SHS Sports: Timelines from the Sidelines Tradition everlasting

Overview of 1930-1939

Though SHS continued to field successful teams into the 1930s, perhaps the most important happening of the decade came off the playing field, as Staunton’s first and only mascot was chosen during the 1935-36 school year. Before that time, local teams had always been referred to by their school colors. However, mascots were taking hold across the state, and the administration left it up to the student body to vote on proposals. Norm Norvell, a junior at the time, successfully lobbied for “Bull Dogs,” which later was changed to “Bulldogs.” However, the school retained its colors of myrtle and maroon for several years.

Despite average team success during the decade, as well as the context of the Great Depression, participation in high school sports continued to thrive into the 1930s in Staunton. In fact, a survey conducted during the 1030-31 academic year showed that only seven percent of boys in the district did not play sports, and that most athletes participated in at least two activities. It is worth noting that a few individuals competed in tennis during the decade. While not much is known about the popularity or staying power of the sport, it is known that at least four individuals qualified for the State in the 1930s. Interestingly enough, the first “S” Club was formed at the school during the decade. The organization, which was later discontinued, reached its heyday in the 1960s.

While basketball was not very popular in Staunton at the time, perhaps the biggest event in the area was the annual rendition of the Macoupin County Tournament. During the 1030s the tourney included 16 schools. Each year, teams from Benld; Brighton; Bunker Hill; Carlinville; Chesterfield; Gillespie; Girard; Hettick; Medora; Modesto; Mt. Olive; Palmyra; Scottville; Shipman; Staunton; and Virden competed for county bragging rights. Finally, the SCC has experienced tremendous change throughout its history, and the first such shakeup occurred in 1932-33. That season saw the SCC fall to nine teams with the departure of Shelbyville. Litchfield followed suit two years later, leaving the organization with eight teams. However, the SCC went back to nine teams in 1935-36, as Benld was welcomed to the fold.

Class of 1934

Basketball (Boys)

Coming off several disappointing seasons, the 1933-34 basketball team found itself under new leadership, as Cliff Stiegemeier returned to his alma mater to take over coaching duties at Staunton High School. His tenure saw a return to prominence of both the basketball and football programs.

The boys in myrtle and maroon finished the year with a record of 13-14, including 5-9 in the SCC. Though not overly impressive on paper, the season marked the first time in six years that Stuanton had won more than seven games. More importantly, SHS had excellent showings at both the Macoupin County and District basketball tournaments. At County, Staunton defeated Bunker Hill, Virden, and Medora before losing to Gillespie 25-22 in the championship game. At District, SHS defeated Waggoner, Livingston, and Gillespie before dropping a tight game to Litchfield. Interestingly enough, in that year the IHSA decided that both the District champion and runner-up were eligible to advance to Sectional play. Though Staunton lost to Clinton in the first game of the Sectional Tournament, the experience gained from postseason play paid dividends over the next few years. Starters on the team included Bauman, Joe Branka, Norm Meyer, Norm Stolze, and Westerman, with the latter two being named to the All-County team.

Football

Cliff Stiegemeier’s first season running the football program was fairly successful, as the team finished 4-5 overall and 2-3 in the SCC in 1933. Though the record did not live up to expectations of the program historically, it was a step in the right direction, as SHS was coming off the first winless campaign in school history. After the season, Frank Yakos was named to the All-Conference team.

SHS opened the season with a 47-0 shutout of Mt. Olive, a program that Stiegemeier had directed just one year prior. Week Two saw the Green Wave lose to Collinsville in the final minutes of the game. The matchup was scoreless as SHS attempted to punt from deep in its own end zone with just over a minute remaining. However, a Collinsville defender broke through the line and blocked the punt, falling on it for the game’s only score. Adding to the disappointment was the fact that Staunton’s star quarterback, Norm Stolze, broke his foot and did not see significant action until the last game of the season. The team never recovered from the loss and had to reshuffle its lineup for the following week’s SCC opener against Taylorville, a game that Staunton dropped by a score of 12-8. A Week Four shutout of Gillespie (7-0) preceded a loss to Benld (14-6). SHS bounced back with a win over Girard (14-7) in Week Six. Though it was a non-conference matchup, the game with Girard was very important to the community because it marked the first-ever Homecoming game, with many graduates coming back for the weekend’s festivities, which included a play, dinner, and musical entertainment. Back to the gridiron, Staunton lost consecutive SCC tilts with Hillsboro (13-0) and Carlinville (6-0) before rebounding with a Week Nine victory over Mt. Olive (25-7) on Thanksgiving. Hillsboro went on to win the SCC title, the first of three straight crowns for the school.

Tennis (Boys)

Staunton once again had a doubles team advance to State, as Art Ahrens and Roland Lippold placed Second at the District Tournament. Unfortunately, due to an untimely illness, the duoo was unable to to compete at State.

Track (Boys)

The 1934 track team, under the direction of Cliff Stiegemeier, enjoyed a reasonably successful season. Though the team placed just Sixth at the SCC Meet, Will Leonard brought home a title in the 400 meters, while the 800 meter relay team of Vic Bono, Pete Bono, Leonard, and Westerman also captured First Place. At the Macoupin County Meet, Leonard and the relay team duplicated their championships from the SCC Meet. Also, Vic Bono won the 50 meters and 100 meters, and Norm Stolze took home the pole vault title. Finally, at District, Leonard took Second Place in the 400 meters, qualifying for State in that event.

Class of 1935

Basketball (Boys)

Staunton had an outstanding team in 1934-35, tying the school record for wins, thought the mark fell the very next year. The unit finished 21-5 and 8-2 in the SCC, capturing the SCC title along with the Macoupin County championship. Cliff Stiegemeier, in just his second year directing the program, had high aspirations entering the season, as the team returned four lettermen in Joe Branka, Charlie Ferguson, Norm Meyer, and Rich Stolze. Joining them in the starting lineup was Frank Yakos, and the squad was rounded out by Vic Bono, Ed Furtwangler, Ernest Grimm, Norm Norvell, and Ray Stiegemeier.

The Macoupin County Tournament was an exciting time fo the community. Staunton began action in the competition by defeating girard by a score of 51-20. After disposing of Mt. Olive (23-16), SHS easily handled Hettick (34-19) to advance to the championship game. Waiting for Staunton in the title tilt was arch-rival Gillespie. The two teams played a methjodical game, but SHS found a way to eke out a 10-6 victory, winning the county championship for just the second time in school history. Furthermore, for their outstanding conduct during the tournament, the fans of Staunton won the Sportsmanship Award. Unfortunately, despite having beaten Litchfield both times during the regular season, Staunton’s campaign ended in an upset loss in the semifinals of the District Tournament.

Football

The 1934 football team continued the program’s turnaround behind seniors John Crowder, Ed Furtwangler, Ernest Grimm, Kelly Simmons, Jim Tietze, George Wenner, and Frank Yakos. Coach Cliff Stiegemeier’s team finished the season 6-2-2 overall and 3-1-1 in the SCC. The season began with a Week One shutout of Mt. Olive (20-0). After a tough loss to Edwardsville (14-0), SHS crushed Girard (38-0) in Week Three. Week Four welcomed the team’s first SCC opponent, and Staunton held on for a close victory by winning 7-6 over Taylorville. A Week Five loss to Nokomis (20-0) ended the team’s hopes for a league title, though the boys in myrtle and maroon finished the season without losing again, as two straight scoreless ties (Benld and Carlinville) preceded wins over Springfield Feitshans (13-0), Mt. Olive (20-12), and Gillespie (13-0). Hillsboro won the conference title for the second straight year. For his outstanding play during the SCC slate, junior Vic Bono was named to the All-Conference First Team. Finally, it is worth mentioning that the matchup with Benld was especially intriguing, as their coach, Glen Hastings, was a former standout athlete at SHS. In fact, Hastings and Stiegemeier graduated in the same class and together had teamed up for the program’s historic 1923 football season

Track (Boys)

The 1935 track squad under coach Cliff Stiegemeier was extremely successful. The team finished Second in the SCC, First in the athletic portion of the Macoupin County Meet, and sent two individuals to State. Vic Bono (pole vault) and Frank Yakos (800 meters) each captured gold at the SCC event, while Bono (pole vault, 200 meters), Ernest Grimm (1600 meters), Norm Meyer (100 meters), and Jim Tietze (400 meters) turned in winning performances at County. At the District Meet, Bono won the championship in the pole vault, advancing to State in that event. While Grimm did not win the 1600 meter run, he did place Second, thus advancing to State. Additionally, Grimm set a school record in the event.