Cornell High School "Cardinals"

Cornell High School

Cornell, Illinois

Cornell Population Sign

The History of Cornell High School

Cornell (population 511) is located in upper-eastern Illinois in the northwest area of Livingston County. Illinois Route 23 connects Cornell with its neighbor 8 miles (as the crow flies) to the southeast, Pontiac.

The town is named after settler Walter Cornell, who came to the area as an engineer for the Illinois & Michigan Canal. He also served as a school commissioner in 1849, was a postmaster, held the treasurer, collector, and assessor positions for Livingston County. Mr. Cornell laid out the village that bears his name on June 15, 1871. In addition, he also established the first Sunday School in the county.

The first school that opened in the Cornell area was a subscription school in 1840, called Scattering Point Institute, but it closed in 1849. Years later, a grade school was opened in the village and began offering a two-year "extension" of their grade school program in 1885 after which the kids would have the option of finishing high school and gaining their diploma from nearby Streator or Pontiac. For some time, the school offered a third year, but it was not until 1921 that Cornell High School became a four-year entity when voters approved the formation of a community high school.

Cornell HS Building Cornerstone 2013

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Cornell HS Building Cornerstone

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In September of that year, 58 students were enrolled in classes at the Cornell Methodist Church, and the first four-year class of students graduated in 1922, made up of all boys. From the fall of 1922 until March of 1924, classes were held at Woodman Hall in the village before the new building was ready for occupancy. That building was added onto in the 1950's with a gymnasium, then had another addition with a remodeling in 1962.

Cornell High School boys' basketball success is noted on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) as winning SEVEN District titles. The last year of operation for Cornell High School was in 1987 when the school deactivated and sent the students to Flanagan High School.

After years of having a board of education for the high school and grade school, the town of Cornell voted to annex their high school district to Flanagan in February 2008 and keep its grade school. The new high school is now called Flanagan-Cornell High School and uses the facility in Flanagan.

Cornell "Centennial Plate"

Submitted by Dick Albright

The fate of the Cornell High School building was a sad one, with the building being demolished in 1994. A park now occupies the land of what was the high school. The park includes a wonderful school memorial for good ole CHS. Also remaining is the former HS Ag / Shop building, now used for storage.

Ag /Shop Building of Cornell High School - 2013

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School Grounds of Former Cornell High School

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Cornell High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1885

Year became a four-year HS: 1921

First graduating class: 1922

Year closed: 1987

Students now attend: Flanagan-Cornell High School

School nickname: the "Cardinals"

School colors pre-1962: Maroon & White

School colors post-1962: Red & White

School Fight Song: Two Fight Songs for the Cardinals of Cornell High!!

(#1) On Dear Cornell

On, on dear Cornell,

Cornell must win.

Fight to the finish,

Never give in.

Rah Rah Rah!

You do your best, boys,

We'll do the rest boys.

On, on to VICTORY!

Ch-hee, Cha-ha, Cha-ha-ha-ha,

CORNELL HIGH SCHOOL

Rah, Rah, RAH!!!

(#2) Hail Cornell High

Hail Cornell High,

Oh, let our song rise on high.

Our team is the BEST!

As they will prove by any test!

Rah Rah Rah!

Let's give a cheer,

For there is nothing that we fear!

So we will fight to gain a VICTORY!

For Dear Old Cornell High !!!

C - O - R - N - E - L - L

CORNELL, CORNELL

RAH!!!

Athletics

There is a great listing of most of the Cornell High School Cardinal boy's basketball seasons on the IHSA web site. The Cardinals also had one male athlete excel in track and cross-country. Football was offered through the 1970 school year, too. Baseball was also offered to the boys. The girls competed in basketball and volleyball, and probably track as well.

The Cornell Cardinals competed in the Midstate Conference (El Paso, Gridley, Chenoa, Lexington, Flanagan, and Streator Woodland) and the Vermillion Valley Conference. Please forward any further information on the Conference championship teams or great seasons in CHS history so we can add it to this page.

Boys Basketball

The Cornell High School boys' basketball team won a total of 7 District Titles!! Five of those titles came in the 1920's and the other two were earned in the early 1960's. The win-loss records and coaches' names of the early Cardinal teams are not available. We are told the Cornell Cardinals hosted their own basketball tourney in the early 1980's during Thanksgiving as well. The Cardinals maintained their competitive edge all the way to the end, having two nice seasons to complete their existence. In addition, the Cardinals won the conference sportsmanship award in 1959, 1961, 1962, and 1967. The years of the titles, better records, and coaches' names which are listed are available below.

Several scores from the IHSA Tournament were located on a site titled "Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores." These scores are printed below as well.

1921-22 Fairbury District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Cropsey 33-20

(Subsequent scores needed)

1922-23 IHSA District Champions Coach's name & record needed

District Scores Needed

Peoria Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Galesburg

1923-24 IHSA District Champions Coach's name & record needed

District Scores Needed

Peoria Sectional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Pekin 20-16

(Subsequent Scores Needed)

1924-25 Postseason scores, records, and coach's name needed.

1925-26 IHSA District Champions Coach Maurice Macy

Pontiac Holiday Tourney--2ND Place

(Normal U-High - Champions)

(Season Record & District Scores Needed)

Peoria Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Canton 26-15

Canton beat Tremont in title game

Canton Finished SECOND in State Tourney!

1926-27 IHSA District Champions Coach Maurice Macy

Pontiac Holiday Tourney Champs

Defeated Chicago Tilden for Title

Livingston County Tournament Champs

(Season Record & District Scores Needed)

Urbana Sectional Tournamnent

1st Rd lost to Normal U-High 15-14

Normal U-High lost to Champaign in title game

Champaign placed FOURTH in State Tourney

1927-28 IHSA District Champions Coach C.S. Mendenhall

Pontiac Holiday Tourney Cons. Champs

Livingston County Tournament Champs

(Season Record & District Scores Needed)

Normal Sectional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Streator 40-23

Streator beat Champaign in title game

Streator lost in Elite 8 Rd.

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

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

1930-31 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1931-32 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1932-33 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1933-34 Dwight District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Chenoa 32-16

2nd Rd lost to Fairbury 23-19

Fairbury lost to Mazon in semi-final

Mazon lost to Dwight in title game

1934-35 Streator District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Harding 89-16

2nd Rd lost to Seneca 37-29

Seneca beat Streator in title game

1935-36 Kempton District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Kempton 27-16

Semi-final lost to Reddick

Reddick beat Cullom in title game

1936-37 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1937-38 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1938-39 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

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

1940-41 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

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

1942-43 26- 3 Wenona Regional Runner-Up Coach Clarence Louderback

1st Rd Beat Toluca 44-33

Semi-final Beat Minonk 25-21

Title Game lost to Granville Hopkins 33-31

*Leading scorer Kenny Turner.

Cornell HS Basketball Team of 1942-43

Record 26 - 3

1943-44 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

Cornell Basketball 1943-44

1945-46 Wenona Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Lacon 52-25

Semi-final lost to Toluca 36-28

Toluca beat Henry in title game

1945-46 25- 4 Wenona Regional Runner-Up Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Toluca

Semi-final Beat Minonk 47-40

Title Game lost to Granville Hopkins 46-32

Cornell HS Cardinals 1945-46

Team Record of 25 - 4

1946-47 Wenona Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Longpoint 37-30

Longpoint lost to Granville Hopkins in semi-final

Granville beat Minonk in title game

1947-48 Wenona Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Minonk 74-44

Minonk lost to Henry in title game

1948-49 Cullom District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Odell St. Paul 55-42

St. Paul lost to Cullom in semi-final

Cullom beat Kempton in title game

1949-50 12-13 Wenona Regional Tournament Coach Keith Scott

1st Rd lost to Toluca 36-33

Toluca lost to Wenona in semi-final

Wenona lost to Minonk in title game

1950-51 7-18 Wenona Regional Tournament Coach Keith Scott

1st Rd lost to Minonk 63-44

Minonk beat Toluca in title game

1951-52 Granville Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Long Point 63-39

Long Point lost to Varna Mid County in semi-final

Mid County beat Henry in title game

1952-53 Henry Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Varna Mid County 68-55

Mid County beat Henry in title game

1953-54 10-16 Postseason scores needed. Coach Ben Kristal

1954-55 8-17 Postseason scores needed. Coach Ben Kristal

1955-56 2-23 Postseason scores needed. Coach Paul Henkel

1956-57 3-22 Postseason scores needed. Coach Paul Henkel

1957-58 4-20 Postseason scores needed. Coach Marty Stromberger

1958-59 12-13 Wenona District Champions Coach Richard Dishinger

Semi-final Beat Wenona 64-50

Title Game Beat LaRose 56-48

Granville Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Minonk-Dana-Rutland 51-45

M-D-R lost to Granville Hopkins in semi-final

Granville lost to Toluca in title game

1959-60 17- 8 Toluca District Runner-Up Coach Richard Dishinger

3rd Place in Mid-State Conf

District Scores

1st Rd Beat Lostant 75-53

Semi-final Beat Sparland 68-56

Title Game lost to Toluca 75-51

1960-61 8-16 Postseason scores needed. Coach James Hermes

1961-62 5-18 Lostant District Tournament Coach Marty Stromberger

1st Rd Beat Hennepin 46-41

Semi-final lost to Sparland 43-42

Sparland beat Tonica in title game

1962-63 10-13 Lostant District Champions Coach Ron Metz

Semi-final Beat Tonica 68-66

Title Game Beat Sparland 60-48

Granville Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Minonk-Dana-Rutland 46-45 (O/T)

Semi-final lost to Toluca 81-44

Toluca beat Wenona in title game

1963-64 4-18 Postseason scores needed. Coach Ron Metz

1964-65 5-17 Postseason scores needed. Coach Dale Engelhorn

1965-66 4-19 Postseason scores needed. Coach Dale Engelhorn

1966-67 2-19 Postseason scores needed. Coach John Jacobson

1967-68 5-16 Odell District Tournament Coach Ronald Lawson

1st Rd lost to Saunemin 73-47

Saunemin lost to Reddick in semi-final

Mazon beat Reddick in title game

1968-69 3-18 Odell District Tournament Coach Kenneth Miller

1st Rd lost to Odell 72-62

Odell lost to Reddick in title game

1969-70 11-14 Odell District Runner-Up Coach Kenneth Miller

1st Rd Beat Mazon 68-59

Semi-final Beat Flanagan 51-44

Title Game lost to Reddick 57-50

1970-71 11-12 Lostant District Tournament Coach Kenneth Miller

1st Rd Beat Cullom Tri-point 61-54

Semi-final lost to Odell 59-52

Odell lost to Reddick in title game

1971-72 3-19 Streator Class 'A' Regional Tourney Coach Kenneth Miller

1st Rd lost to Tonica 70-36

Tonica lost to Streator Woodland in semi-final

Woodland beat Lostant in title game

1972-73 1-21 Postseason scores needed. Coach Jim Stowe

1973-74 5-18 Postseason scores needed. Coach Jim Stowe

1974-75 2-19 Postseason scores needed. Coach Kurt Lauritzen

1975-76 3-21 Postseason scores needed. Coach Kurt Lauritzen

1976-77 0-23 Postseason scores needed. Coach Kurt Lauritzen

1977-78 0-23 Postseason scores needed. Coach Jerry Gray

1978-79 2-21 Postseason scores needed. Coach Jerry Gray

1979-80 3-19 Postseason scores needed. Coach Tim Hovanec

1980-81 8-14 Postseason scores needed. Coach Tim Hovanec

1981-82 7-16 Postseason scores needed. Coach Tim Hovanec

1982-83 8-15 Postseason scores needed. Coach Tim Hovanec

1983-84 2-19 Postseason scores needed. Coach Will Van Weeldan

1984-85 6-17 Postseason scores needed. Coach Will Van Weeldan

1985-86 17-9 Postseason scores needed Coach Will Van Weelden

*1986-87 12-13 Postseason scores needed Coach Will Van Weelden

*1986-87 was the final season for Cornell High School.

**Cornell may be the only town with a population of 500 that has produced two high school basketball coaches who have each aquired over 500 wins. John Snyder, (Bloomington Central Catholic), and Jack Murphy (Tremont, Taylorville and Pontiac) accomplished this feat coaching high school basketball in Illinois after their graduation from Cornell High School and Illinois State University. More information of each coach is written below.

Girls Basketball

The Lady Cardinals competed in basketball with only one season listed on the IHSA web site. The year and team's coach are listed below.

1979-80 8-11 Coach Jody Smith

Boys Cross-Country

One athlete at Cornell High excelled in Cross-Country. John Jacobson medaled in three consecutive years, winning the State Individual Championship in 1982 with a time of 14:43.2!!

Cornell did not compete in cross-country as a team or school. However, they realized John's talent and found ways for him to compete in several meets in the area.

John became associated with the Streator Woodland team and entered several meets in which they were a part of. John then entered the State meet as a solo athlete from Cornell. John's three great seasons are listed below.

1980-81 John Jacobson 9th Place

1981-82 John Jacobson 6th Place

1982-83 John Jacobson STATE CHAMPION !!

Boys Track & Field

John Jacobson didn't rest on his laurels from cross-country. John added to his state medaling ability in Track as well. In fact, John Jacobson's efforts won him a total of 6 medals including 4 individual gold medals!! His efforts further gave the Cornell High School thinclads two consecutive top ten finishes in the Class A State Track Meet. John's incredible efforts are listed below.

In addition to Jacobson's efforts, the Cardinals of 1954 finished second to Chenoa in the Mid-State Conference track meet. Two Cardinal tracksters were three-time conference champions as well. John Snyder (see famous alumni below) won the mile in 1949-50-51 as well as adding the 880 championship in 1950. Roger Ernhardt took the 880 championship in 1951-52-53.

1953-54 Mid State Conference Runner-up

1980-81 John Jacobson 800 Meter Run 3rd Place

John Jacobson 1600 Meter Run 5th Place

1981-82 Cornell High School Cardinals Finished 5th at the Class A Track Meet

Individual Medalist

John Jacobson 1600 Meter Run STATE CHAMPION!

John Jacobson 3200 Meter Run STATE CHAMPION!

1981-82 Final Team Standings - Class A State Track Meet

1) St. Anne - 52

2) Rochester - 28

3) Lisle - 25

West Frankfort - 25

5) CORNELL HIGH SCHOOL - 20

Buffalo Tri-City - 20

Providence St. Mel - 20

8) Tiskilwa - 18

Glasford Illini Bluffs - 18

10) Paxton - 17

1982-83 Cornell High School Cardinals Finished 6th at the Class A Track Meet

Individual Medalist

John Jacobson 1600 Meter Run STATE CHAMPION !!

John Jacobson 3200 Meter Run STATE CHAMPION !!

1982-83 Final Team Standings - Class A State Track Meet

1) Cairo 45

2) St. Anne 40

3) Chicago Leo 34

4) Walther Lutheran 29

5) Christopher 23

6) CORNELL HIGH SCHOOL 20

McLeansboro 20

Riverton 20

9) Tuscola 19

10) Fulton 18

Football

The Cardinal athletic program included football through the 1970-71 school year. The team was one of the charter members of the Mid-State Conference competing against the likes of El Paso, Gridley, Flanagan, Lexington, Chenoa, Minonk-Dana-Rutland, Fairbury, and Streator Woodland. The Cardinals had some very strong teams.

Their best year in the conference was in 1959 when the boys of the gridiron shared the conference title with El Paso. The team was led by running back Claude Jacobson (leading scorer with 61 points), along with all-conference selections Francis Hinshaw (offfensive tackle), Bill Meyer (defensive back), and Bob McMenamin (quarterback/defensive end).

The best of the Cornell High School football seasons from 1949 through 1970 are listed below.

1953-54 5-3-1

1954-55 5-5

1959-60 6-2 Conference Champions Coach Marty Stromberger

(5-1 in Conference Play)

1960-61 4-4 Finished 3rd in Conference

1961-62 4-3

The football team won the conference sportsmanship award in 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1965!

Baseball

Cornell Baseball Field 2013

Left click on photo for a larger view

The Cornell High School Cardinals baseball teams of 1959 and 1960 also finished well in Mid-State Conference play. Both finished in second place.

1958-59 4-2 in conference play - Conference Runner-Up

1959-60 Conference Runner-Up

GREAT ATHLETES / ALUMNI / COACHES

*John Jacobson has to be one of the greatest long distance runners in Class A history in Illinois. John won a total of 9 individual medals in IHSA competition. Truly incredible performance and athletic career at Cornell High by John Jacobson!!!

*Coach John Snyder (Cornell HS Class of 1951) - Member of Illinois High School Coaches Association Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame for compiling over 500 victories as a head basketball coach for Bloomington Trinity/Central Catholic High School (Trinity was renamed Central Catholic). Coach Snyder is also a member of the Illinois State University Athletic Hall of Fame as well as the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame.

*Coach Jack Murphy (Cornell HS Class of 1950) - Also a member of the Illinois High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame for compiling over 500 victories as a head basketball coach in Illinois at high schools in Tremont, Pontiac, Taylorville, Pawnee, and Minonk-Dana-Rutland.

*Cornell Grads who played for Illinois State - Normal University and Coach Joe Cogdal in the 1930's include: Charles Beck, Pete Miner, and Mose Moore. Dick Murphy, who played at CHS in the early 1940's, also went on to compete at ISNU.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Sports were not the only thing that occupied the time of the kids of Cornell High School. Chorus, FFA, Band, Student Government, Dances, and Plays were all offered at CHS.

To view a very brief video clip of the Cornell 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":

http://youtu.be/sC-hq3JrAuU?t=2m45s

CORNELL HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIAL PARK

The village of Cornell and the Cornell High School Alumni have created a very nice park on the site of the former Cornell High School building. The park includes a memorial stone, personalized brick display, the cornerstones of the former high School building, and a wonderful mural on the side of the former school agriculture and shop building.

Cornell HS Memorial Park Brick Display

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Cornell HS Dedication

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Cornell HS Mural

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SPECIAL ALUMNI GATHERING FOR CORNELL HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AND TOWNSPEOPLE

From Jo Morrison (Class of 1967):

It was a very special event in Cornell that took place on October 02, 2010.

This was a glorious day. A great celebration of our school, community, roots, and memories being rekindled.

"Cornell Alumni Tribute to Mrs. Godden."

We honored all alumni and faculty by a tree planting and plaque at the site of the former school and we paid tribute to longtime teacher Jean Godden. "

Cornell Tree and Plaque Dedication 2010

Cornell Tribute October 02, 2010

Need Photos and Information

Help us keep the memories of Cornell High School and the Cardinal athletes alive forever. We are not limited to athletics only, any and all information and facts of Cornell High are welcome and sought. Additional photos of the school, teams and other persons associated with Cornell are especially welcome. You can e-mail us photos and information at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you can write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Cornell HS Memorial Mascot

Left click on photo for larger view.

Cornell Grade School 2013

Cornell Village Hall Built in 1917

Still in Use - Photo taken in 2013

Illinois High School Glory Days Website Brick

Cornell HS Memorial Park