The Ridge Farm Bulldogs had many successful seasons throughout their storied history.  The boys competed in basketball, track, and football while the girls competed in volleyball, basketball, and track.  Other sports may have been offered as well.  Conference affiliation, championship teams, and great coaches are all being sought.

 

 

The Ridge Farm boys tracksters of the 1910s and 1920s were a very competitive group. The boys of this era brought home a total of nine individual medals.  The team of 1912-13 finished FOURTH at the State Track Meet!!  This was accomplished in a one-class format! All of the points for tihis finish were earned by an athlete named Henderson.   The medal winners and team standings are listed below.

 

 

 

                  1.)  Oak Park-River Forest HS            34

                  2.)  Chicago University HS                 29  

                  3.)  Raymond HS                              12

                  4.)  RIDGE FARM HIGH SCHOOL     10

                  4.)  McLean HS                                10

                  6.)  LaGrange Lyons HS                     7

                  7.)  Springfield HS                              6

                  7.)  Roodhouse HS                             6

                  9.)  Harvey, Sullivan, Rock Island, Virginia, & Oregon all tied with 5

 

                 ?? Fletcher              220 Yard Dash             3RD Place

                 ?? Spurlock             Shot Put                      2ND Place 

 

 

The Lady Bulldogs basketball program brought home a Regional Championship in the early 1980s.  Unfortunately the team records and coach's names of these and other great girls basketball teams are not currently available. 

 

 

 

The boys also had some great teams in their history.  The Bulldogs of the late 1940s and 1950s were said to be very competitive.  The 1960s saw some great teams as well, including two District titles.  The records that are available are listed.  Coach Keith Baldwin had some real nice success in the 1960s as well and he wold go on to have a career coaching record of 476-233 until retiring at Watseka in 1991.   

 

                            1st Rd lost to Charleston 62-45

                            Charleston beat Newman in title game

    

1962-63               Ridge Farm District Champions

1965-66   14 - 11                                      Coach Keith Baldwin

1967-68   14 - 11                                      Coach Jim Miglin

1969-70   17 - 7                                        Coach Keith Baldwin

 

                            *1st Rd lost to Chrisman 61-58

                            Chrisman beat Catlin in title game

*Final varsity boys basketball game for Ridge Farm High School.

 

 

The Lady Bulldog netters finished out the school's history with a bang.  The program won three straight Regional titles including one in the school's final solo season.  Coach Donny Hackler led the led the Lady Bulldogs through their final four incredible seasons, allowing the Ridge Farm volleyball program to go out on top! 

 

 

 

The football teams of the 1950s were said to have had winning records each year, perhaps even a conference championship or more.  More information is needed on the team records and coaches names of these teams.  Some of the better team records and accomplishments are provided by the research of Tom Sikorski.

 

 

 

*Rusty Rumple - set Ridge Farm records for passing and points in bassketball as well as track & field records.

*Donny Hackler - Set Ridge Farm track & field records.

*Ronny Farris - Set Ridge Farm track & field records.

*Don Farris -  Set Ridge Farm track & field records.

*Keith Rigdon - All-state center in 1965

 

 

From Kraig Rigdon.

 

"I was a member of the last class to attend Ridge Farm High School. I grew up there and played sports. I can provide a lot of info about the sports and coaches. I also have many pictures of the old High School. My father, Keith Rigdon, was a member of the 1965 Football team and was named to the Little All-State Team as a Center. Other notable athletes included Steve Spesard who broke the state single game scoring record with 63 in one game, before there was a 3 point line. He was named all-county, all-conference, and earned all-state honors."  

 

 

If you have any further information to add regarding the many successes of Ridge Farm High School, especdially a photo of the old high school building, please e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us via real mail at:

 

Chicago,  Il.   60631