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Post by milwvu04 on Aug 9, 2009 16:26:31 GMT -5
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Post by jj on Aug 9, 2009 18:34:14 GMT -5
They all look better than Valpo's whimp dressed in shining armor.
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TD
Recruit
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Post by TD on Aug 9, 2009 20:47:43 GMT -5
I'll never forget walking into Trout Gym in Centralia, IL for the annual battle between the Mount Vernon Rams (the school where my 2 sons graduated from high school) and the Centralia Orphans. It was a heated rivalry and had the gym rocking to the rafters. It was a South 7 conference battle that sparked interest all across the southern half of Illinois. The South 7 included the Carbondale Terriers, Marion Wildcats, Herrin Tigers, Benton Rangers (where John Malkovich once proudly represented the Rangers on the football field), Harrisburg Bulldogs, Mount Vernon Rams and Centralia Orphans. Centralia actually is at the union of four counties (Marion, Washington, Clinton and Jefferson Counties) with portions of the city included in each county. I think that is where the feeling that the school kids felt like Orphans because there was no one group that claimed those kids. They were not the county seat of any county but it was a larger city for that area. The Centralia Orphans are one of the richest schools in basketball tradition in the state of Illinois. Their holiday tournament attracts teams from all over the state. www.centraliahs.org/sports/basketball/holiday_tournament/teams.htm A quote from Illinois Senator Dick Durbin from the US Senate floor in 2007 as Centralia celebrated 100 years of winning basketball: Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL]: Madam President, I rise today to congratulate the Centralia High School boy's basketball team for 100 years of remarkable success.
The Centralia High Orphans have earned the distinction of being one of the "winningest" high school basketball teams in America. The Centralia basketball program began its winning career with a 2-and-2 record in its inaugural 1906-1907 season, less than a decade after the sport had been invented. In this their 100th season, the Orphans have amassed more than 1,975 career wins.
During the past 100 years, Centralia High has witnessed many legendary coaches and players. Coach Arthur Trout led the team to three State championships as well as an impressive 1941 season of 44 wins and only 2 losses. Coach Trout has an honored place in Centralia High's history where the new school gym bears his name today. Even now, many fans fondly recall the Orphans' all-time leading scorer, Dwight "Dike" Eddleman, who played for the team in the 1940s. Eddleman went on to letter in three sports at the University of Illinois, won the silver medal in the high jump at the 1948 Paris Olympics, and played in the NBA. Other Orphans that represented Centralia in the NBA include Bobby Joe Mason, Ken McBride, and Dick Garrett.
I am proud to be able to offer my congratulations to the Centralia High basketball team, Coach Randy Lincoln, and the town of Centralia, IL on reaching their 100th season, and I look forward to cheering on many more successful seasons of Orphans basketball in the future. www.centraliahs.org/sports/basketball/gallerytemplate/images/resized/IMG_1935.JPG |
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TD
Recruit
Posts: 42
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Post by TD on Aug 9, 2009 21:41:32 GMT -5
I forgot to list some other famous citizens of Centralia, IL
James Brady, President Reagan's press secretary, who took a bullet through the head during the assasination attempt on Reagan, hails from Centrailia
Gary Gaetti, former major league baseball player, also hails from Centrailia
Roland Burris, who was appointed by the now imfamous former Illinois Governor, Rod Blogoavich (sp?) as the US Senator to replace President Obama in the Senate, is from Centralia.
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Post by valpofan56 on Aug 9, 2009 22:00:11 GMT -5
Gary Gaetti, former major league baseball player, also hails from Centrailia Ahh yes, "The Rat" Gary Gaetti. I was at the Twins game a few years ago when he was inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame. Santana had 17 K's and only pitched 8 innings against the Rangers. |
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Post by ValpoHoops on Aug 9, 2009 23:57:09 GMT -5
Funny, I read this article with a couple strange ones in mind, and the one that actually is on there that I know something about (other than that they have a funny name) is where my mother went to school...and one I didn't think of...
What about the Butternut Midgets (northern Wisconsin)?
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