Hall of Fame Insights: 5 Tips for Parents

 

Question of the Week: What are five tips for parents to help their son/daughter have a positive athletic experience? 

33rd and Final Season: Ray VanHootegem a Silver Streak Legend

Ray VanHootegem started coaching girls swimming at GHS in the Fall of 1993. This Fall will be his 33rd and last year coaching Silver Streaks swimming. 

Ray has also coached the Streaks boys swimming coach for the last 14 seasons. He has been a varsity swimming coach for 47 seasons. And by the time you add in his years coaching the Knox County YMCA swimming team, Ray has probably coached over 80 seasons of swimming in Galesburg. 

Coach VanHootegem’s dedication to swimming in Galesburg is incredible. Ray is a Silver Streak legend.

I have asked some of his swimmers to share their memories of swimming for Ray, their perspective on why he has been so successful, and what his impact has been on them. 

A Collection of 8 Illinois State Basketball Champions from 1908 thru 1946

Local historian, Tom Wilson had a scrapbook with pictures of some of the early Illinois State Basketball Champions. He had 8 pictures of teams from the era of 1908 thru 1946. This is not intended to be all inclusive. 

I have added some scores, all-tourney teams, and box scores for some of these tourneys. Enjoy!!

Photo Essay: Celebrating Women’s Basketball Boom

Women’s basketball is in a very good place. There has been a real boom in interest in women’s basketball in the last few years. 

The Seattle Storm just honored the role that Sue Bird played in this growth of popularity in women’s basketball. The Storm dedicated a statue to honor Sue Bird.

Streaks Basketball Alums: Mark Junk 1987

Favorite Class? Favorite Teacher?

Outdoor Living with Coach Bruington 

Some of favorite memories from GHS?

Playing basketball with my brother John on varsity, my sophomore year

Pekin Christmas Basketball Tournament game against Rich East

Regional Championship game, where we beat Coach Peck’s brother 

Caitlin Clark: Whether Back or Not, It’s Going to Be Tough

Everything was great until it wasn’t

With 10 games to go for the Indiana Fever, there is a sense of desperation for fans. Without Caitlin Clark, they started their west coast road trip on a bright note. Then they got dumped by the LA Sparks and just hammered by Phoenix. The last two losses could be dismissed as- underhanded vs strong teams at the end of a long road trip. 

1971 Pekin Christmas Tourney- Competing Coaches

 

Streaks Scrapbook- 1935 Ponies & JH City Championship

Clear back in 1935, Galesburg basketball understood the importance of preparing younger players for varsity basketball. 

The “lightweight” or sophomore team was called the “Ponies.” In 1935 the Galesburg Ponies were coached by Charles Bednar. Coach Bednar had been a star basketball player at Knox College and later he would become famous as the GHS baseball coach and Athletic Director.

Streaks Volleyball: Ready to Serve on August 25

Coach Nicole Kisler will be starting her second season as the Streaks volleyball varsity head coach. They have had an exciting summer with a strong group of returning players. 

The Streaks will open on the road at Burlington on Monday, August 25 before returning to Thiel Gym for their home opener on Wednesday, August 27 vs. West Central. 

Coach Kisler shared their summer progress and the excitement about the upcoming season. 

Streaks Basketball Alums: Scott Shaver 1979

Scott Shaver (GHS Class of 1979)

What are some of your favorite memories?

Playing in front of a huge crowd, the Western Big 6 was great competition, Quincy was rated #1 in the state,  East Moline was rated #2, (we beat East Moline pretty soundly), we almost beat Quincy at Quincy!  Also memorable was coming out of the locker room and hearing the band play, the crowd, and you felt like you could jump out of the gym. Also breaking the backboard at GHS, dunking!  (I still have some of the glass!) I made lifelong friends from GHS. A special memory for me was when I was inducted into the GHS Athletic HOF. 

Massey Quiz #5: 15 Galesburg Photos

 

I have fifteen Galesburg pictures of the past and present. There may be pictures of places, people, monuments, parts of buildings, and even more. The quiz is designed to celebrate how wonderful Galesburg is, and test your knowledge of our community. Enjoy and have fun!!

The answers are at the end of the quiz. Keep track of your score and read exactly what your score indicates. If you would like- share your score on the Facebook or Massey Blog under the comments. 

1973 Illinois Coaches All-State Board- Filled with Legends

 

Massey Quiz #6: 15 WNBA Players

How many of these basketball pictures can you recognize? These are 15 players from the WNBA. Enjoy and have fun!!

The answers are at the end of the quiz. Keep track of your score and read exactly what your score indicates. If you would like- share your score on the Facebook or Massey Blog under the comments. 

Old School Coaches: 5 Tips for Players to Make Your Season Successful

 

This Week’s Question: As athletes head into their sports seasons, what are 5 tips you would give to athletes to help them make their season successful and their experience a positive one?

Streaks Football: Set to Kick Off August 29

Shawn Hickey is starting his second season as the Silver Streak varsity head coach. It is actually the first season where he has been able to run an entire off-season program in preparation for the 2025 season. 

I honestly could not tell you what the Streaks will be doing in terms of X/O’s- what their offense or what their defense will be this coming season. I still get over to GHS often enough to see from a distance what is going on in the athletic program. My quick takes on what Coach Hickey has brought to GHS football: