Illinois High School Glory Days

Mineral High School

Home of the Leopards 1922 - 1961

16 Years & Counting

Thank you for your continued support!

ORDER JAY SHIDLER"S NEW BOOK HERE! __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Jay Shidler’s book “Blonde Bomber - A Ride With Shide” is here and ready for purchase! For all fans of the Glory Days of Illinois High School basketball, this book is a must read. In this book, Lawrenceville’s famed Blonde Bomber recounts his upbringing as the son and younger brother of two noted athletes and gives detailed accounts of all the great games he played in and all the great players he played with and against -- from his high school days through his time playing for the University of Kentucky and beyond. ___ Detailed accounts of all the epic games Jay played in competing for legendary coach Ron Felling will put you right on the court, in the huddle and in the locker room for vivid first hand descriptions of all the action of that storied era of high school basketball in Illinois. You will recognize many of the great names of the past, both players and coaches, as Jay describes his experiences competing as a Lawrenceville Indian. ___ Jay covers his career at Kentucky in similar detail, recounting all the great games, great players and coaches of that time. The book offers an intense, inside look at what it was like to go from a small town upbringing to becoming a media sensation in basketball crazy Kentucky and stepping onto the floor before 23,000 screaming fans in Rupp Arena -- and eventually taking to the biggest stage of all, playing for a national championship. ____ This intense account of Jay’s life both on and off the court is a must read for any sports fan. Order you copy now by clicking on the link below which will take you to the “Blonde Bomber” page of BookBaby’s online store: ___ Blond Bomber: A Ride With Shide by Jay Shidler | Bookshop | BookBaby Bookshop, _________________________________________________ https://store.bookbaby.com/book/blond-bomber _________________________________________________

THE BEST SITE FOR INFORMATION REGARDING CLOSED, CONSOLIDATED, DEACTIVATED AND DEFUNCT HIGH SCHOOLS IN ILLINOIS' STORIED HISTORY.

Schools are listed beginning with the first letter in the town's name in which the school is located. For example, Westmer High School in Joy will be found under "J". Schools listed with an asterisk (*) before their name have photos on the page. Click on any letter below to find a school you are looking for.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Find your school by the County in which it was located by clicking HERE.

Most Recent Update: November 21, 2021

Number of Visitors to this Site Since February 10, 2005:

GYMNASIUM PHOTOS NEEDED

From IBCA Board Member Coach Bruce Firchau:

"The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association is looking for pictures of the gyms of schools that are listed as closed on this website. These pictures will be used as part of an exhibit that will allow visitors to see pictures of gyms from schools that no longer exist. These pictures will help preserve the history of the schools that are closed."

If you have a photo of the exterior and interior of your former high school's gymnasium, please scan and send a copy to ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. The information will be forwarded to the IBCA Hall of Fame committee.

GLORY DAYS WEBSITE

This Glory Days Site is a collaborative effort to preserve Illinois History, as reflected in high schools which no longer function, but nonetheless encapsulate the best of who we are and have been. As we move beyond the 450,000 mark of unique visitors, we need to recognize those who have done most to present this site to you: Kev Varney, who grew up in Ottawa, now of Bloomington; Beau Spencer, who grew up in Annawan, now of Madison, WI; Cody Cutter, born in Rock Falls, now of Sterling; Richard Soseman, who grew up on Campbells Island (Quad Cities) now of Peru, IL, Phil Shadid, born and raised in Springfield, Roberta Van Briesen, born and raised in Stillman Valley, and myself; Dave Nanninga, who grew up in Mineral, attended Annawan High School, and currently resides in Chicago.

(Check out more information on our Authors page)

This site is YOUR site, so have fun with it, enjoy some memories, visit pages of places you forgot long ago, or maybe even from which you graduated last year. Also, we encourage you to become a collaborator by sending us your information!

Join Our Group On FACEBOOK:

Illinois High School Glory Days Website - http://www.facebook.com/groups/223591774384467/

Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Committee Needs Your Help

The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame committee is searching for items to add to its future Hall of Fame Museum. From committee member Bruce Firchau:

"We are looking for letter jackets and / or sweaters from schools that do not exist anymore. Our goal is to have one from each letter in the alphabet. We are also specifically seeking photos of the exterior and interior of your high school gymnasium. Please forward the photos to the Glory Days website at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or send to the IBCA via the means listed below. Other items we are seeking are listed below."

Specific Items for IBCA Wish List of Memorabilia Donations

If you can supply any of these items please contact Bruce Firchau via e-mail at firchau@sbcglobal.net

· Basketball pictures-the older the better

· Recordings of school songs

· Old basketball programs, schedules, scorebooks and media guides

· Newspaper articles

· Scrapbooks

· Films, DVD’s video tapes, old audio tapes

· Old basketballs, autographed basketballs

· Letter jackets and letter sweaters

· Team or coaching blazers

· Old uniforms, warm up jackets and pants

· Cheerleading and mascot uniforms

· Megaphones and pom poms

· Referee shirts, whistles and old rule books

· Old basketball shoes

· Pennants

· Banners

· Trophies

· Patches, pins, buttons, schedules, school pencils, beanies

· Old popcorn machine

· Old pop dispenser

· Score boards

· Lockers

· Players bench

Also, the huge cutout of the state of Illinois with lights for towns, like they used to use during the state tournament at Huff Gymnasium, is being sought.

SIXTEEN YEARS AND RUNNING!!

We have been in service since January 30th of 2005. Here we are:

1,193 high schools, more than 6,000 photos, & 460,000 visits later, still going strong. Thank you to all of the great alumni and fans of the many schools on this site who have provided information for us to share. Special thanks to all of you who are as determined as we are in keeping the memories of these "gone but never forgotten" schools alive.

The 1924/25 Mineral Leopards

Conference Champions