This Week in Galesburg History (June 29, 2026)

“This Week in Galesburg History,” there are a lot of new babies in town, The Huddle just keeps growing, and what are we going to do with the Armory?

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. 

1952 Hebron State Championship by Bob Frisk

In the 1976 Illinois State Tourney Program for Class A, they had an article looking back at Hebron’s State Championship run. It was written by Bob Frisk, the Sports Editor of Paddock Publications in Arlington Hts. 

Hebron had an enrollment of 98 students. They finished ranked #1 in Illinois with a record of 26-1 going into the State Tourney. They won the title going 34-1. 

Caitlin Clark & the WNBA- What’s Happened to the Shine?

It seemed like maybe Caitlin Clark was getting back into a groove. She was taking logo threes, firing no look passes, and the Fever looked good. And just like that, things went into another crisis. It has been a rough week for Fever and Caitlin Clark fans. 

Can You Believe This? Standish, Appleknockers, Skinny Dipping

This is a collection of odds and ends. Some may be stories you are familiar with, and others may be stories you have never heard before. 

1973 Illinois Boys Basketball Class AA State Tourney

State Champions- Chicago Hirsch

Streaks Alumni Profile- Josh Eiker 2016

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Josh Eiker from the GHS Class of 2016. 

Massey Quiz #51- Ultimate Major League Baseball Quiz

  

 

 

Today’s Quiz is testing your knowledge of Major League Baseball- good luck it is a tough one!!

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. 

Coaches’ Corner- Fever Baseline OB with Options

This is a basic ob set that the Fever use that has multiple options. The basic set is designed to try to get an open shooter on the perimeter and a player cutting to the basket. 

1997 Illinois Girls Basketball Class A State Tourney

State Champs- Carlyle

2nd in State- Teutopolis

3rd in State- Sterling Newman

4th in State- Warsaw

1930- Legendary Game When the Kansas City Monarchs Play at Lincoln Park

Galesburg has hosted many great sporting events thru the years- some historic encounters. 

1907- Knox College baseball team took on the World Champion Chicago White Sox at Willard Field on the Knox Campus.

1926- City rivals, Lombard College and Knox College squared off in an historic basketball game at the Galesburg Armory. In front of a packed house, the game helped change basketball forever. 

1935- Defending State Basketball Champs, Springfield came to Galesburg to play the first game of the brand new Steele Gym. The Streaks pulled off he upset. 

1956- At Lombard Field, the Kimbroughs and the Streaks played Limestone in the last game of the season, going for a perfect undefeated football season. They won 51-0.

1976- Streaks basketball hosted the #1 ranked Richwoods Knights for the Regional championship at Thiel Gym. Campbell and Kelley led the Streaks to a huge overtime upset win. 

All of these games were games that Galesburg fans eagerly anticipated. And there have been many other “great games” in Galesburg sports history. Perhaps the biggest sporting event in Galesburg history was when the Kansas City Monarchs baseball team came to Galesburg to play the Galesburg Indees on Sunday, September 7, 1930. 

Streaks Alumni Profile- Jennifer (Watters) Robinson 1989

Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile features Jennifer (Watters) Robinson from the GHS Class of 1989. 

Jen was a great student, great athlete, and active in many organizations while at GHS. 

I had the opportunity to coach Jen when she ran cross country at GHS. When I coached cross country, I got to work with some great athletes and some great teams. Jen was part of one of the best teams, they won the Western Big Six Conference. Jen and her teammates’ loyalty, team bond, and commitment were truly inspirational. 

After college, Jen came back to GHS where she has had an outstanding career teaching both foreign language and social studies. She has impacted so many students during her time. 

Jen has been a student, athlete, and teacher at GHS for over 30 years. She shares her unique perspective on how GHS has changed during this period. She shares some tremendous insights. 

This Week in Galesburg History (June 22)

 

“This Week in Galesburg History,” Galesburg is voted an ideal city, JC Penney’s is excited about the future at the Mall, and Stan Musial is indeed “Stan the Man.”

 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 on the WGIL website and Massey Basketball Blog. 

1949- Five Greatest State Championship Games in First 41 Years

For the IHSA State Tourney program of 1949, Bert Bertrand shared what he thought were the “5 Greatest Championship Games.” 

For Galesburg fans, they might be interested that Bertrand mentions that if he were just writing about “Greatest Games in State Tourney” that the 1945 Decatur overtime win over Galesburg would have to be included. 

Coaches’ Corner- Double Fade with Double Slip

This is a unique set where you center the ball so that you can run a fade action on both sides of the floor.

My Scout Report- Kids Playing in Iowa & Fever Are Struggling

My thoughts on another week of basketball and another week of retirement.