Shannon High School Quick Facts
Year opened: late 1800s / early 1900s
Year closed: 1986
Consolidated to: Lanark Eastland High School
School nickname: the "Eagles"
School colors: Orange and Black
School Fight Song: "Cheer, Cheer For Ol' Shannon High"
University of Notre Dame Fight Song Tune
Cheer,
Cheer for ol' Shannon High,
Wake
up the echoes, Cheering her name,
Send a loyal
cheer on high,
Shake
out the thunder from the sky.
What
though the odds be great or small,
Ol'
Shannon High will win over all.
While
her loyal sons are marching
Onward
to victory!
Athletics
For what they lacked in numbers, the Shannon kids made up for in ability and heart. Especially in boy's basketall.
No less than 15 District Titles were won by the Eagle Boy's Basketball teams. Shannon HS boys basketball
dominated the area in the 1940s winning 7 of the 10 District titles that decade. The Boy's Baseball team also
won a Regional title and one male athlete brought home hardware from the IHSA State Track Meet. The records and coaches
names of these teams is being sought. There HAS to be a great story there regarding this small town school's success
over the years, especially the 1940s. The best of the Shannon High School Eagles seasons are listed below.
Boy's Basketball
1940-41 N.R.A.
District Champions Coaches names unavailable
1941-42 N.R.A. District
Champions
1943-44 N.R.A.
District Champions
1944-45 N.R.A. District
Champions
1945-46 N.R.A.
District Champions
1946-47 N.R.A. District
Champions
1948-49 N.R.A.
District Champions
1952-53 N.R.A.
District Champions
1953-54 N.R.A.
District Champions
1954-55 N.R.A. District
Champions
1958-59 N.R.A. District
Champions
1960-61 N.R.A. District
Champions
1963-64 N.R.A. District
Champions
1964-65 N.R.A.
District Champions
1969-70 N.R.A. District
Champions
One of the best players to run on the hardwood for Shannon High School in the mid-1960s was Randy Buss. In a January
29, 1965 game against conference foes Dakota, Buss had a monster game in scoring 54 points for the Eagles, scoring 24 field
goals and pulling down 34 rebounds. His 34 rebounds in the game is the second best performance in state history!
Memories:
From Michael J. Fox:
"We had some very outstanding basketball teams in the late 70's and early 80's but could never win the regional title.
We always had a game every year with the nearby town of Forreston for the "Dirty Bird" trophy. The loser had to display the
trophy in their trophy case for a full year until we played again. The trophy was a cross between an eagle and a cardinal.
I wonder what every happened to that trophy? The school fight song was Cheer Cheer for ol' Shannon High which was to the music
of the Notre Dame Fight song. Back in the late 70's I remember one particular game where the new glass backboard was broken
on a dunk (I do not remember who did it) but the game was delayed about 1 1/2 hours until they could go get one from nearby
Lanark High School."
Boy's Track & Field
During
Shannon’s early days, the number of boys track and field athletes each year could be counted on one hand. In the mid-to-late
1920s, two students, Lloyd Hinders and Lamoine Boyle, formed a team which had plenty of success. Hinders took
3rd place in the pole vault in the IHSA State Meet in 1926.
In 1928,
Hinders and Boyle, competing as a two-man team, won the Sterling Invitational — one which had much larger schools also
competing.
Hinders
competed at North Central College and held the school’s discus record at one point. He would later have a successful
coaching and administrative career at Rock Falls High School from 1943 to his untimely death in 1963. The RFHS football field
is named after Hinders in his memory.
Boy's Baseball
The baseball team of 1985-86 brought home the school's only IHSA hardware in this sport. In fact this was the only
Regional title in the school's long and storied history. Team records of this and other Shannon HS baskeball teams are
needed.
1985-86 N.R.A. Regional
Champions Coach Joe Kretz
Girl's Volleyball
Though not bringing home IHSA hardware the girl's volleyball team faired quite will in mid - 1980s. In fact their
coach, Kristy Pierce, continued her winning tradition at Eastland HS. Below are the best seasons listed on the IHSA
web site for Shannon HS Girl's Volleyball.
1983-84 18 - 6 Coach Kristy Pierce
1884-85 19 - 4 Coach Kristy Pierce
1985-86 20 - 7 Coach Kristy Pierce
Extra-Curricular Activities
Sports were not the only thing that occupied the time of the kids of Shannon High School. Chorus, FFA, Band, Student
Government, Dances, and Plays were all offered at SHS.
To view a very brief video clip of the Shannon High School Marching Band in action during
the 1980 Northern Illinois University Homecoming parade in DeKalb check out this YouTube video sent to us by "Tom":
Seeking More Information
As you can see, the Shannon High School Eagles played hard to the bitter end. Enjoying successful sports teams
in their last season as a school (1985-86). If you have any information you can provide and share with others please
complete a
Guest Commentary Form.
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Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il. 60631