Through the years, District #205 has chosen to honor some teachers, coaches, and directors for their service and their excellence.
At one time Galesburg had named entire buildings in honor of administrators and teachers. Irma Gale School, Rose Hoben Welch School, Mary Allen West School, Nellie Swanson School, and William Steele School are examples of recognition of individuals for their service to Galesburg schools and students.
Starting in 1970, District #205 honored long-time football and track coach, C.C. VanDyke by naming the new GHS football field in his honor. Since that time, former GHS students, teachers, coaches, and directors have had similar recognition. I have been included in this group, as they are going to name the basketball court in my honor.
GHS Athletic Director, Nick Young pointed out that many people may not know who the honored people were. He suggested that I do a story on the people who have been honored.
While older residents may remember some of the people behind the names at GHS, younger people probably do not. So people may know that the tennis courts are the Art Fish Tennis Court, or that the performing arts center is the Roland Hegg Performing Arts Center- many may not know who these people were and why they were honored.
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| From the 1956 GHS Yearbook- 4 of the 5 have been honored by naming something after them. |
Here is a look back at some of these legendary figures in GHS history.
C.C. Vandyke Field at CBI Bank & Trust Stadium
C.C. Vandyke
CC VanDyke taught and coached at Galesburg High School from 1943 to 1970. If given a chance, he would have continued longer, but State law required he retire at 65 years old.
While VanDyke is most famous as a football coach, he also coached wrestling and track. He was the head football coach and the head track coach at GHS for all 27 years he was at Galesburg.
In all three sports that he coached, he was considered as an expert in his field. Assistant coaches described that it was not unusual for VanDyke to receive calls from college and pro coaches to discuss technique and strategy with C.C.
While VanDyke had many good teams and great players, when people talk about VanDyke’s excellence, they always talk about his undefeated 1956 team with the Kimbrough twins. They are considered by many to be the “Mythical State Champs,” as there were no play-offs at that time.
Sadly, after retiring in the Spring of 1970, VanDyke died that Summer. The new football field opened for the 1970 season, and it was immediately named the C.C.VanDyke Field.
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| George Lundeen, C.C. VanDyke, Ted Mansager |
Chuck Bednar Softball & Baseball Complex
Chuck Bednar
Chuck Bednar was at Galesburg High School from 1933-1970. During his career, he did a little bit of everything. He taught social studies and P.E. He coached basketball, tennis, and baseball.
He was the head baseball coach from 1944-1956. He sent Galesburg’s first two teams to State.
He is recognized as one of the founders of Little League in Galesburg. He made the decision when putting Little League together to divide the American and National League’s with a division of East and West areas of Galesburg. His logic was that Galesburg had too much of a division between North and South, so in this way he could help integrate the youth.
Bednar was responsible for developing one of the most extensive Intramural programs at GHS.
The second half of his career, he became Galesburg HS’s Athletic Director from 1954 to 1970. His organization and integrity made him someone respected by students, staff, the community, and Galesburg’s opponents. A decade after he retired, GHS was still using methods and forms that he had created. Other schools respected him so much that they often sought his advice.
Jim Sundburg Field
Jim Sundburg
Jim Sundberg was a 1969 graduate of GHS. He went onto attend the University of Iowa and play baseball there.
He went on to play Major League Baseball from 1974 thru 1989. He played for the Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals, Chicago Cubs, and the Milwaukee Brewers. He was three times selected to the All-Star team, and six times won the Golden Glove.
In 1985, Sundberg was the catcher for the Royals when they won the World Series.
In retirement, he worked for the Texas Rangers.
Albert & Elbert Kimbrough Fieldhouse
Albert & Elbert Kimbrough
Albert and Elbert Kimbrough had a huge impact on Galesburg HS athletics and on the Galesburg community at large. Before 1950, only one African-American had ever played basketball at GHS. In 1957, the Kimbroughs were part of a team that started four African-Americans. The intensity and class that they showed on the basketball court impacted an entire community.
They were part of one of the most famous basketball games in GHS history, when the Streaks upset highly ranked Rock Island and Don Nelson in a slow down game- 23-21.
As good as the Kimbroughs were as basketball players, their real glory came on the football field. They were the stars of the 1956 undefeated Silver Streaks.
They both went onto play at Northwestern University, where they excelled. They earned All-Big Ten honors during their time.
Elbert went onto to play professional football for the LA Rams, SF 49er’s, and the New Orleans Saints from 1961-1968.
Art Fish Tennis Courts
Art Fish
Art Fish as a teacher and as a coach was one of Galesburg HS’s all-time most popular among students and staff. Art was at GHS from 1941-1976.
Art taught PE and coached football, basketball, and swimming during his tenure.
High was most famous for his sense of humor, and his intramural program. During his time as director of the IM program, students competed in basketball, hockey, tennis, golf, badminton, swimming, table tennis, chess, wrestling, archery, and more. Under Fish, GHS’s intramural program was a model for the State of Illinois.
Art Fish loved tennis and was involved in the founding of the Galesburg Tennis Association, which developed programs for youth and leagues for adults.
Roland Hegg Performing Arts Center
Roland Hegg
Roland Hegg was director of choral music at GHS from 1948-1976. Under Hegg’s direction, Galesburg had one of the best music departments in Illinois, and probably one of the best in American.
Hegg’s talent and personality drew hundreds of male and female students into the GHS choirs. Looking back at GHS yearbooks in the 1960’s, there were 4-5 choirs with each having approximately 75 students. In addition, there 6-8 ensembles each for males and females. The participation level of the choirs was unbelievable.
Hegg was famous for making singing fun for the students. Often he would write songs for special occasions at GHS, which brought smiles and laughs among faculty and students.
Roland was instrumental in the legendary Reflectavue Show. This was a talent show in which hundreds and hundreds of students participated. The auditorium which held over 2,000 people at that time, sold out for an entire weekend of shows.
John Thiel Gymnasium
John Thiel
John Thiel was at GHS from 1954 thru 1973. For the 1954-5 season, he served as assistant coach from Frank Adams as the Streaks advanced to the Elite 8.
Thiel then became the head coach for the next eighteen seasons. The Streaks were regularly ranked in the top ten in the State rankings.
Under Thiel, Galesburg went to State in 1956, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1964, 1966, 1968, and 1969. During this era, the gym was regularly sold out. Attending games was so popular that GHS one year actually repainted the seats, making them narrower to allow for more spectators in the gym.
During this era, the community got used to a regular routine of going to Champaign each March. Galesburg took 3rd in 1959, 2nd in 1966, and 2nd in 1968.
Coach Thiel is in the Illinois Basketball Coaches’ Hall of Fame as one of the all-time great coaches in Illinois history.
Douglas Mustain Pool
Doug Mustain
Doug Mustain was a 1963 graduate of GHS. During high school, Doug was active in athletics, participating in wrestling and football. He went onto the University of Iowa Law School. After getting his degree, he chose to come back to Galesburg.
He was active in many community programs. He served for decades as a youth soccer coach, on the Board of Directors of the YMCA, Board of Directors of Cottage Hospital, and a Trustee of the Presbyterian Church.
He was active forming a committee to help pass school referendums. In the 1980’s it was decided to try to use private funds to build a gym and swimming pool on the GHS campus. Doug Mustain organized and became President of the Galesburg School’s Foundation, which worked to raised between $1.25 million and $2 million to build the gym and pool.
Under Doug’s leadership and countless hours of work, the committee was able to successfully raise the funds.
Grayce Wicall Gymnasium
Grayce Wicall
Grayce Wicall graduated from GHS in 1937. Sports for females did not exist at her time in GHS, but she was active as a leader at GHS.
She first attended Knox College, then transferred to the University of Illinois. While at Illinois, she met and then married C.J. Gauthier.
Gauthier became President and CEO of the Northern Illinois Gas Corporation. CJ and Grace became active providing funds for educational programs.
After Grayce’s death, when he became aware of the project to raise money for a gym and pool at Galesburg, he donated a significant amount of money to make the dream come true. Because of his generous contribution, the school district responded by wanting to name the building in his honor.
C.J. Gauthier asked that instead, it be named in his wife’s honor. He asked that they use her maiden name and name it the Grayce Wicall Gym.
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| C.J. Gauthier |
Chad Nusbaum Memorial Patio
Chad Nusbaum
Chad Nusbaum was a teacher at GHS from 1983 to 2008. Chad was a popular French teacher.
Unfortunately, Chad passed away before retirement age. In his memory, a patio area was built on the East side of GHS, which is used by faculty.
Jimmie Crown Fountains
Jimmie Crown
Jimmie Crown was a beloved Art instructor at GHS in the 1960’s and 1970’s before his untimely death.
He was a creative genius, who inspired countless students to go into careers in Art. His sculpture work can be found throughout Galesburg even today.
The Jimmie Crown Fountains are located in the small courtyard just West of the Learning Center. The sculptures that make up this pond and fountain were made by Crown.
Jimmie’s true mark was that he was not just an instructor but was also a counselor to many students.
Phil Erickson Gym at Lombard
Phil Erickson
Phil Erickson was a 1957 GHS graduate, and a 1961 Knox College graduate. He was involved teaching and coaching at Lombard Jr. High for over 43 years until 2004.
Phil coached boys basketball, track, soccer, and girls basketball. He loved the kids of Lombard and worked countless hours supporting those athletes.
Countless male and female athletes benefited from Phil’s passion for Lombard and athletics.
Morgan Gym at Churchill
Bob and Bill Morgan
Mr. Bob and Mr. Bill were legends for decades at Churchill Junior High. Bill was a 1949 GHS graduate and Bob was a 1954 GHS graduate.
They each taught and coached in Galesburg schools for over three decades, with most of the time at Churchill. Bill and Bob became synonymous with Churchill.
Countless young men were taught the values of discipline and hard work.
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