Athletics
Atwood High School definitely offered boys basketball and track. In fact top-four finishes highlighted both
sports successes. It is probable that baseball and possible that football were offered as well. School team nickname,
colors, fight song, team records, and coach's names are all items we are seeking.
Boys Basketball
The Atwood High School boys basketball program of the 1919 to 1930 era must have been quite special. How
about THREE trips to the IHSA Tournament finals, including one trip to the championship game!! This all accomplished
in the original one-class system in Illinois. Check out Atwood High School's incredible success below.
1918-19 Qualified for
State Tournament Final 12 Coach Mathews
District Champions
Lost to Shelbyville 28 - 26 (O/T)
1921-22 21 - 1 FINISHED SECOND IN IHSA PLAYOFFS Coach
Lawrence Hamilton
Undefeated
Season Until Championship Game
District Champions
Sectional
Champions
Final Four Finalist
Beat Peoria HS 17 - 15
State Championship Finalist
Lost to Centralia 24 - 16
1929-30 26 - 4 Qualified as Elite 8 Finalist
Coach Clarence Rogers
District Champions
Sectional
Champions
Beat Hillsboro 24 - 19
(Hillsboro finished 29-2)
Elite 8 Finalist
Lost to Peoria Manuel 18 - 16
Peoria Manuel Eventual State Champs
1941-42 District
Champions
1947-48 District
Champions
Boys Track & Field
Must have been something in the water in Atwood in the 1920s era. The Atwood tracksters finished FOURTH
on THREE occassions. In addition the athletes of the time brought home a total of 19
medals from the IHSA State Track Meet. Albert "Chin" Kamm and lads named Wierman
and Moore were crowned STATE CHAMPIONS in their respective events.
1915-16B J. Cogdal High
Jump 2ND Place
1918-19B Team Finished FOURTH in STATE MEET Competition!!
Individual Medalists
?? Moore 440 Yard Dash STATE
CHAMPION!!
?? Wierman High Jump
2ND Place
Pole
Vault 3RD Place
?? Harshbarger 220 Yard Hurdles 3RD Place
Final Team Standings
1)
Chicago (University)
19
2) Georgetown
16
3) Lockport (Twp.)
15
4)
ATWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 12
5) Edwardsville (H.S.)
10
5)
Altona
10
1919-20B ?? Wierman High
jump STATE CHAMPION!!
?? Reeder Hammer
3RD Place
?? Stark 100 Yard Dash
4TH Place
1922-23B ?? Stark 100
Yard Dash 5TH Place
220 Yard Dash 3RD Place
1927-28 ?? Monroe
220 Yard Hurdles 3RD Place
1928-29 Team Finished FOURTH in STATE MEET
Competition!!
Individual Medalists
Len Harshbarger 220 Yard Hurdles 2ND Place
?? Turnipseed 1 Mile Run
3RD Place
?? Monroe 220 Yard
Hurdles 4TH Place
Albert
"Chin" Kamm Shot Put
5TH Place
Final Team Standings
1)
Chicago (Tilden)
15
1) Chicago (Hyde Park)
15
3) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest) 14
4) ATWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 10
5) Murphysboro
9
5) Streator (Twp.)
9
1929-30 Team Finished FOURTH in STATE MEET
Competition!!
Individual Medalists
Albert "Chin" Kamm Discus
STATE CHAMPION!!
Shot Put STATE CHAMPION!!
Len
Harshbarger 220 Yard Hurdles 3RD Place
Final
Team Standings
1) Oak Park (O.P.-River Forest) 29
2) Wheaton (H.S.)
21
3) Chicago (Tilden)
19
4) ATWOOD HIGH SCHOOL 13
5) Mattoon
9
Need Your In-put
If you have any information regarding the Atwood High School athletic program and other school programs offered
there, please share them with us. We are especially interested in sharing photos of the old high school building and
great teams and coaches. You can reach us by the following means:
Written - Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il.
60631
