This Week in Galesburg History (July 13)

“This Week in Galesburg History” there was dancing on a rooftop, future MLB players taking swings, and dating advice to teenagers. 

This is a look back at the history of Galesburg (and the world). What was going on 100 years ago, 75 years ago, 50 years ago, 25 years ago, and 10 years ago this week? 

“This Week in Galesburg History” appears every Monday morning on the WGIL website and Massey Basketball Blog. 

1996 Illinois Girls Basketball Class AA State Tourney

 

Caitlin Clark & WNBA- Why Can’t the Fever Get Lucky Like the Aces?

Another week of the WNBA…

Tommy Kourzmanoff- Reflect on Officiating 1954 State Tourney

In the 1974 IHSA State Tourney Program, Tommy Kouzmanoff looks back 20 years before when he worked his first State Tourney. He shares the pressures and excitement of working the State Tourney in 1954. 

At the time of writing this story, Tommy was the Prep Sports Editor of the Chicago Today newspaper. 

Beyond the Arc- Standish, Appleknockers, Skinny Dipping

In basketball once you start shooting from beyond the three point arc, things can get wild. In this series, I am going to share some stories that may seem a little wild too. 

“Beyond the Arc” is a series that looks at the unusual from the past. Stories from our history, both locally and nationally. Some are from the sports world and others just from the world. Some are stories I have read about and others are legends passed down to me.

1996 Galesburg HS Reflector Yearbook

Coaches’ Corner- Make Time, 150 Minutes

As coaches, we always design programs for our players to improve their games in the off-season. We talk to them about commitment and discipline. A buzz phrase to our players is, “Don’t find time, make time.”

1971 Galesburg Legion Baseball Wins State Title

Galesburg’s American Legion baseball team had a season to remember 55 years ago. In the summer of 1971, the Legion went 39-5. They won their league, the District Tourney, Division Tourney, and Illinois State Tourney. It was not until Great Lake’s Regional in Michigan that they lost two heartbreaking games to finish their season.

Massey Sports Quiz #9- Basketball History

There are a lot of "experts" out there who know everything there is to know about basketball. This quiz is designed to determine how much you actually know about basketball. Some of us have a big advantage because we helped pump up the ball for that first game.

Don’t cheat- get a pad of paper out, answer the test questions, then grade your answers. After you score your test, put your number correct in the comments and also type in your name at the end of your comment.

1- When was basketball invented:

A- 1848 when Lincoln posted up Douglas at Knox College.

B- 1891

C- 1906

D- 1932

2- Where was basketball invented?

A- Springfield Massachusetts

B- Lexington Kentucky

C- Lawrence Kansas

D- Cooperstown New York

1974 Illinois Boys Basketball Class AA State Tourney

State Champions- Proviso East

Coaches’ Corner- 1-4 Low at End of Clock??

There are a fair number of coaches who love to run a 1-4 low set at the end of quarters and end of shot clock for their best players. It is often a great one on one player. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Steven Nemeth 1975

 

Today’s “Streaks Alumni Profile” features Steven Nemeth from GHS’s Class of 1975.

May 2002- Cottage Medical Plaza Opens

The Cottage Medical Plaza on the north side of Cottage Hospital opened up in May of 2002. At its opening, there were 28 doctors in 10 different specialities moving into offices in the building. 

This is a newspaper handout published to describe and promote the opening. This is from the collection of June (Plyn) O’Brien, who graduated from GHS in 1965 and Cottage School of nursing in 1969. She was still working at Cottage in 2002. 

Massey Quiz #53- U.S. Presidents and States They Were Born

This week’s Massey Quiz is a test of U.S. Presidents and the state they were born in. Some of the early Presidents were born before the U.S. was a nation so you are saying what State it later became. 

The answers are at the end of the quiz. Keep track of your score and read exactly what your score indicates. 

Streaks Girls Hoops- High Goals & Busy June

The Galesburg Girls Basketball team is coming off a great season. The Streaks were 28-5 overall and took second with an 11-3 record in the Western Big Six Conference. 

The Streaks five losses were to Quincy, Rock Island, Sterling, Loyola Academy, and Washington. 

GHS advanced to the Galesburg Sectional finals where they met the eventual State Champions, Washington. Washington came out on top 61-37 in Thiel Gym. 

The Streaks return 4 of 5 starters, as well as 6 of their top 8 players. The team has high goals for the 2026-7 season, and just finished their summer workouts. I asked Coach Lexi Demott for an update how their summer workouts have gone.