Thank You Galesburg- Thank You Players

John Thiel Gym

 I was blessed to teach and coach at Galesburg High School. Being the Galesburg Girls Basketball Coach was the best basketball coaching job in Illinois. No place in Illinois can match the atmosphere of Thiel Gym for a girls basketball game on a Thursday night. No place can match the community support given to girls basketball in Galesburg. 

The past couple months have been happy but have also been emotional. People have been so nice to me.  Last week I was made aware there was a movement to name the basketball court in John Thiel Gym, the Massey Court. I have to admit that over the past few days as I have reflected on this tremendous honor, it has brought tears to my eyes. 

Basketball has been so important to our community for decades. The legacy of John Thiel and his achievements in the 1950’s and 1960’s made the Silver Streaks synonymous with basketball and famous throughout the State of Illinois. His success has remained an inspiration for coaches like myself and for players for over 50 years. His legacy has been immortalized by the naming of John Thiel Gymnasium. To have the basketball court within John Thiel Gym named for me, is very humbling. 

1978-9 Silver Streaks- My 1st Team

When I started coaching the girls basketball team in the 1970’s, we couldn’t always practice in the GHS gym. We might have to go to Lombard, Churchill, or the Hawthorne Center in the evening to practice. I don’t think any of us at that time could have imagined having anything named for anyone associated with girls basketball, but the naming of the court for a girls basketball coach shows how much the Galesburg community has grown to embrace the girls basketball teams. Galesburg is naming the court for a girls basketball coach, while some schools still don’t even have their girls teams play in the best gym at their school.

Streaks Past & Present for my 1000 win

I have so many wonderful memories associated with Thiel Gym. When I reflect on great memories of our girls basketball teams, I can’t help but to look at the spots on the court where those plays occurred. I can tell you where Amy Crisman stole the ball, scored, and was fouled vs. UT when we won our first WB6 title, the spot where Stef Mitchell drained a three vs Quincy that sealed our Sectional win, where Kiarra Kilgore posted up (over and over ) on 7 Stay, the backcourt where the Cadwells and Tiffany Sibley wouldn’t let Moline bring the ball up the court and led us to another WB6 title, the spot where Molly Watson flipped it behind her back for a fastbreak layup in the Regional, and the spot where we ran the same play three times in a row and Ella Herchenroder hit 3 threes in a row vs. Rock Island. I could go on and on. The naming of the court is so special to me because I have so many amazing memories tied to the court. 

While it is going to say Massey Court, I really think it is being named in honor and appreciation of how 46 girls basketball teams represented our community and our school. Hundreds of players have earned this recognition for me with their commitment, hard work, team work, leadership, and competitiveness. I am being honored, but it is the players who earned it. 

2023-4 Silver Strreaks

Galesburg is so proud of you- the players! When I reflect on the last 46 years and the last 46 teams, I can’t help but smile. I am so proud of you, no coach could have asked for better young women to coach. Your commitment and hard work was unmatched. 

The great news is that there are more memories to be made on the court at Thiel Gym. I am confident that in ten years, I will have many more spots on the court that I will associate with great plays and exciting moments that I witness as a fan. 

I want to thank the committee who recommended the naming of the court in my honor, and the District #205 School Board for approving their recommendation. I sincerely appreciate the tremendous honor of the naming of Evan Massey Court at John Thiel Gym. 

Thank you!

Evan Massey