Athletics
Though no evidence of IHSA hardware being won by a team was found, the Colfax Tigers were known in the area as a
tough group to play against in any athletic venue. The boys competed in football, basketball (remember, no home games
after 1947), track, and possibly baseball. One male athlete, Tom Tipton, won a medal at the state
track meet.
The Tigers competed in the Tri-Valley Conference with fellow conference members Anchor, Arrowsmith, Bellflower,
Cooksville, Cropsey, Downs, Ellsworth, Saybrook,
and Towanda....schools that are also featured on this website. If you have any information
about the athletic successes attained by the Tigers, please e-mail us at eganann@sbcglobal.net.
| Colfax High School Tigers |
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| Football Team of 1946-47 |
Football
The school at Colfax had a small enrollment, making it difficult to compete in regulation 11-man football. The late
1940's saw the inception of six-man football in Illinois. Only a few teams took up this sport and the Colfax High School
Tigers were one of them. They often traveled far to play their games, including trips to Tolono (whose program was very
successful).
That is, until they played their rivals Lexington. When the game was played in Lexington, the Colfax boys played
11-man football. But when the game was hosted by Colfax at its home field in Cooksville, the game reverted to 6-man football. Some
great pictures of the Colfax Tigers and history of their teams can be found at www.ridgeviewfootball.us, a site maintained by current Colfax Ridgeview Head Football Coach Mike Benton.
| Colfax HS Tigers Basketball 1930-31 |
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Basketball
As stated in the history portion of this page, Colfax High School's gymnasium was destroyed by fire in
1948. The basketball games from then on were played on the road, even the home games were held in a nearby town. In 1920
and 1921, the Tigers won the Junior Division of the McLean County Tournament. We are looking for more information on the basketball
successes of Colfax High.
1919-20 McLean Co. Jr. Division Tourney Champs (coach unknown)
1920-21 McLean Co. Jr. Division Tourney Champs (coach unknown)
Track & Field
The Colfax Tiger tracksters had some great seasons as well Below is a photo of the thinclads of 1910-11 who
won the McLean County track & field championship!! Also pictured is Tom Tipton (on the right) who won CHS's only
medal at the IHSA State Meet.
Members of the Colfax Track team of 1910-11 pictured below to the left included:
Back Row-L-R-Joe Brown, Quincy McLellan, Edmund "Curly" Small, Coach Smith, Alvie Decker, Dave Murphy, Leroy Withers
Front
Row-L-R-Dick Henderson, Bryce Knight, Scott Gamien, Guy Hamilton, Charles Hamilton
| Tom Tipton - CHS Track Star |
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| Colfax HS Track & Field Team 1910-11 |
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| McLean County Champions |
The year was 1932, when the IHSA Track Meet was a "one class" affair, that Tom Tipton made the Colfax
folks proud. Tipton ran the grueling 880 yard run in a time of 2:01.7, good enough for 3rd place in the entire
state!
1931-32 Tom Tipton 880 Yard Run
3RD Place
Music
The students of Colfax High School were offered a wide variety of activities to help round out their education. Glee Club,
choir, band, and many other extra-curricular activities were available so that all kids could be a part of the great
school spirit of CHS.
| Colfax High School Glee Club 1930-31 |
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Need Your Assistance
If you have any information to add to this page please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us at:
Illinois HS Glory Days
6439 N. Neva St.
Chicago, Il. 60631
| Colfax High School |
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| Built in 1904 |
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