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| Creiger High School Building (on Adams St.) |
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| Photo by Cody Cutter (Feb. 2009) |
| Creiger High School (on Grenshaw Avenue) |
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| credit: CPS Alumni website (http://www.cpsalumni.org/) |
The History of Chicago Cregier Vocational High School
Chicago (population 2.8 million) is located in far northeastern Illinois in the center
of Cook County. Chicago is famous for many different reasons and was a great influence on the growth of the United
States in the early 1800s. Today, it is the third largest city in the United States and Illinois' largest city.
It is known that Cregier High School was opened in 1957 on the city's West Side to alleviate
crowding at nearby schools, namely Crane Technical High School, but it was closed down in 1995. The original
school building was located at 1820 W. Grenshaw. The school was moved to 2040 W. Adams in 1980.
The school building ended up being the home of three smaller schools, Foundations
for elementary students, Nia for middle schoolers, and Best Practice
for high schoolers. The process to house smaller schools in a setting similar to the Creiger location was a success and
today, a number of former Chicago public high schools are converting their buildings for the same reason to help enhance
educational success.
FACTS ABOUT CHICAGO CREGIER HIGH SCHOOL
School opened:
1957
School closed:
1995
School colors: Kelly
Green & White
School nickname: the
"Tigers"
School song:
unknown
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ATHLETICS
We are aware that the school was a member of the Chicago Public League and offered boys' basketball baseball, wrestling,
and track, but as for other sports, there is no evidence that we have found to show that Creiger had a team in them. If anyone
has information about the athletic and extra-curricular success that the school had, we invite them to contact us at the addresses
listed at the end of this page.
BOYS' BASKETBALL
The Creiger basketball program was known state-wide for its run-and-gun style of basketball, due to the fact that the
school had a smaller then regulation-size floor on campus. Some folks, even some alumni, would refer to the gym as a "cracker
box." But it was a unique place to play. As a result, a number of entries in the IHSA record book listed Creiger's
hoop successes in 2007. Among them:
--12 games of 100 or more points scored (state record, set in 1984-85…overall record was 16-4 that season),
--scoring average per game of 100.35 (only school to reach 100 per game) in 1984-85.
We should note that the IHSA only keeps records for most points scored by one team as well two-team totals, in addition
to field goals made by one team, since updating their record book after 2010.
Most points scored in a game by one team:
152, Cregier vs. Chicago Prosser (51), Feb. 8, 1967--2nd highest
total
149, Cregier vs. Chicago Juarez (91), Feb. 13, 1987--5th highest
143, Cregier vs. Chicago Roosevelt (89), Dec. 1, 1977--tied for 9th
143, Cregier vs. Chicago Juarez (73), Feb. 20, 1985--tied for 9th
143, Cregier vs. Chicago Juarez (69), Feb. 17, 1989--tied for 9th
142, Cregier vs. Chicago Lincoln Park (96), Mar. 1, 1985--tied for 13th
138, Cregier vs. Chicago Near North Career Magnet (117), Jan. 21, 1982--20th
Most points scored by two teams in a game:
255, Cregier (138) vs. Chicago Near North Career Magnet (117), Jan. 21, 1982--1st
252,
Chicago Manley (127) vs. Cregier (125), Feb. 20, 1986--2nd
241, Chicago Crane
(128) vs. Cregier (113), Feb. 25, 1986--4th
240, Cregier (149) vs. Chicago
Juarez (91), Feb. 13, 1987--5th
238, Cregier (142) vs. Chicago Lincoln Park
(96), Mar. 1, 1985--7th
235, Cregier (120) vs. Chicago Westinghouse (115)
(OT), Feb. 9, 1978--8th
233, Chicago Orr (127) vs. Cregier (106), Jan.
13, 1994--10th
232, Chicago Marshall (135) vs. Cregier (97), Jan. 24, 1969--tied
for 11th
232, Cregier (143) vs. Chicago Roosevelt (89), Dec. 1, 1977--tied
for 11th
232, Cregier (120) vs. Chicago Young (112), Jan. 30, 1986--tied
for 11th
232, Chicago Manley (118) vs. Cregier (114), Feb. 24, 1989--tied for
11th
226, Chicago Westinghouse (125) vs. Cregier (101), Feb. 19,
1980--tied for 17th
226, Cregier (120) vs. Chicago Metropolitan (106),
Feb. 27, 1985--tied for 17th
225, Cregier (114) vs. Chicago Orr (111) (OT),
Jan. 25, 1980--tied for 20th
225, Chicago Westinghouse (119) vs. Cregier (106),
Mar. 6, 1985--tied for 20th
Most points scored in a losing effort:
125, Cregier vs. Chicago Manley (127), Feb. 20, 1986--1st
117, Chicago Near North Career Magnet vs. Cregier (138), Jan. 21, 1982--tied for 3rd
115, Chicago Westinghouse vs. Cregier (120) (OT), Feb. 9, 1978--5th
114, Cregier
vs. Chicago Manley (118), Feb. 24, 1989--6th
113, Cregier vs. Chicago Crane
(128), Feb. 25, 1986--7th
112, Chicago Young vs. Cregier (120), Jan. 30, 1986--8th
111, Chicago Orr vs. Cregier (114) (OT), Jan. 25, 1980--9th
106, Cregier vs. Chicago Austin (109), Feb. 21, 1984--tied for 17th
106, Chicago
Metropolitan vs. Cregier (120), Feb. 27, 1985--tied for 17th
106, Cregier vs.
Chicago Westinghouse (119), Mar. 6, 1985--tied for 17th
103, Chicago Austin
vs. Cregier (113), Jan. 24, 1984--tied for 25th
Most players in double figure scoring in a game from one team:
7, Cregier vs. Chicago Prosser, Feb. 8, 1967--tied for 3rd
7, Cregier vs. Chicago Juarez, Feb. 17, 1989--tied for 3rd
Most points scored by a team in one half of play:
78, Cregier vs. Chicago Prosser, Feb. 8, 1967 (2nd half)--14th
77, Cregier
vs. Chicago Juarez, Feb. 13, 1987 (1st half)--15th
76, Cregier vs. Chicago
Wells, Jan. 18, 1985 (2nd half)--tied for 21st
76, Cregier vs. Chicago Juarez,
Feb. 20, 1985 (2nd half)--tied for 21st
76, Cregier vs. Chicago Manley, Feb.
20, 1986 (2nd half)--tied for 21st
75, Cregier vs. Chicago Orr, Feb. 22, 1985
(2nd half)--27th
Most points in one half by both teams:
140, Cregier (76) vs. Chicago Manley (64), Feb. 20, 1986 (2nd half)--1st
136, Cregier (74) vs. Chicago Young (62), Jan. 30, 1986 (2nd half)--2nd
133, Cregier (68) vs. Chicago Near North Career Magnet (65), Jan. 21, 1982 (1st half)--3rd
125, Chicago Near North Career Magnet (67) vs. Cregier (58), Feb. 26, 1985 (1st half)--tied for 6th
125, Cregier (72) vs. Chicago Juarez (53), Feb. 13, 1987 (2nd half)--tied for 6th
124, Cregier (66) vs. Chicago Tuley (58), Feb. 23, 1966 (2nd half)--tied for 9th
124, Cregier (76) vs. Chicago Wells (48), Jan. 18, 1985 (2nd half)--tied for 9th
124, Chicago Crane (69) vs. Cregier (55), Feb. 25, 1986 (Public League playoff, 1st half)--tied for
9th
123, Cregier (71) vs. Chicago Lincoln Park (52), Mar. 1, 1985 (Public League
playoff, 2nd half)--13th
122, Cregier (70) vs. Chicago Near North Career Magnet
(52), Jan. 21, 1982 (2nd half)--14th
121, Chicago Westinghouse (69) vs. Cregier
(52), Feb. 19, 1980 (2nd half)--15th
120, Cregier (67) vs. Chicago Juarez,
Jan. 19, 1988 (2nd half)--17th
Most points scored by a team in a quarter:
44, Cregier vs. Chicago Prosser, Feb. 8, 1967 (1st quarter)--20th
Most points scored in a quarter by both teams:
78, Cregier (43) vs. Chicago Young (35), Jan. 30, 1986 (4th quarter)--4th
77, Cregier (43) vs. Chicago Manley (34), Feb. 20, 1986 (4th quarter)--5th
74, Cregier (42) vs. Chicago Near North Career Magnet (32), Jan. 21, 1982 (4th quarter)--7th
72, Cregier (40) vs. Chicago Wells (32), Jan. 18, 1985 (4th quarter)--8th
70, Cregier (42) vs. Chicago Near North Career Magnet (28), Jan. 21, 1982 (1st quarter)--13th
68, Chicago Westinghouse (38) vs. Cregier (30), Feb. 27, 1987
(Public League playoff, 3rd quarter)--tied for 17th
68, Chicago Metro (38)
vs. Cregier (30), Jan. 20, 1989 (4th quarter)--tied for 17th
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Most Field Goals made by a team in a game:
75, Cregier (152) vs. Chicago Prosser (51), Feb. 8, 1967--1st
70, Cregier (143) vs. Chicago Juarez (73), Feb. 20, 1985--3rd (NOTE: 111
shot attempts for Cregier in that game was the fourth best, as is the 72 rebounds for Cregier.)
67, Cregier vs. Chicago Juarez, Feb. 17, 1989--tied for 5th
66, Cregier (149) vs. Chicago Juarez (91), Feb. 13, 1987--tied for 7th
Most Field Goals made by two teams in a game:
107, Cregier (60) vs. Chicago Near North Career Magnet (47), Jan. 21, 1982--1st
105, Chicago Manley (54) vs. Cregier (51), Feb. 20, 1986--tied for 2nd
105, Cregier (66) vs. Chicago Juarez (39), Feb. 13, 1987--tied for 2nd
101, Cregier (70) vs. Chicago Juarez (31), Feb. 20, 1985--4th
100, Cregier (51) vs. Chicago Westinghouse (49), Feb. 9, 1978 (OT)--tied for 5th
100, Cregier (52) vs. Chicago Crane (48), Feb. 25, 1986 (Public League playoff)--tied for 5th
98, Cregier (53) vs. Chicago Metro (45), Feb. 27, 1985--7th
97, Cregier (50) vs. Chicago Young (47), Jan. 30, 1986--8th
96, Cregier (57) vs. Chicago Lincoln Park (39), Mar. 1, 1985 (Public League playoff)--9th
95, Cregier (57) vs. Chicago Clemente (38), Feb. 23, 1978 (Public League playoff)--tied
for 10th
95, Chicago Farragut (54) vs. Cregier (41), Feb. 11,
1986--tied for 10th
Most points scored in a game by a player:
56 by Jesse Chism, Cregier vs. Chicago Lake View,
Dec. 15, 1964
53, Reggie Murray, Cregier vs. Chicago Metro, Jan. 20, 1989 (19 FG, 1 three-pt. FG, 14 FT)
BASEBALL
Although there are no win-loss records to be found about the school's history, we are aware that one Creiger
player was drafted by the Major Leagues. In 1973, Elbert Coutter was a 29th round selection of the hometown
White Sox. He never appeared in a big league contest.
WRESTLING
Dennis Crosby tells us that Creiger excelled in the sport of wrestling in the late 60's
and early 70's as well. Please contact us if you have further information to provide on this or any other activity at
Creiger High School.
FAMOUS ALUMS
Milton Johnson (class of 1971) tells the Glory Days staff that Creiger also had bowling
and track teams in addition to being a student manager with basketball and track, plus competed in wrestling and bowling.
He later went on to become an executive producer and on-air personality at radio station WVON in Chicago. Two of his
classmates were NBA referee Danny Crawford and Meddie Ivory Clark, who was a pilot and a
member of the Civil Air Patrol Mobile Squadron, graduating from the University of South Alabama.
MEMORIES
From Joseph LaPalombara (aka Joseph Marcello, dated 5/19/2021):
"I went to Creiger for two years, from September 1940 to June 1942. I then transferred to Harrison High, because Creiger was still a junior high. I almost then went to Manley High.
"I won't go into details. I must almost certainly be the only graduate from Creiger to wind up a professor
at Yale, and earlier at places like Oregon State, Michigan State, and abroad at the universities of Florence, Bergamo, and
Catania.
"It was tricky then to be enrolled at Creiger. I remember it being off Lincoln Street. There were 'bouncers'
in the halls. If you were male, you would not want to be caught by one of them without a pass. The drug dealers were on the
street outside (I think) about one block away.
"Given the poverty of the West Side neighborhood, Creiger was basically a vocational junior high. We took
print shop, upholstery shop, wood shop, machine shop, mechanical drawing, etc. Most students who spent four years in
high school (I did not ) took those courses. They followed them in senior high school, at places like Crane Tech,
Manley High, etc.
"A couple of Creiger teachers inspired me. One was a Mr. Vandenberg, who taught math. I took algebra and
geometry course. He had me buy 'Mathematics for the Million." Partly because of him, I went on for more education.
Theresa Ciancio, who taught langauges, was another teacher, and it is to her that I (as a high school
dropout) found my way to Urbana (University of Illinois) and then to Princeton for a Ph.D. I wanted to date her daughter,
Laura. Mrs. Ciancio confided that no boy who failed to go to college would ever marry her daughter.
"Mrs. Ciancio had me enroll at Crane Tech, where she taught night school. She arranged that I take
some courses by mail. It was she discovered that if I were to pass an entrance examination, I could get into the
University of Illinois (on probation), and stay on if I succeeded the first year. Thanks partly to the nuns at St. Charles
Borromeo, then a few blocks from where I live, I managed to get 'A' grades my first year, and I went on from
there.
"I retain pleasant thoughts about that place. I think of the learning I had there, and the teachers,
too, were one reason why I have had the career I have followed ever since."
IF YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CREIGER HIGH SCHOOL....
please let us know. We'd like to find out more in order to tell the story about the history of the school,
its' students, and distinguished alumni. Information such as school colors, nickname, school song, and more are what
we're looking for. Please contact us by either clicking on this CONTACT US link, or by emailing us at dr.veeman@gmail,com. We'll also accept your submissions at the following address:
Illinois High School Glory Days
6439 North Neva
Chicago, IL 60631
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