Streaks Scrapbook- Old GHS, Churchill, and Steele Gym

Galesburg High School looking across Broad Street.

1906-1959 was GHS.

Destroyed by fire in Sept. of 1965.

Fever’s First Test- How Clark Injury Changed The Narrative

Fever fans, myself included had such high and perhaps unrealistic expectations going into the season.  

The Fever are only 6 games into their 44 game season. The Fever lost their best player and have only had 2 games to try to reorganize and play without Clark.

I don’t want to sound like that crazy parent who has emotional reactions to their child’s team but I can’t help myself. I want to share my reactions to the Fever season. My question for you- are my reactions realistic or am I overreacting? I would love for you to share your thoughts in the comments at the end of the blog. 

Friday Fotos- Game Never In Doubt

This Friday Foto, is actually a “foto” of an article from 1964. Read the entire short story, and see if you aren’t smiling at the end. 

Shimer College was located in Mt.Carroll, Illinois. Shimer was a small, liberal arts school famous for its high academic reputation. Unfortunately Shimer closed its doors in the 1970’s. 

In 1964, Shimer’s basketball team made the national news by setting a collegiate basketball record that took three seasons to accomplish. 

Inside Hoops- Negative Comments About the WNBA Miss The Mark

The last week or so, I have become a combination of puzzled, annoyed, and amused by comments of people on social media about the WNBA. Some of it is posts put up on Twitter and Facebook, but most of it is comments people attach to posts. 

“I don’t think I will watch anymore WNBA, I am tired of all the petty stuff.”

This comment was a reaction to the Caitlin Clark hard foul on Angel Reese, the ensuing on court shoving and the later off-court heated discussions by the media. The WNBA and the media would like Clark vs Reese to be an issue- to be something to sell tickets and bring eyes to TV. The reaction to this was media generated. When Haliburton took a hard foul on Anonoube in a similar fashion, there was no media explosion. 

Did people quit watching the NBA after Isaiah Thomas got the other players in the NBA All-Star game to freeze out Michael Jordan? Many pro athletes are successful because they are driven with big egos.

Despite the media attempts, the Reese vs Clark rivalry is either dead or on its last breath. Angel Reese is not on nor will ever be on Clark’s level as a basketball player. The WNBA will eventually use Clark vs Buecker or Clark vs JuJu Watkins just as the NBA used Bird vs Magic. 

“Poor Caitlin, she shouldn’t have to go thru what she is going thru.”

Caitlin Clark is not the first emerging star to have to deal with testing by the veterans in a league. It is a tradition among pro athletes. 

Lew Alcindor as a rookie was brutally and physically attacked by Willis Reed and Wilt Chamberlain. In the eyes of the veterans, Lew was not on their level and they resented the publicity that he had gotten. Sydney Crosby in hockey, Odell Beckham Jr in football and Kobe Bryant in basketball all went thru this “veteran hazing.”

Sometimes it even happens within a team. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were so tired of hearing Jerry Krause talk about Toni Kukoc that in an Olympic game, they brutally and ruthlessly tried to embarrass Kukok, and did. 

If opposing players cross the line, the refs need to deal with it. Caitlin is getting the defensive attention because she is great.

“There are too many players that I can’t root for because of their political and social stands.”

If we are sports fans, all of us pick out “our teams.” Once we pick out a team, it takes a lot for us to quit rooting for that team. If we are a strong fan, we are very invested and we have a lot of passion for our team. Often to justify our passion and our loyalty, we find moral reasons to support our team. Our team is the good guys and the other team is the bad guys. 

Cub fans showed disdain for the Cardinals because Tony LaRussa got a DUI. The White Sox fans who can’t root for the Cubs because their owner has given millions of dollars to Donald Trump. The person who rooted against Ali because he “dodged the draft.” The fan who can’t root for the Warriors and Steve Kerr because he is too liberal. All of us try to find moral reasons why our teams are the best. The reality is, if we are looking for a team with unflawed individuals, we probably need to look at chess as a sport to follow.

“I just want to watch basketball, I can’t stand all the hate and booing in the WNBA.”

When I was going thru some sports pages from the 1930’s, I ran into an account where the referee in a high school basketball game stopped the game because the fans were making noise when the opposing team shot free throws. He warned the fans they would all be kicked out if this continued. Needless to say, the idea of not making noise when the opposing team is shooting free throws, is an idea whose ship has sailed. 

Booing an opposing player is not something unique to the WNBA. Who did the Minnesota T-Wolves fans boo whenever he touched the ball? SGA is booed with every touch. Opposing fans don’t pick out the 10th player on the other team to go after this way. In a weird way, it is acknowledging greatness.

If you want to get an angry fan reaction, just post a message on social media either saying LBJ is the GOAT or that Michael is the GOAT. Few fans can remain neutral and unemotional on this topic.

Part of athletics and part of competition is that is hard not to just root FOR your team without rooting AGAINST the opposing team. I tell people that in the MLB I root for two teams- the White Sox and whoever the Cub’s are playing. During college basketball, I root for Wisconsin and whoever the Illini are playing. That goes back to abuse that I got from Illinois fans in JH and HS after an Illini win. 

It is easy to throw the word “hate” around in analyzing this. I don’t think that I hate the Cubs or Illinois. If I improve my vocabulary, I would be more accurate to say that I have disdain, contempt, or despise those teams. 

While sportsmanship purist would say it is wrong, the negative passions of the home team at games is part of sports. This is not unique to the WNBA.

“No need to watch the WNBA for the next couple weeks with Clark injured, it will be boring.”

This was a message to me from an Iowa fan. It is sad that they have followed the WNBA now for a full year and have not moved from just being a Caitlin Clark fan. And to be honest, such fans are part of why some WNBA fans resent Caitlin. The WNBA is boring without Clark sentiment fails to acknowledge all of extraordinary players and teams in the WNBA.

For me, I am excited to see how the “supporting cast” emerges over the next couple weeks. Will Mitchell, Cunningham, Hull, or Bonner emerge as much stronger than we realized? 

“Coach, you have never seen a group like these girls coming up.”

This was a comment that I heard multiple times as a high school coach. It might be a parent or a fan wanting me to know that a 4th or 5th grade group were really going to be good, or the 8th grade team that went 18-2 was going to be so good. 

Part of the problem with the message was that the person giving the message had never seen what Sarah Larson, Molly Watson, or Megan Pacheco had looked like as players as youngsters. Or they had never watched the Streaks play at State. 

I know I should not have felt this way but often I resented the message because I viewed the message as perhaps an insult to previous players. 

And that is the message all WNBA fans should reflect on. Michael Jordan may be the all-time GOAT in the NBA, but you still need to honor the achievements of Oscar Robertson, Kareem, Magic, and Larry. If Caitlin turns the ball over less and defends better, she may become the WNBA GOAT, but pause and reflect on how good Sue Bird, Ionescu, Stewart, Wilson, Catchings, and Parker are or were. They created the longest lasting women’s pro league in America. 

“The Fever added all this talent to go with Clark but they still have lost. Does this coach know what they are doing.”

Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart won their first WNBA title in year 3. Kobe Bryant and Diana Taurasi won their first title in year 4. A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and Sabrina Ionescu won their first titles in year 5. LeBron James and Michael Jordan won their first titles in year 7. 

Most championship teams don’t just come out of nowhere and win a title. It usually takes a couple years of knocking on the door before they can win. How many times did the Bulls lose to the Pistons before they finally broke thru. 

The season is still young. Winning is not easy!!

Old School Coaches- Tim Engebretson’s Blue Print for Success

Tim Engebretson is one of those coaches that everyone respects. He has influenced many young coaches. I have asked some players and coaches to share their experiences working with Coach Engebretson. A recurring theme in all of their memories is Coach’s ability to treat players and staff with respect and develop positive relationships with all. 

Old School Coaches- Jeff Parson’s Blue Print for Success

Jeff Parsons has been successful everywhere he has coached. He has inspired not only his players but also many young coaches. Coach Parsons has been a mentor to many thru the years. 

Today he has moved up to become an Athletic Director and a Principal, where he is using the same leadership skills that he used in coaching. 

I have asked some former players and coaches to share their experiences working for and working with Coach Parsons.

Inside Hoops- Slappin’ Glass & Jenny Boucek

I want to share two great resources:

1- Slappin’ Glass Podcast

2- Jenny Boucek, Indiana Pacer Assistant Coach

Today I listened to the Slappin’ Glass Podcast that was an interview with Jenny Boucek of the Pacers. Their questions, topics, and her responses were very, very good. 

Inside Hoops- Fever vs Liberty 5-24-25

Fever dropped the game to the Liberty 88-90. It was an entertaining game to watch, even if it didn’t end the way that I wanted it to end. 

Dwelling On The Ending- Always in a close game where one basket and one play determine winning and losing, it is easy to dwell on those last plays. As a fan, I thought there were three critical calls and no calls in each of the last three possessions. My take… 

88-88- Bonner goes to basket and has shot blocked by Natasha Cloud with no calls. On the replays, I would say this was a bad no call, she was contacted and should have shot ft’s. 

88-88- Sabrina Ionescu draws contact going to the basket and a foul is called. I don’t think it would have been called in most cases. The contact was initiated by the offense, and the defense was straight up. This should have been a no-call.

88-90- 2 seconds to go, the Fever get it to Clark, going to her left she attempts to get off a three and has the ball knocked out by Cloud. As much as I would like it to be a foul, I don’t think there was a foul there. 

Fastbreak with Jane Miller Sands- From Galesburg To Sports Reporter

This is one of the first “interviews” I did when I started blogging back in 2010. Jane Miller Sands grew up in Galesburg and worked covering sports at the Peoria Journal-Star. This is fun for me to look back as she shares memories of growing up in Galesburg and some of her many highlights covering area sports. And what better time to post this on the day of the Indy 500!!

This blog is an excuse for me to talk to some of my “buddies” in sports. The first on my list is Jane Miller, sports reporter for the Peoria Journal-Star. This gives me a chance to reverse roles and ask the questions of her.

I have gotten to know and work with some great reporters. My three favorites to work with have been Jay Redfern, Tom Loewy, and Jane Miller.

Jane is a GHS grad (before I started teaching). She left Galesburg for the glamour of the big city (Peoria). Jane has the tough task of being the “hometown” reporter for about 20 schools each winter. And she does a fair job, understands the purpose of high school sports, and really cares about the kids she covers.

Friday Fotos- Little Eyes Upon You

There are many young kids who look at high school athletes as their heroes. 

History- 1934-5 Siwash- A Record, Gambling Debt, & Title

The Knox Siwash experienced the worst and the best of sports during the 1934-1935 school year. 

Inside Hoops- WNBA/NBA Thoughts 5-20-25

This is not intended to be a deep analysis, but just want to share some thoughts on the first week of WNBA, and the NBA playoffs. I am hoping you will share your reactions and your thoughts.

Old School Coaches- Thom Sigel’s Blue Print for Success

Thom Sigel has won a State Championship at both Rock Falls and Rock Island. He has won many games and many championships. Thom is a legend in Illinois basketball coaching- the best of the best. 

The most impressive thing about Thom is that he is the same person he was when I first met him as a recent grad of Knox College and a new assistant boys coach at Galesburg High School. 

If you were a school administrator who wanted to bring in a coach who would win basketball games, Coach Sigel would be your man. If you were parents and you wanted a basketball coach who would treat your sons with respect and teach them values to become solid young men, Coach Sigel would be your man. With Thom, he had that rare combination in coaching- knowledgeable of basketball, driven to win and still humble and principled. 

I value the friendship that we developed thru the years. He is the kind of guy you know you can text at 3am to ask for suggestions on side OB’s. He may not answer ‘til 8am, but he will answer. 

Inside Hoops- 10 Things To Watch in NBA Conf Finals

Yes, I think as high school coaches, there are things that can be learned watching NBA teams. This time of year, each HS coach is looking at their own teams and own style, and figuring out if they want to make some adjustments to their team. 

Here are 10 things that a high school coaches can study in the conference finals. I am not suggesting a coach looks at all 10 of these things, but look at what areas relate to your team’s needs.

Old School Coaches- Greg King’s Blue Print for Success

I believe football programs have the ability to establish a culture that can have a positive impact on the entire athletic department, and for that matter, the entire school. 

Sterling High School has always had strong, tough competitive teams in many sports over the last fifty years. As an outsider looking in, Greg King not only took Sterling football to an elite level, he took Sterling athletics to a different level. It is obvious Sterling athletes work hard, compete with passion, and strive for excellence. I am sure many coaches have contributed to building this terrific high school culture, but there is no doubt in my mind that a huge part of the “Sterling culture,” started with Greg King. 

I have reached out to people who coached with, played for, or coached against Coach King. They share their thoughts on why Coach King has been so successful. 

Fast Break with Greg Leibach- Growing A Program

I need to start with an apology, “Fast Break” is not an appropriate title for a wrestling post. Just understand that “Fast Break” is the title used to index all the Q/A posts. Sorry!

So many coaches and athletes don’t understand how much they could learn from coaches and athletes in other sports. Greg Leibach coaches wrestling at Galesburg High School. If you are a young coach starting out and you are wanting to build a program- Greg Leibach is someone to learn from. 

Players Playbook- Off-Season Focus

 

“There is so much room for me to improve.”  Caitlin Clark

There are lots of way a basketball player can improve their game in the off-season. Caitlin Clark could have made some money and played in the Unrivaled League. Instead of “playing basketball” in the off-season, she chose to “work on her game.”

Fast Break with Gauge Shipp- Heart of a Champion

Apologies for the “Fast Break” title in a wrestling post. For indexing and finding stories, “Fast Break” is a reference for all of the Q/A posts that I put up.

This is an “interview” that I have wanted to do for three years. Gauge’s high school career was beyond fabulous. I have been associated with GHS athletics for the last fifty years. There have been many great athletes during the past fifty years. In my opinion, Gauge Shipp is definitely on the Mt. Rushmore of the greatest GHS athletes of all time. 

Caitlin Clark- 2025 Indiana Fever Preseason Thoughts

I am really looking forward to the 2025 WNBA season. In particular I am excited to see how the changes to the Indiana Fever work out. I have immersed myself, trying to do as much research as I can about this season in the WNBA and the Fever. 

Friday Fotos- Weight Room Important?

Old school says that basketball players don’t really need to lift. 

Lifting weights is not fun! 

Lifting weights is work!

Caitlin Clark found out that the WNBA is much more physical than college basketball. She did not play in the Unrivaled League this winter, instead her focus was to become physically stronger. 

Legends- 1964 Cobden Appleknockers

The Amazing Appleknockers

This blog post is based on information from four sources. The most valuable resource was the book entitled,”The Amazing Appleknockers.” It was written in 2010 by Teri Campbell and Anne Roman. If you have not read it and you are a basketball fan, read it. 

I also had conversations with Galesburg players/fans, who played Cobden in 1964. I made a special visit to Cobden and attended a basketball game. And I delved into old newspaper articles.

Old School Coaches- Mike Tracey’s Blueprint for Success

 

Mike Tracey and I grew up a couple blocks from each other on the east side of Savanna. We went to different grades schools and junior highs, but ended up together at Savanna High School. 

We were project partners in Ron McCready’s World History class where we solved many of the world problems when we weren’t talking about sports. 

We were teammates in football. He was a lineman, and I was a defensive back and a wide receiver. During those rainy, muddy games, I had the clean jersey that all of them could wipe their hands off on. I had a huge impact on his later coaching career. I am convinced my inability to block helped him develop a strategy on how to hide a weak player in his lineup. 

Unfortunately our youth came before video games so we could only play sports board games. None of us could beat Mike in football. While we threw lots of long passes, he kept going with the runs up the middle and moved the ball up and down the field on us. 

It has been great to remain friends thru adult life. With both of us coaching in the WB6, there were numerous times that I have reached out to pick his brain. I think most of the time my conversations started with,”Have you ever had this happen…” 

I have reached out to some of Mike’s coaches and players to share their thoughts about him. 

Inside Hoops- 8 Thoughts From The NBA

I believe strongly that there are things that can be learned watching the NBA and WNBA games. I know there are a lot of critics of the pros, but you are watching the best players and in many cases some of the best coaches in the world. 

It is easy to say that the pros are a different game than the high school game. That is true, but what the pros are doing this year will be done by colleges in the next 2-3 years and then it will be done by high schools 2-3 years after that. Like it or not, the game evolves from the pros to college to high schools. 

Old School Coaches- Mike Cooper’s Blueprint for Success

In Illinois girls basketball, Mike Cooper was one of the most respected coaches by his peers. For me, although he was a competitor, he was and still is a respected friend. I can’t count the number of times that I called him for advice. 

Sometimes I was calling to seek his advice on X/O’s. His knowledge of the game was second to none. If it was calling to ask him to share some scouting info or to share how to handle a certain defense- he was willing to share. 

Once before we were to play an opponent in the Sectional who played  a zone vs OB’s, he shared a zone ob with me. We scored 4 points on the play and it made the difference in the game. 

In 1999, we went to State and I wanted someone to scout for us at the State Tourney. Coop was willing to do this. His insights were tremendous, and with his help, we took second in State.

While I enjoyed our X/O’s conversations, my best conversations involved his insights about building relationships. Coop is thoughtful of others, professional, and respectful. I have not met anyone who doesn’t have the highest respect for Coop as a coach and as a person. 

I asked coaches and players to share their memories of working with Coop. 

Legends- 1964- Gene Denisar 154 LB State Champion

Dr. Gene Denisar was a 1964 graduate of Galesburg High School. After attending Indiana University, he came back to be an assistant principal at GHS. He moved onto other school administration jobs. And then he came back to be Superintendent of District #205. During his tenure, District #205 was able to complete Kimbrough Fieldhouse. 

Anyone who knows Gene, knows he is intense. He has been successful in his career because of his drive, commitment, and competitiveness. People who know him as an adult would not be surprised that he won the 1964 State Wrestling Championship at 154 pounds. 

Streaks Scrapbook- Galesburg & WB6 Coaching Wins

I did a post this spring looking at Galesburg boys basketball coaching history. This past week, a local newspaper posted a list of the “5 Top Streaks Coaches in Wins.” The newspaper’s list was NOT accurate, so I decided to repost the correct list of GHS coaches with most wins, and also add the top WB6 coaches in terms of wins.

Inside Hoops- Evolution of the Game- What’s A Foul?

Basketball has evolved over the years. Some obvious examples:

** A player initially could not run with the ball. This was interpreted that they could only pivot. It evolved that a player could in effect move with the ball if they dribbled the ball. They were running but did not have the ball when dribbling. 

** Originally play stopped after each made basket and they jumped center again. The game evolved where the defense simply took the ball out of bounds after made baskets. 

** Originally when a player committed a foul, they had to leave the game until the other team scored two baskets. Eventually the game evolved to have players stay in the game after a foul until they committed their fifth foul. 

Greatest Galesburg Player of All-Time- My Opinion

 Over the years, people have asked who would be my all-time starting five in Galesburg girls basketball, or who I think is the all-time best girls player in GHS history. Usually I respond with something like,”There are too many good players to decide on that.” 

For me as the coach of girls basketball, I have a bunch of all-time favorite players. When it comes to all-time best GHS player- it is obvious to me who the all-time best player has been. While I know a coach should not share their opinion, I am willing to tell you who I think is the all-time best GHS basketball player!!

Legends- 2025 IBCA HOF Inductions

The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association inducted coaches, players, teams, and media into the IBCA Hall of Fame. Some people that I would like to recognize:

Friday Fotos- More Than A Job

At its core, coaches are building a partnership with their players. Together they share a commitment to team, invest in the process, and share in both the joy victory and agony of defeat. 

Coaching is more than a job. Successful coaches and successful players share an investment in each other. 

This picture of Coach Bob Anderson of Williamsfield certainly captured the relationship between a great coach and his players. 

Classic- 1954 Corpus Christi vs Galesburg HS

 

Corpus Christi and St. Joseph Academy consolidated in 1945, with the high school becoming Corpus Christi. By 1957 there 326 students enrolled in Corpus Christi. The last school year at Corpus was 1963-4 school year. The high school was moved to the north side of Galesburg, and renamed Costa.

Up until 1941, private schools were not allowed to participate in the IHSA State Series. So Corpus Christi and Galesburg High School had a limited history on the basketball court. 

Old School Coaches- Coach Bennett’s Blueprint for Success

Coach Greg Bennett is a legend in central Illinois coaching. He spent most of his career at Lewistown, coaching almost every sport at one time or another. 

No matter the sport, his teams always reflected his personality- they were unrelenting competitors. 

I have asked some former players and coaches to share their experiences with Coach Bennett.

Old School Coaches- Coach Anderson’s Blueprint for Success

Coach Bob Anderson has been a legend in Illinois coaching. No doubt, he could have gone onto coach at bigger schools but he chose to stay coaching at his hometown, Williamsfield. 

Over the past fifty years, if you went to any basketball clinic in the Midwest, you would find Bob Anderson sitting in the front row, arriving early and leaving late. 

My last year coaching, I asked Bob if he would watch some films of my team and of our opponents. He volunteered hours watching and analyzing for me. He was honest when he analyzed my team. He was detailed when he analyzed future opponents. He would either send me handwritten analysis, or call. Our phone conversations usually ran 30-60 minutes.

Streaks Scrapbook-1964 Galesburg Ponies

Until the mid-1980’s, Galesburg HS was a three year high school. It was Galesburg Sr. High School with only sophomores, juniors, and seniors. In the 1960’s thru the 1980’s, the Galesburg Soph teams in all sports were referred to as the “Ponies.

Inside Hoops- Secret to Shooting

DOES SHOOTING ON THE SHOOTING GUN REALLY WORK? Yes, absolutely positively!

SHOOTERS SHOOT- The entire point of this particular blog is to explain why shooting on the Gun can turn an average shooter into a good shooter, and turn a good shooter into a great shooter. There have been some shooters who have been called "natural shooters." The reality is that there is no such thing as a "natural shooter." Coaches and players who believe in the concept of "natural shooters," usually are coaches and players who tend to lose. Over the last 100 years of basketball, successful coaches and successful players has recognized that the best way to become a great shooter is to..... SHOOT. Shoot a lot of shots. 

Join Massey Basketball Clinic on Facebook

Massey Basketball Clinic is group open to basketball coaches, coaches of other sports, and serious basketball coaches. 

If you are a coach interesting ideas to:

** Improve your practices

** Develop effective X/O’s

** Build off season workouts

** Improvement motivation

If you are a fan of basketball that wants to:

** Develop better understanding of the X/O’s

** Get an inside look into coaching

2025 Streaks- Coach Demott- IBCA Coach of Year

Congratulations to Coach Lexi Demott on her selection as District #16 Coach of the Year by the Illinois Basketball Coach’s Association. 

The 2024-5 Silver Streaks under Coach Demott had a great season. Galesburg finished second in the WB6, and second in Cole County Christmas Tourney. 

Streaks Scrapbook- 1964 Boys Basketball- Elite 8

In the 1962-3 basketball season, Frank Dexter (Junior) and Rick Callahan (Junior) had been starters on a pretty good team. That team was led in scoring by Roger Johnson (Senior), who went onto play at Purdue. Halfway thru the ‘63 season, Coach John Thiel began to phase three sophomores into the lineup- Marv Harris, Mike Davis, Dave Lundstrom. By the end of the season, both Harris and Davis had become starters. This group finished the season at 20-7 and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to Springfield Lanphier in the Super-Sectional. 

Headed into the 1964 season, Coach Thiel could rely on 7 returnees from the ‘63 tourney team. At this time only 10 players could dress for the State series, so to have 7 of the 10 back, it was a big deal. 

Massey Basketball- Reaches 750,000 & Seeking Help

It has been an exciting 14 months since I started doing Massey Basketball Blog “full-time” as my new hobby. It is not “work” for me, I am totally enjoying what I am doing.

** Going to the Public Library and pouring thru newspaper stories over the last 75 years. 

** Having an excuse to email or text outstanding coaches and outstanding player to pick their brain about their approach to their crafts.

** Calling people like Jimmie Carr and Jay Redfern to talk to them about Streaks girls and boys basketball from years and years ago.

** Having coaches email, text, or call to ask if I would do a post on a particular subject. 

Friday Fotos- State in 2000 by Kent Kriegshauser

Some of you who are older may remember when Galesburg has a local newspaper. The staff covering sports was fabulous. Their stories and their pictures were better than any local paper in Illinois or America in my humble opinion. 

One of the greats on the staff was photographer, Kent Kriegshauser. Kent was not one of those photographers who viewed his job as getting 20 pictures and moving on. He truly wanted his pictures to show the story of the sporting contest. 

Before games, he would often ask me as the coach 3-4 questions. At first I thought it was just him “making conversation,” but gradually I can to realize he wanted to anticipate what the story of each game was going to be. 

Here are some of my favorites from 2000 season. The titles are mine. 

Knox College’s Tribute: Elizabeth Eckford Of The Little Rock 9

On my morning walk one morning, I came across this monument to Elizabeth Eckford at Knox College. 

In 1954, Brown vs Board of Education ruled that separate was not equal, and outlawed segregation in American public schools. While the federal government worked to support and enforce desegregation, some states resisted desegregation.