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| Shabbona High School - 2011 |
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| Now Indian Creek High School |
| Early Shabbona High School |
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| Shabbona, IL |
The History of Shabbona High School
Shabbona (population 929) is located in north-central Illinois about 10 miles southwest of DeKalb and 10
miles southeast of Rochelle. Shabbona is located in the southwestern portion of DeKalb County. U.S. Route 30 is the
main roadway leading to and from Shabbona and connects it to Interstate Highway 39 just six miles to the west. Indian
Creek and Shabbona Lake are just south of town. The Burlington Northern Railroad also travels through Shabbona.
According to the official website of the city of Shabbona, http://www.shabbona-il.us/ , the village of Shabbona Grove was organized in 1872 about three miles south of the town's current
location. The town moved to its current location following the railroad tracks that were laid there. It even
"swallowed up" the then existing town of Corntown. The town is named after a famous and courageous Indian Chief
named Chief Shabbona.
| Shabbona Grade School - 2011 |
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A grade school of some sort was in place by the late 1800s. It is likely the high school followed
shortly after. Shabbona High School served the community and surropunding area well for over nine decades. It accepted
the children of the Rollo School system in 1955. It was not until the early 1990s that consolidation talks took place with its nearby
neighbor, Waterman. A consolidation effort between the two school districts became a reality in 1993. The result was the
creation of the Indian Creek School District.
The high school for the new district was located in Shabbona. The building pictured in black &
white above was the original Shabbona High School, which was replaced by a more modern structure (which has also been torn
down). The third building to be graced with the "Shabbona High School" name still stands as the current home of Indian Creek
High School.
Shabbona High School Quick Facts
Year opened:
late 1800s
Year closed:
1993
Consolidated to:
Indian Creek School District (Shabbona)
Shobbona HS team nickname: the "Indians"
Shabbona HS team colors: Maroon, Black,
& White
School Fight Song: "Shabbona
Loyalty"
We're loyal to you Shabbona,
We're maroon and white, Shabbona,
We'll back you to stand
'Gainst the best in the land
For
we know you have sand, Shabbona!
Rah!
Rah!
So crack out the ball, Shabbona
We're backing you all, Shabbona
Our team is our fame protector:
On!
Boys for we expect a
Victory from you Shabbona!
Che-he,
cha-ha, cha-ha-ha-ha,
Shabbona,
Shabbona,
Rah, Rah, RAH!
Fling
out that dear old flag of
Maroon
and White,
Lead
on your sons and daughters
Fighting
for you
Like
men of old, on giants.
Placing
reliance, shouting defiance
Oskee-wow-wow---------
Amid
the broad green plains that nourish our land,
For honest Labor and for Learning we stand.
And
unto thee we pledge our heart and our hand,
Dear Alma Mater, Shabbona High!
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Athletics The
Shabbona High School Indians and Lady Indians competed hard and were successful during many seasons in their history. They
were a great source of pride for the town and school system. The boys competed in baseball, basketball, track, and soccer
while the girls were offered volleyball, track, softball, and basketball. School team colors an fight song are needed,
as well as the better team records and coach's names. Girls Track & Field The
Shabbona Lady Indians gave the school its highest finish in State Tourney Competition! The girls finished
THIRD in the 1978 State Class 'A' Track Meet. The effort of NANCY PURDY led the way with
two Gold Medals in the one mile and two-mile runs, an incredible double! The mid-1980s were hi-lited
by the three Medals won by DEE DEE JESKE including a GOLD in the high jump in 1985!! 1978-79
Team Finished THIRD in STATE MEET Competition!!
Individual Medalist
Nancy Purdy One Mile Run
STATE CHAMPION!! Two
Mile Run STATE CHAMPION!!
Final Team Standings
1) New Lenox (Providence Catholic) 31
2) St. Joseph (S.J.-Ogden)
16
3) SHABBONA HIGH SCHOOL 12
3) Auburn
12
5) Freeburg
11
5) Kankakee (McNamara)
11
7) Piasa (Southwestern)
9
7) Normal (University)
9
7) Teutopolis
9
10) Prophetstown, Johnston City, Edinburg, 7
Mahomet (M.-Seymour) 1984-85 Individual Medalist -
Dee Dee Jeske High Jump STATE CHAMPION!! 1985-86 Individual
Medalist - Dee Dee Jeske High Jump 3RD Place 1987-88
Individual Medalist - Dee Dee Jeske Long Jump 6TH Place Boys Basketball Two undefeated regular seasons,
four District titles, five Regional titles, and a Sectional title hi-lited the SHS success in this sport. If
you can help fill in the abundance of missing information please send us an e-mail. 1956-57
21 - 5
Coach Francis Wagner 1957-58 26 - 2
Coach Francis Wagner 1958-59
32 - 1 UNDEFEATED REGULAR SEASON!
Coach Francis Wagner
Shabbona District Champions
1st Rd Beat Sandwich 99-62 Semi-final
Beat Kirkland 102-35
Title Game Beat Waterman 92-48
DeKalb Regional Champions
1st Rd Beat Genoa-Kingston 68-39 Semi-final
Beat Sycamore 58-33
Title Game Beat DeKalb 48-37 SHABBONA (48): Wisted 17, Straw 14, Fleming 10, Espe 4, Mullins 3. DEKALB
(37): Di. Anderson 13, Berke 6, Pillmore 6, Lundberg 4, Da. Anderson 4, McAllister 2, Land 2.
Hinsdale Sectional Tournament
Semi-final lost to Hinsdale 58-56 (2 O/Ts) HINSDALE (58): Riessen 17, Haarlow 17, Goulding 13, Brown 11. SHABBONA
(56): Fleming 19, Wisted 17, Straw 12, Mullins 8.
Hinsdale lost to Aurora West in title game
Aurora West lost to Springfield HS in State Title game
**Ron Espe was point guard on Shabbona's Cinderella basketball team of 1959. Other
starters on that team included Gerry Wisted, Marv Straw, Dennis Fleming and Bill Mullins. A
nice article about this team is available at the bottom of this page.
| Shabonna HS Basketball Team 1958-59 |
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| Submitted by Dean Bentley |
The Shabonna High School Basketball Team of 1958-59
by Brian Hoxsey The Indians were 8-0 entering the annual DeKalb Holiday Tournament (which featured schools much larger than
tiny Shabbona). Shabbona rolled to the title with wins over Rochelle (66-41),
Aurora West (69-67), Maine (59-46) and Rock Falls (78-64) in the championship
contest. Following that tournament, Shabbona was given a fourth position ranking
in the United Press International's ratings of the state's top teams. Little Ten Conference Champs in both the regular season (9-0) {the closest game was a 70-52 win over Leland}
and league tournament (defeated Earlville 97-38, Serena 81-35 in the semifinals and
finally Leland 91-51 in the title game.) That 40 point win in the championship
game is still the largest margin of victory in the tournament's 89 year history. (Marv
Straw, Jerry Wisted and Ron Espe were all named first team All-LTC, while
Bill Mullins and Denny Fleming were on the All-LTC second
team) They ended the regular season 27-0 and began
post season play in their own district tournament. They opened with a dominant
102-35 over Hiawatha and captured the title with a 92-48 drubbing of Waterman, who fell to the Indians
for the third time that season. Next,
the Indians moved to the DeKalb Regional, they started with a 63-38 victory over Genoa-Kingston.
They moved into the title game with a 58-33 win over Sycamore to set up the third straight regional
title match-up with DeKalb, who had beat them the previous two years. The
Indians were able to get over the hump as they triumphed over the Barbs 48-37
to capture the regional title and move on to the HInsdale Sectional to play the host squad. With a jam packed gym of over 5,000 fans the Indians were out-sized by the taller Red Devils and trailed
19-15 after one quarter. Hinsdale's Dave Brown nailed a 35-foot
desperation at the halftime buzzer to give his club a 32-25 advantage at halftime.
Shabbona found themselves down by ten (41-31) early in the third period,
but mounted a come-back to trail just 45-43 entering the fourth quarter. The Indians took their only lead
of the game with :19 left in regulation when guard Denny Fleming scored
a lay up to make it 54-52, but Hinsdale was able to convert two free throws with
:08 left to send the game to overtime. Hinsdale
opened the scoring in overtime with two free tosses, but Shabbona center Jerry Wisted
put the teams even again (56-all) with a lay in. In the final seconds, with the game still
tied, Bill Mullins stole the ball from Hinsdale and made a quick
pass to Wisted, who nailed a jump shot that sent the Indians joyfully running
into their locker room. However, after a lengthy discussion between officials at the scorers table, it was ruled Wisted's
shot came a fraction of a second after the official timer's gun. In the
second "sudden death" overtime, Hinsdale won the jump ball and seventeen seconds
later Brown was fouled and calmly sank both ends of a one-and-bonus sent end Shabbona's
magical season. Notes:
Every seat in the gym was filled and hour and fifteen minutes before tip-off.
Hinsdale's front court went 6-foot-8, 6-5 and 6-3, while Marv Straw was
Shabbona's tallest player at 6-4, Wisted 6-2, Mullins 6-1. The Indians out-rebounded
Hisdale 30-17 in the game. Marv Straw
was named 5th team all-state by the Champaign News Gazette following the season.
Those who moved on: **Marv Straw went on to play at Iowa State. A three-year starter, Straw
was named All-Big Eight in his senior season after averaging 14.9 points per
game and 4.6 rebounds and was awarded the George Clarkson Award, given to the
top senior player in Iowa Collegiate basketball. He completed his career at Iowa
State scoring 813 points in three varsity seasons (Freshmen could not play varsity in college in those days.). Nominated
for selection to Iowa State's All-Century Basketball Team in 2007. Marv
Straw was selected by the St. Louis Hawks (N.B.A. draft) with the second
pick in the eleventh round, but never played professionally. For more information regarding
Marv Straw including college statistics please visit **Jerry Wisted went on to have a great college career at Illinois Wesleyan. Wisted
was named All-College Confernece of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) in both his junior
and senior seasons. Illinois Wesleyan won the CCIW championship Wisted's
first three years and finished third in his senior year in which he was named team
captain. Is still on the Illinois Wesleyan's all-time scoring list with 1,248 points which ranks him 21st
all-time following the 2007-08 season. Also played baseball and led CCIW
in RBI in 1963.
1959-60 26 - 5 District Champions
Coach Francis Wagner
Coach Wagner's leaves
to continue career at
Crystal Lake HS
1960-61 23 - 8 District
/ Regional Champions Coach Ernie Oest
(started the season 6-5)
District Tournament
beat
Malta (88-55)
beat Hinckley-Big Rock (70-62)
beat Central (Burlington) (77-57) in finals.
Regional Tournament
beat
DeKalb (61-52)
beat St. Charles (62-58)
beat Rochelle (51-45) in finals.
Ottawa Sectional Tournament
beat Toluca 63-60
fell
to Ottawa Pirates 71-54 in finals.
1961-62 25 - 4 District Champions
Coach Ernie Oest
1962-63 19 - 6
Coach Ernie Oest
1963-64 16 - 7
Coach Ernie Oest
1969-70 21 - 4 District
Runner-up
Coach David Fultz
1971-72 28 - 1 UNDEFEATED
REGULAR SEASON! Coach David Fultz
Plano Christmas Classic Champs
Regional
Champions
Sectional
Champions
CLASS
"A" SWEET 16 FINALISTS!
Lost
to Elgin St. Edward 56 - 54 (O/T)
(St. Edwards lost in Elite 8 round)
**The star player for this team was Dan Anderson. In the Super-Sectional overtime loss to Elgin
(St. Edward), Anderson had 17 points, while teammate John Espe had 14 points and 16
rebounds. Shabbona had a close call in the Sectional championship defeating Amboy 62-60 in double overtime.
(Thank you to Mark Jurenga and the 1971-72 State Finals Tournament program.)
1975-76 12 - 14 Regional Champions
Coach David Fultz
1979-80 Regional
Champions
Coach David Fultz
Plano Christmas Classic Champs
Boys Baseball
The boys of the baseball diamond won one District Championship, that coming in 1948-49. Again
team records and coach's names are not currently available.
1948-49 District Champions
Boys Cross Country
The following information was supplied by a Shabbona High School fan regarding the Shabbona boys cross-country program:
"(Some of) the winningest team(s) in Shabbona History were the boys' cross-country teams
of 1960's. While the state was all one-class, Shabbona excelled as one of the best. Shabbona was coached by
John Coughlan, possibly the only coach in U.S. history to be honored as National High School Cross-Country Coach
of the Year, National Division I NCAA Cross Country Coach of the Year, National NCAA Division I Indoor and Outdoor Track Coach
of the Year. Coach Coughlan left Shabbona in 1967 to lead Maine East High School to a State Championship
before becoming head coach at Illinois State University where he retired. Coach Coughlan has been inducted
into various hall of fames.
As the number one runner on varsity all four years, Joel Espe was also Shabbona's
first ever state qualifier in any sport. Shabbona scored 15 points (a perfect score) in the Little Ten Conference
in 1966, placing runners in 1,2,3,4,5,6, & 8th place. The team ranked 5th for all schools
in the state. Espe earned all-state honors in cross-country and track where he was the first state medallist
from Shabbona in the state track finals. His records were never broken in over 40 years of competition.
Only two small school runners ever medalled in the 2-mile when the IHSA was all one
class. Craig Virgin (3 time Olympian, twice world cross-country champion) and Shabbona's
Joel Espe. Espe coached Cross-Country and Track at Fennimore, Wisconsin winning numerous team
and individual State championships. His 1981 tream scored 15 points in the Sectional Championship and a record setting
23 points in winning their 5th consecutive state championship. The following year, Espe's cousin, Scott
Krahenbuhl medalled in the long jump at the State Finals."
Congratulations to Joel Espe, Coach Coughlan, and the Shabbona High School harriers!!
Girls Basketball
Coach Ken Dawson led the Lady Indian roundballers to three consecutive Regional Championships.
Included in this string was an overall record of 67 - 6 and an UNDEFEATED regular season record in 1985-86. Coach
Dawson's overall record at Shabbona during his nine seasons at the helm was an excellent 143 - 60, a .704 winning percentage!!
1981-82 12 - 7
Coach Ken Dawson
1982-83 14 - 8
Coach Ken Dawson
1983-84
Coach Ken Dawson
1984-85 17 -
2
Coach Ken Dawson
1985-86 22 - 1 UNDEFEATED REGULAR SEASON!
Coach Ken Dawson
Regional Champions
1986-87 22 - 2 Regional Champions
Coach Ken Dawson
1987-88 23 - 3 Regional Champions
Coach Ken Dawson
1988-89 Coach Ken
Dawson
1989-90 16 - 7
Coach Ken Dawson
Girls Volleyball
The girls proved themselves on the vollyball court as well winning Regional Titles in 1983 and 1993.
1982-83 IHSA Regional Champions
1992-93 IHSA Regional Champions
Girls Softball
Coach Gary Richardson led the girls softball program to three good seasons in the four that he coached
at the school.
1989-90 7 - 4
Coach Gary Richardson
1990-91 13 - 5
Coach Gary Richardson
1991-92 15 - 4
Coach Gary Richardson
1992-93
Coach Gary Richardson
Boys Soccer
The Shabbona High Scohol boys soccer program won 2 Regional Titles.
1980-81 14 - 5 IHSA Regional Champions
Coach Dave Eckstrom
The Shabbona boys soccer team won a Regional championship during the 1980-81 season winning the title game over Waterman
1-0 in a Penalty Kick final. The teams were tied 0-0 after regulation and played 2 20 min OT periods. Shabbona outscored
Waterman 3-1 in penalty kicks. The IHSA State Tournament for Soccer at that time was a one-class tournament. The Shabbona
boys would lose in the first round of the Sectional Tournament this year to Bolingbrook HS 3-1.
1985-86 14 - 5 - 4 IHSA Regional Champions
Coach Craig Voight
Semi-Final Beat Dixon 4-1
Title Game Beat Ottawa
IHSA
Sectional Qualifier
1st Rd lost to St. Charles HS 2-0
Boys Track & Field
Three athletes carried the Shabbona banner in boys track & field. Joel Espe earned a 6th place medal
in the 1967 meet, a one-class meet. Presenting the medals to the athletes that year was Jesse Owens!
Joel's effort was followed in 1968 by his cousin, Scott Krahenbuhl, who placed 6th in the long jump, again in a one-class
event. Derek Jeske won medals at the IHSA State Class 'A' Track in the long jump
in consecutive seasons during the mid-1980s! Derek is a brother to the Lady
Indians track star, Dee Dee Jeske who also medaled for Shabonna in the mid-1980s (see above).
1966-67 Individual Medalist - Joel Espe
2-Mile Run 6TH Place
1967-68 Individual Medalist - Scott Krahenbuhl
Long Jump 6TH Place
**From Cheri Espe:
"On January 3rd, 2012, cousins Joel Espe and Scott
Krahenbuhl were inducted into the Shabbona High School Hall of Fame. They were the first athletes from Shabbona
HS to ever advance to the State Championship in any sport and the first to medal at a State Championship in any
sport. Both did so when it was a one-class system in Illinois."
**Maurice DeWitte represented Shabonna HS in the 1-mile run in the early 1950s. Maurice
would advance through the early meets and qualify for the IHSA State Meet in this event in the spring of
1952. Though he did not earn a medal, Maurice was an excellent example of the talent at Shabonna HS, especially
considering his accomplishment was in a one-class track meet system!
| Shabonna HS Trackster Scott Krahenbuhl |
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Scott Krahenbuhl set the conference record in the 180 low hurdles his senior year with a time of 21.7
seconds. He was the first track athlete from Shabbona to ever get a first place finish in the District Track Meet. He competed
in the long jump at the state track meet his junior year and senior year he placed 6th, at that time there was only one class.
During his senior year, Scott beat the conference record in the 100 yd dash, 220 yd. dash, 180 yd. low hurdles, and long jump.
Scott was a varsity letter winner and starter in basketball for two years. During Scott's senior year he had 385 points, 61
steals, 41 assists, and 207 rebounds. He averaged 14.3 points per game and led the conference in scoring with 385 opints.
In baseball, Scott played center field. Shabbona was conference champs his sophomore, junior, and senior year. He received
the Dr. Harry L. Keene Athletic Award his senior year. Scott attended Northern Illinois University and participated on the
Varsity Track Team and Freshman Basketball Team.
1985-86
Individual Medalist - Derek Jeske Long Jump
8TH Place
1986-87 Individual Medalist - Derek Jeske
Long Jump 5TH Place
FOOTBALL It
may have had a short existence, but the Indians did offer 6-man football prior to World War II as the school was a member
of the Northern Illinois 6-Man League. Our thanks to conference historian Tom Sikorski for the information listed
below.
1939 4-2 Coach unknown 1940
3-2 Coach unknown (missing two results) 1941 1-1
Coach unknown (many open dates, there might have been more games)
MEMORIES
From DonnaSue Wilder Rohrer:
"A friend posted this site on facebook, with Shabbona High School. It was very interesting to read about. I have
NEVER heard that Shabbona when it moved north pushed out a town named "Corntown." And the story on the '59 boys basketball
team must've been so exciting! I know some of those guys, but to me they are the dads of some boys I went to school with
and were school board members when I was in school. In '59 they were baskeball stars. A great history. Thank you
for this site. I also read about Rollo & Lee. I didn't know Lee had been a high school. Thank you for this site and I will also pass it on."
If You Have ANY Further Information
If you have any further information or corrections regarding the history of Shabbona
High School please forward it to us so that it may be shared on this site. You can contact us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or via real mail at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il. 6063
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