Skokie Niles East "Trojans"

Niles East Township High School

Credit: Lake County Discovery Museum/Curt Teich Postcard Archives

Niles Township High School Building

Submitted by Barb Smit (Class of 1959)

The History of Skokie - Niles East High School

Skokie (population 63,348) is located in northern Cook County in northeastern Illinois. It is considered a near-north suburb of Chicago. Illinois Route 50 and U.S. Route 41 intersect with Illinois Route 58 in town. Interstate Highway 94 runs along the western edge of Skokie.

The town was established in 1888 and originally named Niles Centre. In 1910, the town name was changed to Niles Center. Folks in the area got this confused with a town nearby called Niles. It was decided in 1940 to change the name again to the current name of Skokie. The population in Skokie boomed between the years of 1920 and 1960. The population of Skokie progressed as follows: 1900-529 residents, 1920-763 residents, 1940-7,172 residents, 1960-59,364 residents.

Nile HS Entrance Sidewalk

Courtesy of Barb Smit

With the growth of the city also came the growth of the school system. The school system was established soon after the town became incorporated. It was not until 1938 however that Niles High School, the forerunner for Niles East High School, was formed. Niles High School was the only school in town until Skokie's and the other northern suburban towns amazing growth spurt allowed for the formation of two new high schools in the area, Niles West and Niles North. The three schools flourished for the next two decades until declining enrollment forced the closure of one. Being the oldest facility, it was Niles East that was closed in 1980. All students were then split between Niles North and Niles West High Schools.

Only a portion of the Niles East High School building still stands. A large portion of the building was demolished and new construction was put in place by its current owner and user, Oakton Community College.

Larry Perlman, who attended Niles East from 1977-80, provides the following tidbit of information regarding the Niles East HS building:

"The movies "Risky Business" and "16 Candles" were both partially filmed at Niles East."

Niles East High School Quick Facts

Year opened: 1938

Year closed: 1980

School nickname: the "Trojans"

School colors: Blue & Gold

School Fight Song:

Nilehi, Nilehi

Go out and win this game,

We'll help you to try,

The Trojans were a mighty race,

They fought with lots of vim

Let's keep our fighting spirit and we'll win!

Let's go now

Gold and Blue

We're true to you

We'll stand behind you always to a man.

Let's keep our colors flying high

Our motto is to do or die

Let's win this game Nilehi!

Let's Go Nilehi!

Let's GoTrojans!

Fight Hard Nilehi!

VICTORY IS OURS!!

From Joel Goldman (Class of 1965):

In addition to the fight song, you may be interested to know that Niles (I don't know if this predates the creation of East or not) has an Alma Mater. Here are the lyrics:

GOLD AND BLUE

Gold and Blue we sing to you
To you we bring our hearts so true

When we go off to College, we will think of you old school
Where we gained lots of knowledge and learned the golden rule

Though years may come and years may go
Deep in our hearts we'll always know

That there's only one real high school
And so we sing anew
We love you Gold and Blue

The only word that may have been altered from time to time
is in the phrase "real high school" in the last stanza. I
have also heard it as "true high school."

ATHLETICS

The Niles East High School Trojans excelled in MANY different sports and events in state-wide competition. The IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org) lists a Niles East HS success in nearly every sport and event in which records are kept. The Trojans competed in the Suburban League Conference with New Trier, Evanston, Oak Park, Proviso, Highland Park, Morton, and Waukegan.

Though no team State Championships were won, the Trojans did have several top ten finishes. There were several individual state champions in various events. The school was known as Skokie Niles High School until the early 1960s when the name was changed to Niles East. The extensive history of the Niles East High School Trojans is listed below.

BOYS BASEBALL

The Trojan baseball teams had three trips to the state baseball tournament. Twice the Trojans finished in the Sweet 16, once in the Elite 8. The 1957-58 team nearly took it all, losing the State Championship game in 8 innings to Maine Township High School of Des Plaines. The great accomplishments and game scores of the 1958 team are listed below.

As Skokie Niles High School

1947-48 20 - 4 Regional / Sectional / Elite 8 Qualifier Coach Jim Phipps

1950-51 District Champions

1957-58 20 - 5 Regional / Sectional / STATE 2ND PLACE FINISH! Coach Jim Phipps

Elite 8 - Niles HS 16 - Highland HS 5

Semi-Final - Niles HS 4 - Danville HS 3 (12 innings)

FINAL - Niles HS 2 - Des Plaines Maine HS 3 (8 innings)

1960-61 15 - 8 Regional / Sectional / Elite 8 Coach Jim Phipps

As Skokie Niles East

1967-68 13 - 9 Regional / Sectional / Elite 8 Coach Nick Odlivak

BOYS BASKETBALL

The boys basketball team won two Regional titles on the hardwood court. Both titles were won as the Niles HS Trojans. Only four other seasons are listed but none are better than a .500 season. Coach Dick Haselton made one of seven coaching stops here in the 1960s.

As Skokie Niles HS

1944-45 Regional Champions

1951-52 Regional Champions

GIRLS BOWLING

The Lady Trojan bowling team wona District title and qualified for the State tournament. Unfortunately the team record and coach's name are not available.

1975-76 District Champions / State Qualifier

BOYS FOOTBALL

There is no mention of the Niles or Niles East High School football Trojans on the IHSA web site. The 1958 squad was said to have been a good one, defeating their arch-rivals Evanston during the course of the season. The squad of 1978 finished at 4 wins and 5 losses, good enough for 3RD Place in the conference standings. If you have any further information on the Niles HS or Niles East HS boys football teams please forward it to us so we can share it with others.

BOYS GOLF

The Niles East HS boys golf team had one individual place 2nd in the State meet competition. On a team level the Trojans also brought home a District Title.

1972-73 District Champions

Individual Medalist

1946-47 Bob Dombrowski 2ND PLACE MEDALIST!!!

BOYS GYMNASTICS

The north-suburban area of Chicago has a long history of great success in gymnastics. The Niles / Niles East High School boys gymnastics teams had no less than EIGHT (8) top ten finishes in boys gymnastics. There were also 18 individuals who medaled in state competition! The coaches at the head of this success were John Riccitelli through the 1963-64 season and Tom Sokalski who became head coach in the 1964-65 season. The incredible success of the NEHS boys gymnastics program is listed below.

1961-62 Team Finished FOURTH in State Competition

Individual Medalists

Elliot Pearl Rings STATE CHAMPION

Dale Hardt Trampoline 3rd Place

1961-62 Final Team Standings

1.) Proviso East - 61.5

2.) Willowbrook - 36

2.) Elmhurst York - 36

4.) NILES EAST HS - 35

1962-63 Team Finished SECOND in State Competition

Individual Medalists

Dale Hardt Trampoline STATE CHAMPION!!

Ike Heller Parallel Bars 2ND PLACE

All-Around 2ND PLACE

Rick Block Tumbling 3RD Place

Mark Slotten Horse 3RD Place

1962-63 Final Team Standings

1.) Evanston HS - 67

2.) NILES EAST HS - 54

3.) Prospect HS - 53

1963-64 Team Finished SECOND in State Competition

Individual Medalists

Dale Hardt Tumbling STATE CHAMPION!!

Mark Slotten Horse STATE CHAMPION!!

Ron Rapper Parallel Bars 2ND PLACE

Mark Kahn Rings 2ND PLACE

Rick Block Tumbling 3RD PLACE

1963-64 Final Team Standings

1.) Willowbrook HS - 56.5

2.) NILES EAST HS - 54

3.) Evanston HS - 53

1964-65 Team Finished EIGHTH in State Competition

Individual Medalist

Steve Alleman Trampoline 4TH PLACE

1964-65 Final Team Standings

1.) Evanston HS - 53.50

2.) Proviso East HS - 43.83

3.) Niles West HS - 42.50

4.) Willowbrook HS - 39

5.) Arlington Hts. HS - 38.50

6.) Thornton HS - 29.50

7.) Prospect HS - 28.50

8.) NILES EAST HS - 22

1965-66 Individual Medalist - Barry Slotten Tumbling STATE CHAMPION!!

1966-67 Team Finished FIFTH in Team Competition

Individual Medalists

Barry Slotten Tumbling STATE CHAMPION!!

Trampoline STATE CHAMPION!!

Seymour Rifkin Parallel Bars 4TH PLACE

1966-67 Final Team Standings

1.) Evanston HS - 51.5

2.) Prospect HS - 36.5

3.) Maine East HS - 32

4.) Niles West HS - 30.5

5.) NILES EAST HS - 29.5

6.) New Trier East HS - 29

1967-68 Team Finished FOURTH in State Competition

Individual Medalists

Seymour Rifkind Parallel Bars 3RD PLACE

1968-69 Final Team Standings

1.) Arlington Hts. - 64

2.) Maine East HS - 53

3.) Prospect HS - 31

4.) NILES EAST HS - 22

5.) Wheeling HS - 21.5

1968-69 Team Finished THIRD in State Competition

Individual Medalists

Seymour Rifkind All-Around STATE CHAMPION!!

Parallel Bars STATE CHAMPION!!

Rings 3RD PLACE

Horizontal Bars 5TH PLACE

Bob Quintanales Parallel Bars 5TH PLACE

Al Weiner Trampoline 5TH PLACE

1968-69 Final Team Standings

1.) Arlington Hts. HS - 221

2.) Hinsdale Central HS - 182.5

3.) NILES EAST HS - 121.5

4.) New Trier East HS - 88.5

1969-70 Individual Medalist - Al Weiner Trampoline 2ND PLACE

1971-72 Individual Medalist - Dave Apple Free Exercise STATE CHAMPION!!

1973-74 Individual Medalist - Steve Kozub Rings 5TH PLACE

1974-75 Team Finished FOURTH in State Competition

Individual Medalists

Neal Sher Horizontal Bars 2ND PLACE

Parallel Bars 2ND PLACE

All-Around 3RD PLACE

Steve Pollice Trampoline 2ND PLACE

Mike Burke Horse 3RD PLACE

1974-75 Final Team Standings

1.) Hinsdale Central HS - 194

2.) Niles West HS - 133.50

3.) Hersey HS - 125.83

4.) NILES EAST HS - 109.50

5.) Oak Park-River Forest HS - 109.33

1977-78 Individual Medalist - Chris Besser Rings 4TH PLACE

INCREDIBLE RUN BY THE NILES EAST HS BOYS GYMNASTICS PROGRAM!!

GIRLS GYMNASTICS

One Lady Trojan gymnast brought home three medals (including a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP) in State Meet Competition.

1979-80 Individual Medalist

May Ann Kostyniuk Uneven Bars STATE CHAMPION!!

Balance Beam 2ND PLACE

All-Around 2ND PLACE

BOYS SWIMMING

The boys swimming team at Niles East High School also excelled on the state level. As Niles High School the boys earned 4 top ten finishes in State Competition. They earned an additional top ten finish as Niles East High. This of course means there were several Trojan individual winners as well. The results of the top ten finishes and individual medalists are listed below.

1948-49 Team Finished SIXTH in State Competition

Individual Medalists

Dick Provost Diving 3RD PLACE

Robert Lindahl 50 Yard Free Style 3RD PLACE

100 Yard Free Style 5TH PLACE

1948-49 Final Team Standings

1.) New Trier HS - 43

2.) Lane Tech HS - 32

3.) Proviso HS - 26

4.) Evanston HS - 19

5.) Rockford West HS - 13

6.) NILES HIGH SCHOOL - 7

7.) Chicago U-High - 6

1951-52 Team Finished NINTH in State Competition

Individual Medalists

Relay Team 150 Yard Medley 4TH PLACE

Don Larson 50 Yard Free Style 5TH PLACE

George Lockwood 100 Yard Breast Stroke 5TH PLACE

1951-52 Final Team Standings

1.) New Trier HS - 42

2.) Evanston HS - 30

3.) Maine Township HS - 13

3.) Highland Park HS - 13

5.) Oak Park-River Forest HS - 12

5.) Chicago Harrison HS - 12

5.) Rockford West HS - 12

8.) Proviso HS - 6

9.) NILES HIGH SCHOOL - 5

9.) Chicago Lane Tech HS - 5

1952-53 Team Placed FOURTH in State Competition

Individual Medalists

George Lockwood 100 Yard Breast Stroke STATE CHAMPION!!

Don Larson 50 Yard Free Style 2ND PLACE

Roy Yocum Diving 3RD PLACE

Relay Team 150 Yard Medley Relay 4TH PLACE

1952-53 Final Team Standings

1.) Evanston HS - 45

2.) New Trier HS - 31

3.) Maine Township HS - 22

4.) NILES HIGH SCHOOL - 16

5.) Oak Park-River Forest HS - 14

1953-54 Team Finished EIGHTH in State Competition

Individual Medalists

Dean Ness 50 Yard Free Style 3RD PLACE

1953-54 Final Team Standings

1.) Evanston HS - 67

2.) New Trier HS - 56

3.) Maine Township HS - 37

4.) Rockford West HS - 19

5.) Oak Park-River Forest HS - 18

6.) Peoria HS - 15

7.) Chicago Lane Tech HS - 8

8.) NILES HIGH SCHOOL - 4

8.) Rockford East HS - 4

1955-56 Individual Medalists

Relay Team 200 Yard Medley Relay 5TH PLACE

1959-60 Individual Medalsits

Phil Karafotas 200 Yard Free Style 6TH PLACE

200 Yard IM 6TH PLACE

1964-65 Individual Medalist

Marty Chalfie 100 Yard Fly 5TH PLACE

1967-68 Team Finished NINTH in State Competition

Individual Medalists

Jim Hawkins 100 Yard Breast Stroke 3RD PLACE

Relay Team 200 Yard Medley Relay 4TH PLACE

Paul Katz 50 Yard Free Style 6TH PLACE

1967-68 Final Team Standings

1.) Hinsdale Central HS - 191

2.) New Trier East HS - 136

3.) Evanston HS - 127.5

4.) Thornridge HS - 110

5.) Moline HS - 83

6.) Peoria Richwoods HS - 81

7.) Rock Island HS - 69

8.) New Trier West HS - 52

9.) NILES EAST H.S. - 43

10.) Danville HS - 34

BOYS TENNIS

The boys tennis team at Niles East High School also excelled, especially in the 1960s. The Trojan's placed in the top ten 4 times in their history. Their best effort was a 3rd Place finish in the 1960-61 meet. Individual medalists and final team standings are listed below.

1960-61 Team Finished THIRD in State Competition

Individual Medalist

Mike Baer Doubles 2ND PLACE

Paul Bishop Doubles 2ND PLACE

1960-61 Final Team Standings

1.) Evanston HS - 13

2.) Hinsdale HS - 12

3.) NILES HIGH SCHOOL - 5

3.) Decatur Stephen HS - 5

5.) Oak Park-River Forest HS - 4

5.) New Trier HS - 4

5.) Rock Island HS - 4

5.) Danville HS - 4

1964-65 Team Finished SIXTH in State Competition

Individual Medalists

Mark Bishop Doubles 3RD PLACE

Steve Williams Doubles 3RD PLACE

1964-65 Final Team Standings

1.) Decatur MacArthur HS - 10

1.) New Trier East HS - 10

3.) Arlington Heights HS - 8

4.) Hinsdale HS - 6

4.) Oak Park-River Forest HS - 6

6.) NILES EAST HIGH SCHOOL - 4

6.) Belleville HS - 4

6.) Rockford West HS - 4

6.) Evanston HS - 4

1966-67 Team Finished SEVENTH in State Competition

Individual Medalist

Mark Bishop Singles 3RD PLACE

1966-67 Final Team Standings

1.) New Trier East HS - 15

2.) Hinsdale Central HS - 8

3.) Arlington Heights HS - 7

4.) Danville HS - 6

5.) Oak Park-River Forest HS - 5

5.) Rock Island HS - 5

7.) Decatur MacArthur - 3

7.) NILES EAST HIGH SCHOOL - 3

7.) Ottawa HS - 3

7.) Evanston HS - 3

1967-68 Team Finished FIFTH in State Competition

Individual Medalist

Mark Bishop Singles STATE CHAMPION!!

1967-68 Final Team Standings

1.) Hinsdale Central HS - 9

2.) Evanston HS - 7

3.) Arlington Heights HS - 6

3.) Rock Island HS - 6

5.) NILES EAST HIGH SCHOOL - 5

5.) Granite City HS - 5

5.) New Trier East HS - 5

1972-73 Team Finished SEVENTH in State Competition

Individual Medalist

Pete Stearns Singles 5TH PLACE

1972-73 Final Team Standings

1.) Hinsdale Central HS - 15

1.) Highland Park HS - 15

3.) Arlington Heights HS - 11

4.) Galesburg HS - 8

5.) New Trier East HS - 7

5.) Oak Park-River Forest HS - 7

7.) NILES EAST HIGH SCHOOL - 6

7.) Ottawa HS - 6

7.) Rock Island HS - 6

7.) Evanston HS - 6

GIRLS TENNIS

The Niles East High School Lady Trojans won some State hardware of their own. Mindy Epstein led the 1977-78 girls tennis team to a SIXTH place finish. The year and Mindy's great season are listed below.

1977-78 Team Finished SIXTH in State Competition

Individual Medalist

Mindy Epstein Singles 4TH PLACE

1977-78 Final Team Standings

1.) Hinsdale Central HS - 17.5

2.) Crystal Lake HS - 17

3.) New Trier East - 11

4.) Lake Forest HS - 11.5

5.) Arlington Heights HS - 10

6.) Peoria Richwoods HS - 9

6.) NILES EAST HIGH SCHOOL - 9

8.) Maine East HS - 8

Niles Township HS Mascot

Submitted by Barb Smit

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Although no team records are available, one Trojan runner made his mark with the program by placing at the State Meet:

1965-66 Individual Medalist: Peter Lanners 9th Place

1976-77 District 219 Champions

Defeated Niles North and Niles West

For Championship - Fall of 1976

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

The Niles East High School Trojan thindlads brought home several individual medals and managed a 7th Place finish in the1954-55 State Meet. The accomplishments of the Trojan Boys Track athletes are listed below.

1942-43 Individual Medalist

H. Johnston 1 Mile Run 5TH PLACE

1945-46 Individual Medalist

Relay Team 880 Yard Relay 5Th PLACE

1946-47 Individual Medalists

Relay Team 880 Yard Relay 4TH PLACE

Robert Farr 440 Yard Dash 5Th PLACE

1954-55 Team Finished SEVENTH at State Track Meet

Individual Medalists

John Ravencroft 440 Yard Dash 2ND PLACE

Bruce Debes 880 Yard Run 3RD PLACE

1954-55 Final Team Standings

1.) Blue Island HS - 18

2.) New Trier HS - 14

3.) North Chicago HS - 13

4.) Elmhurst York HS - 10.5

5.) Chicago Heights Bloom HS - 9.5

6.) Chicago Phillips HS - 9

7.) NILES HIGH SCHOOL - 7

7.) Aurora East HS - 7

7.) DeKalb HS - 7

10.) Chicago Tilden HS - 6.33

1960-61 Individual Medalist

Relay Team 880 Yard Relay 3RD PLACE

Boys Track Memories

The 1978 Niles East Boys Varsity Indoor Track Team defeated a field of 12 schools in the first ever Niles West Indoor Track Invite with Niles East winning the crown. The crowning victory to seal the title was the Niles East Boys (4) Lap relay consisting of Barry Leb, Phil Waller, Robert Holzheimer and Jim Doumouras (as Anchor Leg) with a time of 1:16.6 minutes."

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

Two Lady Trojans brought home medals from the IHSA State Meet as well.

1973-74 Margaret May 1 Mile Run 7TH PLACE

1975-76 Jamie Borkovitz Discus 8TH PLACE

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

The Girls Volleyball team won a District Championship during their brief existence. Girls sports were not recognized by the IHSA until 1973-74. The year of the title is listed below. Unfortunately the coach's name and team record is not available.

1977-78 District Champions

BOYS WRESTLING

The Niles East High School grapplers had a great run of success in the 1960s. On four occassions the Trojans finished in the top ten in the State Meet. In fact the 1960-61 squad brought back a SECOND Place trophy. Coach Howard Byrum was responsible for many of the successful seasons below. In addition several individual medals were won at the school.

1960-61 Team Finished SECOND in State Competition

Final Team Standings

1.) Reavis HS - 51

2.) NILES HIGH SCHOOL - 34

3.) North Chicago HS - 26

4.) Granite City HS - 25

4.) Waukegan HS - 25

1961-62 Individual Medalist

Stuart Marshall 154 Lbs Weight Class 4TH PLACE

1963-64 Team Finished FIFTH in State Competition

Individual Medalists

Howard Rosenbaum 103 Lbs. Weight Class STATE CHAMPION!!

Mark Newberger 165 Lbs. Weight Class 3RD PLACE

1963-64 Final Team Standings

1.) Waukegan HS - 49

2.) Sterling HS - 27

3.) Aurora East HS - 22

3.) Proviso East HS - 22

5.) NILES EAST HIGH SCHOOL - 20

5.) Deerfield HS - 20

5.) Joliet HS - 20

5.) DeKalb HS - 20

1964-65 Individual Medalist

Ron Ponticore 180 Lbs. Weight Class 4TH PLACE

1965-66 Team Finished EIGHTH in the State Competition

Individual Medalists

Bill Paus 154 Lbs. Weight Class STATE CHAMPION!!

Ron Ponticore 180 Lbs. Weight Class 4TH PLACE

1965-66 Final Team Standings

1.) Waukegan HS - 65

2.) Wheaton Central HS - 26

3.) Granite City HS - 24

4.) North Chicago HS - 23

5.) Aurora West HS - 22

6.) Rockford East HS - 20

7.) East Leyden HS - 19

8.) NILES EAST HIGH SCHOOL - 18

8.) Evanston HS - 18

1966-67 Team Finished SIXTH in State Competition

Individual Medalists

Tim Cech 120 Lbs. Weight Class STATE CHAMPION!!

Vic Mittelberg Heavyweight Class 4Th PLACE

1966-67 Final Team Standings

1.) Rodk Island HS - 25

2.) Evanston HS - 22

2.) Orland Park HS - 22

4.) Pekin HS - 21

4.) Champaign HS - 21

6.) NILES EAST HIGH SCHOOL - 18

7.) Moline HS - 17

8.) Rich East HS - 16

1974-75AA Individual Medalist

Jeff Rock 98 Lbs. Weight Class 2ND PLACE

1979-80AA Individual Medalist

Kelly Walls Heavyweight Class 4TH PLACE

BOYS FENCING

The statement at the beginning of the sports section on this