Georgetown High School "Buffaloes"

The History of Georgetown High School

Georgetown (population 3,628) is located in far eastern Illinois. Georgetown sits along U.S. Route 150 about 10 miles south of Danville and about 5 miles west of the Indiana/Illinois border. This places Georgetown in the southeastern portionof Vermillion County. The Little Vermillion River flows through town. The Conrail Railroad also lays its tracks through Georgetown. The town was first settled in 1827 but was not incorporated until 1873. The town was named after its founder's, James Haworth, son George. Between the years of 1890 and 1920 the town grew from 600 residents to 4,000 residents. More can be read about the history of Georgetown at the town's website, www.georgetownil.com .

The history of the school system in Georgetown is in need of research. It is quite probable that the high school was set in place in the late 1800s. The high school served the community on a solo bases for about 100 years. It was in the mid-1980s that the communities of Georgetown and Ridge Farm began consolidation talks. The effort became a reality in the summer of 1986 with the creation of the Georgetown-Ridge Farm School system.

The High School for the new district is located in Georgetown. A photo of the original Georgetown High School is being sought. When the two schools merged the Buffalo name was kept with the colors reverting to the Ridge Farm school colors (purple & gold)...a great compromise.

Georgetown High School Quick Facts

Year opened: late 1800s

Year closed: 1986

School consolidated to: Georgetown-Ridge Farm High School

School nickname: the "Buffaloes"

School colors: Purple &White

School Fight Song: "We're Loyal to You, GHS"

(Sung to the Univ. of Illinois Fight Song Tune - Click "play" below and sing along)

Submitted by former cheerleader Marilyn Haworth Cummings (1945-46)

We're loyal to you GHS

We're purple and white GHS

We'll back you to stand

'Gainst the best in the land

For we know you have sand GHS

Rah - Rah

So kick out that ball GHS

We're backing you all GHS

Our team is our fame protector

On boys for we expect a

Victory from you GHS

Rah - Rah!!!

Athletics

The Georgetown Buffaloes had many great seasons of success on the boys and girls levels. Both sides were offered track and basketball, while the boys also competed in football and baseball and the girls added volleyball and softball. Both competed in cross-country as well. Conference affiliation and school fight song are being sought.

Boys Basketball

The Georgetwon High School Buffaloes had some great seasons. The problem is only one of those seasons has the team record and coach's name available. The 1954-55 boys had a great run into the State Tournament. The team finished in the Sweet 16 before losing to a much larger Elgin squad in the Sweet 16 game. The team was led by Coach Clovis "Toby" Scott. The team ws also winners of the county tournament and finished with a record of 22 - 9. Georgetown teams won a Districtg Title and three other Regionals as well. These seasons are listed below.

1933-34 District Champions

1954-55 22 - 9 Sweet 16 Finalists Coach Clovis "Toby" Scott

Regional Champs

Sectional Champs

Lost to Elgin 63 - 40 in Sweet 16 game

1956-57 Regional Champions

1978-79 Regional Champions

1979-80 Regional Champions

Girls Basketball

The Lady Buffaloes also brought home a Regional Championship. This was accomplished in 1977. Again the coach's names and team records are not available.

1976-77 Regional Champions

Football

The Buffaloes had some great football seasons to go along with their success in many other sports. Two undefeated seasons hi-lighted the Georgetown grid iron exploits. Thanks to Tom Sikorski for finding the better records listed below.

1952 6-1 Coach Ike Burch

1953 5-2-1 Coach Bob Young

1954 6-1-1 Coach Bob Young

1956 5-2-1

1958 4-3-1 Coach Winston Bledsoe

1964 9-0 Undefeated Season Coach Verlon Myers

1965 5-2-1 Coach Richard Powell

1967 9-0 Undefeated Season Coach Richard Powell

1969 3-3-3 (Yes 3 ties!) Coach Richard Powell

1971 6-3 Coach Richard Powell

1972 6-3 Coach Richard Powell

1974 7-2 First year in Wauseca Conference Coach John Sammons

1975 7-2 Coach John Sammons

1977 5-4 Coach John Sammons

1978 5-4 Coach Joe Hall

1982 7-2 Coach Steve Sliva

1983 6-3 Coach Steve Sliva

Georgetown last independently fielded a football team in 1985.

Boys Track & Field

The mid 1910s held some great success for the Buffalo thinclads. The team seemed to have a place winner each year at the State Meet. Their accomplishments brought the team a top ten finish at the "B" meet in 1916 and 1919! This great run is listed below.

1910-11 Individual Medalist

Relay Team 880 Yard Relay 3RD Place

1911-12 Individual Medalist

?? Hayworth Pole Vault STATE CHAMPION!!

1913-14B Individual Medalist

?? Hayworth Pole Vault STATE CHAMPION!!

1914-15B Individual Medalist

?? Manley 880 Yard Run 3RD Place

1915-16B Team Finished SIXTH at STATE MEET Competition!!

Individual Medalists

?? Gustafson 880 Yard Run STATE CHAMPION!!

?? Hayworth Pole Vault 4TH Place

?? Richards 220 Yard Hurdles 4TH Place

Relay Team 880 Yard Relay 4TH Place

Final Team Standings

1.) Harrisburg HS 20

2.) Jacksonville HS 13

3.) Oregon HS 10

3.) Pawnee HS 10

3.) Mazon HS 10

6.) GEORGETOWN HIGH SCHOOL 9

7.) Byron HS 8

7.) Manteno HS 8

7.) Aurora West HS 8

7.) Normal University HS 8

1918-19B Team Finished SECOND in STATE MEET Competition!!

Individual Medalists

?? Smith 220 Yard Dash STATE CHAMPION!!

100 Yard Dash 4TH Place

?? Macklin 440 Yard Dash 2ND Place

?? Bratton 1 Mile Run 3RD Place

Relay Team 880 Yard Relay STATE CHAMPION!!

Final Team Standings

1.) Chicago University HS 19

2.) GEORGETOWN HIGH SCHOOL 16

3.) Lockport HS 15

4.) Atwood HS 12

5.) Edwardsville HS 10

5.) Altona HS 10

7.) Auburn HS 9

8.) Elmwood HS 8

9.) El Paso HS 7

9.) Olney HS 7

9.) Delavan HS 7

1919-20B Individual Medalist

?? Macklin 440 Yard Dash 3RD Place

1947-48 Individual Medalist

Kenneth Pearson 1 Mile Run 4TH Place

1949-50 Team Won District Championship

1978-79 Individual Medalist

Cordell Sloan 440 Yard Dash 7TH Place

Girls Track & Field

The Lady Buffaloes won a Sectional Title in their last year as a solo school. One athlete from that team also placed at the State Meet!

1985-86 Team Won Sectional Championship

Individual Medalist

Nacolia Moore Long Jump 2ND Place

Boys Cross Country

The Buffalo harriers won the opportunity to compete at the State Meet on four different occassions. Coach Tom Kulbartz had a great tenure at GHS.

1978-79 Team Qualified for State Meet Coach Tom Kulbartz

1979-80 Team Qualified for State Meet Coach Tom Kulbartz

1980-81 Team Qualified for State Meet Coach Tom Kulbartz

Individual Medalist

David Behm Placed 18th at State Meet

1981-82 Individual Medalist

David Behm Placed 7th at State Meet

1985-86 Team Qualified for State Meet Coach Tom Kulbartz

Individual Medalist

Joey Fender Placed 25th at State Meet

Girls Volleyball

The Lady Buffaloes won two District Titles, both in the early 1980s. Unfortunately the team records and coach's names of these and other good Buffalo teams are not available.

1980-81 District Champions

1981-82 District Champions

Boys Wrestling

Coach Joe Cliffe led the Buffalo grapplers on a real nice group of seasons from 1979 through 1982. The 1974-75 team, however, faired the best of all Georgetown wrestling teams. This team finished fourth at the State Finals!

1974-75 Team Finished FOURTH at STATE FINALS!!

Individual Medalists

Randy Reynolds 185 Lbs. Weight Class STATE CHAMPION!!

Brian Rhoden 138 Lbs. Weight Class STATE CHAMPION!!

Final Team Standings

1.) Savanna HS 51.5

2.) Normal University HS 44.5

3.) Maple Park Kaneland HS 26.5

4.) GEORGETOWN HIGH SCHOOL 26

5.) Yorkville HS 25.5

6.) Stillman Valley HS 24

7.) Port Byron Riverdale HS 14.5

8.) Fulton HS 12.5

9.) Kankakee Bishop McNamara HS 11

10.) Mahomet,Sterling Newman, Chicago Christian, and Tolono Unity

all tired with 10 points.

1975-76 Individual Medalist

Randy Reynolds 185 Lbs.Weight Class 2ND Place

1978-79 13 - 6 Coach Joe Cliffe

1979-80 13 - 5 Coach Joe Cliffe

1980-81 13 - 2 Coach Joe Cliffe

1981-82 8 - 10 - 1 Coach Joe Cliffe

Coach Cliffe 47 - 23 - 1 in this four year span - a .669 winning % !!

Chess Team

Georgetown was a well-rounded school. The Chess Team of 1976-77 proved that with a second place finish in the IHSA Class 'A' Chess tournament!

1976-77 Team Finished SECOND at STATE CHESS Tournament!!

Harvard HS finished in first place.

Drama Team

The Drama Team had some great success as well. Three individuals won medals and the team of 1943-44 won their Sectional and qualified for the State Competition.

1940-41 Individual Medalist

Joe Hill Original Oratory 3RD Place

1941-42 Individual Medalist

Jo Anne Lewis Comedy 4TH Place

1942-43 Individual Medalist

Paul Liddell Oratory Declamation 5TH Place

1943-44 Team Qualified for State Competition

Sectional Champions

Seeking More Information

Forward any further information regarding Georgetown High School, especially a photo of the old high school building, to us via e-mail at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net. You can also write to us via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631