Tiskilwa High School "Indians"
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Tiskilwa High School (HS Building 1978 - 1996)
tiskilwahs1980.jpg
Tiskilwa, Illinois (photos courtesy of Adnan Imtairah)

Tiskilwa High School - Photo Taken in 1956
tiskilwahs1956.jpg
Building Served the School System From 1912 - 1979

The History of Tiskilwa High School
 
Tiskilwa (population 800) is nestled in the center of Bureau County approximately 5 miles southwest of Princeton.  County Highways 4 and 23 will take you to and from Tiskilwa. The Rocky Run Creek travels through town as the Big Bureau Creek flows by the east side of the community. The Iowa Railroad line passes through Tiskilwa as well. Tiskilwa is believed to be a Potawatomie Indian name, possibly the name of a chief who lived in the area in the early 1800s. The town was first settled in 1835 and dubbed "Indiantown." The name was changed to Windsor in 1836 and finally Tiskilwa in 1852.
 
The school system was a very big part of the town's heart and soul, however for various reasons the high school was deactivated in 1996.  The high school aged students from Tiskilwa now attend Princeton High School.  The grade school was active in Tiskilwa, supporting grades 4 - 5 for the Princeton school system for several years. The school continues to have a pre-school class. 
 
School buildings in Tiskilwa date all the way back to 1838.  A newer building was built in 1850 and an updated building in 1868.  The building pictured aove and to the right was built in 1912.  In 1978 the building at the top of the page was built and closed with the deactivation of the school system in 1996.    The first class to graduate high school from Tiskilwa did so in 1878 with a graduating class membership of two.  The newer high school building pictured above is currently vacant, however plans are constantly being discussed for its future use.  The old football field in Tiskilwa is currently home to the Princeton HS soccer teams.
 
Much of the history information for this writing was obtained from a book written by Mary B. Steimle in 1985 called "When Tiskilwa Was Young". 
 
Tiskilwa High School Quick Facts
 
Year school opened:     1838
Year school closed:      1996
Consolidated to:            Princeton High School
Tiskilwa HS nickname:  the "Indians"
School colors:                Navy Blue & Gold
School building:            Still standing, vacant
School fight song:         "Tiskilwa Loyalty"
                                               University of Illinois Fight Song Tune
 
                                   We're loyal to you, Tiskilwa,
                                   We're Navy and Gold, Tiskilwa.
                                   We'll back you to stand
                                   Against the best in the land
                                   For we know you have sand, Tiskilwa!
 
                                   Rah!     Rah!
 
                                   So toss out that ball Tiskilwa,
                                   We're backing you all Tiskilwa;
                                   Our team is our fame protector.
                                   On! Boys for we expect a
                                   Victory from you Tiskilwa!!
 
                                   Cha-he, Cha-ha, Cha-ha-ha-ha!
                                   TISKILWA HIGH SCHOOL RAH RAH RAH!!!!!
 
Also sung at every sporting event was the University of Iowa fight song tune with the following words:
 
                              The word is Fight! Fight! Fight! for Tiskilwa,
                           Let every loyal Indian sing;
                           The word is Fight! Fight! Fight! for Tiskilwa,
                           Until the walls and rafters ring
                           Come on and cheer, cheer, cheer, for Tiskilwa
                           Come on and cheer until you hear the final gun. 
                           The word is Fight! Fight! Fight! for Tiskilwa
                           Until the game is won!
 
(Special thank you to Jim Friel for providing the words to the Tiskilwa Fight Songs. Click the "play" button on the box below to hear the University of Iowa Fight Song Tune)

Tiskilwa HS Gymnasium - South Entrance
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Home of the Indians

Athletics
 
One thing opposing teams could bank on year in and year out was that if you were playing a Tiskilwa Indian athletic team, you had better come ready to compete.  Boys basketball, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, was the school's anchor sport.  The athletic program also had many successful football, track, as well as many lady Indian teams that faired well.  In fact the lady Indians Track team of 1983-84 finished 2nd in the Illinois State 1A Track Meet!
 
Once the High School was closed the trophies won by the athletes and coaches who graced its halls were nearly thrown away. A local establishment, Kelly's Restaurant on Main Street, accepted the trophies and proudly displays them on its shelves and walls.  The folks of Tiskilwa still fondly remember their former school and its many accomplishments.  The boy's basketball photo and the girls track trophy photo on this page were taken at Kelly's Restaurant.  These, as well as the other sports photos on this page, were sent to us by Tim Bissonnette. 
 
The best of the athletic accomplishments of the Indian teams and athletes, according to the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org), are listed below.
 
Boys Basketball
 
The earliest Tiskilwa Basketball team can be traced to as far back as 1928.
With boy's basketball in Tiskilwa comes one name that stands out in Illinois coaching circles.  That name is Coach Bob Prusator.  Coach Prusator was not only a well respected man on the court but was also well respected within the community.  The best of the Tiskilwa Indian boys basketball teams are listed below.
 
1932-33                  Princeton District Tournament      Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Lamoille 16-13
 
1933-34                  Princeton District Tournament      Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Princeton 23-9
                               Princeton lost to DePue in title game
 
1934-35                  Princeton District Tournament      Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Buda 28-14
                               Princeton beat DePue in title game
 
1935-36                  Wyanet Regional Tournament      Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Princeton 25-15
                               Princeton beat DePue in title game
 
1936-37                  Princeton Regional Runner-Up  Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd Beat Spring Valley Hall 30-12
                               Semi-final Beat Princeton 34-21
                               Title Game lost to Bureau Township HS 38-36
 
1937-38  Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
 
1938-39                  Princeton Regional Tournament    Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to DePue 36-10
                               DePue lost to Mendota in title game
 
1939-40                  Mendota Regional Tournament     Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Mendota 44-18
                               Mendota lost to LaSalle-Peru in title game
 
1940-41                  Mendota Regional Tournament     Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Spring Valley Hall 49-38
                               Hall beat Princeton in title game
 
1941-42                  Lamoille District Champions      Coach's name & record needed
                               Title Game Beat Lamoille 29-17
                               LaSalle Regional Qualifier
                               1st Rd lost to LaSalle-Peru
                               L-P beat Hall in title game
  
1942-43  Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
1943-44  Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
 
1944-45                  Lamoille District Tournament         Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Cherry 30-29
                               Ohio beat Manlius in title game
  
1945-46                  Lamoille District Runner-Up       Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd Beat Malden 66-18
                               Semi-final Beat Cherry 34-18
                               Title Game lost to Ohio 50-26
OHIO (50): King 15, Meyers 11, H. Anderson 11, Brown 8, B. Anderson 5
TISKILWA (26): Oakson 8, Backman 7, Ryan 5, Strunk 3, Downey 2, Longman 1
  
1946-47                  Lamoille District Tournament         Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd Beat Malden 50-38
                               Semi-final lost to Manlius 59-35
                               Ohio beat Manlius in title game
 
1947-48                  Lamoille District Tournament         Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Wyanet 46-42
                               Ohio beat Manlius in title game
 
1948-49                  Lamoille District Tournament         Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Bureau Township HS 40-37
                               Bureau Township beat Lamoille in title game
 
1949-50                  Lamoille District Tournament         Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Lamoille 46-40
                               Tampico beat Lamoille in title game
 
1950-51                  Lamoille District Tournament         Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Bureau Township HS 42-35
                               Manlius beat Lamoille in title game
 
1951-52                  Tiskilwa District Tournament         Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd Beat Wyanet 60-56 (O/T)
                               Semi-final lost to Manlius 83-57
                               Ohio beat Manlius in title game
 
1952-53                  Tiskilwa District Tournament         Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd Beat Bureau Township HS 56-47
                               Semi-final lost to Ohio 67-48
                               Ohio beat Manlius in title game
 
1953-54                  Mendota Regional Tournament     Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Princeton 94-62
                               Princeton beat Peru St. Bede in title game
  
1954-55                  LaSalle Regional Tournament      Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Princeton 70-42
                               Princeton beat Mendota in title game
  
1955-56                  Peru Regional Tournament          Coach's name & record needed
                               1st Rd lost to Mendota 68-65
                               LaSalle-Peru beat St. Bede in title game
                               L-P lost in Sweet 16 Rd
 
1956-57  Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
  
1957-58                  LaSalle Regional Champions    Coach Dale Pienta 
                               Season Record Needed
                               1st Rd Beat Mendota 67-64
                               Semi-final Beat LaSalle-Peru 62-60
                               Title Game Beat Princeton 76-75
                               LaSalle Sectional Runner-Up
                               Semi-final Beat Toluca 67-65
TISKILWA (67): Sash 18, Nevitt 16, Huston 14, McCoy 9, Russell 8, Vaughn 2.
TOLUCA (65): Mariotti 22, Fenoglia 16, Baker 11, Fredricks 9, Daghe 4, Rankin 4.
                                  Title Game lost to Ottawa 70-65
OTTAWA (70): Clement 26, Parkins 18, Lindemann 12, Martin 6, Varland 6, Schiffbauer 2.
TISKILWA (65): Sash 28, Nevitt 14, McCoy 11, Russell 6, Huston 6.
                                  Ottawa lost in Sweet 16 Rd
              
1958-59    21 - 5     Peru Regional Runner-Up          Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd Beat Princeton 82-74 (O/T)
                               Semi-final Beat Spring Valley Hall 45-43
                               Title Game lost to LaSalle-Peru 67-52
 
1959-60    16 - 10   Ohio District Tournament              Coach Bob Prusator
                                1st Rd Beat Malden 70-54
                                Semi-final lost to DePue 60-44
                                DePue lost to Bureau Township in title game
   
1960-61      6 - 18   DePue District Tournament           Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd lost to Bureau Township HS 72-57
                               DePue beat Bureau Township HS in title game
   
1961-62    18 - 7     Manlius District Runner-Up       Coach Bob Prusator
                               Semi-final Beat Malden 78-57
                               Title Game lost to Ohio 58-46
  
1962-63    19 - 7     Ohio District Runner-Up             Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd Beat Malden 60-33
                               Semi-final Beat Ohio 60-51
                               Title Game lost to Manlius 54-49
  
1963-64    17 - 9     Postseason scores needed           Coach Bob Prusator  
      
1964-65    18 - 6     Manlius District Tournament          Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd lost to Wyanet 64-54
                               Manlius beat DePue in title game
 
1965-66    25 - 3     DePue District Champions         Coach Bob Prusator
                               Semi-final Beat Ohio 69-48
                               Title Game Beat DePue 56-51
                               LaSalle Regional Tournament
                               1st Rd Beat Princeton 56-43
                               Semi-final lost to LaSalle-Peru 57-49
                               L-P beat Mendota in title game
    
1966-67    20 - 7    Ohio District Runner-Up              Coach Bob Prusator
                              Semi-final Beat Ohio 69-60
                              Title Game lost to Lamoille
  
1967-68    13 - 11   DePue District Tournament           Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd lost to Lamoille 49-44
                               Tonica beat Malden in title game
   
1968-69    23 - 5     Manlius District Champions       Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd Beat Ohio 84-55
                               Semi-final Beat DePue 86-46
                               Title Game Beat Malden 62-40
                               Princeton Regional Tournament
                               1st Rd lost to Peru St. Bede 59-44
                               Mendota beat Princeton in title game
    
1969-70    25 - 4     DePue District Champions         Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd Beat Ohio 82-54
                               Semi-final Beat Lostant 71-52
                               Title Game Beat Malden 74-50
                               LaSalle Regional Tournament
                               1st Rd Beat Peru St. Bede 67-48
                               Semi-final lost to LaSalle-Peru 50-43
                               L-P beat Princeton in title game
  
1970-71    19 - 5     Manlius District Tournament         Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd lost to Tonica 55-39
                               Tonica beat Manlius in title game
  
1971-72    11 - 14   New Bedford Class 'A' Regional Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd Beat Manlius 50-44
                               Semi-final Beat Spring Valley Hall 53-52
                               Title Game Beat Putnam County 70-68
                               Wenona Sectional Tournament
                               Semi-final lost to Princeville 78-58
PRINCEVILLE (78): Paul 19, Delbridge 15, Cowser 15, Clay 12, Conway 7, McCoy 4, McIntire 2, Krey 2, Day 2.
TISKILWA (58): Davis 11, Kaufmann 11, Friel 10, Thompson 10, Bartman 6, Albright 3, Behrend 2, Yepson 2, Morris 2, Compton 1.
                               Streator Woodland beat Princeville in title game
                               Woodland lost in Elite 8 Rd
 
1972-73    17 - 9     Peru Class 'A' Regional               Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd Beat DePue 71-59
                               Semi-final lost to Spring Valley Hall 64-58 
                               St. Bede beat Hall in title game
   
1973-74    11 - 14   Manlius Class 'A' Regional          Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd lost to Hall 81-41
                               Hall beat St. Bede in title game
                               Hall lost in Sweet 16 Rd
 
1974-75    13 - 10   Spring Valley Class 'A' Regional Coach Bob Prusator
                                1st Rd lost to St. Bede 68-40
                                Buda Western beat St. Bede in title game
                                Western lost in Elite 8 Rd
 
1975-76    11 - 12    Regional Scores Needed           Coach Bob Prusator
                                Buda Western placed 4th in State
  
1976-77    24 - 4     Manlius Regional Champions  Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd Beat Putnam County 74-48
                               Semi-final Beat Hall 54-42
                               Title Game Beat Peru St. Bede 50-48
                               Spring Valley Sectional
                               Semi-final lost to Roanoke-Benson 73-70
ROANOKE-BENSON (73): Kirby 16, Scherer 14, Wagner 13, Aeschleman 12, Mueser 12, Martino 4, Schoon 2.
TISKILWA (70): Smith 19, Prusator 17, Fisher 16, Behrends 8, Gustafson 6, Schindel 2, Sears 2.
                               R-B Beat Buda Western in title game
 
1977-78    24 - 2     Spring Valley Class 'A' Regional Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd Beat Putnam County 64-43
                               Semi-final lost to DePue 55-48
                               DePue beat St. Bede in title game
 
1978-79    26 - 2     Peru Class 'A' Regional Champs Coach Bob Prusator
                               1st Rd Beat Malden 70-54
                               Semi-final Beat St. Bede 46-38
                               Title Game Beat Princeton 51-50
                               Wenona Sectional Tournament 
                               Semi-final lost to Ottawa Marquette 68-65
                               Marquette lost to Wethersfield in title game
                               Wethersfield lost to State Champ Providence in Sweet 16
  
1979-80    23 - 4     Regional Scores Needed             Coach Bob Prusator
                               DePue won Regional
                               DePue lost in Sweet 16 Rd to State Champ Luther South
 
1980-81    26 - 2     Princeton Class'A'Reg.Champs Coach Bob Prusator 
                               1st Rd Beat Bradford 91-54
                               Semi-final Beat Buda Western 66-52
                               Title Game Beat DePue 69-53
                               Spring Valley Sectional
                               Semi-final lost to Serena 79-66
                               Putnam County beat Serena in title game
                               Putnam County lost in Elite 8 Rd
 
1981-82    25 - 3     Bradford Class 'A' Reg Champs Coach Bob Prusator   
                               1st Rd Beat Wyoming 68-50
                               Semi-final Beat Bradford 54-49
                               Title Game Beat Buda Western 58-54
                               Spring Valley Sectional
                               Semi-final lost to Putnam County 64-48
                               PC beat Mendota in title game
                               PC lost in Sweet 16 Rd
 
1982-83    28 - 2    IHSA Class 'A' Regional Champs  Coach Bob Prusator
                              Regional Scores Needed
                              Spring Valley Sectional Champs
                              Semi-final Beat Mid County 62-47
                              Title Game Beat Mendota 62-61 (O/T)
                              Super-Sectional Champs
                              Title Game Beat Mt. Morris 65-55
                              Elite 8 Finalist
                              Lost to Flanagan 51-33
                              Flanagan lost to Lawrenceville in title game
 
1983-84    21 - 5    IHSA Class 'A' Regional Champs  Coach Bob Prusator
                              Regional Scores Needed
                              Spring Valley Sectional Champs
                              Semi-final lost to Mid-County 70-62
                              Mid-County lost to Hinckley-Big Rock in title game
                              H-BR lost in Elite 8 Rd
 
1984-85    25 - 3    IHSA Class 'A' Regional Champs  Coach Bob Prusator
                              Regional Scores Needed
                              Spring Valley Sectional Champs
                              Semi-final lost to St. Bede 48-46
                              Ohio beat St. Bede in title game
                              Ohio lost in Sweet 16 Rd
 
1985-86   Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
                             Ohio placed 2nd in IHSA State Tourney
    
1986-87   Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
1987-88   Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
1988-89   Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
1989-90   Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
1990-91   Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
1991-92   Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
1992-93   Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
1993-94   Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
1994-95   Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.
1995-96   Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

Tiskilwa HS Basketball - 1982-83 - Elite 8 Finalis
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Displayed at Kelly's Restaurant, Tiskilwa, Illinois

Tiskilwa HS Football Field
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Now the Princteton Tiger Soccer Field

Tiskilwa HS Football Pressbox
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Football
 
The boys football program also faired extremely well over the years.  The football teams over the 44 years covered on the IHSA web site compiled a record of 241 - 121 - 2 , a .664 winning percentage!  Two of the Indian football teams finished in the Class 1A Elite 8.  
 
The photo above depicts the football field at Tiskilwa High.  Though now used as the Princeton High School Soccer Field, The Tiskilwa Field was one of the most unique in the area. The hill in the background was its signature mark. The best of the Tiskilwa HS football teams as listed on the IHSA website are listed below.
 
1945-46   6 - 2                                                 Coach Virgil Keithly
1946-47   6 - 2                                                 Coach Virgil Keithly
1947-48   7 - 2                                                 Coach Virgil Keithly
1948-49   6 - 1                                                 Coach Virgil Keithly
1949-50   5 - 2                                                 Coach Virgil Keithly
1950-51   4 - 5                                                 Coach Virgil Keithly
1951-52   6 - 3                                                 Coach Robert Perry
1952-53   7 - 2                                                 Coach Robert Perry
1953-54   5 - 3                                                 Coach Richard Franklin
   
1954-55   9 - 0      Little 8 Conf. Champs      Coach Richard Franklin
    
1955-56   6 - 2                                                 Coach Richard Franklin     
1956-57   6 - 1 - 1                                            Coach Richard Franklin
The below photo and article are about Coach Franklin accepting a position to coach at Stillman Valley. 'Left Click' on either item to view a larger version.

Newspaper Article Regarding Coach Franklin
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Courtesy of Roberta VanBriesen

Coach Richard Franklin
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Submitted by Roberta VanBriesen

1957-58   8 - 0      Little 8 Conf. Champs          Coach Dale Peinta
   
1958-59   7 - 1                                                     Coach Bob Prusator
1959-60   3 - 5                                                     Coach Bob Prusator
1960-61   3 - 5                                                     Coach Bob Prusator
  
1961-62   8 - 0      Little 8 Conf. Champs          Coach Bob Prusator
    
1962-63   5 - 3                                                     Coach Bob Prusator
1963-64   7 - 1                                                     Coach Bob Prusator
1964-65   7 - 1                                                     Coach Bob Prusator
   
1965-66   9 - 0      Little 8 Conf. Champs          Coach Bob Prusator
    
1966-67   4 - 4                                                     Coach Bob Prusator
1967-68   1 - 6                                                     Coach Dave Doolittle
1968-69   3 - 5                                                     Coach Dave Doolittle
1969-70   7 - 1                                                     Coach Dave Doolittle
1970-71   5 - 2 - 1                                                Coach Dave Doolittle
1971-72   3 - 3 - 1                                                Coach Dave Doolittle
     
1972-73   7 - 0      Little 8 Conf. Champs          Coach Dave Doolittle
  
1973-74   5 - 2                                                     Coach Dave Doolittle
1974-75   4 - 3                                                     Coach Dave Doolittle
1975-76   2 - 5                                                     Coach Dave Doolittle
1976-77   0 - 9                                                     Coach Randy Oberembt
1977-78   6 - 3                                                     Coach Randy Oberembt
     
1978-79  10 - 1     IHSA Class 1A Elite 8           Coach Randy Oberembt
                             Indian Valley Conference Champs
                             IHSA Playoffs
                             1st Rd Beat Cambridge 20-13
                             2nd Rd lost to Hampshire 22-12
                             Hampshire lost to Arcola in state title game
  
1979-80   7 - 2                                                     Coach Randy Oberembt
1980-81   7 - 2                                                     Coach Randy Oberembt
 
1981-82  10 - 1     IHSA Class 1A Elite 8           Coach Randy Oberembt
                             Indian Valley Conference Champs
                             IHSA Playoffs
                             1st Rd Beat Alexis 40-22
                             2nd Rd lost to Gridley 14-12
                             Gridley lost to Freeport Aquin in semi-final
                             Aquin beat Maroa-Forsyth in title game
  
1982-83   7 - 2                                                     Coach Randy Kruger
1983-84   6 - 3                                                     Coach Randy Kruger
1984-85   6 - 3                                                     Coach Randy Kruger
1985-86   3 - 6                                                     Coach Greg Sarver
1986-87   2 - 7                                                     Coach Greg Sarver
1987-88   4 - 5                                                     Coach Greg Sarver
*1988-89   4 - 5                                                    Coach Greg Sarver
*Final season as the Tiskilwa High School "Indians" football program. The school formed a co-op team with Bradford which began in the Fall of 1989.
 
The school records for the Tiskilwa football program are well kept. Here are just some of the outstanding statistics compiled by Tiskilwa teams and players:
Tiskilwa Football Stats By The Numbers:
 
7 - Rushing touchdowns by Doug Compton in a game against Wyanet in 1981.
8.4 - Rushing average (yards per attempt) for Doug Compton in his football career (1979-1982) in which he had a total of 390 attempts.
11 - Games in 1978 in which Dave Compton had more than 100 yards rushing.
22 - Receiving touchdowns by Tom Schertz in his football career (1979-1982).
42 - Total number of rushing touchdowns during Doug Compton's career.
49 - Career touchdowns by Doug Compton.
93 - Passes received by Tom Schertz in his playing career.
103.1 - Receiving yard average per game by Mark Perry in 1984.
326 - Passes completed by Jeff Prusator in his career (1983-1985) going 326-for-708.
2,155 - Total rushing yards by Dave Compton in 1978.
4,750 - Total amount of passing yardage and total offense yardage from Jeff Prusator in his career.
 
Seasons as the Bradford-Tiskilwa co-op football program:
 
1989-90   8 - 3      IHSA Class 1A Playoffs        Coach John McKenzie
                             1st Rd lost to Alexis 28-0
                              Alexis lost in 3rd Rd.
  
1990-91   6 - 3                                                      Coach John McKenzie
1991-92   5 - 4                                                      Coach's name needed
1992-93   6 - 3                                                      Coach's name needed
1993-94   5 - 4                                                      Coach's name needed
1994-95   1 - 8                                                      Coach Greg Sarver
1995-96   0 - 9                                                      Coach's name needed

Boys Track and Field
 
The boys track and field teams at Tiskilwa had great success also over the years.  The team from the 1981-82 season finished 8th in the State Track Meet.  Below are listed the male athletes and best team finishes as listed on the IHSA web site.
 
1977-78     Ray Schindel      330 Yard Low Hurdles    8th Place
1978-79     Bob Kunkel         880 Yard Run                  5th Place
1980-81     Todd Schertz      Shot Put                          3rd Place
                   Tom Schertz       Discus                             7th Place
  
1981-82     TEAM PLACED 8th AT THE 1A STATE MEET
                 Todd Schertz      Shot Put                        3rd Place
                 Tom Schertz       Discus                           4th Place
                 Tom Schertz       Shot Put                        7th Place
                 Doug Compton    Long Jump                   5th Place
  
1982-83     Tom Schertz        Shot Put                       4th Place
                   Brian Stewart      Triple Jump                  6th Place
1984-85      B.J. O'Neil          300 Meter Low Hurdles  4th Place

Tiskilwa HS Girls 2ND Place Track Trophy
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DIsplayed Proudly at Kelly's Restaurant, Tiskilwa, Illinois

Girls Track and Field
 
The lady Indians had their share of incredible success in sports also.  None better however than the Track and Field team of 1983-84.  Led by all-state performer Lane Suarez the team finished 2nd in the Illinois State 1A Girls Track Meet!  The trophy for this great team can be viewed in the photo above.  It can be viewed in person at Kelly's Restaurant in downtown Tiskilwa.
 
The individual winners and the better teams are listed below.
 
1980-81   Teresa Colby   800 Meter Run   4th Place
1982-83   Lane Suarez   800 Meter Run    3rd Place
     
1983-84  TEAM FINISHED 2ND AT IHSA STATE TRACK MEET 
               SCORED 34 POINTS, TEUTOPOLIS SCORED 46
      
                    Individual Medalists  
               Lane Suarez      400 Meter Dash        State Champion
               Lane Suarez      800 Meter Run          State Champion
               800 Meter Medley Relay Team           State Champions  
                     4 X 400 Meter Relay Team                  5th Place
   
1985-86    Missy Sims        Shot Put                    7th Place
1986-87    Missy Sims        Shot Put                    2nd Place
 
Girls Volleyball
 
Girls Volleyball Teams, known as the "Volley Dolls", were also very successful winning four regional championships under the direction of Coach John Garvin.  The team's records are not know at this time.  We are seeking help for this information.
 
1984-85   N.R.A.     Regional Champion           Coach John Garvin
1985-86   N.R.A.     Regional Champion           Coach John Garvin
1990-91   N.R.A.     Regional Champion           Coach John Garvin
1991-92   N.R.A.     Regional Champion           Coach John Garvin
 
Girls Basketball
 
Girls Basketball was first offered in the IHSA in 1973; however, before the establishment of Title IX, there was a girls basketball team at THS that competed on a very limited schedule.
 
Tiskilwa's lady Indians won two state titles in the Girls Basketball "Postal" Tournament, in 1938 (beating Normal) and 1939 (beating Elkville). They also had a third place finish in 1941.
 
We are seeiking information on the better girl's basketball teams which competed at THS.  If you would like to share some information please complete a school submission form.
 
Great Coach
 
Bob Prusator -   Boy's Basketball  1958 -1986  
                          531 -199 overall  (#54 All-Time, #28 for victories at one school)
                          Class A Elite 8 - 1982-83
                          8 - Regional Titles
                          4 - District Titles
                        11 - 20+ game-winning seasons  
 
                          Boy's Football  1958 - 1967
                          53 - 20 overall
                          Two undefeated / untied seasons
                          Two one-loss seasons                          
 
Coach Prusator has been inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Bureau County Sports Hall of Fame.
 
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
 
Tiskilwa High School had many great activities that made it an amazing facility in which to gain a well-rounded education. The school offered FFA, FHA, student government, chorus, dances, and many other activities.
 
One activity that set it apart from other small schools in the area was the Tiskilwa Pep Band. The band was well known throughout the area and even throughout the state in the 1970s. The Tiskilwa Pep Band even holds the distinction of being named the FIRST pep band to perform at an IHSA basketball tournament! Please read the page below scanned directly from the 1976 IHSA Class 'A' State Basketball Tournament Program sent to us by Jim Kouzmanoff. 
 
To view a short video clip of the Tiskilwa High School Marching Band in action during the 1980 Northern Illinois University Homecoming parade in DeKalb check out this YouTube video sent to us by "Tom":

Tiskilwa HS Pep Band of 1975-76
tiskilwaband1976classatourneydav.jpg
Submitted by Jim Kouzmanoff

Pep Band Article in 1976 IHSA Basketball Program
tiskilwaband1976classatournfactsrosterdav.jpg
Submitted by Jim Kouzmanoff

Seeking Further Information
 
If you have information you would like to share regarding Tiskilwa High School please contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net .You may also write us at:
 
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il.  60631

Tiskilwa Football Bleachers
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High School in Background