1933-34 13 - 5
Coach J.C. Forsberg
1938-39 8 - 11
Coach Charles Bender
1939-40 7 - 12
Coach Charles Bender
1948-49 11 - 13
Coach Oliver Jochums
1960-61 12 - 11
Coach Don Dolieslager
Home Record 1939 - 57 109 wins - 53 losses Winning Percentage - .672
(Games from the 1958 - 61 yearbooks are not listed as "here" or "there")
Two Great Coaches
Coach Oliver Jochums
The first individual we would like to recognize is Coach Oliver Jochums (1941-42, 1947 - 55). There are several players
and MHS alumni of this era still residing around the Mineral area. One thing you can count on is the respect and admiration
you receive when they talk about Coach Jochums.
Jochums’ first season at M.H.S. was one of his most successful in terms of wins and losses (29 - 6). This
was accomplished with only 38 students (15 boys) in the entire High School. His "First Team" consisted of three seniors,
one junior, and one sophomore.. His reserves came from two seniors, two juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen. This
does not appear unusual until you consider that this was the TOTAL number of boys (14) in the entire high school! Well,
actually there was one other boy but he chose to serve as the team manager. Coach Jochums was forced to juggle numbers
like this throughout his eleven year stay at Mineral.
Coach Jochums’ overall record at Mineral H.S. was a highly respectable 212 wins and 106 losses - a .667 winning
percentage. Only one year did he have the luxury of having five seniors on his "first" string (1952). The 1940-41
season also boasted five seniors however only three of them were starters. The remaining nine years had no more than
4 seniors (1953,54,55) and as few as one senior (1949, 1950, and 1951) on his roster. Coach Jochums did not let the numbers
game effect his thinking or coaching ability. Coach actually seemed to thrive on the underdog roll he was hired into. In
Jochums’ first four seasons at MHS his teams had a combined record of 106 - 20, an average of 26 wins and 5 losses per
year! During these first four seasons MHS’s enrollment averaged 33 students of which 15 were boys for the entire
high school, grades 9 - 12. Overall Coach Jochums averaged 19.3 wins and 9.6 losses during his eleven year stay. The
smallest enrollment during Jochums’ stint was 25 students (1948) with the largest being 53 students (1954) (also the
largest in school history). During Coach’s eleven years at Mineral he produced five seasons of 20+ wins.
What really made Jochums a step above other coaches was his ability to prepare for the State Tournament. During
Coach’s eleven year stay at Mineral his teams appeared in eight District Championship games. Of the eight games, Mineral
won six of them. Six District Championships in eleven years! In Bureau County only Ohio and DePue can boast similar
records during that time. Coach Jochums sported an impressive post season record of 25 wins and 11 losses for a .696
winning percentage. Three of the District titles occurred in consecutive seasons from 1950 - 1952. If you
speak to coaches and players of the "District Era" you will find a consensus that winning a District Title was very similar
to winning a regional today. A District title set your team above those around you - i.e. those you competed against
throughout the season.
Coach Jochums was not one to scream and yell at his players in public. Most players remember the steely-eyed
stare given by Jochums when they made a mistake. Coach mainly sat on the bench in John Wooden like fashion, addressing the
team when he was able and point-blankly addressing the mistakes needing correction. Coach also held a review for his
players each Monday. His team would sit on the stage in the gym and Coach would go to each one individually giving them
"pointers" on how to improve.
One story of Coach’s is remembered by his sister, Eunice Montgomery, as told to her by Coach. The Leopards were
losing during Coach’s first year (1940-41) and were not playing up to their best ability. Coach was upset and entered
the locker room at halftime after the team had sat down. Coach simply placed his foot on a bench and stood there, glaring
at each player, moving from face to face. This went on for several moments without a word being said. Finally team
captain Morris Foes could no longer take it. He simply said "Let’s go out and win one for Coach". The Leopards
ran onto the court and won the game by twenty points.
Coach Jochum’s abilities were respected by his peers as well. After the Leopard’s hard fought loss to
Kewanee in the Regional Championship in 1952 Coach was given one of the highest compliments he could receive from the assistant
coach to one of the areas most well respected coaches, H.F. Brockman. Coach Landis was quoted in the Kewanee Star Courier
as saying that Mineral was the most well coached small school team they had ever played against.
When you have a small school you also have a small budget. Each faculty member had to contribute in as many ways as
possible. Coach Jochums was no different. Not only did he coach the first and second teams at the high school level,
he also coached the Grade School "Little Leopards" basketball teams. He was also coach of the school’s short lived
(three seasons) venture into football. He served as track coach (Coaching several conference and county champions) and
baseball coach during all of his eleven years at Mineral. On top of this he was a class sponsor, taught English
and History classes, and even served as one of the school’s three bus drivers.
Coach Jochums was a strict disciplinarian on and off the court. Coach had strict rules regarding diet, conditioning, and
dating. Mickie DeFauw (‘47) recalls a time when Coach took the team to his mother-in-law’s for dinner. Coach
observed Mickie and one of the other guys eating "homemade rolls". Coach did not say a word about it until they
returned to Mineral. He then took the boys into the gym to run laps so it wouldn’t stick! Other rules included
no sweets, no pop, and no dating the night before a game. Violation of these rules resulted in disciplinary action.
Palsy Rakestraw and Don Miller (‘52) recalled a time when Coach caught the team’s star player, Bill Baird (‘52),
talking to his girlfriend after school instead of shooting baskets in the gym. He suspended Bill for the next nights
game against Tampico. Coach showed his human side when he inserted Bill with three minutes left in the game and Mineral
trailing. The Leopards still lost the game but the message to Bill was clear. Coach was also very high on conditioning. Rigid
calisthenics were a part of every practice.
It is remembered by many of his students that his simply walking into a classroom brought a hush to the students without
his speaking a word. Coach also liked to be a good role model and mentor for his students. He was remembered by
Robert Studley (‘46 - ‘48) to say that "many things can be taken from you, but a good education stays with you
for life". Bob used this as inspiration for he and those close to him as encouragement to further their educations beyond
high school. Several alumni, both men and women alike, felt Mr. Jochum’s was an even better teacher than he was
a coach.
Coach’s initial stay at Mineral was interrupted in dramatic fashion. After his first two highly successful seasons
at MHS (1940-41, 41-42) coach was called upon to service for his country in World War II. According to Coach’s
sister, Eunice Montgomery of Riverside , Ca., Coach Jochums was assigned as a Military Police officer in the army and was
within hours of boarding a ship for Japan in 1946 when his orders were recalled. Coach Jochums could have easily moved
on to a bigger school with possibly better prospects of winning when his tour of duty finished however he called the superintendent
of MHS to ask about the status of his job. There was no big surprise in that Coach was told his job was waiting
for him. One alumnus, Sam Hodgett (‘54) said he would never forget the sight of Coach Jochums walking up the sidewalk
in uniform to the school in the fall of 1946. Sam was in 5th grade and this was something that sticks in his
mind to this day. It is felt by many that had Coach been able to remain at MHS for the four seasons he missed he would have
easily improved his and MHS’s winning percentages.
Though he moved on from Mineral Coach always carried a sincere fondness for the people and time he spent at Mineral. Coach
Jochums was a humble man and always talked about the great kids he had to work with at Mineral. He did not want the limelight
on himself. He made a few treks back to Mineral from his home in Kalamazoo, Mi. Coach’s fondness was
sincere when he said wished there were a two class system in Illinois when he was coaching at MHS. He really believed
his teams could have advanced through several rounds.
Coach Oliver Jochums Highlights:
* MHS record under Coach Jochums between 1939 - 61 – 212 wins - 106 losses (.667 win %)
MHS record under other Coaches between 1939 - 61 – 118 wins - 146 losses (.484 win %)
MHS record w/out Jochums and Dolieslager 1939 -61 – 77 wins - 113 losses (.427 win %)
* MHS post season with Coach Jochums 1939 - 1961 – 25 wins - 11 losses (.696 win %)
MHS post season without Coach Jochums 1939 - 61 – 6 wins - 10 losses (.375 win %)
MHS post season w/out Jochums and Dolieslager ‘39 - 61 - 3 wins - 7 losses (.300 win %)
* Coach Jochums had five basketball seasons of 20+ games won in his 11 year career at MHS.
* Coach Jochums’ six District titles places him among the top small school coaches in the Quad Cities
area during that time period (1941 - 55).
* Coach Jochums’ teams won five conference titles in basketball in his 11 year stay.
* Coach Jochums’ 212 wins at MHS place him among the top 200 coaches in Illinois High School history
for number of victories at one school.
* Coach Jochums average basketball season record at MHS was 19 wins and 9 losses.
* Coach Jochums won at least two track & field conference titles during his 11 year stay.
* Coach Jochums was 12-0 in baseball with one conference title (as far as can be researched).
Another Excellent Coach
Coach Donald Dolieslager was also an excellent coach for Mineral High School Coach Dolieslager arrived at MHS
with the basketball program in turmoil. During the previous three years, all post Jochums teams, the combined record
for MHS was a dismal 12 - 56. Mineral had not had a winning season in the five seasons leading up to Dolieslager’s
arrival. Coach Dolieslager had an immediate impact on MHS’s fortunes. In his initial campaign (1958 - 59)
Coach brought the Leopards back to respectability with a 15 - 11 record.
Most importantly Coach Dolieslager was an excellent fit for the community of Mineral. The previous three coaches all
had tried different approaches to attain success. The coach previous to Dolieslager, Don Deterding, in fact came with
impressive credentials. Deterding played his high school basketball at Collinsville and was named to the second team
all-state squad. After a successful career in college Deterding landed his first job at Mineral. Though extremely
knowledgeable, Coach Deterding lacked the patience needed at a small school to teach and succeed. This set the stage
for the arrival of Coach Dolieslager.
It was said by more than one of his former players that they would "have run through a brick wall for Dolieslager". Coach
brought an excellent combination of knowledge and patience to the Leopards and his ability was rewarded immediately. Coach’s
knack for gaining his player’s respect and making them believe in themselves resulted in a winning season for the first
time in six years. This was also the Leopards last year in the Two Rivers Conference. The team finished with a respectable
6 - 6 conference record including wins over Prophetstown and Riverdale. They also won the Conference’s Tournament
Consolation Championship. Dolieslager brought the Leopards their first post season win in six years, too.
His second season was his most successful one at MHS. The 1959 - 60 Leopards also went 15 - 11 but more importantly
won their first conference title in seven years. Now in the Little Six Conference Mineral went 4 - 1 for the regular
season championship. Coach’s team also placed third in the Tampico holiday tournament. This team returned
to near post-season glory by finishing second in the District tournament to Annawan. Coach showed he was developing a
program at Mineral as his fresh-soph team finished the season at 15 - 5 with four of their losses by less than six points.
Coach Dolieslager’s final year at Mineral was also MHS’s final year of existence. The Leopards went out
on a winning note, finishing with a 12 - 11 record. The most impressive win of the season was a victory over Bureau Township
HS. Coached by the legendary Chips Giovanni (who happened to be a good friend of Dolieslager) Bureau entered the Mineral
HS gym with a 42 game regular season winning streak. Mineral used its home court to its advantage in soundly defeating
Bureau 54 - 38. The win was costly for coach though as he had to "spring" for a chicken dinner for his team to make good
on a pre-game promise. The fresh-soph Leopards finished the season at 11- 7. Coach Dolieslager’s three year record
at MHS was a very respectable 42 - 33. Most importantly he brought the Leopard basketball program back to the respect
and dignity it deserved. Judging by his F/S records at MHS the program was in good shape all the way to the end. Coach
Dolieslager stated that his three years at MHS were the most enjoyable in his career as a coach.
The Great Teams
1940-41
The 1940 - 41 Leopards had a record of 29 wins and 6 losses. The team placed second in the Bureau County
tournament losing to a highly favored Spring Valley Hall Township team by 12 in the championship game. The
team was led by seniors Morris Foes, Chuck Hasbrook, Frank Foes, Harold "Peewee" Jenkins, and Howard Notschaele . Along
with the five seniors were juniors Herb Gingrich, Herb Pierson, sophomore Russell Buysse, and freshman Don Rodgers. This
was Coach Jochum’s first year at Mineral. The Leopards were crowned champions of the Little Four Conference. Winning
the District Championship and advancing into the Regional, the Leopards made it to the second round before losing to Geneseo
High School by 12 points. Geneseo’s enrollment was over 400 students with Mineral’s holding at 39. For
this game one of the Leopards team leaders and excellent junior guard Herbert Gingrich was ill and unable to play. With
a total of 15 boys in the entire high school what this team accomplished was truly incredible and was so recognized by local
newspapers.
Coach : Oliver Jochums
Team Members: Russell Buysse, Francis Foes, Morris Foes, Herbert Gingrich, Vernon Hansen, Charlie
Hasbrook, Harold Jenkins, Howard Notschaele, Herb Pierson, Don Rodgers, Dean Studley,
Cheerleaders: Eileen Tunney, Arvilla Rakestraw
1941-42
Coach Jochum’s second year was even more remarkable. The 1941 - 42 Leopard’s ended their season with
an incredible 30 wins and 5 losses. After opening the season with 16 sraight victories this team won a District
championship but fell to Galva in the first round of the regional. It was reported in the newspaper that their star player,
Herbert Gingrich, had sprained his ankle the night before in the District Championship game and was only playing at about
half his capabilities. This team finished second in what was described as the biggest holiday tournament in northern
Illinois (16 teams), the Geneseo Christmas tournament. Mineral lost to Geneseo HS by three points in the championship game
in what was referred to as "a real David versus Goliath game". Several newspapers picked up on the Leopards successful
back to back seasons under Coach Jochums. This team was described by one newspaper as one of the most talked about District
teams in the state and possibly one of the most intriguing sports stories in the entire mid-west. One article pointed
to Mineral’s enrollment of 39 students which included 15 boys. Of the 15 boys in the school 14 played basketball
and the 15th was the team manager. The remainder of the student body (24 girls) served as the cheering section. The
regular season included wins over Blackhawk Conference champions Galva and Little Eight Champs Sheffield. Losses included
close contests to Geneseo, Eureka, and St. Bede, all considered top teams in their areas.
Coach: Oliver Jochums
Team Members: Harry Baird, Russell Buysse, John Christian, Byrl Clark, Herb Gingrich, Chet Goossens, Vern
Hansen, Herb Pierson, Don Rodgers, Dean Studley
Cheerleaders: Arvilla Rakestraw, Kathryn Clark
1946-47
The overall record for this group was 28 wins and 4 losses. The "boys" from this team were District Champions
and lost in the second round of the Kewanee Regional. What is most incredible about these accomplishments is the fact
that the entire high school enrollment (9th - 12th grades) was only 29 students. The number of boys in the
school again totaled 15! This team was champion if the Little Four Conference.
The best offensive player on this team was Robert Studley, a sophomore. The team’s three seniors, Wayne Studley,
Donald Moore and Mitch DeFauw greatly contributed to the team. Juniors Wayne Prokup and Dale Gingrich, sophomores Dick
Fellows, Gene Tunney and Marshall Lyons along with freshman Richard Nielson completed the roster. This team proved what
a great asset Coach Jochums was to Mineral High School. Coach’s team seemed to pick up right where he left off
in 1942. This was Jochums’ as well as MHS’ best season as far as winning percentage.
1949-50, 1950-51
The teams from the 1949-50, 1950-51 seasons also claimed District Championship titles. The 1949-50 team
was led by lone senior Richard Nielson, junior Benny Morey, and sophomores Bill Baird, Robert Rakestraw, and Duane Rakestraw. The
team sported a record of 16 wins and 13 losses with 7 of the losses by less than 10 points.
The 1950-51 team was led by lone senior Benny Morey. Juniors Bill Baird (leading scorer), Don Miller, Robert
and Duane Rakestraw, and Irvin Flint were keys to a good season. The season record was 17 wins and 11 losses. This
team advanced to the second round of the regional.
1951 - 52
The 1951-52 team is considered by many as the most successful team as far as the state tournament is concerned in MHS’s
history. The 1951-52 Leopards ended their season with 26 wins and 5 losses. The team was led by five senior starters. Bill
Baird was in his fourth year as a starter and led the team with 462 total points. His classmates included Duane "Palsy"
Rakestraw, Robert Rakestraw, Don Miller, and Irvin Flint. Also contributing greatly was juniors Ron Childs, Ron Jensen,
and sophomore Eldon Hodgett. This team was champions of the regular season Two Rivers Conference (Prophetstown, Hillsdale,
Cordova, Annawan, Erie, Tampico, Lyndon, Port Byron, and Atkinson were listed as conference games). They advanced to
the championship of the Kewanee Regional where they faced an excellent Kewanee H.S. team that featured Em Lindbeck and Bob
Prusator. Mineral’s enrollment that year was 50 total students with 27 boys. I would guess that Kewanee was
in the enrollment range of well over 700 students.
The team could be overlooked due to this being the same year that Hebron won the State Championship and DePue was ranked
14th. However this should not detract from their excellent accomplishments. The only seniors alive today
are Palsy Rakestraw and Don Miller. They still reside in the Mineral area.
More Great Teams
Three other teams during this period also had excellent records and accomplishments however did not win District Championship
titles. They did compete in the District Championship game though.
1943 - 44
The ‘43-‘44 Leopards finished the season with a record of 13 - 10. Though the record itself was not overly
impressive, the team did place second in the District tournament. The most interesting game of the season came in the
semi-final of the District tournament. Poly Hagerman canned a last second (literally) half court shot to beat Sheffield
and advance to the final. This was later described by one radio sportscaster as one of the most exciting games he had
ever seen.
1947 - 48
This team followed the 28 - 4 team of 1946 - 47. This team ended its season at 19 wins and only 5 losses.
They made it to the District Championship game before losing to Atkinson. This team’s winning percentage was among
the best of the 21 seasons covered.
1952 - 53
Mineral’s last twenty game winner had a record of 20 wins and 8 losses. This group had the tough task
of following the class of ‘52 and their three straight District titles. They nearly made it a fourth straight but
lost in the District Championship game. Most impressive was the first and only Two Rivers Conference Tournament Championship
they won for MHS.
1959 - 60
After a streak of five straight losing seasons Mineral fans were glad to return to the winning ranks during the 1958 -
59 season under Coach Don Dolieslager. Dolieslager’s second team was even more successful. The 1959 - 60 Leopards
ended their season with a record of 15 wins and 11 losses. Most impressively this team was crowned champions of the
Little Six Conference. They also continued their success in the post season reaching MHS’s first District Championship
game since the 1953 season. The team was led by first team all-conference selection Oris Miller and second team selection
Roger Lorenson.
Other Teams of the Era
1942 - 43
The "what could have been" team of the era. I know it has been stated previously but it can never be overstated,
this was the first year after Coach Jochums went into the armed services. The year before this the Leopards compiled
an incredible 30 - 5 record. This team’s record was 13-3. Jochums must have been real excited about the
prospects of this team. It returned three starters from the previous year. Two of the starters were the second and
third leading scorers from the ‘42 team. This team I am certain was headed for greatness. After Jochums left
however the program failed to schedule the appropriate number of games to do it justice. One player I talked to
stated the team basically coached itself. There was also the issue of gas rationing which greatly hampered the team’s
number of games.
1944 - 45
With only one senior boy and two junior boys in the entire school this would have been a difficult year no matter who the
coach was. Finishing the year at 8 - 10 was actually a very good accomplishment. Some of the underclassmen gained
invaluable experience which would prove important in the next three years. This was also the year that the junior high
Leopards won the Bureau County Tournament. Great things were on the way.
1945 - 46
This team finished its season at 16 - 11. One interesting fact about this team is that the only two senior boys in
the school who were also on the team, Orville Croegart and Jack Jenkins, left with five games remaining in the season to join
the Navy. The juniors on this squad would turn in one of the best seasons the next year when Coach Jochums returned.
1948 - 49
Finishing the season at 11 - 13 was not bad considering the handicap this team faced at the beginning of the season. The
previous two year’s top scorer, Robert Studley, was forced to leave school when his family moved to a farm in the Wyanet
school district. Robert would have been the difference of several wins. Luckily the class of ‘52 were freshmen
this year. The team also featured junior Richard Nielsen and sophomore Ben Morey. This turned out to be an invaluable
year of experience that led to three straight District titles beginning the next season.
1953 - 54
This was a year of Murphy’s Law. It is believed this class only lost one game in grammar school and were champions
of the Two Rivers Conference. However two key players left the school in their freshman and sophomore years. The
teams tallest player and starter the previous year, Clarence Flint, was stricken with appendicitis. This forced him to
miss a great deal of the season. The team was very competitive which was not revealed in their overall record of 6 -
20. They lost 9 games by less than 7 points.
1954 - 55
Jochum’s last season at Mineral produced a record of 10 - 16. The players may have lacked the experience on
the varsity level due to the great success and number of players that played the previous four years. This was also a
time when Mineral’s enrollment starting catching up to them. Being so successful for so many years against schools
5 - 10 times bigger than you will eventually take its toll. This may have been the case this year.
1955 - 56
The post-Jochums era began on a down note. This team’s record was an indication that a good coach can make a
big difference. Posting a record of 5 - 19 was what it was. The players were not as bad as the record indicated,
Coach Jay simply didn’t have the ability to motivate and instruct the way Coach Jochums did.
1956 - 57
Mineral’s only winless season at 0-20. The most interesting fact about this team is that they could score very
well. In fact seven players finished with more than 100 points scored, this was also a first at MHS.
1957 - 58
The stage began to be set for brighter days ahead for the Leopards and their fans. The record was 7 - 17 but the games
were back to being competitive nearly every time out. The third new coach in as many seasons came with great credentials. Coach
Don Deterding had a great high school career at Collinsville and a great college career. He also played semi-pro basketball
for New Bedford during his stay at Mineral. Though very knowledgeable he seemed to lack the patience for teaching kids
who were lacking skills or athleticism. He did bring back respectability to the program.
1958 - 59
This team marked the return of respectability to the Mineral Leopard program. Coming off of five straight losing seasons,
Coach Dolieslager’s boys finished the season with a record of 15 - 11. They played one memorable game against a
state ranked Erie team at the MHS gym. The Leopards held the lead late into the game before losing to a late Erie bucket. Focusing
on true team work they did not possess great overall height, however they made up for it with excellent athleticism. Coach
Dolieslager was a perfect fit for the small town and small enrollment at Mineral. He began working with the underclassmen
and began building the program back up. This was also the final year in the Two Rivers Conference, allowing Mineral to
move to the Little Six to compete against schools more of its size.
1960 - 61
The final year of Mineral High School ended on a very high note. The Leopards finished the year at 12 - 11. Their
best accomplishment was beating the Bureau Township team coached by Chips Giovanni. Bureau entered the Leopard gym with
a 42 game regular season win streak. They left needing to start a new streak. It must have been an empty feeling
for the players knowing each time they wore the green and white brought them closer to the end of history. The freshman/sophomore
team ended the season at 11 - 7 showing the Leopards cupboard was not bare all the way to the end.
