Maywood Proviso Township HS

The History of Maywood Proviso Township High School

Maywood (population 26,987) is located in far northeastern Illinois in the west central portion of Cook County. Maywood is situated north of I-290 about 10 miles west of downtown Chicago. Illinois Route 171 passes through town as well. The Des Plaines River flows on the east side of town.

Two websites provide historical information on the town of Maywood. They include the Wikipedia web site of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maywood,_Illinois and the official Maywood city web site of http://www.maywood-il.org/AboutMaywood/AboutVoM_History.htm . In summary, the history of Maywood is as follows:

Maywood was first recognized and established in 1869 by Colonel William Nichols. Colonel Nichols was a Civil War veteran and named the town after his daughter, May, who had died at a young age. It did not officially become an Illinois town until 1881.

We are told that Maywood officially began a high school in town in 1911. It was named Proviso Township High School and included the towns of Bellwood, Broadview, Hillside, Forest Park, Berkeley, Stone Park, North Lake, and Melrose Park.

Proviso Township High School was quite successful, however as the towns in the western suburbs grew the need for a second high school in the area was realized. In 1958 it was decided to build a second high school for the township. Proviso West High School was built in Hillside. Proviso Township High School in Maywood was simply renamed Proviso East High School.

Proviso Township High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1911

Year split to two schools: 1958

Now known as: Proviso East High School

School team nickname: "Pirates"

School team colors: Blue & White

School Fight Song: "On Proviso"

Sung to the University of Wisconsin Fight Song Tune

ATHLETICS

The athletic program at Proviso Township High School was very successful. Several state finals appearances in various sports and many individual medals high lighted the school's accomplishments. Still needed are Proviso Township High School's team nickname, uniform colors, fight song, coach's names, and many season records. The information below was provided by the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org).

WRESTLING

The Proviso Township High School grapplers were kings of the mat in the late 1930s through the mid-1950s. From 1936-37 through 1944-45 (a nine year period) the program, led by Coach Louis Slimmer, won SEVEN STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS!! The program would add another STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in the 1956-57 campaign under Coach Jack Marino!! No less than 23 individuals won Gold Medals!! The team and indvidual accomplishments of the wrestling program, as found on the IHSA website, are listed below.

1936-37 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Louis Slimmer

Individual Medalists

Fred Bishop 95lbs. STATE CHAMP!!

Henry Schmidt 125lbs. STATE CHAMP!!

Ted Seabrooke 145lbs. STATE CHAMP!!
Vernon Collard 165lbs. 2ND Place

Final Team Standings

1) Maywood (Proviso)              29
2) Champaign (H.S.)                  21
3) Chicago (Fenger)                   14
4) Urbana (H.S.)                         9
4) Lewistown                              9

1937-38 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Louis Slimmer

Individual Medalists

Blair Remick 185lbs. STATE CHAMP!!
Ted Seabrooke 155lbs. STATE CHAMP!!

Fred Bishop 105lbs. 2ND Place
Jim Mustain 165lbs. 2ND Place

Final Team Standings

1) Maywood (Proviso)     26
2) Champaign (H.S.)         24
3) Chicago (Tilden)           18
4) Lewistown                   16
5) Bowen                        14

1938-39 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Louis Slimmer

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Fred DeLaPaz 125lbs. 2ND Place
Fred Bishop 115lbs. 2ND Place

Len Humphreville 145lbs. 2ND Place

Charles Bishop 95lbs. 3RD Place

Robert Mustain 165lbs. 3RD Place

Final Team Standings

1) Maywood (Proviso)       15
2) Lawrenceville                  14
3) Champaign (H.S.)           12
4) Belleville (Twp.)                8
5) Chicago (Tilden)               7
5) Bowen                            7

1939-40 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Louis Slimmer

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Art Regan HWT. STATE CHAMP!!

Tom Bishop 125lbs. 2ND Place

Chuck Bryant 155lbs. 2ND Place

John Justus 95lbs. 2ND Place

Sam Svita 135lbs. 2ND Place

Final Team Standings

1) Maywood (Proviso)     22
2) Lawrenceville                20
3) Lewistown                    11
4) Granite City (H.S.)        10
5) Chicago (Tilden)             9
5) Belleville (Twp.)              9

1940-41 IHSA State Meet - THIRD Place!! Coach Louis Slimmer

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Harold Parsons 115lbs. STATE CHAMP!!
Al Partin 175lbs. STATE CHAMP!!

Bob Schultz 145lbs. 2ND Place

John Justus 105lbs. 2ND Place

Len Marcus 125lbs. 4TH Place

Final Team Standings

1) Champaign (H.S.)              28
2) East St. Louis (Sr.)            26
3) Maywood (Proviso)          22
4) Lawrenceville                     17
5) Granite City (H.S.)             11

1941-42 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Louis Slimmer

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Bill Natke 145lbs. STATE CHAMP!!

Harold Parsons 115lbs. STATE CHAMP!!

John Wolff 105lbs. STATE CHAMP!!

Fred Schmidt 135lbs. 2ND Place
Art Archer 155lbs. 3RD Place

Final Team Standings

1) Maywood (Proviso)            25
2) Chicago (Tilden)                   16
3) Champaign (H.S.)                13
3) Lawrenceville                       13
5) East St. Louis (Sr.)              12

1942-43 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Louis Slimmer

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Walter Remkus HWT. STATE CHAMP!!

John Wolff 105lbs. STATE CHAMP!!

Pete Wilson 95lbs. 3RD Place

Art Archer 165lbs. 3RD Place

John Jelinek 145lbs. 2ND Place

Final Team Standings

1) Maywood (Proviso)     27
2) Champaign (H.S.)         26
3) East St. Louis (Sr.)       22
4) Urbana (H.S.)               19
5) Rock Island (H.S.)        15

1944-45 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Louis Slimmer

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Charles Farina 125lbs. STATE CHAMP!!

Jack Marino 145lbs. STATE CHAMP!!

Pete Wilson 135lbs. STATE CHAMP!!
John Brawka HWT. 2ND Place

Chuck Hammer 115lbs. 2ND Place

Ed Natke 155lbs. 2ND Place

Eric Yeager 165lbs. 2ND Place

Tim Holt 105lbs. 3RD Place

Final Team Standings

1) Maywood (Proviso)      37
2) Chicago (Tilden)             26
3) Champaign (H.S.)          20
4) Granite City (H.S.)         17
4) Rock Island (H.S.)         17

1945-46 IHSA State Meet - THIRD Place!! Coach Louis Slimmer

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Pete Willson 145lbs. STATE CHAMP!!
Eric Yeager 165lbs. 2ND Place

John Brawka HWT. 3RD Place

Richard Ehlert 138lbs. 3RD Place

David Schwabenland 127lbs. 4TH Place

Final Team Standings

1) Chicago (Tilden)             19
2) Urbana (H.S.)                 18
3) Maywood (Proviso)       17
4) Rock Island (H.S.)          14
5) Champaign (H.S.)           13

1946-47 IHSA State Meet - SIXTH Place!!

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Paul Frence               120lbs.          STATE CHAMP!!
Floyd Arvidson            154lbs.          3RD Place
Ken Fabry                   HWT.            3RD Place

Final Team Standings

1) Rock Island (H.S.)        18
2) Champaign (H.S.)         17
3) Chicago (Tilden)           15
4) Joliet (Twp.)                 14
5) Winnetka (New Trier)    13
6) Maywood (Proviso)    10
6) LaGrange (Lyons)        10

1947-48 IHSA State Meet - TENTH Place!!

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Robert Stendel 154lbs. 3RD Place

David Schwabenland 133lbs. 3RD Place

Final Team Standings

1) Champaign (H.S.)             27
2) Chicago (Tilden)               21
2) Winnetka (New Trier)        21
4) Joliet (Twp.)                     15
5) Blue Island (H.S.)             13
6) Chicago (Parker)                9
7) Danville (H.S.)                    8
7) Quincy (Sr.)                       8
9) Granite City (H.S.)             7
10) Maywood (Proviso)        6
10) Harvey (Thornton)             6

1948-49 IHSA State Meet - FIFTH Place!!

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Bert Abbs 145lbs. 2ND Place

Dave Wise               165lbs.            2ND Place
Eugene Fenton         125lbs.           3RD Place
Kenneth Kanara       105lbs.           4TH Place

Alan Kornblum 135lbs. 4TH Place

Final Team Standings

1) Champaign (H.S.)          35
2) Winnetka (New Trier)      26
3) Chicago (Tilden)             21
3) Chicago (Hirsch)            21
5) Maywood (Proviso)      19

1949-50 Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Don Lindell              165lbs.            2ND Place

1950-51            IHSA State Meet - FIFTH Place!!

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Bob Pearman           120lbs.           2ND Place
Don Lindell               165lbs.          4TH Place
George Mazera         112lbs.          4TH Place

Final Team Standings

1) Winnetka (New Trier)        30
2) Waukegan (H.S.)             19
3) Chicago (Tilden)               14
4) Urbana (H.S.)                  13
5) Maywood (Proviso)        10

1951-52 IHSA State Meet - THIRD Place!!

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Louis Fatta                112lbs.          2ND Place
Richard Hrebik          127lbs.          2ND Place
George Kelly             154lbs.          3RD Place
George Mezera         120lbs.          3RD Place

Final Team Standings

1) Chicago (Tilden)           26
2) Waukegan (H.S.)         20
3) Winnetka (New Trier)    16
3) Maywood (Proviso)    16
5) Granite City (H.S.)         9

1952-53 Sectional Champions

Individual Medalist

George Kelly 165lbs. STATE CHAMP!!

1953-54 IHSA State Meet - TENTH Place!!

Individual Medalists

Jack Meilahn 127lbs. 2ND Place

Dominic Fatta 120lbs. 4TH Place

Final Team Standings

1) Harvey (Thornton)                         28
2) Rock Island (H.S.)                        24
3) Chicago (Tilden)                           21
4) Waukegan (H.S.)                         18
5) Sterling (H.S.)                              17
6) Winnetka (New Trier)                    15
7) Moline                                         14
8) Oak Lawn (Community)                  6
8) Urbana (H.S.)                               6
10) McHenry                                     5
10) Calumet City (Thornton Fractional) 5
10) Cicero (Morton)                            5
10) Maywood (Proviso)                    5

1954-55 Individual Medalist

Dick Kampf 145lbs. 2ND Place

1955-56 IHSA State Meet - SECOND Place!!

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

Dominic Fatta          127lbs.            STATE CHAMP!!
Charles Anderson    165lbs.            2ND Place
Frank Donato           120lbs.            3RD Place
Don Burnette             95lbs.            3RD Place

Final Team Standings

1) Rock Island (H.S.)       41
2) Maywood (Proviso)   39
3) Blue Island (H.S.)        36
3) Harvey (Thornton)        36
5) Chicago (Tilden)          24

1956-57 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Jack Marino

Sectional Champions

Individual Medalists

William Taylor         120lbs.            STATE CHAMP!!
Bernard Temmler    133lbs.            STATE CHAMP!!
Ray Brinson              95lbs.            2ND Place
Ed Nield                   165lbs.            2ND Place

Final Team Standings

1) Maywood (Proviso)         52
2) Granite City (H.S.)            41
3) Waukegan (H.S.)              30
3) Harvey (Thornton)              30
5) Winnetka (New Trier)         28

1957-58 District Champions

Individual Medalists

James Thomas          95lbs         STATE CHAMP!!
Bernard Temmler    138lbs.        2ND Place
Rory Weber             HWT.           2ND Place

Incredible run by the Proviso Township High School wrestling program!!

BASEBALL

The Proviso Township boys had some incredible success in baseball. No less than THREE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS were won. The boys also earned EIGHT District titles, FOUR Sectional titles, and a Regional championship to compliment their trophy case. This information, as found on the IHSA website, is listed below.

1941-42 District Champions
1942-43 District Champions

1943-44 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach D.B. Appleton

District Champs

Sectional Champs

Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Chicago Lane Tech 11-7

Final 4 Finalist

Beat Peru St. Bede 7-1

State Championship Game

Beat East St. Louis Cent. Cath. 9-1

1944-45 IHSA Final Four Finalist!! Coach D.B. Appleton
District Champions

Sectional Champions

Elite 8 Finalist

Beat Springfield Cathedral 6-0

Final 4 Finalist

Lost to East St. Louis Cent. Cath. 5-3

(ESL Central Catholic Placed 2nd)

1945-46 District Champions Coach D.B. Appleton
1946-47 District Champions Coach D.B. Appleton

1950-51 District Champions Coach D.B. Appleton

1952-53               IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!!                 Coach D.B. Appleton
                           District Champs

                           Sectional Champs

                           Elite 8 Finalist

                           Beat Edwardsville 5-3

                           Final 4 Finalist

                           Beat Murphysboro 5-3

                           State Championship Game

                           Beat Bloomington 7-3

1954-55 District Champions Coach D.B. Appleton

1955-56 District Champions Coach D.B. Appleton

1956-57 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach D.B. Appleton

                           District Champs

                           Sectional Champs

                           Elite 8 Finalist

                           Beat Staunton 6-0

                           Final 4 Finalist

                           Beat Waukegan 1-0

                           State Championship Game

Beat Mt. Carmel 12-1

BASKETBALL

The boys of the hardwood court brought home FIVE Regional titles, one Sectional Championship, and a trip to the State Finals.

1910-11                                                                      Coach B. Wells
1911-12                                                                      Coach B. Wells
1912-13                                                                      Coach R.R. Brinkerhoff
1913-14                                                                      Coach R.R. Brinkerhoff
1914-15                                                                      Coach R.R. Brinkerhoff
1915-16                                                                      Coach R.R. Brinkerhoff
1916-17    1 - 8                                                           Coach R.R. Brinkerhoff
1917-18    4 - 10                                                         Coach C. Boone

1918-19    5 - 7                                                           Coach F.C. Berry
1919-20 10 - 9                                                           Coach R. Talcott
1920-21   2 - 10                                                         Coach R.C. Grady
1921-22    9 - 5                                                           Coach Ken Coutchie
1922-23    7 - 11                                                         Coach Ken Coutchie
1923-24    4 - 12                                                         Coach Ken Coutchie
1924-25    1 - 12                                                         Coach R.J. Thiebert
1925-26    6 - 9                                                           Coach R.J. Thiebert
1926-27   11 - 6                                                           Coach G. Starn
1927-28    9 - 6                                                           Coach G. Starn
1928-29   12 - 7                                                           Coach Louis Slimmer
1929-30    3 - 9                                                           Coach Louis Slimmer
1930-31    9 - 7                                                           Coach Louis Slimmer
1931-32    3 - 13                                                         Coach H. Karl Long
1932-33   11 - 10                                                         Coach H. Karl Long
1933-34   12 - 13                                                         Coach Leslie Remley
1934-35   12 - 8                                                           Coach Leslie Remley

1935-36 23 - 3 IHSA Sweet 16 Finalists Coach Sam Storby

Regional Champions

Sectional Champions

Sweet 16 Finalists

Lost to Johnson City 24-18

(Johnson CIty Finished 3rd)

1936-37 24 - 1 Regional Champions Coach Sam Storby

Undefeated Regular Season

1937-38    8 - 13                                                         Coach Sam Storby
1938-39    3 - 14                                                         Coach Sam Storby
1939-40   12 - 6                                                           Coach Sam Storby

1940-41 14 - 8 Regional Champions Coach Sam Storby

1941-42 9 - 10 Coach Sam Storby
1942-43 10 - 10 Coach Sam Storby

1943-44 22 - 6 Regional Champions Coach Sam Storby

1944-45   11 - 9                                                           Coach Sam Storby
1945-46   13 - 8                                                           Coach Sam Storby
1946-47    9 - 11                                                         Coach Sam Storby
1947-48   6 - 12                                                         Coach Sam Storby
1948-49    2 - 15                                                         Coach Joe Hartley
1949-50    3 - 14                                                         Coach Joe Hartley
1950-51    6 - 14                                                         Coach Joe Hartley
1951-52    3 - 15                                                         Coach Joe Hartley
1952-53    6 - 13                                                         Coach Joe Hartley

1953-54 15 - 8 Regional Champions Coach Joe Hartley

1954-55    8 - 11                                                         Coach Joe Hartley
1955-56   14 - 6                                                           Coach Joe Hartley
1956-57 10 - 12                                                         Coach Joe Hartley
1957-58   17 - 4                                                           Coach Joe Hartley

CROSS COUNTRY

The harriers of Proviso Township High School enjoyed great success. The teams of made five consecutive appearances in the IHSA final's top ten, a total of six top ten finishes overall. Included in this streak were TWO STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS!! The results and individual accomplishments of this program, as listed on www.ihsa.org, are in turn listed below.

1946-47 Individual Medalist - Herb Semper - 4th Place!!

1947-48 Team Placed SIXTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

District Champions

Final Team Standings

                     1) Paris                               30
                     2) Des Plaines (Maine)         89
                     3) Chicago (Lane)               107
                    4) Chicago (Schurz)            125
                     5) Rock Island (H.S.)           142
                    6) Maywood (Proviso)       156

1953-54 Team Placed SEVENTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Final Team Standings

                    1) Evanston (Twp.)            111
                   2) Toledo (Cumberland)     119
                   3) Alton (Sr.)                    136
                   4) Peoria (Woodruff)          144
                    5) Urbana (H.S.)               149
                    6) Geneseo (Darnall)         172
                    7) Maywood (Proviso)     178

1954-55 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Harold Monilaw

District Champions

Final Team Standings

                     1) Maywood (Proviso)       71       Coach Harold Monilaw
                     2) Peoria (Woodruff)            121
                     3) Alton (Sr.)                      140
                     4) Urbana (H.S.)                 155
                     5) Toledo (Cumberland)       158

1955-56         Team Placed NINTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Final Team Stamdings

                     1) LaGrange (Lyons)            95
                    2) Chicago (Englewood)       122
                    3) Urbana (H.S.)                  139
                     4) Des Plaines (Maine)        161
                     5) Peoria (H.S.)                   163
                     6) Hinsdale (Twp.)               198
                     7) Alton (Sr.)                       216
                    8) DeKalb                           222
                     9) Maywood (Proviso)       290

1956-57 Team Placed FOURTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

District Champions

Final Team Standings

                     1) LaGrange (Lyons)          102
                    2) Rock Falls                    113
                     3) Chicago (Englewood)     151
                     4) Maywood (Proviso)      156
                    5) Alton (Sr.)                     171

1957-58 IHSA STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Harold Monilaw

District Champions

Individual Medalist - Bill Wise - 9th Place

Final Team Standings

                     1) Maywood (Proviso)                        63      Coach Harold Monilaw
                     2) Edwardsville (H.S.)                          133
                     3) LaGrange (Lyons)                            146
                     4) Urbana (H.S.)                                  158
                    5) Franklin Park-Northlake (Leyden)      186

FOOTBALL

The Proviso Township High School grid iron warriors had some great seasons. Undefeated fall seasons were enjoyed in 1927, 1950, and 1953. Several seasons of one loss were also recorded. The records of these seasons as listed on the IHSA web site are listed below.

1910-11                              Coach B.F. Wells
1911-12                              Coach B.F. Wells
1912-13                              Coach R.R. Brinkerhoff
1913-14    4 - 2                   Coach R.R. Brinkerhoff
1916-17    6 - 4                   Coach R.R. Brinkerhoff
1917-18    5 - 4                   Coach O.V. Boone
1918-19    8 - 1 - 1              Coach O.V. Boone
1919-20    3 - 6                   Coach R.G. Talbott
1920-21    2 - 3 - 4              Coach R.J. Grady
1921-22    9 - 1 - 1              Coach Ken Coutchie
1922-23    7 - 1                   Coach Ken Coutchie
1923-24    4 - 2 - 3              Coach Ken Coutchie
1924-25    4 - 3 - 1              Coach Jack Vance
1925-26    6 - 1                   Coach R.J. Thiebert
1926-27    5 - 2                   Coach R.J. Thiebert
1927-28    8 - 0                   Coach R.J. Thiebert
1928-29    6 - 1 - 1              Coach R.J. Thiebert
1929-30    3 - 4 - 1              Coach R.J. Thiebert
1930-31    4 - 3 - 1              Coach R.J. Thiebert
1931-32    4 - 4                   Coach L.F. Summer
1932-33    2 - 5 - 2              Coach L.F. Summer
1933-34    6 - 3                   Coach L.F. Summer
1934-35    6 - 2                   Coach L.F. Summer
1935-36    4 - 4                   Coach L.W. Remley
1936-37    7 - 1 - 1              Coach F.J. Hatley
1937-38    8 - 2                   Coach F.J. Hatley
1938-39    3 - 3 - 2              Coach C.E. Kassel
1939-40    3 - 3 - 2              Coach C.E. Kassel
1940-41    7 - 1                   Coach Andy Puplis
1941-42    7 - 1 - 1              Coach Andy Puplis
1942-43    4 - 2 - 2              Coach Andy Puplis
1943-44    5 - 3                   Coach Andy Puplis
1944-45 3 - 4 - 1              Coach Louis F. Slimmer
1945-46    6 - 2                   Coach Louis F. Slimmer
1946-47    1 - 6 - 1              Coach Andy Puplis
1947-48    4 - 3 - 1              Coach Andy Puplis
1948-49    2 - 5 - 1              Coach Andy Puplis
1949-50    4 - 4                   Coach Andy Puplis
1950-51 8 - 0                   Coach Andy Puplis
1951-52    6 - 2                   Coach Andy Puplis
1952-53    4 - 4                   Coach Andy Puplis
1953-54    7 - 0 - 1              Coach Andy Puplis
1954-55    4 - 4                   Coach Andy Puplis
1955-56    2 - 5 - 1              Coach Andy Puplis
1956-57    6 - 1 - 1              Coach Andy Puplis
1957-58    3 - 5                   Coach Andy Puplis

*School became Proviso East in the fall of 1958.

GOLF

Three PTHS golfers earned medals at the IHSA State Tournament play. Their names and places are listed below.

1924 - Spanheimer 3rd Place

1924 - George Dunlap 13th Place
1927 - Hyman Judelson 11th Place

BOYS GYMNASTICS

One STATE CHAMPIONSHIP and a THIRD PLACE finish highlighted the success of the Proviso Township High School boys gymnastics program. In addition several individual medalists excelled at the finals meet. These accomplishments are listed on the IHSA website.

1956-57 IHSA State Finals - THIRD Place!! Coach Bill Roetzheim

Individual Medalists

Jerry Bickenbach Horizontal Bars 4th Place

Ken Donofrio              Horizontal Bars      STATE CHAMPION!!
                                   Parrellel Bars        4th Place
                                   Vault                      2nd Place

James Liddell Vault 3rd Place

Elvin Walker Vault 5th Place

Final Team Standings

1) Winnetka (New Trier)                         98
2) Chicago (Senn)                                 87½
3) Maywood (Proviso)                         77½
4) Elmhurst (York)                                55½
5) Franklin Park-Northlake (Leyden)       37½

1957-58 IHSA State Finals - STATE CHAMPIONS!! Coach Bill Roetzheim

Individual Medalists

Ken Donofrio All-Around STATE CHAMPION!!
Rings STATE CHAMPION!!

Vault STATE CHAMPION!!

                               Horizontal Bars    4th Place
                               Horse                   5th Place
                               Parallel Bars        2nd Place
                               Tumbling              3rd Place

Frank Culbertson Horizontal Bars STATE CHAMPION!!

Parallel Bars STATE CHAMPION!!

All-round 2nd Place
Vault 2nd Place

Ronald Kos             All-Around             3rd Place
                               Horizontal Bars      3rd Place
                               Parallel Bars          4th Place
                               Vault                      4th Place

Richard Lapham     Tumbling               2nd Place
James Liddell         Horse                     3rd Place
Elvin Walker           Horse                     2nd Place

Final Team Standings

1) Maywood (Proviso)                  144   Bill Roetzheim
2) Elmhurst (York)                           90
3) Arlington Heights (Arlington)         87
4) Winnetka (New Trier)                   38
5) Carmi                                         14

BOYS SWIMMING AND DIVING

No less than 10 top-ten finishes at the IHSA State Meet and 5 gold medals in events were the high points of the Proviso Township High School swimming and diving team. Two third place finishes were the best finish that the boys team would accomplish. The results of these seasons, as listed on the IHSA website, are in turn listed below.

1935-36 Individual Medalist

John Winter 50 Yard Free Style 4TH Place

1939-40 Team Placed EIGHTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalist

Eugene Eaton 100 Yard Breast Stroke 2ND Place

Final Team Standings

1) Chicago (Lane)                      56
2) Winnetka (New Trier)             34
3) Danville (H.S.)                       14
4) Rockford (H.S.)                     12
5) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)   9
6) LaSalle (L.-Peru)                     8
7) Des Plaines (Maine)                7
8) Maywood (Proviso)               4

1944-45 Team Placed TENTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalist

LaBerge 50 Yard Free Style 5TH Place

Final Team Standings

1) Chicago (Lane)                             46
2) Winnetka (New Trier)                    43
3) Evanston (Twp.)                           21
4) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)        19
5) Rockford (West)                           13
6) Highland Park (Deerfield-Shields)     5
7) Waukegan (H.S.)                           4
8) Chicago (Harrison)                         2
8) Chicago (Schurz)                           2
10) Maywood (Proviso)                    1

1945-46 Individual Medalist

LaBerge 100 Yard Free Style 4TH Place

1946-47 Individual Medalist

LaBerge 100 Yard Free Style 4TH Place

1947-48 Team Placed THIRD at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

Russell Thomas  100 Yard Free Style         STATE CHAMPION!!
Jerry Holan         100 Yard Breast Stroke    2ND Place
Relay Team        150 Yard Medley Relay    2ND Place
Lee Anderson     100 Yard Backstroke        3RD Place

Grottke 200 Yard Free Style 4TH Place

Relay Team 200 Yd. Free Style Relay 5TH Place

Final Team Standings

1) Winnetka (New Trier)                31
2) Chicago (Lane)                         26
3) Maywood (Proviso)                 25
4) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)     18
4| Rockford (West)                        18

1948-49 Team Placed THIRD at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

Jerry Holan         100 Yard Breast Stroke     STATE CHAMPION!!
Relay Team        150 Yard Medley Relay     STATE CHAMPIONS!!
Lee Anderson     100 Yard Backstroke          2ND Place
Ronald Hinding   100 Yard Breast Stroke      2ND Place
Russell Thomas   100 Yard Free Style          4TH Place

Final Team Standings

1) Winnetka (New Trier)      43
2) Chicago (Lane)               32
3) Maywood (Proviso)         26
4) Evanston (Twp.)             19
5) Rockford (West)             13

1949-50     Team Placed EIGHTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

George Marriott   200 Yard Free Style        4TH Place
Ronald Hinding    100 Yard Breast Stroke  5TH Place
John Millikan       Diving                            5TH Place

                 Final Team Standings
1) Winnetka (New Trier)     62
2) Evanston (Twp.)            28
3) Chicago (Lane)             19
4) Rockford (East)            17
5) Rockford (West)           15
6) Chicago (Tilden)           10
7) Chicago (DuSable)         6
8) Highland Park               4
8) Urbana (H.S.)                4
8) Maywood (Proviso)      4
8) Peoria (H.S.)                 4

1950-51 Team Placed TENTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalist

Englund 100 Yard Backstroke 5TH Place

                 Final Team Standings
1) Winnetka (New Trier)             41
2) Rockford (East)                     33
3) Evanston (Twp.)                     24
4) Rockford (West)                    22
5) Chicago (Lane)                      21
6) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)  11
6) Peoria (H.S.)                         11
8) Highland Park                         3
8) Joliet (Catholic Academy)        3
10) Maywood (Proviso)             1

1951-52 Team Placed EIGHTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

Stuart Kent Diving STATE CHAMPION!!

                 Final Team Standings
1) Winnetka (New Trier)              42
2) Evanston (Twp.)                     30
3) Highland Park                        13
3) Des Plaines (Maine)               13
5) Chicago (Harrison)                  12
5) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)   12
5) Rockford (West)                     12
8) Maywood (Proviso)                6

1952-53 Individual Medalist

Pat McDermott 150 Yard IM 4TH Place

1953-54 Team Placed TENTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

Relay Team 150 Yard Medley Relay 5TH Place

                 Final Team Standings
1) Evanston (Twp.)                       67
2) Winnetka (New Trier)                56
3) Des Plaines (Maine)                 37
4) Rockford (West)                       19
5) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)     18
6) Peoria (H.S.)                            15
7) Chicago (Lane)                          8
8) Skokie (Niles)                           4
8) Rockford (East)                         4
10) Maywood (Proviso)                2
10) Chicago (Fenger)                     2

1956-57 Individual Medalists

Eddie Stephenson Diving 5TH Place
Don Echelberger Diving 6TH Place

1956-57 Team Placed SIXTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

Relay Teams          200 Yard Medley         4TH Place
                              200 Yard Free Style     5TH Place
Don Echelberger    Diving                         5TH Place

                 Final Team Standings
1) Winnetka (New Trier)       65
2) Evanston (Twp.)              54
3) Highland Park                 23
4) Champaign (H.S.)           16
5) Moline (H.S.)                  14
6) Maywood (Proviso)       12

1957-58 Team Placed EIGHTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

LeRoy Pochman Diving STATE CHAMPION!!

John Glerum Diving 3RD Place

                 Final Team Standings
1) Winnetka (New Trier)      68½
2) Evanston (Twp.)             61
3) Highland Park                42
4) Rockford (West)             26
5) Bloomington (H.S.)         20
6) Des Plaines (Maine)       17
7) Elgin (H.S.)                    12
8) Maywood (Proviso)       11

BOYS TENNIS

The boys tennis team won a District title and had one top-ten finish. One individual also placed third at the State Match competition.

1946-47 Team Won District Championship

1947-48 Team Placed SEVENTH at IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalist

Fred Most Singles 3RD Place

Final Team Standings

1) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)  11
2) Evanston (Twp.)                      9
3) Danville (H.S.)                         6
4) Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)           5
4) Pekin                                     5
4) Lincoln                                   5
7) Hinsdale (Twp.)                       4
7) Rockford (West)                      4
7) Moline (H.S.)                          4
7) Maywood (Proviso)               4
7) Chicago (Sullivan)                    4

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

The Proviso Township High School thinclads earned seven top-ten IHSA State Finals finishes. Inluded in this number was a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP in 1940!! In addition a total of 37 individual medals were won including 10 individual Gold Medals!! The most decorated athlete of the day was Leicester "Lee" Farmer. Lee won a total of FOUR Gold Medals and one Silver Medal over a three year period (1938-40). The totals, as found at www.ihsa.org, are listed below.

1919-20 Individual Medalist

Raymond Widney 880 Yd. Run 4TH Place

1922-23 Individual Medalist

Garth Follette Shot Put 5TH Place

Clay McCullough 880 Yd. Run 5TH Place

1923-24 Individual Medalist

Clay McCullough 880 Yd. Run STATE CHAMPION!!

1925-26 Individual Medalist

Frederick Ruhnke 220 Yd. Dash 4TH Place

1929-30 Individual Medalists

Relay Team 880 Yd. Relay 3RD Place

1931-32 Individual Medalist

Phil Doherty 220 Yd. Hurdles 3RD Place

1932-33 Team Placed SECOND at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

Relay Team 880 Yd. Relay STATE CHAMPIONS!!

Phil Doherty 220 Yd. Hurdles STATE CHAMPION!!

Bill Watters 100 Yd. Dash 2ND Place
220 Yd. Dash 3RD Place

Final Team Standings

1) Rockford (H.S.)                     18
2) Maywood (Proviso)              16½
3) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest) 12
4) Glen Ellyn (Glenbard)             10½
5) Tuscola                                 10
5) Atlanta                                  10
5) Centralia                               10

1933-34 Individual Medalists

Relay Team 880 Yd. Relay 3RD Place

Bill Watters 100 Yd. Dash 5TH Place

1937-38 Team Placed EIGHTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

Leicester "Lee" Farmer Long Jump 2ND Place

Quintin Vahldick 120 Yd. Hurdles 2ND Place

Final Team Standings

1) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)    29
2) Chicago (Austin)                     12
2) Winnetka (New Trier)               12
4) Rockford (H.S.)                       10½
5) Moline (H.S.)                          10
6) Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)             9
6) Downers Grove (H.S.)                9
8) Maywood (Proviso)                 8

1938-39 Team Placed FIFTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

Leicester "Lee" Farmer 100 Yd. Dash STATE CHAMPION!!

Long Jump STATE CHAMPION!!

Final Team Standings

1) Elmhurst (York)                  22
2) Winnetka (New Trier)           17
3) Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)       13
4) Rockford (H.S.)                   12½
5) Maywood (Proviso)           10

1939-40 Team WON STATE CHAMPIONSHIP at the IHSA State Meet!! Coach Otto H. Matte

Team Won District Championship

Individual Medalists

Leicester "Lee" Farmer     100 Yd. Dash     STATE CHAMPION!!
                                          Long Jump       STATE CHAMPION!!
George Hall                       Pole Vault         STATE CHAMPION!!
Glenn Johnson                  Shot Put            4TH Place

Relay Team 880y relay 5TH Place

Final Team Standings

1) Maywood (Proviso)             16½      Coach Otto H. Matte
2) Naperville (H.S.)                    15
3) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest) 12
3) LaGrange (Lyons)                 12
5) Des Plaines (Maine)              10
5) Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)         10

1940-41 Team Placed NINTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

Glenn Johnson     Shot Put         2ND Place
Frank Herold         Discus            4TH Place
Floyd Herzog        Shot Put         5TH Place

Final Team Standings

1) Des Plaines (Maine)      20
2) Quincy (Sr.)                   19
3) LaGrange (Lyons)           15½
4) Evanston (Twp.)              14
5) Naperville (H.S.)               9
6) Urbana (H.S.)                   8
7) East St. Louis (Sr.)          7 1/5
7) Elmhurst (York)               7 1/5
9) Maywood (Proviso)        7

1941-42 Team Placed FIFTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

Rodgers Burton 120 Yd. Hurdles STATE CHAMPION!!

Floyd Herzog Shot Put 3RD Place
Thomas Gallagher High Jump 4TH Place

Final Team Standings

1) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)    26 2/3
2) Urbana (H.S.)                          18 1/3
3) Chicago (DuSable)                   18
4) Harrisburg                                 9
5) Maywood (Proviso)                  8½

1945-46 Individual Medalists

Relay Team 880 Yd. Relay 2ND Place

Melvin Pfeifer Long Jump 5TH Place

1946-47 Individual Medalist

Herbert Semper 1 Mile Run 3RD Place

1947-48 Individual Medalist

Richard Linyard High Jump 2ND Place

1948-49 Individual Medalist

Peter Malz 200 Yd. Hurdles 2ND Place

1950-51 Team Placed SEVENTH at the IHSA State Meet!!

Individual Medalists

Robert Thamm Discus STATE CHAMPION!!
Bob Soth 1 Mile Run 3RD Place

Final Team Standings

1) Chicago (Phillips)                   24
2) LaGrange (Lyons)                  17½
3) Chicago (Austin)                    11
4) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest)   9½
5) Decatur (H.S.)                         9
5) Elmhurst (York)                       9
7) Maywood (Proviso)                8

1951-52 Individual Medalist

Norman Altenhoff Pole Vault 3RD Place

1954-55 Individual Medalist

Relay Team 1 Mile Relay 5TH Place

1955-56 Individual Medalist

Len Broz High Jump 2ND Place

INDIVIDUAL EVENTS

Proviso Township High School provided a well-rounded curriculum. The school competed in the annual IHSA Individual Events competition with William Chmurny bringing home a medal in his specialty, Extemporary.

1957-58 William Chmurny Extemporary 2ND Place

WE NEED YOUR HELP

We are always searching for more information on schools listed on this site. If you have further information about Proviso Township High School before it split into two high schools, or information any other school on this site, please drop us an e-mail. We are especially interested in a photo of the original Proviso Township High School building. You can e-mail items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631