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| Kimbroughs with legendary, Coach CC VanDyke |
Albert and Elbert Kimbrough were 1957 graduates of GHS, and are considered by many to have been the greatest athletes in Silver Streaks history.
The Kimbroughs were the stars of the 1956 football team that went undefeated and is considered the best football team in GHS history. Albert set the school record of 295 points scored in a season, 45 career touchdowns, and averaging 9.0 yards per carry during his career. While Albert got the glory carrying the ball, Elbert was his blocking fullback. Both were the stars of the defense.
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| Chuck Bednar & G-Club- Present Budget Memorial Award |
In basketball, Albert and Elbert at 5’11” started on the 1957 team that made it to the Elite 8. On their run to State, they had the famous 23-21 win over Rock Island and Don Nelson in the Sectional Championhip. They eventually lost to undefeated and #1 ranked Collinsville in a controversial 61-59 loss. There were some questions about the foul discrepancy and a huge no call at the end of the game that made some observers wonder if there was an unfairness. This 1957 team was later labeled by Coach John Thiel as the “most enjoyable team” that ever coached because of how they competed and represented Galesburg.
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| Albert at Northwestern |
Both Albert and Elbert went on to play football at Nortwestern University under the legendary Ara Parseghian. They were star defensive backs for the Wildcats. Elbert was twice selected All-Big Ten, and his senior year earned All-American honors. Elbert then went became the only GHS grad to ever play in the NFL. Elbert was drafted and played one year with the Los Angeles Rams. He was traded to the San Francisco 49er’s where he started every game at safety for six season, collecting 9 interceptions and 7 fumble recoveries. He finished his career with the New Orleans Saints.
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| Elbert with the Saints |
After graduation, Albert went into public education. He started out teaching and coaching at Evanston High School. He eventually get an Ed. Specialist degree from the University of Illinois, and became an administrator at Evanston High School for over twenty years.
While Albert and Elbert’s athletic careers and professional careers are inspirational and worthy of recognition, The positive role they had in the helping with civil rights and journey for equality in Galesburg cries out to be honored and become a source of education to students today.
Their 1957 Silver Streaks basketball team had four African-Americans in the starting lineup. Before 1950, there were only two African-Americans ever allowed to play basketball at Galesburg High School. When Coach John Thiel started four African-Americans on the 1957 team. Prior to 1950, it was quite possible that none of them would have even been allowed to even play for the Streaks, let alone to start. After starting the four African-Americans, Coach Thiel received hate mail. Because of how well these young men played basketball and how well they represented our community, by the end of the season they had become the heroes of our community. Albert and Elbert along with their teammates changed Galesburg forever.
This Sunday-
Streaks Scrapbook- 1957 Boys Elite 8 Basketball Team
I remember those two brothers and Coach Thiel. More so when they went to Northwestern.
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