Moweaqua High School Indians

Moweaqua High School Complex 1940s

Submitted by Dennis Downey

Moweaqua HS Building of 1878

Submitted by Dennis Downey

The History of Moweaqua High School

Moweaqua (population 1,923) is located in south-central Illinois about 12 miles south of Decatur. A vast majority of Moweaqua sits in the northwestern portion of Shelby County. A very small portion bleeds over into the northeast corner of Christian County. U.S. Route 51 is the main roadway to and from Moweaqua. The Long Grove Creek flows by the north side of town. A line of the Illinois Gulf Central Railroad runs through town as well.

The history of the town of Moweaqua was not found by the writer of this page. It is known there was a mining disaster in Moweaqua in the early 1930s. It is probable that Moweaqua was established in the early to mid 1800s. A school system was probably established near the same time. A high school curriculum for the students of Moweaqua was probably in place by the late 1800s or at the latest the early 1900s.

Moweaqua HS Building With Addition - 1914

Courtesy of Dennis Downey

We know that Moweaqua High School served the town on a solo basis for many decades. It was in the early 1990s that Moweaqua High School began consolidation talks with its neighbor to the southwest, Assumption. This effort was finalized in 1992 with the creation of the Central A & M School District.

The high school for the Central A & M School District was placed in the Moweaqua High School building where it remains today.

Moweaqua High School.Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s?

Year consolidated: 1992

Consolidated to: Central A & M School District (Moweaqua)

Moweaqua HS team nickname: the "Indians"

Moweaqua HS team colors: Blue & Gold

School Fight Song: "Moweaqua Loyalty"

Thank you to Jim Christie

Moweaqua High, the school we love, let's sing her song of praise,

Tell of her many victories and high her banner raise,

We'll glorify Moweaqua High and work for her with zest,

And tell to all the world around, "Moweaqua High is best!"

We are a jolly band, We stand for loyalty,

And all with one accord we'll cheer our team to victory;

And when our high school days are o'er,

We'll never forget,

Those cheers we gave together; yes we hear them ringing yet.

Cheer for Moweaqua High! Rah! Rah!

We are ready let's go for the Blue & Gold.

Dear Moweaqua High! Rah! Rah!

For her honor and fame and her glorious name

We will stand, every loyal fan,

So let us cheer, cheer the gang's all here;

All for Moweaqua High!!!

Athletics

The Moweaqua High School boys competed in basketball, football, track, and possibly baseball. The girls competed in basketball, bowling, volleyball, and track, possibly even softball (www.ihsa.org). There were many reasons to cheer in Moweaqua when school was in session and sports were being played. We are in need of the Moweaqua HS team nickname, team colors, school fight song, and many of the team records and coach's names.

Football

It is apparent that the "friday night lights" were what the folks of Moweaqua lived for. Every season from 1950 through the 1992 closure of the school is recorded on the IHSA website. Moweaqua HS ended its solo high school life with SEVEN consecutive trips to the IHSA Class 1A Playoffs in football. Better records and coach's names are listed below.

1950-51 5 - 2                                                            Coach Al Allen
1951-52 4 - 3                                                            Coach Al Allen
1952-53                                                                       Coach Al Allen
1953-54                                                                       Coach Ralph Decker
1954-55                                                                       Coach Bob Morrison
1955-58                                                                       Coach Harold Anderson
1958-59    6 - 2                                                             Coach Harold Anderson
1959-60    7 - 1                                                             Coach Harold Anderson
1960-61    5 - 3                                                             Coach Dick Jostes
1961-62    4 - 4                                                             Coach Dick Jostes
1962-63 4 - 2 - 2                                                        Coach Dick Jostes
1963-64    5 - 1 - 3                                                        Coach Dick Jostes
1964-65    8 - 0        Undefeated Regular Season        Coach Dick Jostes
1965-66    6 - 2                                                             Coach Dick Jostes
1966-67                                                                        Coach Dick Jostes
1967-68    6 - 2                                                             Coach Dick Jostes
1968-69 4 - 2 - 1                                                        Coach Craig Thies
1969-70                                                                        Coach Craig Thies
1970-73                                                                        Coach Mike Shride
1973-74    6 - 2                                                             Coach Terry Workman
1974-75   6 - 2                                                             Coach Terry Workman
1975-76                                                                       Coach Terry Workman
1976-77 5 - 4                                                             Coach Terry Workman
1977-80                                                                       Coach Terry Workman
1980-81    7 - 2                                                             Coach Terry Workman
1981-82    6 - 3                                                             Coach Jack Turner
1982-83    6 - 3                                                             Coach Jeff Ridner

1983-84 6 - 3 Coach Mark Ramsey
1984-85 Coach Mark Ramsey

1985-86 7 - 4 Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs Coach Mark Ramsey

Sweet 16 Finalist

Beat Pawnee 19 - 14

Lost to Assumption 37 - 7

Assumption lost in Quarter-final Rd

1986-87 8 - 1 Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs Coach Mark Ramsey

Undefeated Regular Season

Lost to Arcola 14 - 6

Arcola lost in 2nd Rd

1987-88 6 - 4 Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs Coach Mark Ramsey

Sweet 16 Finalist

Beat Bethany 28 - 16

Lost to Assumption 20 - 12

Assumption lost in Quarter-final Rd

1988-89 8 - 3 Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs Coach Mark Ramsey

Sweet 16 Finalist

Beat Cerro Gordo 34 - 0

Lost to Danville Schlarman 36 - 6

Schlarman lost in quarter-final Rd

1989-90 9 - 1 Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs Coach Mark Ramsey

Undefeated Regular Season

Lost to Girard 24 - 15

Girard lost in 2nd Rd

1990-91 6 - 4 Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs Coach Mark Ramsey

Lost to Mt. Olive 34 - 12

Mt. Olive lost in Quarter-final Rd

1991-92 6 - 4 Qualified for Class 1A Playoffs Coach Mark Ramsey

Lost to Girard 37 - 6

Girard lost in Quarter-final Rd

School's Final Solo Season

Side Note: As Moweaqua Central A & M the school won a State Championship in football in Class 2A in 1997 under the guidance of Coach Mark Ramsey!!

Girls Bowling

The Moweaqua lady bowlers enjoyed two seasons in which they competed in the State Bowling Tournament winning the District title and advancing to the State competition.

1973-74 District Champions - Qualified for State Meet

1974-75 District Champions - Qualified for State Meet

Boys Basketball

The Moweaqua boys basketball program won a pair of Regionals, the last coming in their last year of existence. Several scores involving Moweaqua HS were located on a website titled "Illinois Postseason Basketball Scores." These scores are listed below when available.

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

1st Rd lost to Waynesville 26-22

Waynesville lost to Bethany in semi-final

Bethany lost to Atwood in title game

Atwood lost to Centralia in State Title game!

1922-23 through 1932-33 Postseason scores, records, and coach's names needed.

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

1st Rd Beat Blue Mound 18-13

Lost in 2nd Rd (not available)

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

1st Rd Beat Dalton City 34-12

2nd Rd lost to Clinton 24-15

Clinton beat Decatur in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Assumption 30-29

Assumption lost to Shelbyville in title game

1936-37 Taylorville District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Assumption 33-15

Assumption lost to Taylorville in semi-final

Taylorville beat Pana in title game

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

1938-39 Decatur Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Hammond 41-33

Semi-final lost to Decatur 45-15

Decatur beat Argenta in title game

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

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

1941-42 22 - 7 Decatur Regional Tournament Coach M.J. Corby

1st Rd Beat Warrensburg 27-24

Semi-final lost to Buffalo Tri-City 44-37

Buffalo Tri-City lost to Decatur in title game

1942-43 5 - 12 Decatur Regional Tournament Coach M.J. Corby

1st Rd lost to Niantic 46-29

Niantic lost to Decatur in title game

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

1944-45 Decatur Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Mt. ion 62-20

Mt. Zion lost to Decatur in semi-final

Decatur beat Niantic in title game

Decatur won State Championship

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

1st Rd lost to Warrensburg 55-23

Warrensburg lost to Decatur in semi-final

Decatur beat Cerro Gordo in title game

Decatur lost in Elite 8 round

1946-47 5 - 20 Decatur Regional Tournament Coach Oliver

1st Rd lost to Warrensburg 41-40 (O/T)

Warrensburg lost to Decatur in semi-final

Decatur beat Cerro Gordo in title game

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

1st Rd lost to Decatur 48-44

Decatur beat Warrensburg in title game

1948-49 Decatur Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Cerro Gordo 38-35

Semi-final lost to Warrensburg 50-34

Warrensburg lost to Decatur in title game

1949-50 Taylorville Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Shelbyville 27-23

Semi-final lost to Taylorville 93-36

Taylorville beat Stonington in title game

1950-51 Assumption Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Tower Hill 50-45

Semi-final lost to Blue Mound 52-46

Blue Mound beat Stonington in title game

1951-52 Stonington District Runner-Up Coach's name & record needed

Semi-final Beat Tower Hill 77-48

Title Game lost to Stonington 54-52

1952-53 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1953-54 Taylorville Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Shelbyville 79-52

Shelbyville lost to Macon in semi-final

Macon lost to Taylorville in title game

1954-55 Shelbyville Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Taylorville 74-48

Taylorville lost to Kincaid in semi-final

Kincaid lost to Shelbyville in title game

1955-56 14 - 12 Taylorville Regional Tournament Coach Harold Anderson

1st Rd lost to Shelbyville 66-63

Shelbyville lost to Taylorville in semi-final

Taylorville beat Kincaid in title game

1956-57 13 - 5 Postseason scores needed Coach Harold Anderson

1957-58 2 - 18 Moweaqua hosted District Tourney Coach Harold Anderson

Early Rd scores needed

Stonington beat Tower Hill in title game

1958-59 Morrisonville District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Tower Hill 61-57

Semi-final lost to Blue Mound 44-30

Blue Mound lost to Morrisonville in title game

1959-60 Shelbyville Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Taylorville 78-49

Taylorville lost to Blue Mound in title game

1960-61 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1961-62 Pana Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Taylorville 78-71

Taylorville lost to Shelbyville in title game

1962-63 Shelbyville Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Taylorville 63-34

Taylorville lost to Macon in semi-final

Macon beat Pana in title game

1963-64 Taylorville Regional Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Stonington 61-42

Stonington beat Shelbyville in title game

1964-65 13 - 11 Pana Regional Runner-Up Coach Russell Myers

1st Rd Beat Shelbyville 64-53

Semi-final Beat Macon 50-47

Title game lost to Taylorville 66-44

1965-66 18 - 6 Postseason scores needed Coach Russell Myers

1966-67 13 - 9 Taylorville Regional Tournament Coach Russell Myers

1st Rd lost to Shelbyville 53-46

Shelbyville lost to Pana in title game

1967-68 15 - 8 Pana Regional Tournament Coach John Helm

1st Rd Beat Pana 76-56

Semi-final lost to Shelbyville 56-54

Shelbyville beat Stonington in title game

1968-69 Pawnee District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Stonington 71-58

Stonington beat Pawnee in title game

1969-70 Assumption District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Pawnee 70-53

Pawnee lost to Stonington in semi-final

Stonington beat Edinburg in title game

1970-71 Assumption District Tournament Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd lost to Mt. Auburn 85-63

Mt. Auburn lost to Stonington in title game

1971-72 Warrensburg Class 'A' Regional Coach's name & record needed

1st Rd Beat Mt. Auburn 73-63

Semi-final lost to Warrensburg-Latham 54-47

Warrensburg-Latham lost to Illiopolis in title game

1972-73 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1973-74 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1874-75 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1975-76 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1976-77 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1977-78 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1978-79 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

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

1980-81 Postseason scores, record, and coach's name needed.

1981-82 IHSA Regional Runner-Up Coach's name & record needed

Lost Regional Champ. Game to

Stonington, an eventual Elite 8 finalist

1989-90 IHSA Regional Champions Coach's name & record needed

Regional Scores Needed

IHSA Sectional Tournament

Sectional Scores Needed

1991-92 21 - 6 IHSA Regional Champions Coach Bart Funneman

Team scored over 100

points 7 times!

Team MVP Danny McLeod

IHSA Regional

Beat Warrensburg in title game

IHSA Sectional Tourney

Lost to Springfield Calvary in semi-final

Springfield Calvary won Sectional Title

Calvary lost to Findlay in Super-Sectional

Findlay won State Championship

(Findlay in same conference as Moweaqua)

Boys Track & Field

The Moweaqua HS boys track team won a Sectional title, earned eleven individual medals, and had two boys crowned STATE CHAMPIONS in their respective events!

1936-37 Glen Bohlen Pole Vault 2ND Place

1980-81A Relay Team 4x400 Meter Relay 2ND Place
Scot Adamson 300 Meter Hurdles 7TH Place

1981-82A     Curt Stiner            800 Meter Run              STATE CHAMPION!!
                   Relay Team          4x400 Meter Relay       3RD Place

1982-83A      Sectional Champions

Scot Adamson 300 Meter Hurdles STATE CHAMPION!!

100 Meter Hurdles 8TH Place

Todd Henderson 200 Meter Dash 7TH Place

1984-85A Lance Caplinger Pole Vault 5TH Place

1985-86A Danny Neilson 400 Meter Dash 3RD Place

1986-87A Danny Neilson 400 Meter Dash 4TH Place

Girls Volleyball

The lady netters never won a State Tourney trophy, however they had some GREAT seasons their last three years as Moweaqua High. Three straight 20-plus game winning seasons under the leadership of Coach Tina McElroy, including a 28 - 2 record in 1989-90, let the Moweaqua volleyball program go out with great pride.

1975-80                                          Coach Debby Neibuhr
1980-83                                           Coach Dorothy Turner
1983-84                                           Coach Karen Rogers
1984-87                                           Coach Tina (Rodmaker) McElroy
1987-88 12 - 8                                Coach Tina (Rodmaker) McElroy
1988-89   17 - 6                                Coach Tina (Rodmaker) McElroy
1989-90   28 - 2   GREAT RECORD!   Coach Tina (Rodmaker) McElroy
1990-91 20 - 7                                Coach Tina (Rodmaker) McElroy
1991-92   20 - 7                                 Coach Tina (Rodmaker) McElroy

Girls Basketball

The Moweaqua ladies competed in basketball as well. We only have the coach's name from two of those seasons. We are looking for coach's names and good team records to add to this list.

1986-87 Coach Carol Bressner
1987-88 Coach Carol Bressner

Seeking More Information

More information is being sought about Moweaqua High School. Corrections are welcome as well. If you have more Information about MHS, including photos of the school, nickname, other athletes and other great teams and high school memories you would like to share please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or you may also write us via USPS at:

Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, IL 60631