More Loda Baseball
Members of the 1939-40 High School baseball team pictured to the right are: Front row L-R, Harold
Marshall, Dean Jennings, Max Kelly, John Nordstrom, Duane Woods, Warren Matheny, Ray Corbly......Back row L-R Webster,
Coach Miller, Frank Swantrom, Addison Goodell, Jack Moffat, Bill Keiwert, (Cheer leaders) Mary Patterson,
Evelyn Swantrom.
The town of Loda actually had a very rich tradition of sports and especially baseball at the turn of
the 19th century. John Hill, and avid supporter of this sight and especially the towns of Buckley and
Loda, sent us this information:
" Around 1900 the baseball team put Loda on the map as an outstanding ballclub. On
a summer afternoon when a game was scheduled the whole population streamed out to the ball park. Fans came in from around
the area. Names of teams that came to play in Loda were the: Nebraska Indians (I have picture of team), and even the
Chicago White Sox played on the Loda diamond. The 1902 team won twenty-two of twenty-five games. Players were:
Abe Rundle (Later was a coach at Northwestern), Edgan Jackson, John Nuttall (pitched for
Northwestern and beat Notre Dame in a game), Tommy Marsh, Jerry Clive, George Harris, Lewis Harris, Horace
Morgan, Johnny Madix. Loda also had Nick Altrock pitch for them (Famed Major league pitcher)."
Sounds like a wonderful time for summer in Loda during the late 1800s through the early 1900s!!
Boys Track & Field
History was made in Loda and a track record was set that can never be broken. It is told to
us that Loda High School hosted the first night track meet in IHSA history!
One male trackster with the last name of Porter brought
home a 3rd Place Medal from the 1924 'B' State Track Meet.
1923-24B ?? Porter 880 Yard
Run 3RD Place!
Good Athletes
Some of the better athletes to grace the courts and fields of Loda High School included Bob Goodell,
Jim Varner, Joe Dwyer, Don Ross, Vincent Davis, and Don Hackerson (who went on to pitch for the University of Illinois). .
Special Thank You
A special thank you goes out to John Hill for his assistance in the making of the
Loda High School page. John's efforts are sincerely appreciated!
