HOF Insights- What Made A Difference In Your Program

(This was first published in January of 2025)

This Week’s Question

There are many things involved in creating a successful sports program. As you look back, what a couple of the things that made your program successful?

Streaks Alumni Profile- Libby Allison Derry 1998

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Libby (Allison) Derry of the Galesburg HS’s Class of 1998. 

Libby was active in sports and activities at GHS. She describes American Studies as being her favorite class with its media presentations. There would seem to be a connection between her love of American Studies and the direction that her career has taken. Libby has had a great career, first as a TV broadcaster and now in public relations work. Maybe the active role that American Studies provided provided a good foundation.

Libby’s career successes are an inspiring story. This is definitely an alumni profile that I hope present day GHS students would read! Maybe someone at GHS could make it required reading for an American Studies class!

I really appreciate Libby for taking the time out of her busy life to share her memories and life story. I won’t even mark her grade down for being a little late turning in the assignment. 

1985 Illinois Girls AA State Tourney

Massey Quiz #67- Elections & Government- Part 1

    

 

 

Today’s quiz challenges your knowledge of elections, politics, and government. 

The answers are at the end of the quiz. Keep track of your score and read exactly what your score indicates. If you would like- share your score on the Facebook or Massey Blog under the comments. 

Minnie & Nellie’s Trip to Decorah, Iowa

Minnie and Nellie took Amy and me on a great long weekend trip to Decorah, Iowa. My brother once told me that a trip to Decorah was like a trip to a Disney village. It’s not often but he was right in this case. 

And Luther College grad, Gary O’Malley had always bragged about the wonders of Luther and Decorah, but then again, he has always bragged about the University of Iowa so I had some skepticism!

From Galesburg it was about 3:45 hours to this small town just south of the Minnesota border, and stone’s throw from the Wisconsin border. We found a great small cottage just two blocks from the downtown. And yes, it is a small town that still has a downtown. It had about 5 blocks of stores and restaurants with no chain stores/restaurants in the downtown. 

There were numerous parks and trails to choose from. And we found the perfect one for Nellie- she dove into the stream and enjoyed herself. 

And we got to meet the mother of the Democratic candidate for governor. We can’t vote in Iowa but we know how we would vote if we had a chance. 

In a different era, we would have invited you over to the house for a slide show, so this will have to do!!

1985 Illinois Boys Basketball Class AA State Tourney

State Champions- Mt. Carmel

2nd- Springfield Lanphier

3rd- Homewood-Flossmoor

4th- Cahokia

HOF Insights- The Lessons of Coach Bob Reade

 

In the “HOF Insights”, I ask a group of successful, veteran coaches to share their thoughts on a variety of topics. Each week, I ask a different question. The questions can be focused on helping coaches, parents or athletes to have a more successful athletic experience.  

Coach Bob Reade at Geneseo and at Augustana was one of the all-time great high school and great college coaches. His teams won championships  year after year. 

Jay Hatch, Greg King, and Vic Boblett are considered legendary coaches themselves. Hatch, King, and Boblett all share something in common- they played and/or coached with Coach Reade. I have asked them to share what made Coach Reade so successful, and what they took into coaching themselves from Coach Reade. 

If you are a coach or a leader, this is MUST reading!!

100 Years of Student Service Clubs at Galesburg HS

Often you hear grumpy old men complain about kids today. The popular phrase, “What’s wrong with kids today?” I would argue that people who say that are either unaware of things, or are just grumpy and old. 

Many may not be aware, but for over 100 years, students at Galesburg HS have been actively involved in student service organizations. While students in many sports, clubs and organizations have done and continue to do service projects, since 1921 GHS has always had clubs that are exclusively devoted to service. 

Teaching students about science, social studies, math, and English are important to preparing students to have options as they go forward in life. One of the most important lessons is to teach students about the value and the importance of service to others. 

GHS students involved in service organizations are learning…

1- Leadership skills. 

2- The value and skills involved in working as a team. 

3- An appreciation for and the value of community. 

4- Personal growth that occurs thru a willingness to act selflessly to help others. 

For over 100 years, Galesburg High School has been helping develop active and valuable members of society. GHS is helping students grow as people who want to serve others. 

Today, the two primary service organizations at GHS are Key Club and Interact Club. These two clubs combined presently have memberships of 140 students. In perspective, that is about 10% of GHS students involved in one of these two clubs. 

1985 Illinois Girls Basketball Class A State Tourney

Streaks Alumni Profile- Josh Bland 1997

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Josh Bland from the Galesburg HS Class of 1997. 

I had the opportunity to coach Josh when he was on the sophomore football team. Josh was great to coach- he was a positive teammate, hard working, and always respectful. 

Right now, Josh is back at Galesburg HS. He is an assistant for Andrea Sampson and the Silver Streaks softball team. It is great to see someone come back to GHS and work with today’s athletes. 

I am excited that Josh was willing to share some of his memories. 

This Week in Galesburg History- Oct 12, 2026

 

 

“This Week in Galesburg History”

Chicago has a gangland fight.

Silver Streaks hoping to upset undefeated conference leader.

Knox ranked #10 in the nation.

Lindsay Auto Centre has some bargains.

Quad City school wins 4th straight conference championship.

Seeking advice on internet misuse. 

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, 30 years ago, 20 years ago, and 10 years ago this week? 

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

1985 Illinois Boys Basketball Class A State Tourney

State Champions- Providence St. Mel

2nd- Chrisman

3rd- Hoopeston- East Lynn

4th- Harvard

1968- ‘Twas Galesburg’s Afternoon (Sun. March 24, 1968)

Galesburg’s ‘68 team is considered by some to be the best team in GHS history. The Silver Streaks took 2nd in State in 1968. 

The Streaks beat Quincy in the Supers 61-60 in OT. Then smashed the undefeated, #1 Effingham Flaming Hearts in the Quarterfinals 85-52, and then DeKalb 63-60 in the Semi-Finals. They lost the State Championship game to Evanston 70-51. 

The Galesburg Register-Mail had this full page layout on Sunday, celebrating the Streaks win over DeKalb on the previous Saturday afternoon. (The quality of the clippings have not held up well. )

20 Tip From Twitter for Players & Coaches

Here are 20 great ideas for coaches and players…

Four Point Shot Is Coming- Seriously!!

Anyone who has followed men’s or women’s basketball is aware that the three point shot has is taking over the game. 

The ABA from 1967 to 1977 put in the three point shot. Their distance was 23’9” out top and 22’ in the corners. When the NBA and ABA merged, the NBA did include the three point shot. The NBA put the three point line the third year after the merger in 1979-80 season, using the same distances of the ABA.