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"

 

                              Cheer, Cheer for ol' Shannon High,

 

 

 

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.

 

 

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!

 

 

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."

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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.    

 

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. (Thanks Chris Dertz!)  You may also write us at:

e-mail:  ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net

  

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Chicago, Il.   60631