Broadlands A-B-L High School Trojans

Broadlands A-B-L High School Building

Submitted by John Cobb

The History of Broadlands A-B-L High School

Allerton (population 293) is located in east-central Illlinois in the far southwestern corner of Vermilion County. A portion of the town is also located in southeastern Champaign County placing Allerton about 20 miles southeast of Champaign/Urbana. Illinois Route 49 is the main roadway leading you to and from town and intersects with County E 300 North at Allerton.

Broadlands (population 312) is located in east-central Illinois about 15 miles southeast of Champaign. Broadlands was platted in the southeast corner of Champaign County. County Roads 200 and 2500 intersect in Broadlands about two miles west of Illinois Route 49.

Longview (population 153) is located in east-central Illinois about 15 miles southeast of Champaign. Longview is located in a true country setting. The main roads leading to the Champaign County town include County Highway 12 and County Road E 100 N.

All three towns have a page on this site and at one time had their own high schools. It was in the 1950s that decisions were made to consolidate the three town's educational efforts into one school district. This effort took place in 1953. The result was the creation of the Allerton-Broadlands-Longview, or A-B-L, School District.

Broadlands was the town located in the center of the three villages and was chosen as the site ot the high school. A-B-L High School served the three communities and the great surrounding farm lands for about 35 years. The year was 1989 when their neighbor to the north, Homer High School, chose to consolidate with Broadlands A-B-L. This effort resulted in the renaming of the A-B-L School District to the Heritage School District.

Broadlands school building remains the home to this "new" district. The grade school for the Heritage School District is held in Homer.

Broadlands A-B-L High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1953

Year consolidated w/ Homer: 1989

Consolidated to: Heritage School District (Broadlands)

Broadlands A-B-L HS team nickname: the "Trojans"

A-B-L HS team colors: Royal Blue & White

School Fight Song: "A-B-L Loyalty"

University of Illinois Fight Song Tune

We're loyal to you A-B-L

We're blue and white, A-B-L

We'll back you to stand

'Gainst the best in the land

For we know you have sand, A-B-L

Rah! Rah!

So crack out the ball, A-B-L

We're backing you all, A-B-L

Our team is our fame protector:

On! Boys for we expect a

Victory from you A-B-L!

Athletics

A-B-L High School had some nice success in athletics over the years. The sports of boys basketball, football, and girls track are all noted on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.org). We are confident that boys track, girls volleyball, and girls basketball were also offered. Team records and coach's names are among the many items being sought for the better teams not listed below.

Football

A-B-L High School had a few nice football seasons which included three trips to the IHSA Class 1A Playoffs. Also included were several above-.500 winning percentage seasons. This is excellent for a school of three small towns whose total population today is 758! The overall record of the football program from 1974 through 1989 was a not to shabby 81 wins and 51 losses! The best of the A-B-L seasons and playoff results are listed below.

1974-75 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Scott Mayer

Sweet 16 Qualifier

Lost to Casey 10 - 7

Broadlands A-B-L Football Team 1974

Submitted by Richard Savage (From IHSA State Playoff Program)

1975-76 5 - 4 IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier Coach Scott Mayer

Sweet 16 Qualifier

Lost to Macon 9 - 6

Broadlands A-B-L Football Team 1975

Submitted by Richard Savage (From IHSA State Playoff Program)

1976-77    7 - 1                                                                      Coach Scott Mayer
1977-78    6 - 2                                                                      Coach Scott Mayer
1978-79    7 - 1
1979-80    7 - 1
1980-81     5 - 4                                                                      Coach Stan Wienke
1981-82    6 - 2                                                                      Coach Stan Wienke
1982-83    7 - 2                                                                      Coach Stan Wienke
1983-84    7 - 2                                                                      Coach Stan Wienke
1984-85                                                                                  Coach Stan Wienke
1985-86    8 - 2      IHSA Class 1A Playoff Qualifier                Coach Stan Wienke

Top 32 Finalist

Lost to Villa Grove 35 - 6

Fact about the 1985 season from player Rob Chinn:

"One note on the Boys Football team from 1985-86 - we held opponets scoreless in 6 of our 10 games played that year. The only loss before the playoff loss to Villa Grove was in overtime on the road at Oakland."

1986-87    5 - 4                                                                       Coach Stan Wienke
1987-88     3 - 6                                                                       Coach Stan Wienke

1988-89 2 - 7 Coach Stan Wienke

**Coach Wienke would continue his coaching career at Tuscola High School, winning the IHSA Class A Championship in 2006.

Girls Track & Field

The Broadlands A-B-L High School lady tracksters wona DIstrict title in the 1972-73 season. In addition three girls won medals at the IHSA Class A State Track Meet. Their accomplishments are listed below.

1972-73 Team won the District Championship

1972-73 Individual Medalist - Debbie Ward 80 Yard Hurdles 5TH Place

1977-78 Individual Medalist - Karen Schumaker Discus 7TH Place

1984-85 Individual Medalist - Tracy Frick Discus 6TH Place

Boys Basketball

The A-B-L HS boys basketball program won a total of six District Championships and two Regional Championships during their tenure. Unfortunately the coach's names and team records of these and any other great A-B-L teams are currently not available. Scores involving A-B-L HS in the IHSA State Tourney were located on a website titled "Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores." These scores are reprinted below.

1955-56 Paris Regional Runner-Up Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Oakland 83-62

Semi-final Beat Charleston 64-60

Title Game lost to Newman 59-54

1956-57 Newman District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

Semi-final lost to Westfield 66-64

Westfield lost to Newman in title game

1957-58 Broadlands District Runner-Up Coach's name & record needed

Semi-final Beat Westfield 81-56

Title Game lost to Newman 58-56

1958-59 Broadlands District Champions Coach Ralph Ambler

East Central Conf. Champs (Season record needed)

Broadlands District Scores

Semi-final Beat St. Joseph 70-40

Title Game Beat Ogden 58-43

Westville Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Georgetown 58-49

Georgetown lost to Danville in semi-final

Danville lost to Schlarman in title game

1959-60 Homer District Runner-Up Coach's name & record needed

Title Game lost to Catlin 70-64

1960-61 Broadlands District Runner-Up Coach's name & record needed

Semi-final Beat Homer 74-47

Title Game lost to St. Joseph 67-55

1961-62 Homer District Champions Coach Elwin Partenheimer

Early Rd Scores & season record needed

Title Game Beat St. Joseph 63-52

Danville Regional Runner-Up

1st Rd Beat Georgetown 61-60

Semi-final Beat Westville 59-57 (O/T)

Title Game lost to Danville 67-62

Danville lost in Sectional

1962-63 Broadlands District Champions Coach Elwin Partenheimer

Season Record Needed

Semi-final Beat Homer 58-55

Title Game Beat Ogden 62-50

Danville Regional Runner-Up

1st Rd Beat Westville 62-52

Semi-final lost to Danville 63-51

Title Game Danville beat Oakwood

Danville lost in Sectional

1963-64 Homer District Champions Coach Elwin Partenheimer

Early Rd Scores & season record needed

Title Game Beat Ridge Farm 47-42

Danville Regional Runner-Up

1st Rd Beat Oakwood 67-57

Semi-final lost to Danville 85-65

Title Game Danville beat Westville

Danville lost in Sectional

1964-65 Broadlands District Runner-Up Coach's name & record needed

Semi-final Beat Homer 81-59

Title Game lost to Catlin 77-62

1965-66 Homer District Champions Coach Elwin Partenheimer

Season Record Needed

Semi-final Beat Homer 67-36

Title Game Beat Sidell Jamaica 61-47

Danville Regional Tournament

1st Rd lost to Catlin 84-72

Schlarman beat Danville in title game

Schlarman lost in Sectional

1966-67 Ridge Farm District Champions Coach Elwin Partenheimer

Season Record Needed

Semi-final Beat Sidell Jamaica 74-57

Title Game Beat Ridge Farm 52-51

Danville Regional Tournament

1st Rd Beat Oakwood 61-59

Semi-final lost to Schlarman 66-31

Schlarman beat Danville in title game

Schlarman lost in Sectional

1967-68 Broadlands District Tournament Coach Lyle Loman

Semi-final lost to Homer 68-55

Homer beat Ridge Farm in title game

1968-69 Homer District Runner-Up Coach Lyle Loman

Season Record Needed

Semi-final Beat Sidell Jamaica

Title Game lost to Homer

1969-70 Ridge Farm District Runner-Up Coach Lyle Loman

Season Record Needed

Semi-final Beat Homer 65-53

Title Game lost to Sidell Jamaica

1970-71 Postseason scores and record needed. Coach Lyle Loman

1971-72 Broadlands Class 'A' Regional Coach Lyle Loman

1st Rd Beat Newman 59-48

Semi-final lost to Homer 61-60

Homer lost to St. Joe-Ogden in title game

1972-73 Tolono Class 'A' Regional Coach Lyle Loman

1st Rd Beat Newman 90-78

Semi-final lost to Tolono Unity 80-60

Tuscola beat Tolono in title game

1973-74 Broadlands Class 'A' Regional Coach Lyle Loman

1st Rd Beat St. Joe-Ogden 73-66

Semi-final lost to Homer 83-50

Homer beat Tuscola in title game

1974-75 Broadlands Class 'A' Regional Coach Lyle Loman

1st Rd Beat Tolono Unity 69-64

Semi-final lost to Villa Grove 72-51

Villa Grove beat Homer in title game

1975-76 Postseason scores and record needed. Coach Lyle Loman

1976-77 25 - 2 Broadlands Regional Champions Coach Lyle Loman

1st Rd Beat Newman 82-47

Semi-final Beat Tolono Unity 61-58

Title Game Beat St. Joe-Ogden 69-54

Tuscola Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Sullivan 62-61

Sullivan lost to Monticello in title game

Monticello lost to Mt. Pulaski in Sweet 16

Mt. Pulaski placed 4th in State Finals

1977-78 18 - 11 St. Joseph Regional Champions Coach Lyle Loman

1st Rd Beat Homer 81-47

Semi-final Beat Villa Grove 61-49

Title Game Beat St. Joe-Ogden 45-44

Tuscola Sectional Tournament

Semi-final lost to Chrisman 57-53

Chrisman lost to Sullivan in title game

Sullivan lost to Havana in Elite 8

Havana lost to Nashville in State Title game

1978-79 Broadlands Regional Runner-Up Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Villa Grove 78-69

Semi-final Beat Tolono Unity 48-46 (O/T)

Title Game lost to Homer 64-61

1979-80 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1980-81 Broadlands Class 'A' Regional Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Homer 84-45

Semi-final lost to St. Joe-Ogden 68-56

St. Joe-Ogden beat Villa Grove in title game

1981-82 Tolono Class 'A' Regional Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Urbana U-High 73-71

Semi-final lost to Tolono Unity 73-57

Tolono Unity beat St. Joe-Ogden in title game

1982-83 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1983-84 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1984-85 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1985-86 4 - 20 Postseason scores needed Coach Stan Wienke

Asst. & JV Coach Chris Hodge
1986-87 10 - 15 Postseason scores needed Coach Lyle Loman

Asst. & JV Coach Chris Hodge

1987-88 Postseason scores & record needed Coach Lyle Loman

Asst. & JV Coach Chris Hodge

1988-89 14 - 11 Postseason scores needed Coach Lyle Loman

Asst. & JV Coach Dale Mitchell

*Coach Lyle Loman - coached at A-B-L for many years. Was inducted into the lllinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in April of 2007 after amassing over 400 wins in his illustrious career.

The following information was sent to us by former Principal and Superintendent of A-B-L High School, Allen Hall, regarding the career and passing of Coach Loman:

"Lyle Loman was a long time basketball coach at ABL and later at Heritage H.S. after ABL and Homer HS consolidated. Lyle died on his birthday on May 06, 2008 at the age of 68 from lung cancer. Lyle never smoked.

Lyle was the ABL high school boys basketball coach from 1968 - 1978 and from 1986 - 1989. His record was 179 - 153. His best year record-wise was the 1976-77 season when ABL was 25 - 2.

Lyle also coached at ABL junior high from 1964 - 1968 and 1982 - 1985. His record at the junior high was 105 - 62.

Lyle was inducted into the Illinois H.S. Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2007."

Boys Track & Field

Two A-B-L boys thinclads won medals at the IHSA Class A State Meet. Their excellent accomplishments as found on the IHSA website (www.ihsa.rg) are listed below.

1972-73 Individual Medalist - Stan Wienke Discus 3RD Place Coach Lyle Lohman

(Stan would return to coach at A-B-L - see football above)

1975-76 Individual Medalist - Roger Mohr 1 Mile Run 7TH Place Coach Lyle Lohman

Girls Volleyball

The lady netters of ABL High School were a competitive group. Below are the records compiled from 1986-1989 as supplied by Rob Chinn.

1985-86 5 - 13 Coach Joyce Ward;

                                                                                         Asst. Coach Lora Warner
1986-87 14 - 9     Atwood-Hammond Invitational Champs      Coach Joyce Ward
1988-89   7 - 7                                                                   Coach Glenda Robinson

Girls Basketball

The Lady Trojans had some nice seasons on the hardwood court as well. The following information was sent to us by Rob Chinn.

1985-86   3 - 15                        Coach Judy Rothermel; Asst. Coach Lora Warner
1986-87: 13 - 9                          Coach Judy Rothermel; Asst. Coach Celana Mohr
1988-89: 12 - 11                        Coach Judy Rothermel; Asst. Coach Glenda Robinson

MEMORIES

**From Rob Chinn (Class of 1989):

"I was a student at ABL from 1985-1989. My Dad, Robert Chinn, was the superintendent there during those years, as well as after the consolidation with Homer changing it to Heritage High School.

Boys track, girls volleyball, and girls basketball were indeed offered at ABL, as well as boys baseball."

Searching For More Information

Broadlands A-B-L High School and those who worked hard to make it successful deserve to be remembered. If you have ANY information, especially a photo of the A-B-L HS school building, please share it with us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631