The Flat Rock boys had a nice mini-streak in the late 1930s.  The years of the two District Championship teams are listed below.  Unfortunately team records and coach's names are not available.

 

We are told that before the gymnasium was built in 1939, the Flat Rock High School boys played in a place referred to as a "sheep barn".  We don't think it was a nickname either, it was probably a real sheep barn, as many schools in the early 1900s played in!

 

The Wildcats of 1933-34 also had a special team.  The boys won the Crawford County Championship under the leadership of Coach Mayo L. Magill. The team was presented the Daily News Championship trophy and given a big banquet dinner sponsored by the Business and Professional Women's Club of Flat Rock. An article written about the event stated:

 

     "Flat Rock turned out in style last night to honor their 1933-34 edition of the Flat Rock Wildcats, winners of the Daily News Championship trophy for Crawford County, which was presented to them last night at a banquet sponsored by the Business and Professional Women's Club of Flat Rock.

      One hundred and thirteen plates were set around the banquet table with all the county teams being represented.  The Lawrenceville Indians with the coach were also present at the celebration.

      The principal speech of the evening was made by Pete Ellis, Sports Editor of the Vincennes Sun-Commercial.  Ellis compared basketball in Indiana with the brand of Illinois ball, saying, "Indiana has always claimed to play a better brand of ball but I do not believe this to be true at present.  The style of ball now played in Illinois is equal to Indiana."  In closing he stated, that he "would like to see the basketball champions of each state meeting in a post season affair."  

 

1923-24                                                         Coach Paul Fitzgibbons

1924-25                                                         Coach Albert Willis

1925-26                                                         Coach Paul Fitzgibbons

1926-27                                                         Coach Albert Willis

1928-29                                                         Coach Albert Willis

 

 

The Wildcats had an excellent football program through the early 1920s and 1930s.  We are searching team records.  The photo of the grid iron warriors to the right is of the 1923 Flat Rock Wildcats. If you right click on the photo you will view an enlarged version. 

 

 

 

1921               Coach Lester Highsmith

1922               Coach Lester Highsmith

1923               Coach Paul Fitzgibbons

1924               Coach Albert Willis

 

**From Christina Parker:

 

"My father, aunts, uncles and grandparents all attended Flat Rock as well as my mother in-law. However, they only attended the elementary school. Many people forget that Flat Rock had a high school. From listening to the older adults in my family talk, Flat Rock was once a town full of life, businesses, and pride. When the school was closed in 1986 the town also began to slowely die. I am only twenty-three years old and the grade school closed the year before I was born, other wise I would have attended there as well. I remember going to birthday parties, 4H dances, and playing basketball in the Flat Rock gym. The school and gym could be rented out until it was condemmed in 2009. Just two weeks ago they tore down the old school."

 

Way too many questions remain unanswered regarding the history of the Flat Rock School system.  Those who lived in that era deserve to be remembered for what they accomplished.  A photo of the old high school building, information on the great teams, players, coaches, and other great accomplishments in Flat Rock are needed.  You can e-mail these items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at:

 

Chicago, Il.  60631