Valier High School Blue Birds

Valier High School

Valier, Illinois

The History of Valier High School

The town of Valier (population 662) is located along Il. Route 148 at Park Street Road in eastern Franklin County. This places Valier in the southern tip of Illinois about 25 miles northeast of Carbondale. The A, T & SF Railroad runs north and south through the west side of town. The east side of town is surrounded by two branches of Andy Creek.

J.C. Stoffel (Class of 1943) provided the following facts about the organization of Valier High School:

Valier High School was organized for the 1925-26 school year:

1926-27 - This is the first school year to hold classes in the new high school building.

1927-28 - VHS became certified as a 4-year high school

1928-29 - First graduating class - 11 students

1965-66 - Last graduating class - 8 students

1928-29 thru 1941-42 classes - Average enrollment - 120.21

1942-43 thru 1965-66 classes - Average enrollment - 60.46

During 38 years of operation - Average enrollment - 82.47

The school existed for 38 years until talks of merging with nearby Sesser High School began in the early 1960s. These talks became a reality in 1966 when Valier High School and Sesser High School merged to create what is now known as Sesser-Valier High School.

The Valier High School building was taken down in the late 1970s. The Valier Grade School building is still standing and is now used as a community center.

Valier High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1925

Year closed: 1966

School building: demolished - late 1970s

School nickname: "Blue Birds"

School colors: Blue & White

School Fight Song: unavailable

Athletics

The Valier High School "Blue Birds" competed in basketball, track, football, and baseball. When researching the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) it is obvious about one thing, the Valier boys could handle the "rock". More information is needed regarding the football and baseball. One Valier athlete did bring home a medal from the Illinois State Track Meet.

The 1960 yearbook from Valier High School talks of the team competing in the Little Egyptian Conference. Member schools included Valier, Sesser, Crab Orchard, Woodlawn, Dahlgren, Royalton, Bluford, Waltonville, and Ina. The accomplishments of VHS listed by the IHSA are shown below.

Boys Basketball

The Valier High School Blue Birds were truly some of the mightiest of the "mites". The Valier boys brought home an incredible 10 District Championships, 6 coming in the 1940s! We are hopeful someone will provide team records and coaches names.

1935-36 N.R.A. District Champions

1938-39 N.R.A. District Champions Coach Howard E. Moorman

1939-40 N.R.A. District Champions Coach Howard E. Moorman

1940-41 Coach Howard E. Moorman

1941-42 Coach Howard E. Moorman

1942-43 N.R.A. District Champions Coach James B. Hutton

1943-44 Coach James B. Hutton

1944-45 N.R.A. District Champions

1946-47 N.R.A. District Champions

1947-48 N.R.A. District Champions

1948-49 N.R.A. District Champions

1957-58 N.R.A. District Champions Coach Ralph Harkins

1959-60 N.R.A. District Champions Coach Ralph Harkins

(Great Job!)

Valier Boys Basketball - 1960

Game Time, Whoop!

Boys Track & Field

A gentlemen with the last name of REA faired well at the State Track Meet, bringing home a 5th place medal in 1936. Coach's names, as we know them, are listed below as well.

1935-36 Rea 1-Mile Run 5th Place

1939-42 Coach Howard E. Moorman

1943-44 Coach James B. Hutton

1957-60 Coach Ralph Harkins

Football

Valier High School boys did compete on the grid iron. J.C. Stoffel (Class of 1943) tells us that 6-man football was started at the school in the fall of 1939.

1939-42 Coach Howard E. Moorman

1943-44 Coach James B. Hutton

Great Coach

Like all small schools Valier's faculty had to perform many tasks to make the school run. None was any more important than that of Coach. Coach Ralph Harkins filled these shoes well. He coached not only some of the Championship basketball teams but also coached baseball, track, and even 8 - man football during the short time it was offered at the school.

Great Player

Ted Farmer...A great basketball player during the 50's. He went on to play at Murray St. Ted is a member of Sesser-Valier's sports hall of fame.

Seeking Your In-put

The Valier High School Blue Birds should never be forgotten. We are seeking your in-put to insure it is not. Information, photos, data, are all items that will help make the Valier Blue Birds fly on forever. You can e-mail us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write us at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631