ATHLETICS
The Jaguars in likelihood were members of the Chicago Public League and offered track along with football, basketball,
and possibly baseball. More information is needed to complete the picture. Please see the bottom of this page for our addresses
if you would like to contact us.
TRACK
According to the IHSA website, this is the only item that was found during our research. In the school's fifth year,
a Forrestville student was able to qualify for the state meet and came home with a medal. Douglas Frederick was second in
the long jump at the 1969 state meet held in Urbana-Champaign.
1969 Individual Medalist
Douglas Frederick
Long Jump---2nd place
FOOTBALL
The following information on Jaguar football was provided to us by our good man Tom Sikorski:
"Forrestville football history is brief, but worthy of note is their 1968
season. That year Forrestville fielded their first varsity team. They
were undefeated in the regular season going 7-0 and winning the Green South division of the Chicago Public League under coach Ken
Sims. In the Blue-Green playoffs they were awarded a first round bye then beat Roosevelt 25-6 before losing in the
semi-finals to a Marshall team that featured future NFL star Darryl Stingley. An impressive 8-1 record overall.
They were moved up to the Blue division in 1969 and 1970 and had a tough time going 0-6 and
2-5, respectively. Their last game was a 8-6 win over Hyde Park."
1968 8 - 1 Conference Champions / Undefeated Regular Season Coach
Ken Sims
1969 0 - 6
1970 2 - 5
OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS
Barbara Sizemore -- As principal of Forrestville, she was the first African-American women to serve
in that position at any Chicago high school, doing so until 1969. She also served as superintendent of schools in Washington,
DC and later went onto become an professor at the University of Pittsburgh and DePaul University that worked with inner-city
students.
Charles Allen -- Mr. Allen arrived at Forrestville in the fall of 1964 and left his mark by giving the
school its' colors and nickhame, which matched his alma mater, Grambling University. He served as the first coach in basketball
and baseball, and helped lay the path for future King coaches Lonnie Williams and Landon (Sonny) Cox, plus taught physical
education and driver's education at the school.
MEMORIES
from MonaLisa McClarin Brown (class of 1968):
"It is worth mentioning that Dr. Anderson Thompson was the assistant principal while Dr. Sizemore was principal."
from Malcolm Rockhold (dated February 6, 2019):
"Jaguar Rag" (was the name of the school song) written by the band director, Mr. Beach."
from
Michael Wilkes (dated May 5, 2019):
"Love the school. Mr. Stevens was the principal,
and Miss Ida Cross (was) the teacher."
from Rev. Anthony Kelley (class of 1969 alum,
dated June 11, 2019):
"Great info you shared on your website! Thanks for the memories.
"Yes,
there was a baseball team. I was a starting pitcher and played second base. Others included the late WIlliam "Soaky" Brown,
Ronald Cain as the boys from Berkeley Avenue.
"The only coaches I recall having for ALL Forrestville
team sports in 1968-69 were Coach Williams and Coach Allen. No outstanding records, though we competed well as a new team
in the league, nor do I remember any honors received."
