Often when I go to the library to research one story, I come across another story as I look at old newspapers. The next thing you know, I get buried in a story. This is one of those stories.
It is a story from June of 1970 that involves District #205, and the hiring of a new athletic directors. It is a story where you feel you need a program to know all of the actors involved.
Two GHS Legends Retire
At the end of the 1969-1970 school year, two Galesburg High School legends both retired. C.C. VanDyke retired after being the Silver Streak’s football coach for 26 years. And long-time coach and AD, Chuck Bednar decided to retire.
Athletic Director #1- Chuck Bednar
A Legend Retires- Coach Bednar had been at Galesburg for decades, first as a baseball coach then as athletic director. The combination of Bednar’s work ethic and integrity made him one of the most respected teachers and coaches in GHS history. Not only was Bednar respected in Galesburg, he was one of the most respected AD’s in Illinois.
As a Knox alum, Bednar was involved in supporting Knox College thru their alumni association, and the HOF committee.
Bednar was credited with starting little league in Galesburg. And to show his focus on details, he divided the two leagues into “east” and “west” leagues. He wanted young boys from the north and south sides of Galesburg to have chances to play together and maybe reduce the north/south divide.
From 1930-1960, Bednar organized an elaborate intramural program. The program had swimming, tennis, badminton, basketball, ping pong, and other sports.
Although Bednar retired in 1970, the athletic department was still using many of his forms clear up to 1990. As a coach, you knew it was a “Bednar form” when you got his manually typed forms.
Athletic Director #2- Coke Mills
Replacing Bednar- Supt. Orval Trail decided that former GHS star, Coke Mills should the next AD. Mills had been a stair on the Galesburg team of 1931 that took second in State, he went onto play basketball for the University of Illinois. Mills had returned to Galesburg to teach, so had been with the Galesburg schools for a long time. Mills was appointed to the AD position, and signed a contract.
Unhappy Supporters- Supporters of highly successful basketball coach, John Thiel, were not happy that Mills was appointed instead of Thiel. Thiel had hoped to become both AD and basketball coach.
The unhappy supporters of Thiel organized and not only expressed unhappiness of Thiel not getting the job, but unhappiness with Supt. Trail. Their unhappiness included distributing bumper stickers saying,”Hit the Trail, Orval.” The District #205 School Board was asked to reconsider their decision.
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| Basketball Coach- John Thiel |
Athletic Director #3- John Thiel
Next Board Meeting- Amid the controversy, Orval Trail turned in his resignation at the next school board meeting. The school board accepted a letter of resignation from Orval Trail.
The solution of the Galesburg School Board was to name both Thiel and Mills to be Athletic Directors. Thiel was appointed the AD of 10th thru 12th grades, and Coke Mills as AD and PE Coordinator of K thru 9th grades.
New Supt.- Within a month, the school board hired a 37 year old Supt from Camanche, Iowa- Barney Parker. Parker came to Galesburg for a salary of $25,000. Parker brought his teenage son, Dave, who was a tennis phenom. New tennis courts were built at GHS. Dave Parker won the State Tennis Championship as a senior.
Athletic Director #4- George Lundeen
Thiel Leaves- John Thiel was to leave as both coach and AD after the 1973 school year. George Lundeen becamse the AD, and Mike Owens the basketball coach. George Lundeen was the 4th GHS Athletic Director in three years.
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