I coached and taught at Galesburg High School from 1974 thru 2024. I have many memories and have heard many stories. In “Sideline Stories,” I am sharing some of these memories and stories.
Gerald Phillips was a legendary boys basketball coach for Galesburg HS. Coach Phillips guided the Silver Streaks from 1929 thru 1950. His 21 years as head coach is the longest tenure of any boys basketball coach in Galesburg HS history.
His tenure marked an exciting time for GHS. He was the coach when the Streaks built the historic Steele Gym on top of the Steele PE Gym. His teams became the first “Silver Streaks” in 1935 when a student dubbed GHS basketball with that name.
During his 21 seasons, GHS won 16 District/Regionals (the IHSA changed the name from Districts to Regionals). His teams made State Appearances on 7 occasions, including a 2nd in State finish in 1931. His 1945 Streaks, that went 24-3, played what many historians consider the greatest game in IHSA Tourney history. The Streaks lost to eventual State Champions, Decatur in OT. His 331 wins at GHS is second only to John Thiel.
Although GHS’s colors were silver and gold most of Phillip’s coaching career, Coach Phillips was famous for his “lucky green tie.” He wore the tie for all the Streaks games.
Upon Coach Phillips retirement, as part a salute to Phillips and in part superstition, the GHS administration asked Phillips for his “lucky green tie.” Phillips obliged and the tie was framed and placed in the Steele Gym trophy case. When the Streaks moved to the building on Fremont St, the “lucky green tie” followed and was placed in the trophy case of what is now Thiel Gym.
For those who believe in superstitions, the “lucky green tie” initially did not seem to work when it wasn’t being worn by Phillips. In four season of Ken Menke as GHS coach, the Streaks made no State Appearances and went 35-55.
Galesburg fortunes quickly turned. When Frank Adams took over for a season, the Streaks went to State. And then under legendary coach, John Thiel made State Appearances an incredible 9 of 18 seasons.
For those who believe in superstitions, the magic of the “lucky green tie” seemed to be working for GHS.
Although Galesburg experienced a drought in the 2-class system, in ‘76 with an Elite 8 appearance, the Silver Streaks with the “lucky green tie” took over the lead with their 24 State Appearances. No school had more State Appearances.
With the “lucky green tie” still in the Thiel Gym trophy case, the girls basketball team made 9 straight State Appearances from ‘96 to ‘03, and the boys team almost won it all in 1998.
In the early 2000’s, shortly after the boys ‘98 trip and the girls ‘03 trip, it was decided the trophy case at Thiel Gym looked to cluttered and needed to be cleaned up.
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| In the early ‘60’s, Chuck Bednar showing Quincy Coach Sherril Hanks the already crowded GHS trophy case. You can see Phillip’s “lucky green tie” in the frame on the right side. |
Obviously by the 2000’s, only a handful of people at GHS knew of Gerald Phillips and still fewer knew the story of the “lucky green tie.” As part of the clean up operation, some trophies were removed and Gerald Phillip’s “lucky green tie” was removed.
Whether you believe in superstitions or not, it is a fact that since Gerald Phillip’s “lucky green tie” was removed from the GHS trophy case, no girls or boys basketball team has made an appearance at the IHSA basketball State Finals!
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