Sheldon High School "Rams"
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Sheldon High School
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Sheldon, IL

Sheldon High School Bldg - 2012
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The History of Sheldon High School

Sheldon (population 1,232) is located in far eastern Illinois in Iroquois County one mile west of the Indiana state line.  U.S. Routes 52 and 24 part ways in the middle of Sheldon.  The Toledo Peoria & Western Railroad runs east and west through town and intersects with the K. B. S. R. Railroad which runs north and south through town.  A larger town for reference sake might be Kankakee located about 30 miles northwest of Sheldon. 

Sheldon High School was probably established in the late 1800s as were most school systems in Illinois.  For over a century the school system in Sheldon was proudly and solely supported by the people of Sheldon.  It was not until the early 2000s that the fate of the Sheldon High School District was being finalized.  In either 2003 or possibly 2004 Sheldon High School was deactivated.  The high school aged students of Sheldon are now bussed to nearby Milford to attend high school.

Sheldon HS Bldg Cornerstone
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Sheldon High School Building Inscription
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Sheldon still hosts a grade school for the Milford school system.  The Sheldon Grade School offers grades K - 5 and is pictured above. The high school building is in poor shape however the basement of the building is still in use by the Grade School students in some capacity.

Sheldon High School Quick Facts

Year opened:                    late 1800s
Year closed:                     2003
School nickname:             the "Rams"
School colors:                  Orange & Blue
Schoo Fight Song:            Two school songs were used over the years at Sheldon High

                                       Illinois Loyalty was originally used                              
                                      Sheldon Loyalty was written by band director Mike Ferrari

                Sheldon Loyalty

Oh, we are the Rams from Sheldon,
We are here to win this game.

We do have the pep it takes to win,
And to lead this fine team to fame.

We do have the boys to whip them,
They'll jump up and get that ball.

With the fight and the cheer
From the Sheldon fans here,
We'll beat them down one and all!!!

                                       The music to Illinois Loyalty is available below

Athletics
 
When you talk of Sheldon High School athletics you must start, as the sport defined the town and really the region -- boys basketball !  Many excellent seasons were enjoyed by the fans of Sheldon High.  It is also believed Sheldon offered baseball and track for the boys as well as softball, basketball, and track for the girls.
 
The Sheldon boys also had a chance to play football.  After several year of co-oping football with Watseka, in 1993 Sheldon High began a coop with Milford which netted 2 undefeated regular seasons in their first two tries.  Several Sheldon boys played key roles during these and subsequent seasons.

Sheldon HS Gymnasium - 2012
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Boys Basketball
 
The extensive records kept on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) regarding Sheldon High School Rams boys basketball tell the whole story.  Beginning with the 1925-26 school year when the Sheldon lads were led by Coach Arther "Red" Daugherty, every season is covered through the 2000-01 season. 
 
And what incredible stories and great successes there are to tell !!  How about this for a small town's excellence in one sport:
 
17 -  20+ win seasons
  1 -  35   win season
12 -  District Titles
  4 -  Regional Titles
  1 -  Coach with 200 + wins
  1 -  Coach with 300 + wins
 
The best of the Sheldon Rams' seasons are listed below.  There have to be some great personal stories of the many great teams of Sheldon's past.  One article I have read regarding the Sheldon basketball team of of 1941-42 called it one of the most talked about small school teams in the state as they entered the state playoffs with 30 wins.  This team went on to win the District and Regional titles enroute to a 35 - 2 overall record!  Even yet, there were 39 total students at Sheldon High at that time! One of the basketball players, forward Elmore Clawson, was named to the All-State 3rd team.
 
When you look at the records of the great Sheldon teams below, notice how there was not just one major "spurt" of success. Success at Sheldon High School was achieved in many different decades, a sign that the town truly backed and supported their teams.
 
1933-34                                                                      L.E. Galitz & Kenneth Stephens
1934-35                                                                      Kenneth Stephens
1935-36     18 - 10     (good record)                               Kenneth Stephens     
1936-37     20 - 8       (good record)                               Kenneth Stephens
1937-38     25 - 5       (GREAT RECORD)                      Kenneth Stephens
1938-39     18 - 6       (good record)                               Kenneth Stephens
1939-40     16 - 6       District Champions                    Kenneth Stephens
1940-41     27 - 9       District / Regional Champions   Kenneth Stephens
1941-42     35 - 2       District / Regional Champions   Kenneth Stephens
1942-43     13 - 8       (good record)                               Kenneth Stephens      
1943-44     19 - 9       District Champions                    Kenneth Stephens
1944-45     20 - 5       (good record)                               Kenneth Stephens
1945-46     24 - 6       District Champions                    Kenneth Stephens
1946-47     18 - 9       District Champions                    Kenneth Stephens
1947-48     13 - 13                                                       Kenneth Stephens 
1948-49     25 - 3       (GREAT RECORD)                      Kenneth Stephens
1949-50     21 - 8       District Champions                    Kenneth Stephens
1950-51     25 - 3       (GREAT RECORD)                      Kenneth Stephens
1951-52     19 - 7       (good record)                               Charles Pfeffer
1953-54     16 - 8       (good record)                               Larry Sieg
1956-57     16 - 7       (good record)                               Larry Sieg
1957-58     18 - 8       (good record)                               Larry Sieg
1959-60     28 - 2       District Champions                    Larry Sieg
1960-61     29 - 3       District / Regional Champions   Larry Sieg
1961-62     24 - 4       Regional Champions                 Larry Sieg
1963-64     22 - 7       District Champions                    Larry Sieg
1964-65     22 - 5       District Champions                    Larry Sieg
1967-68     18 - 9       (good record)                               Dan Lawson
1969-70     16 - 11     District Champions                     Howard "Jack" Roemer
1970-71     20 - 8       (good record)                               John Bullock
1977-78     18 - 8       (good record)                               Tom Weirgacz
1978-79     26 - 2       (GREAT RECORD)                      Tom Weirgacz
1979-80     21 - 4       (Great Record)                             Tom Weirgacz
1980-81     14 - 9       (good record)                               John Spezia
1982-83     13 - 9       (good record)                               Tom Crews
1991-92     17 - 9       (good record)                               Guy Skrobul
2000-01                    Last season listed                        Donald Emerson
Incredibly Great History!!!
 
Sheldon Player Ken Laffoon:
Brenda Stewart tells us the folloiwing about former Sheldon All-Star Ken Laffoon:
 
"Ken Laffoon, a graduate of Sheldon High School "79" has led Danville Iowa Bears to two State Class 2A Basketball Championships (2000-01and 2001-02) and a State Class 1A Runnerup in 2010-11."
       
Girls Basketball
 
Though not as long, the girls also recorded a measure of success in basketball.  Team records and coach's names are not available.  The Lady Rams basketball team of 1980-81 brought home an IHSA Regional title! The girls were also the first Iroquois County tournament champs ion their sport.  We are seeking in-put on other great seasons as well.
 
1975-76       Iroquois County Tournament Champions
1980-81       Regional Champions 
 
Boys Track & Field 
 
One male athlete won a medal at the State Track Meet. His accomplishment is listed below.
 
1953-54     Charles Darrough       100 Yard Dash         5th Place
 
Baseball
 
It is known that Sheldon had a baseball program during it's existance. Towards the later years of the school, Sheldon was involved in a co-op with nearby Watseka High School. One of the great pitchers from Sheldon was Josh Harris. In 2000, Harris threw two no-hitters for the co-op. We are sure there were many other great baseball players, and other athletes, to walk the halls of Sheldon High.
 
Great Coaches
 
As you can see by viewing the basketball success above, two coaches in Sheldon High School history really stick out.  Their accomplishments are listed below.
 
Coach Kenneth Stephens:
                                         337 - 110   Overall in 17 seasons (one season record not listed)
                                             7 - District Championships
                                             2 - Regional Championships
                                             1 - 35 win season (1941-42  -  35 - 2)
                                             9 - 20 win seasons   
                                           16 - Winning Seasons - never more than 9 losses
                                            GREAT JOB COACH STEPHENS!
 
Coach Larry Seig:
                                           219 - 96  Overall - 12 seasons
                                               4 - District Championships
                                               2 - Regional Championships
                                               5 - 20+ win seasons
                                1960,61,62  - 81 - 9 in these three consecutive seasons!!
 
Memories 
 
From Dr. Rodney Merkle:
 
"Some of the top Basketball Players on the 1977-78 and 1978-1979 squads included John Gooding, Rich Gross, and Ken Laffoon.  The 1978-79 team that was 26-2 lost both games to Watseka. Once during the Iroquois County Tournament  championship game and also in the Regional championship game.  Ironically the same player, Kenton Carley hit the winning shot in both games.  The 1979-1980 team was lead by Rich Gross. The team captured three straight Iroquois Conference Championships 1977-78, 1978-79, and 1979-80.  They were an excellent team that played the game the right way.  Today, Ken Laffoon has done an outstanding job coaching the Danville (Iowa) Bears to two state basketball titles in class 2A earlier in this decade.             
 
Asking For Your Help
 
If you have ANY more information regarding the great successes attained at Sheldon High School we are hopeful you will share them with us. If the above photo is not the former Sheldon HS building or if you have a better photo to offer we would welcome and add it to the site. Team photos and personal stories are also welcome.  You can e-mail photos and information to us a ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net.  You can also write to us at:
 
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago,  Il.  60631

Sheldon HS Bldg 2012 - Southside View
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Sheldon Grade School
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Sheldon, Illinois