Farris
1998-99     5 - 19                                           Coach Mike Parmentier
1999-00     7 - 18                                           Coach T.J. Wilson
2000-01   11 - 14                                           Coach T.J. Wilson
2001-02   11 - 15                                           Coach T.J. Wilson
2002-03   13 - 14                                           Coach T.J. Wilson

2003-04 25 - 5 Regional Champions Coach T.J. Wilson

2004-05   23 - 7            (nice record)               Coach T.J. Wilson
2005-06   19 - 11                                           Coach T.J. Wilson
2006-07   16 - 12                                           Coach T.J. Wilson

2007-08 27 - 6 Regional Champions Coach T.J. Wilson

GIRLS BASKETBALL

The lady's Big Red basketball program won a Regional title of their own. The team record and coach's name of this team are needed. In fact, there are several seasons in which the record and coaches names are missing. Below are those seasons listed on the IHSA website.

1994-95 Coach John Pica

1995-96 Coach John Pica

1996-97 Coach John Pica

1997-98 19 - 11 IHSA Regional Champions Coach Mark Heffington

Asst. Coach Stacy Robinson

Title Game Beat Virden

IHSA Sectinal Qualifier

1st Rd. lost to Greenville

1998-99 Coach Mike Heffington

1999-00 Coach Mike Heffington

2000-01    6 - 19                                                Coach Chris Raynor
2001-02    2 - 23                                                Coach Chris Raynor
2002-03  10 - 18                                                Coach Chris Raynor
2003-04    4 - 22                                                Coach Larry Griffith
2004-05    7 - 18                                                Coach Larry Griffith
2005-06  14 - 11                                                Coach Larry Griffith
2006-07  13 - 13                                                Coach Larry Griffith
2007-08  10 - 14                                                Coach Larry Griffith

BOYS FOOTBALL

The Big Red football program played in the heart of Illinois high school football country. Girard High School fans had some very exciting seasons to cheer about. Two undefeated regular seasons and two Elite 8 appearances made for some great football memories. The Girard High School Big Red made a total of 10 appearances in the IHSA State Playoffs. If you have information on more of the football program's success please contact us at eganann@sbcglobal.net .

1976-77    4 - 5                                                           Coach John Bailey
1977-78    5 - 4                                                           Coach John Bailey
1978-79    4 - 5                                                           Coach John Bailey
1979-80    7 - 2                                                           Coach John Bailey
1980-81    2 - 7                                                           Coach Bill Mattingly
1981-82    2 - 7                                                           Coach Bill Mattingly
1982-83    2 - 7                                                           Coach Robert Flowers
1984-85    0 - 9                                                           Coach Robert Flowers
1985-86    0 - 9                                                           Coach Robert Flowers
1986-87    1 - 8                                                           Coach Robert Flowers
1987-88    0 - 9                                                           Coach Robert Flowers

1988-89 5 - 4 Coach Bill Parmentier

1989-90 10 - 1 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Bill Parmentier

Undefeated Regular Season!

Sweet 16 Finalist

Beat Moweaqua 24 - 15

Lost to Arcola 25 - 6

(Arcola lost in Final 4 round)

1990-91    8 - 3     IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier     Coach Mike McGiles
                           Sweet 16 Finalist

Beat Macon 26 - 0

Lost to Mt. Olive 24 - 14

(Mt. Olive lost in Elite 8 round)

**During the 2nd round loss to Mt. Olive, Girard's Don Pragrais tied the record for the longest kickoff return for a touchdown in a Class 1A playoff game going 93 yards on November 03, 1990!!

1991-92 11 - 1 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Bill Parmentier

Undefeated Regular Season!

Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Moweaqua 37 - 6

Beat Mt. Olive 33 - 0

Lost to Arcola 26 - 21

(Arcola lost Championship game)

**The defense of the Big Red of 1991 is in the IHSA record books by tying for 3rd place ALL-TIME with 9 shutouts!!

1992-93 8 - 2 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Mark Keller

lost to Greenfield 14 - 6 in O/T

(Greenfield lost in 2nd round)

1993-94 8 - 2     IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier     Coach Mark Keller
                           Lost to Hardin Calhoun 20 - 14

(Calhoun won the State Championship)

1994-95    3 - 6
1995-96    2 - 7                                                           Coach Trent Sellers

1996-97    7 - 3     IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier     Coach Rich Lewis
                           Lost to Greenfield 36 - 8

(Greenfield lost in Final 4 round)

1997-98    4 - 5                                                           Coach Rich Lewis
1998-99    3 - 6                                                           Coach Mike Parmentier
1999-00    5 - 4                                                           Coach Mike Parmentier

2000-01 9 - 2 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Mike Parmentier

Sweet 16 Finalist

Beat Monmouth Warren 10 - 6

Lost to Lexington 14 - 8

(Lexington lost in Elite 8 round)

2001-02 10 - 2 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Mike Parmentier

Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Danville Schlarman 35 - 7

Beat Concord Triopia 45 - 8

Lost to Lexington 28 - 27

(Lexington lost in Championship game)

**In a regular season game versus Auburn the Big Red forced Auburn's Chris Crowe to punt 10 times, tied for second place in one game ALL-TIME in IHSA history!!

2002-03 6 - 4 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Mike Parmentier

Lost to Greenfield 14 - 6

(Greenfield lost in 2nd Round)

2003-04 4 - 5 Coach Mike Parmentier
2004-05 3 - 6 Coach Mike Parmentier

2005-06 5 - 5 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Patrick Bowman

Lost to Maroa-Forsyth 49 - 8

(Maroa-Forsyth lost in 2nd round)

2006-07    2 - 7                                                           Coach Patrick Bowman
2007-08    1 - 8                                                           Coach Patrick Bowman
2008-09    3 - 6                                                           Coach Patrick Bowman
2009-10    1 - 8     School's Final Season                      Coach Mark Allen

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

The IHSA Class 'B' Meet STATE CHAMPIONSHIP highlighted the many successes of the Big Red thinclads. Several individual state champs and even more top 8 medalists made for a very impressive resume' for the Girard High School Big Red track program.

1914-15 Individual Medalist

Hal Routzahn Pole Vault 4TH Place!

1919-20 Team Finished 8TH in Class 'B' Meet

Individual Medalists

                        Ollin Driver              220 Yd. Dash  2ND Place!
                                                        Long Jump    2ND Place!
                        Willard Whitler        Shot Put        2ND Place!

Sterling Littlepage Pole Vault 4TH Place!

Final Team Standings

                        1) Marion (H.S.)        15½
                        2) Hinsdale (Twp.)     15
                        3) Carrollton              13
                        4) Carlinville              12
                        4) El Paso                12
                        6) Elmwood              10½
                        7) Altona                  10
                        8) Girard                   9 1/5
                        9) Auburn                  7½
                      10) Virginia                  7 1/5

1923-24 TEAM WON IHSA CLASS 'B' CHAMPIONSHIP!! Coach C.H. Cushman

Individual Medalists

Theodore Whitler Javelin STATE CHAMPION!!

? Anspaugh Pole Vault 2ND Place!
Harold Chere Long Jump 2ND Place!

                        Howard Green         1 Mile Run      2ND Place!
                        Clyde England         Long Jump     3RD Place!

Final Team Standings

                        1) Girard                   20   Coach C.H. Cushman
                        2) Chesterfield            16
                        2) White Hall              16
                        4) Carlinville                15
                        5) Gridley                   13
                        5) Hinsdale (Twp.)       13
                        7) Bridgeport              12
                        7) Wheaton (H.S.)       12
                        9) Hoopeston               9
                      10) Abingdon                 8
                      10) Chicago (Pullman)    8

1931-32 Individual Medalist

Paul Lair Javelin 4TH Place!

1939-40 Individual Medalist

George Nevius Pole Vault STATE CHAMPION!!

1940-41 Individual Medalist

Cliff Williams 440 Yd. Dash 3RD Place!

1955-56 Individual Medalist

Bill Nichelson 120 Yd. Hurdles 5TH Place!

1956-57 Team Finished 10TH in IHSA Meet!!

Individual Medalist

Bill Nichelson 120 Yd. Hurdles 2ND Place!
180 Yd. Hurdles 4TH Place!

Final Team Standings

                       1) Chicago Heights (Bloom Twp.)    39 1/5
                       2) Winnetka (New Trier)                  19 8/15
                       3) Glen Ellyn (Glenbard)                 14
                       4) Chicago (Phillips)                       10
                       4) Elmhurst (York)                         10
                       6) Arlington Heights (Arlington)       9
                       6) Rockford (West)                          9
                       8) Chicago (Dunbar)                        8
                       8) Rockford (East)                           8
                     10) Girard                                        6

1984-85            Individual Medalist



                        Rich Roper          400 Meter Dash   STATE CHAMPION!!
                        RELAY TEAM       4x400 M Relay     7TH Place!


1988-89            Individual Medalist



                        Bill Nichelson      800 Meter Run     6TH Place!



1990-91            Individual Medalist



                        Mike Maddox       Discus                 4TH Place!

1991-92 IHSA Class 'A' Sectional Champions Coach James Hunt

Individual Medalist

Liam Cormier Shot Put 2ND Place!
Mike Maddox Discus 2ND Place!

1992-93 Individual Medalist

Mike Maddox Discus STATE CHAMPION!!
Shot Put 2ND Place!

1994-95 Individual Medalist

Matt Maddox Discus 4TH Place!

1995-96 Individual Medalist

Matt Maddox Discus STATE CHAMPION!!
Shot Put STATE CHAMPION!!

1996-97 Team Finished 9TH in IHSA Class 'A' Meet!! Coach James Hunt

Individual Medalists

                       Matt Maddox         Discus                STATE CHAMPION!!
                                                     Shot Put             STATE CHAMPION!!

Final Team Standings

                        1) Chicago (Luther South)           44
                        2) Nashville                               36
                        3) Newton                                 33
                        4) Knoxville                               32
                        5) Elmhurst (Timothy Christian)  30
                        6) Robinson                              28½
                        7) Carlinville                              24
                        7) Macomb                              24
                        9) Girard                                  20    Coach James Hunt

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

Two lady Big Red tracksters brought home individual medals from the IHSA State Track Meet. This came during back to back seasons in the late 1990s.

1996-97 Individual Medalist

Beth Louderman Discus 4TH Place!

1997-98 Individual Medalist

Stephanie Mullen 3200 M. Run 3RD Place!

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

The lady netters won two Regional Championships. Only four seasons are listed on the IHSA website. Most impressive is the fact that the Lady Big Red netters won their two championships right at the end of the program's existence. Our guess is there were many more successful years for the Big Red volleyball program.

2006-07 9 - 23 Coach Mary Ryan
2007-08 17 - 12 Coach Mary Ryan

2008-09 27 - 8 Regional Champions Coach Mary Ryan

2009-10 26 - 11 Regional Champions Coach Mary Ryan

GIRLS GOLF

One lady linkster won back-to-back trips to the IHSA State Meet finals. This was also done during the time when the IHSA only offered one class for the girls to compete in. Myona Weller's two medal winning performances are listed below.

1981-82 Individual Medalist

Myona Weller 13TH Place!

1982-83 Individual Medalist

Myona Weller 7TH Place!

BOYS GOLF

The boys held their own on the 18 hole courses too. Two team District titles and an individual medalist were the pinnacle of the success enjoyed by the linksters. Below are the years these accomplishments were attained.

1967-68 Team Qualified for State Finals

District Champions

1969-70 Individual Medalist

Phil Whitler 15th Place!!

1979-80            District Champions

GIRLS SOCCER

The girls athletic program offered soccer as well. Only five seasons were listed on the IHSA website. If you have information on more, please contact us via the means listed below.

2003-04    4 - 6                                                            Coach Dwayne Westerhausen
2004-05    2 - 6 - 2                                                       Coach Dwayne Westerhausen
2005-06    3 - 9 - 3                                                       Coach Dwayne Westerhausen
2006-07    5 - 12 - 2                                                     Coach Dwayne Westerhausen
2007-08    8 - 7 - 2                                                       Coach Dwayne Westerhausen
2008-09    7 - 8 - 3                                                       Coach Dwayne Westerhausen

Seeking More Information

If you have more information you would like to share regarding Girard High School please complete a School Submission Form or write us a note on the Guest Commentary page. We are especially interested in a photo of the current school building. You can also e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you can write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il. 60631