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Gridley High School
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Gridley, Illinois

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The History of Gridley High School
 
Gridley (population 1,411) is located in east-central Illinois about 14 miles north-northeast of Bloomington. The town, located in north-central McLean County, is situated on U.S. Route 24 about 6 miles west of Interstate Highway 55. The Toledo, Peoria, & Western Railroad runs parallel to US Rt. 24 and passes through Gridley's south side. The Buck Creek flows just south of town and the Turkey Creek flows to the west of Gridley.
 
Kev Varney found this bit of information on the founding of Gridley: 
 
"Gridley is named for banker Asahel Gridley, a prominent politician and banker from Bloomington. He owned the land that the village was platted on along with Thomas Carlisle as the village was incorporated in 1856. Gridley is best known for his founding of two other communities within the same county (McLean), Lexington and Leroy, and was in good company with President Abraham Lincoln prior to Honest Abe's ascent to the White House. Gridley was also the first millionaire in McLean County, although it is thought to be that he acquired his wealth by real estate dealings, banking, and by taking advantage of others' misfortunes."
 
The real history of Gridley's school system is found in "The Gridley Centennial Book," written in 1956. The first-known school for Gridley students was actually outside the village in the country in 1857, but a new location was built inside the community two years later. Another building was built a year later to handle the enrollment, which later was added onto and where the high school began its life in 1892 as a two-year school. 

Gridley High School continued to flourish when a new building was opened in 1906 (the one you see at top of the page) for all four grades, and it continues to serve the community today as El Paso-Gridley Junior High School. It is believed that the high school was a four-year school from the beginning with its first graduates being Cora Waid Vincent, Ludy Waid Huguenin, and C. E. McNemar.
 
In the early 2000's, Gridley residents began consolidation talks with its neighbor the west, El Paso. The talks were eventually finalized and the two towns agreed to join their school districts. The El Paso-Gridley School District became a reality in 2004. This action effectively closed the two high schools.
 
El Paso-Gridley High School students attend school at the former El Paso High School. As stated above, the Gridley High School building is now used as the El Paso-Gridley Junior High School.
 
Gridley High School Quick Facts
 
Year opened:                             1892 (as 2-yr school)
Year High School building built:   1906 (as 4-yr school)
Year Gridley HS closed:             2004
School nickname:                      the "Redskins"
School colors:                           Red & Black
School Fight Song:                    "Come On Old Gridley"
                                                     Sung to the Notre Dame University victory march.
                                                               
 
                                                   Oh, come on old Gridley
                                                 don't let us down!
                                                 You are the best team
                                                 yet to be found!
                                                 
                                                 Come on Gridley let us fight.
                                                 Fight to wear our Red and Black!
 
                                                 We never fumble,
                                                 We never fall!
                                                 Come on old Gridley,
                                                 Get at that ball!
 
                                                 GRIDLEY HIGH SCHOOL, G-H-S
                                                 IT'S ONWARD TO VICTORY!!

Gridley High School
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Gibbs Athletic Field

Athletics
 
The Gridley High School Redskins and Lady Redskins have an extensive history of competitive teams and athletes. IHSA hardware was won in boys' basketball along with track & field, while the football team also made five trips to the IHSA Class 1A Playoffs. The Lady Redskin volleyball team also excelled with several solid seasons and one District title. It is believed the Ladies also competed in basketball and track & field, however, no mention of their success is listed on the IHSA web site (www.ihsa.org). It is known that the school had a baseball team as early as 1910 (there is a picture from the 1956 Gridley Centennial Book that identifies a team from that year).

Gridley HS 1975-76 Regional Champs
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Undefeated Regular Season - 27 - 1 Overall

Gidley Basketball Team 1951-52
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Courtesy of 1956 "Gridley Centennial Book"

Boys' Basketball
 
The Gridley HS boys basketball team history is listed on the IHSA web site back to the 1933-34 school year. No less than 7 Regional and 4 District titles were won by the Redskin basketball boys. One great game in Gridley basketball history occurred during the 1948-49 season when the Gridley boys upset then powerhouse (and rival) Chenoa, who had one of the best teams in the state that year. Chenoa went on later that season to the sectional championship game where they lost to Pekin in a close game.
 
Gridley's best season record-wise was the 1975-76 Resdskins, pictured above to the right. This team finished its regular season undefeated, winning the conference title. The team went on to win the Regional before bowing out in the Sectional.    

Billy Hayes - B-ball 1978-82
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Gridley's All-Time Leading Scorer

 
The Redskins' all-time leading scorer, Billy Hayes, is pictured to the right.  Hayes played at Gridley High from 1978-79 through 1981-82. As you can see the teams faired quite well. Hayes started at Gridley from the third game of his freshman year through his senior year. Bill scored a total of 1,914 points for GHS. 
 
The best seasons, as far as overall records and IHSA hardware won, are listed below. If you have more information, please write to us via e-mail.
 
1922-23             McLean Co. Jr. Div. Tourney Champs   Coach Harry Hill
1923-24             McLean Co. Jr. Div. Tourney Champs   Coach Harry Hill
1926-27             McLean Co. Jr. Div. Tourney Champs   Coach Harry Hill
1938-39             District Champions
1941-42  15-  8                                                            Coach Lynn Siron
1943-44  23-  6   District Champions                            Coach E.W. Towner
                         McLean Co. Tourney Champs
1944-45  25-  6                                                            Coach E.W. Towner  
1945-46  22-  5  McLean Co. Tourney Champs            Coach L.D. Lang 
1946-47  24-  5  McLean Co. Tourney Champs            Coach L.D. Lang 
1951-52  23-  5  District Champions                             Coach Clarence Kyger
                         Mid-State Conf. Runner-up
1952-53  23  -7  District Champions                             Coach Clarence Kyger
                         Mid-State Conf. Runner-up
                         McLean Co. Tourney Champs
1954-55  16-11   Mid-State Conf. Runner-up                Coach Clarence Kyger
1955-56  15-10                                                             Coach Vic Durcholz
1962-63  17-  8   Mid-State Conf. Co-Champs              Coach Ken Hearn
                         Mid-State Conf. Tourney Champs
1967-68  13-10                                                             Coach Dave Darnall
1968-69  17-  7   Mid-State Conf. Co-Champs               Coach Dave Darnall
1970-71  16-  8                                                             Coach Pete Meiss
1972-73  18-  8                                                             Coach Pete Meiss
1973-74  16-10                                                             Coach Pete Meiss  
1974-75  23-  3   Mid-State Conf. Champs                    Coach Pete Meiss
                         McLean Co. Tourney Champs
                         Woodford Co. Tourney Champs
 
1975-76  27-  1   Regional Champions                         Coach Pete Meiss
                         Mid-State Conf. Champs (14-0)
                         McLean Co. Tourney Champs
                         Woodford Co. Tourney Champs 
                         Undefeated Regular Season
 
1976-77  19-  6   Mid-State Conf. Co-Champs               Coach Pete Meiss
                         McLean Co. Tourney Champs 
1977-78  25-  3   Regional Champions                         Coach Pete Meiss
                         Mid-State Conf. Champs
1978-79  21-  8   Regional Champions                         Coach Pete Meiss
1979-80  17-  8   Mid-State Conf. Runner-up                Coach Pete Meiss
                         McLean Co. Tourney Champs
1981-82  23-  4   Mid-State Conf. Runner-up                Coach Pete Meiss
                         McLean Co. Tourney Champs
1982-83  20-  7                                                             Coach Pete Meiss
1983-84  18-10   Regional Champions                         Coach Pete Meiss
                         McLean Co. Tourney Champs
1984-85  24-  5   Regional Champions                         Coach Pete Meiss
                         Mid-State Conf. Champs
1985-86  17-  9   McLean Co. Tourney Champs            Coach Pete Meiss
1989-90  14-14   Regional Champions                          Coach Tim Fairchild
1990-91  19-  6   Mid-State Conf. Runner-up                 Coach Tim Fairchild
1991-92  22-  5   McLean Co. Tourney Champs            Coach Tim Fairchild
1992-93  25-  4   Regional Champions                          Coach Tim Fairchild
                         Mid-State Conf. Champs
                         McLean Co. Tourney Champs
1993-94  15-10                                                              Coach Tim Fairchild
1996-97  16-  9                                                              Coach John Stella
2003-04            Final Season                                         Coach Tim Fairchild
 
Three-time All-Conference Basketball Players:
*Wilbur Haney - 1953, '54, '55
*Rob Tipsord - 1969, '70, '71
*Greg Umland - 1975, '76, '77
*Mike Jenkins - 1977, '78, '79
*Billy Hayes - 1980, '81, '82
*Phil Meiss - 1980, '81, '82
*Matt Jenkins - 1991, '92, '93
 
Overall School Record from 1933 to 2004:
944 - 778    .548 Winning %
 
*Coach Dave Darnall - after gaining his coaching start at Gridley, went on to become the head coach of Eureka College men's basketball.
 
**Successes attained at the Bloomington-Normal State Farm Holiday Classic as researched by Mark Jurenga:
 
1992 - Grand Championship - Gridley 62 Chilicothe (IVC) 57
All-Tournament 
- Matt Jenkins, Benjie Zeller
 
 
Boys' Football
 
The Gridley High School gridiron was not exactly willing to take a back seat to the basketball program. This was true, especially in the early 1980's and early 1990's. Consecutive trips in the early parts of both decades were the highlights of those seasons listed. The best seasons of the Gridley Redskins with the pigskin are listed below.

Gridley High School
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Football Field

Gridley HS Football Team of 1920
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Undefeated at 7 - 0 (Courtesy of 1956 "Gridley Centennial Book"

The 1920 Redskin Football Team (the school's second season under Harry Hill) scored 650 points that season. Some of the the scores included 84-3 over Leroy, 105-0 against Fairbury, and 169-0 (this is not a misprint) over Chenoa. According to the 1956 Gridley Centennial book, this team averaged 92.85 points per game!
 
 
 
 
 
Members of the 1920 Redskin Football Team Pictured Above-Right:
Front Row, L to R : Fred Kent, Lyle Kehr, Harold Brown, Dale King, Virgil Blumershine, Ernest Blessman, Don Fenton
Back Row, L to R: Raymond Simpson, Roy Coyle, Clayton Ellis, Earl Lynch, Ralph Frey, Eugene McNaught, Coach Harry Hill

Gridley Redskin Football Team of 1926
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Winners of 21 Straight Games! (Courtesy of 1956 "Gridley Centennial Book"

In 1926, the Redskin football squad stretched an unbeaten string to 21 games (after losing the opening game of the 1924 season and winning the rest of the games that year along with going undefeated in 1925 & 1926), defeating the likes of Chenoa (34-6), McLean (107-0) and
Lexington (116-0).
 
 
 
 
 
Members of the 1926 Football Squad Pictured Above-Right:
Front Row, L to R: Loren Vandegraft, Bill Klopfenstein, Lynn Gibbs
Middle Row, L to R: Leon Fruin, Jim Andrews, LaVerne Frey, Frank Fruin, Clifford Schram, Leslie Kirkton, Lowell Andrews
Back Row, L to R:  Manager William Coe, Robert Kirkton, Duke Kiefer, Harold Frey, William Hanifin, Coach Harry Hill
 
Coach's names and season records are listed below for the Gridley High School Football Program.

1919-20    5-3                                                                  Coach W.H. "Harry" Hill
1920-21    7-0                                                                  Coach W.H. "Harry" Hill
1921-22    4-1                                                                  Coach W.H. "Harry" Hill
1922-23    7-1                                                                  Coach W.H. "Harry" Hill
1923-24    7-0                                                                  Coach W.H. "Harry" Hill
1924-25    7-1                                                                  Coach W.H. "Harry" Hill
1925-26    8-0                                                                  Coach W.H. "Harry" Hill
1926-27    6-0                                                                  Coach W.H. "Harry" Hill
1948-49    8-0-1 Prairie Conference Champions              Coach Jesse Durham
1950-51    8-1    Mid-State Conf. Champions (6-0)            Coach Jesse Durham
1953-54    5-2-1 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (5-2)              Coach Clarence Kyger
1954-55    5-1-2 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (4-1-2)           Coach Clarence Kyger
1957-58    5-2    Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (5-1)              Coach Martin Moon
1958-59    4-3-1 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (4-2)              Coach Martin Moon
1962-63    7-0-1 Mid-State Conf. Champions (6-0-1)          Coach Frank Edmonds
1963-64    5-2-1 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (4-1-1)           Coach John Hacker
1965-66    5-3    Mid-State Conf. Sportsmanship Award   Coach John Hacker
1967-68    6-2    Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (5-2)              Coach John Hacker
1969-70    6-1-1 Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (5-1-1)           Coach Gene Cwick
1974-75    7-2    Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (5-2)              Coach Gene Cwick
1975-76    7-2    Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (5-2)              Coach Gene Cwick
1980-81    5-4                                                                   Coach Ken Leonard              
1981-82  10-2   Class 1A Playoff Qualifier                        Coach Ken Leonard
                           Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (6-1)
                             Elite 8 FInalist
                               Beat Bradford 20-7
                               Beat Tiskilwa 14-12
                               Lost to Freeport Aquin 43-0
1982-83  10-1   Class 1A Playoff Qualifier                        Coach Ken Leonard
                            Undefeated Regualar Season (9-0)
                              Mid-State Conference Champs (7-0)
                               Sweet 16 Finalist 
                               Beat Monmouth Yorkwood 12-10
                               Lost to Kewanee Wethersfield   16-12
1983-84    7-2   Mid-State Conf. Co-Champs (6-1)            Coach Ken Leonard
1991-92  10-2   Class 1A Playoff Qualifier                       Coach Rod Wertz
                           Mid-State Conf. Co-Champs (6-1) 
                            Elite 8 Finalist
                               Beat Chenoa 8-0
                               Beat Deer Creek-Mackinaw 15-0
                               Lost to El Paso 3-0
1992-93   10-1   Class 1A Playoff Qualifier                      Coach Rod Wertz
                            Mid-State Conference Champs (7-0)
                              Sweet 16 Finalist
                               Beat Cerro Gordo 10-6
                               Lost to Deer Creek-Mackinaw 34-28
1993-94   7-3     Class 1A Playoff Qualifier                      Coach Rod Wertz
                               Mid-State Conference Champs (6-1) 
                               Lost to Heyworth 29-6
2003-04   4-5     Final Season                                          Coach Troy Kaupp
 
Girls' Volleyball
 
The Lady Redskin netters had just two long-standing head coaches during their 30-year existence. Coach Barbara Ringger led the Gridley High School volleyball program for their first 14 years from 1974-75 through 1987-88. Coach Penny Grusy took over the reigns from 1991-92 through the school's last season of 2003-04. Both coaches had their share of great seasons. Coach Ringger's teams in fact sported a 14 year record of 174-87- 6 at Gridley High School and brought home the District title in 1982. The best seasons are listed below. 
 
1974-75     5-  1                                                        Coach Barbara Ringger
1976-77   10-  5    Mid-State Conf. Tourn. Champs   Coach Barbara Ringger
1977-78   17-  3    Mid-State Conf. Tourn. Champs   Coach Barbara Ringger
1978-79   17-  3    Mid-State Conf. Tourn. Champs   Coach Barbara Ringger
1979-80   20-  3    Mid-State Conf. Champions (5-1)  Coach Barbara Ringger
1980-81   16-  4    Mid-State Conf. Champions (6-1)  Coach Barbara Ringger
1981-82   20-  5    District Champions                               Coach Barbara Ringger
                            Mid-State Conf. Co-Champs (6-1)
1982-83   14-  7                                                        Coach Barbara Ringger
1987-88   16-  7    Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (6-1)   Coach Barbara Ringger
1993-94   19-  9                                                        Coach Penny Grusy
2002-03   23-  7                                                        Coach Penny Grusy
2003-04   20-10     Last Season                                 Coach Penny Grusy
 
*Three-time All-Conference Players:
 
Elizabeth Grusy - 1989, '90, '91
Danielle Stoller - 1991, '92, '93
 
*Named to the all-time girl's volleyball team for McLean County by the 1994 book titled "Another Sentimental Journey":
 
Suzy Jenkins McKinsey (Class of 1983)   
 
Great Job Lady Redskins!!
 

Boys Track & Field
 
The greatest acheivement as far as IHSA success goes was attained by the boys track & field team of 1923-24. The boys of this season brought home a fifth place finish from the Illinois State "B" Track Meet. In all, 11 medals were won by male athletes of Gridley High School. Their accomplishments are listed below.
 
1921-22B   Merle Ririe           220 Yard Dash          4TH Place
1922-23B   Merle Ririe           220 Yard Dash          STATE CHAMPION!!
1923-24B   TEAM FINISHED 5TH IN STATE "B" TRACK MEET
                 
                 Individual Medalists
 
                 Merle Ririe         220 Yard Dash            STATE CHAMPION!!
                 Merle Ririe         100 Yard Dash            3RD Place
                 880 Yard Relay Team                           STATE CHAMPIONS!!
 

880 Yard Relay - State 'B' Meet Champions - 1924
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Courtesy of 1965 "Gridley Centennial Book"

 
State Championship 880 Yard Relay Team members pictured above are (from left to right) Coach Harry Hill, Merle Ririe, Perry Burroughs, Virgil Andrews, and Levi "Duke" Kiefer. The alternate was Lowell Andrews. Also pictured is the team's trainer, Earl Lynch. This combination clicked as a winner 10 consectutive times that school year, setting records on seven occasions....including a time of 1:35.2!                     
 
                 Final Team Standings    
 
                 1)  Girard  HS                          20
                 2)  Chesterfield HS                  16
                      White Hall HS                    16
                 4)  Carlinville  HS                     15
                 5)  GRIDLEY HIGH SCHOOL    13
                      Hinsdale HS                       13
                 7)  Wheaton HS                      12
                 7)  Bridgeport HS                    12
                 9)  Hoopeston HS                     9
               10)  Chicago Pullman HS            8
               10)  Abingdon HS                       8
 
1924-25B    880 Yard Relay Team                                5TH Place
1926-27      Leon Fruin                    880 Yard Run     5TH Place
1926-27      Levi Kiefer                    440 Yard Run     5TH Place
1950-51      Team was Mid-State Conference Runner-up
1983-84A    Brian Radke                 100 Meter Dash  6TH Place
                  Brian Radke                 200 Meter Dash  5TH Place
1984-85A    Brian Radke                 Long Jump        STATE CHAMPION!!
 
Individual Conf. Multiple (3-Time Minimum) Event Winners - Track & Field:
*Dave Burke-1950-120 Yard High Hurdles, 200 Yard Low Hurdles, High Jump
*Dave Burke-1951-120 Yard High Hurdles, 180 Yard Low Hurdles, High Jump
*Ricky Finck-100 Yard Dash Champion - 1959, '61, '62
*Ricky Finck-1962-100 Yard Dash, 220 Yard Dash, 440 Yard Dash
*Dave Roth-1963-Pole Vault, Long Jump, 220 Yard Dash
*Marty Lomelino-Shot Put Champion - 1981, '82, '83
*Brian Radke-1984-100 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Dash, Pole Vault
 

Gridley High School Baskeball Team of 1910
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Courtesy of 1956 "Gridley Centennial Book"

Baseball Team Members of 1910 Pictured Above include:
Top Row, From L to R: George Kent, Les Mool, C.B. Anthony, Don Coyle, Russell Young, Jack Ehresman, Everett Kent
Bottom Row, L to R: Edwin Nuehauser, Henry Andrews, Drew Castle, Claude Steele, George Young 
 
Boys' Baseball
 
Conference success was found on the diamond as well for the Gridley Redskins.
 
1952-53    6-1   Mid-State Conf. Co-Champs (5-1)       Coach Ken DeYoung
1959-60            Mid-State Conf. Champs (5-1)            Coach Don Holler
1961-62            Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (4-2)
1968-69    6-3   Mid-State Conf. Tourney Runner-up
1974-75           Mid-State Conf. Tourney Runner-up
1991-92   13-5  Mid-State Conf. Co-Champs (11-3)      Coach Rod Wertz
1992-93    9-6   Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (6-1)         Coach Rod Wertz
 
A good fan of the IHSGD website, Mark Jurenga, provided the following information on Gridley alum Perry Roth:
 
"Gridley alumnus Perry Roth is currently an NCAA Division I assistant baseball coach. He just finished his 8th year in D1 and his 10th in college coaching.
 
School                       Tenure
UAB                          1 year
Birmingham Southern  3 years
Bradley                      1 year
Illinois State               3 years
Greenville (D3)            2 years
 
Girls' Basketball
 
One Gridley Lady Redskin team faired well overall and in conference play. The school did not offer girl's basketball from 1986-93. The school co-oped with Flanagan from 1994 until the consolidation with El Paso in 2004.
 
1979-80    11- 5    Mid-State Conf. Runner-up (7-3)
 
Girl's Softball
 
One Lady Redskin softball player had a great career in the sport. Heather Stella was a three-time All-Conference selection as a catcher (1993, '94, '95). Heather earned a scholarship for softball to Illinois State University where she became a four-year starter at third base. She is currently playing professional softball for Poneke Kilbirnie, a Premier One Women's Major Fastpitch Softball Team in New Zealand.
 
Scholastic Bowl
 
Chalk up some serious success for the "brainiacs" of Gridley High. The Redskins won no less than nine Mid-State Conference Scholastic Bowl Championships for Coach Suzanne McGroarty. The Mid-State Conference title years are listed below.
 
1978, 1979, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1993 
 
                
 
Speech - Individual Events
 
Strike one up for the English Department. One Gridley Redskin claimed a State Medal in speech competition. 
 
1951   Roger Calhoun     Oratory Declamation    5TH Place
 
Great Coaches
 
*Coach W.H. "Harry" Hill - Boys' Football - 1919-20 through 1929-30, then again 1939-40
                                          12 Total Seasons (no football 1928-29 season)
                                          58-26 overall record
                                            4 - undefeated/untied seasons
                                            3 - one-loss seasons
Coach Hill was described by Coach Pete Meiss in this manner:
                   "Harry Hill was the greatest coach Gridley ever had. His name
                     is a legend as a coach and a teacher."   
 
*Coach Pete Meiss - Boys' Basketball - 1969-70 through 1985-86
                                318-128  (.713 winning %)
                                17 - seasons as head coach
                                14 - seasons with winning records
                                  7 - seasons of 20 or more wins
                                  5 - Regional Championships
 
*Coach Barbara Ringger - Girls' Volleyball - 1974-75 through 1987-88
                                        174-87  (.663 winning %)
                                          14 - seasons as head coach
                                            7 - Conference Championships
                                            2 - seasons of 20 or more wins
                                            1 - District Championship
                               
*Coach Ken Leonard - Boys' Football - 1980-81 through 1983-84
                                    32- 9 Overall Record
                                      4 - seasons as head coach
                                      2 - trips to the State Playoffs
                                      1 - undefeated regular season
                                            
 
*Coach Tim Fairchild - Boys' Basketball - 1987-88 through 1994-95, 2002-03 through 2003-04
                              141-122 Overall Record
                               10 - seasons as head coach
                                 2 - Regional Titles
                                 2 - seasons of 20 or more wins
 
*Coach Penny Grusy - Girls' Volleyball - 1991-92 through 2003-04
                              181 wins 
                                13 - seasons as head coach
                                  4 - consecutive winning seasons to close out the school's program
                                  2 - seasons of 20 or more wins including final two of school's existence
 
*Coach Rod Wertz - Boys' Football - 1992-94 through 1995-96
                                  3 - consecutive seasons of qualifying for the IHSA playoffs
 
*Coach E.W. "Duke" Towner - Boys' Basketball - 1943-44 and 1944-45
                                 48-12 (.800 winning %)
                                   2 - seasons coached at Gridley
                                   2 - seasons of 20 or more wins
                                   1 - District Title
 
*Coach Suzanne McGroarty      Scholastic Bowl Coach
                                                  Nine-Time Conference Champions
 
*Coach Gene Cwick - Boys' Football Coach
                             34-27-5 overall record in eight seasons
                             2 - second place finishes in Mid-State Conference play
                             1-  third place in Mid-State Conference standings
 
Great Athletes
 
1920s - Merle Ririe, Leon Fruin, Levi Kiefer
1940s - Wilber Haas, Rogers Kaufman, Ty Kaufman
1950s - Dave Burke, Wilbur Hany
1960s - Mark Dalton, Larry Gilmore, Pat Kinsella, Ricky Finck, Dave Roth
1970s - Ted Roth, Rob Tipsord, Greg Umland, Mike Jenkins, Dan McKey
1980s - Bill Hayes, Brad Radke, Marty Lomelino, Phil Meiss, Suzy Jenkins  
1990s - Heather Stella, Elizabeth Grusy, Danielle Stoller, Matt Jenkins
 
A Song in Tribute
 
One alumnus of Gridley High honored his alma mater with a song. Jerry Meiss' "Good-By Gridley High" receives local air play each spring near graduation time.  The lyrics are as follows:
 
                                               "Good-by Gridley High"
 
                              Let's take a look back at the years gone by,
                              You know I graduated from Gridley High.
                              Guess you could say I'm an alumni,
                              Got my diploma from Gridley High School.
                                       
                              I remember the good times,
                              Back in those Redskin days.
                              But nobody wanted the cane that I raised.
                              All of my teachers thought my mind was decayed,
                              But I got educated at Gridley High School
 
                              Good-bye, Gridley High,
                              My memories will never die.
                              I couldn't forget you if I tried,
                              So long Gridley High School
              
                              All of my friends thought I was really cool
                              With my hair slicked down and pennies in my shoes.
                              And when I made headlines in the Gridlite News,
                              I was a big hit (doo wap a doo) at Gridley High School.
 
                              When I got a little older I got married you see,
                              And my wife even fell right in love with me.
                              When a couple of kids enlarged our family,
                              We sent 'em right on to Gridley High School.
 
                                                        (chorus)
 
SPECIAL THANK YOU!
 
Special thank you goes out to Pete Meiss and Merlin Haas for providing a great deal of information and time to make this page informative and interesting!
 
Seeking Your Assistance   
 
If you would like to add, delete, or correct ANY information on this page regarding the Gridley Redskins and Gridley High School in general, please contact us via e-mail. Additional photos are also welcome. You can e-mail items to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at:
 
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il.    60631

Gridley High School
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Gridley, Illinois