Murphysboro High School Athletic Team Hall of Fame
1930 Football Team
Front Row, L to R: Edward Crowell, Gerald Schimpf, Jack Turk, Floyd Stephenson
Row 2: Lavern Fisher, Bert Minton, George Hagler, Billy Thomas, Sherman Baker, Frank Neal, Alfred Daniels
Row 3: Asst. Coach Theodore Schoberg, Sebastian Vallo, Jack Baskin, William Held, Ray Hicks, Richard Ward, Troy Zimmer, Gordon Katzmark, Manager Harry Wilson, Head Coach John Graham
Row 4: Julian Weatherly, James Blackwood, Dean Smysor, Julian Williams, Art Heilman, William Lipe, Robert Pittman, Paul Wanstreet, Russell Hammerschmidt, Charles McCann, Charles Tonner
Row 5: Woodrow McCoskey, Harry Perry, Joe Jines, Floyd Hart, Willard Hart, John Schoenberger, Lavern Bauer, Drury Mayes, Wesley Jennings, Arthur King
(not pictured- James McCann)
Row 2: Lavern Fisher, Bert Minton, George Hagler, Billy Thomas, Sherman Baker, Frank Neal, Alfred Daniels
Row 3: Asst. Coach Theodore Schoberg, Sebastian Vallo, Jack Baskin, William Held, Ray Hicks, Richard Ward, Troy Zimmer, Gordon Katzmark, Manager Harry Wilson, Head Coach John Graham
Row 4: Julian Weatherly, James Blackwood, Dean Smysor, Julian Williams, Art Heilman, William Lipe, Robert Pittman, Paul Wanstreet, Russell Hammerschmidt, Charles McCann, Charles Tonner
Row 5: Woodrow McCoskey, Harry Perry, Joe Jines, Floyd Hart, Willard Hart, John Schoenberger, Lavern Bauer, Drury Mayes, Wesley Jennings, Arthur King
(not pictured- James McCann)
The 1930 Red Devil Football Team completed an unbeaten season (9-0) and outscored their opponents, 201-51.
Football Results 1930:
Football Results 1930:
MTHS 26 Carterville 0
MTHS 25 Elkville 13 MTHS 13 Hurst-Bush 0 |
MTHS 25 Marion 7
MTHS 19 West Frankfort 6 MTHS 13 Benton 12 |
MTHS 33 Herrin 0
MTHS 22 Carbondale 0 MTHS 25 Centralia 13 |
1946- 1947 MTHS Basketball Team
Front Row, L to R: Calvin Stearns, Mark Renzaglia, David Pugh, Ron Barger, Walt McAllister, Tom Harper
Row 2: Tom Ashman, Kent Bozarth, Dan Ward, Martin Bankhead, Rick Pautler, Dan Sullivan, Jerry Kellum, Tim Brown, Dan Calandro, John Lawson
Row 2: Tom Ashman, Kent Bozarth, Dan Ward, Martin Bankhead, Rick Pautler, Dan Sullivan, Jerry Kellum, Tim Brown, Dan Calandro, John Lawson
The 1972-73 Red Devil basketball team was the best team in Southern Illinois and ranked among the top ten teams in the state of Illinois. The team, exemplified by their unselfish, flashy and up-tempo style of play, helped unite the community of Murphysboro and won the admiration and respect of basketball fans throughout Illinois. This group of players was composed of individuals who collectively brought talent, competitive spirit, leadership and chemistry together to form a true TEAM. At the beginning of the season, the team established three goals: 1) Conference Champions (CC); 2) Top Ten in the State (TT) and, 3) Advance to the Elite Eight (EE). To serve as a reminder, the team's practice jerseys had the letters CC TT EE emblazoned across the front. Durng this time, the gymnasium at Murphysboro Township High School became known as "The Pit" and it was legendary for its home court advantage due to the fanatical support of the Murphysboro community.
The Red Devils compiled a record of twenty-six wins and three losses. In the Carbondale Holiday Tournament, they defeated Peoria Manual, Chicago St. Patrick and the number one seeded team, Decatur Eisenhower, before suffering their first loss to Collinsville. As the season progressed, they were the undefeated Southwest Egyptian Conference Champions, won the Taylorville Invitational Tournament, the Illinois Class AA (large school) Regional and Sectional Tournaments, and became MTHS' second team to advance to the "Sweet Sixteen".
Although the team fell one game short of advancing to the Elite Eight, the 1972-73 Red Devil Basketball team was a true champion in every sense of the word and left a legacy of excellence,"Murphy Pride" and TEAM to which all future Red Devil teams will aspire. They are considered by many as the "cornerstone" of the Red Devil basketball program. Simply put, they were one of the all-time great teams in the history of Murphysboro Red Devil sports. CC TT EE
The Red Devils compiled a record of twenty-six wins and three losses. In the Carbondale Holiday Tournament, they defeated Peoria Manual, Chicago St. Patrick and the number one seeded team, Decatur Eisenhower, before suffering their first loss to Collinsville. As the season progressed, they were the undefeated Southwest Egyptian Conference Champions, won the Taylorville Invitational Tournament, the Illinois Class AA (large school) Regional and Sectional Tournaments, and became MTHS' second team to advance to the "Sweet Sixteen".
Although the team fell one game short of advancing to the Elite Eight, the 1972-73 Red Devil Basketball team was a true champion in every sense of the word and left a legacy of excellence,"Murphy Pride" and TEAM to which all future Red Devil teams will aspire. They are considered by many as the "cornerstone" of the Red Devil basketball program. Simply put, they were one of the all-time great teams in the history of Murphysboro Red Devil sports. CC TT EE
1947 Red Devils Football Team
Front Row, L to R: Coach E.L. Bencini, Jim Wright, Smith, Bob Richards, Levander Robinson, Harold Thorton, Harold Williams, Bill French, Coach Steve Dozier
Row 2: Harry Summers, Gene Crawshaw, Gene Sims, Dale Harry, Charles Ruble, Frank Congiardo, John Ray, Jim Carlock, Smithy Weathers, Lohmin Keiser
Row 3: R.C. Sanders, Clarence Passmore, Bill Boucher, (Red) Weil, Ray Jacquot, Bill Williams, Don Ledbetter, Earl McIntyre, Jim Williams, Elmar Ziegler
Row 4: Homer Richards, Tom Martin, Bill Stewart, Unknown, Bud Pfieffer, Bill Bost, Bill Meyers, Joe Gilliam, Willie Mason, Howard Derossett
Row 2: Harry Summers, Gene Crawshaw, Gene Sims, Dale Harry, Charles Ruble, Frank Congiardo, John Ray, Jim Carlock, Smithy Weathers, Lohmin Keiser
Row 3: R.C. Sanders, Clarence Passmore, Bill Boucher, (Red) Weil, Ray Jacquot, Bill Williams, Don Ledbetter, Earl McIntyre, Jim Williams, Elmar Ziegler
Row 4: Homer Richards, Tom Martin, Bill Stewart, Unknown, Bud Pfieffer, Bill Bost, Bill Meyers, Joe Gilliam, Willie Mason, Howard Derossett
The 1947 Red Devils Football Team completed a perfect season (9-0) and outscored their opponents,241-0. This was the only team in the state to be undefeated, untied, and unscored on.
1949-50 Basketball Team
Front Row, L to R: Bill Sims, John Ed Worthen, Bob Jewell, Richard Copin, Bob Hardy.
Row 2: Asst. Coach Stephen Dozier, Ardrick Butler, George Wanstreet, Ted Koenigsmark, Earl Reese, Frank Borgsmiller, Head Coach E.L Bencini.
Row 3: Raymond Underwood, Richard Strothmann, Raymond Miller, Charles Bridges, Amos Gilmore.
Row 2: Asst. Coach Stephen Dozier, Ardrick Butler, George Wanstreet, Ted Koenigsmark, Earl Reese, Frank Borgsmiller, Head Coach E.L Bencini.
Row 3: Raymond Underwood, Richard Strothmann, Raymond Miller, Charles Bridges, Amos Gilmore.
The 1949-50 Red Devil basketball team was one of the best teams in the State of Illinois and were ranked as the eighth best team in the state at the end of the regular season.
This Red Devil team compiled a record of 22 wins and 5 losses. They were champions of the Coal Cities’ Tournament and were the S.W.E. Conference champion with a record of 11 wins and 1 loss.
The Red Devils defeated Carbondale, Herrin and Marion to win the regional tournament. They fell one game short of advancing to the state tournament as they lost the championship game of the sectional tournament by one point.
The 1949-50 Red Devil basketball team lost only 5 games by a combined total of 7 points. They were one of only three Red Devil basketball teams to win more than 20 games in the first 58 years of M.T.H.S. basketball.
This Red Devil team compiled a record of 22 wins and 5 losses. They were champions of the Coal Cities’ Tournament and were the S.W.E. Conference champion with a record of 11 wins and 1 loss.
The Red Devils defeated Carbondale, Herrin and Marion to win the regional tournament. They fell one game short of advancing to the state tournament as they lost the championship game of the sectional tournament by one point.
The 1949-50 Red Devil basketball team lost only 5 games by a combined total of 7 points. They were one of only three Red Devil basketball teams to win more than 20 games in the first 58 years of M.T.H.S. basketball.
1952 MTHS Football Team
Front Row, L to R: Gary Ashman, Don Harris, Don Eastman, Ron Hanson, Jim Minard, Jim Wright, Bill Wuest, Don Pelley, Bart Hammack, Benton Berry.
Row 2: Gary Roberts, Gordon Etherton, Dick Daniel, Andy Calandro, Charles Roberts, Bill Ozburn, Jim Merkley, Jack Blankinship, George Mileur.
Row 3: Jack Nelson, Bob Brantley, Dean Berger, Delbert Coleman, Raymond Batty, Bob Casleton, Phil Boren, George Gossett, Bert Ozburn, Larry Lavender, Bob Brown.
Row 4: Don Cornell, Jim Smith, Troy Elmore, Bob Ensminger, Bob Willis, Mike Taylor, Clarence Pelley, Jack Martell, Joe Genovese.
Row 5: Larry Bencini, Kenny Waldron, J. “Ridge” Weatherly, Steve Dozier, E.L. Bencini, Jim Blackwood, Bob Williford, Al Harsha.
Row 2: Gary Roberts, Gordon Etherton, Dick Daniel, Andy Calandro, Charles Roberts, Bill Ozburn, Jim Merkley, Jack Blankinship, George Mileur.
Row 3: Jack Nelson, Bob Brantley, Dean Berger, Delbert Coleman, Raymond Batty, Bob Casleton, Phil Boren, George Gossett, Bert Ozburn, Larry Lavender, Bob Brown.
Row 4: Don Cornell, Jim Smith, Troy Elmore, Bob Ensminger, Bob Willis, Mike Taylor, Clarence Pelley, Jack Martell, Joe Genovese.
Row 5: Larry Bencini, Kenny Waldron, J. “Ridge” Weatherly, Steve Dozier, E.L. Bencini, Jim Blackwood, Bob Williford, Al Harsha.
The 1952 Red Devil football team was one of five undefeated teams coached by the legendary E.L. “Doc” Bencini.
This team finished the season with a record of eight wins, no losses and one tie (8-0-1). They were crowned undefeated Conference Champions and dominated their opponents both offensively and defensively. This Red Devil team scored a total of one hundred ninety-eight points in nine games, while holding their opponents to a mere twenty points. Of the nine opponents, only two teams scored on them. These facts and statistics make the 1952 Red Devil football team one of the best to ever represent a rich Murphysboro football tradition.
This team finished the season with a record of eight wins, no losses and one tie (8-0-1). They were crowned undefeated Conference Champions and dominated their opponents both offensively and defensively. This Red Devil team scored a total of one hundred ninety-eight points in nine games, while holding their opponents to a mere twenty points. Of the nine opponents, only two teams scored on them. These facts and statistics make the 1952 Red Devil football team one of the best to ever represent a rich Murphysboro football tradition.
1953 MTHS Baseball Team
Front Row, L to R: John Marnati, Bill Imhoff, Don Davis, Bill Burgess, Charles Roberts, Don Pugh, Jim Merkley, Dan Hagler
Row 2: Gary Roberts, Mike Thomas, Bob Caselton, Ted Rose, Bart Hammack, Bill Ozburn, Coach Elmer Zeigler
Row 3: Larry Lavender, Bob Williford, Phil Boren, Red Varner, Al Harsha, Dallas Chaney
Row 2: Gary Roberts, Mike Thomas, Bob Caselton, Ted Rose, Bart Hammack, Bill Ozburn, Coach Elmer Zeigler
Row 3: Larry Lavender, Bob Williford, Phil Boren, Red Varner, Al Harsha, Dallas Chaney
The 1953 Red Devil Baseball Team was one of the greatest Murphysboro High School teams of all-time. They finished the 1953 baseball season as the best team in Southern Illinois and as one of the top 4 teams in the State of Illinois.
This Red Devil Baseball Team was the S.W.E. Conference Champion and won their 11 team IHSA District Tournament. They defeated Mt. Vernon and Marion (ending their 15 game winning streak) in the IHSA Sectional Tournament advancing to the IHSA State Tournament in Peoria. The Red Devils defeated Decatur in the quarter-final game and then lost to eventual State Champion, Proviso of Maywood, 5 to 3 in the semi-final game.
The 1953 Red Devil Baseball Team finished the season with a record of 15 wins and 3 losses. They advanced further, have the longest winning streak, and best winning percentage of any baseball team in Murphysboro High School history.
This Red Devil Baseball Team was the S.W.E. Conference Champion and won their 11 team IHSA District Tournament. They defeated Mt. Vernon and Marion (ending their 15 game winning streak) in the IHSA Sectional Tournament advancing to the IHSA State Tournament in Peoria. The Red Devils defeated Decatur in the quarter-final game and then lost to eventual State Champion, Proviso of Maywood, 5 to 3 in the semi-final game.
The 1953 Red Devil Baseball Team finished the season with a record of 15 wins and 3 losses. They advanced further, have the longest winning streak, and best winning percentage of any baseball team in Murphysboro High School history.
1958 MTHS Football Team
Front Row, L to R: Coach Bob Colborn, Coach Ed Johnson (not pictured: Coach Tim Bowers, Coach Bob Graeff)
Row 2: Leroy Jordan, Dan Bedinger, Mike O’Leary, Kin Lavender, Jim Raines, Bob Wright, Claude Wright, Larry Faughn, Bruce Davis, Eddie Fisher, Ken Stagner
Row 3: Carl Barnett, Gary Baird, Tom Porter, Jettie Taylor, John Palmer, Charles Payne, Bruce Larson, Bob Hall, Pat Etherton, Dave Bedinger
Row 4: Paul Hoffman, Gene Novara, Joe Petrazio, Jim Wuest, Ron Brust, R.A. Dobbs, Gene Thrailkill, Lawrence Little, David Lavender, Stan Greer
Row 5: Percy Passmore, Jeff Wides, Lionel Whittington, John Robinson, Mike Mills, Willard Ellis, Dan Pyron, Jim Roberts, Harry Gillmore
(not pictured: Richard Borgsmiller, Roger Green, Gene Ward,Team Managers: Dan Busch, Phil Petrazio, Toby Roberts, Nick Walker Team Statistician: Jim McDowell )
Row 2: Leroy Jordan, Dan Bedinger, Mike O’Leary, Kin Lavender, Jim Raines, Bob Wright, Claude Wright, Larry Faughn, Bruce Davis, Eddie Fisher, Ken Stagner
Row 3: Carl Barnett, Gary Baird, Tom Porter, Jettie Taylor, John Palmer, Charles Payne, Bruce Larson, Bob Hall, Pat Etherton, Dave Bedinger
Row 4: Paul Hoffman, Gene Novara, Joe Petrazio, Jim Wuest, Ron Brust, R.A. Dobbs, Gene Thrailkill, Lawrence Little, David Lavender, Stan Greer
Row 5: Percy Passmore, Jeff Wides, Lionel Whittington, John Robinson, Mike Mills, Willard Ellis, Dan Pyron, Jim Roberts, Harry Gillmore
(not pictured: Richard Borgsmiller, Roger Green, Gene Ward,Team Managers: Dan Busch, Phil Petrazio, Toby Roberts, Nick Walker Team Statistician: Jim McDowell )
The 1958 Red Devil Football Team was the first Murphysboro Team to play a 10 game schedule since the sport started at M.T.H.S. in the early 1900’s. They finished the season with an unblemished perfect record of 10 wins and 0 losses. The season ending statistics proved their dominance over all opponents. The Red Devil Team amassed a total of 318 points while limiting their opposition to only 60 points. Five of the ten opponents were held scoreless, while two others scored only 6 points.
Eight of the individuals that dressed for the 1958 Red Devil Team were recruited to play college football. Seven individuals from this team were selected to the all-conference team.
This team is unquestionably, one of the best Red Devil Teams among a rich tradition of outstanding Murphysboro football history. The team consisted of 52 individuals, including: 4 sophomores, 18 juniors, 26 seniors and 4 coaches.
Eight of the individuals that dressed for the 1958 Red Devil Team were recruited to play college football. Seven individuals from this team were selected to the all-conference team.
This team is unquestionably, one of the best Red Devil Teams among a rich tradition of outstanding Murphysboro football history. The team consisted of 52 individuals, including: 4 sophomores, 18 juniors, 26 seniors and 4 coaches.
1966 MTHS Baseball Team
Front Row, L to R: Danny Canning, Mark Bateman, Bob Boyer, Dick Raines, Steve Glodo, Ed Ripley, Ron Rees, Steve Baskin.
Row 2: Coach Bud Williams, Alan Pelzer, John Reeves, Dan Turk, Phil Graeff, Ron Reeder, Craig Voorhees, Dan Parmley, Larry Willis, Kenny Poole.
Row 3: George Huppert, Ed DeWitt, Gary Wills, Rich Voorhees, Jerry Synder, Sam Marfio, Bill Bencini, Coach Don Brewer.
(not pictured: Tom Wright, Connie Sullivan)
Row 2: Coach Bud Williams, Alan Pelzer, John Reeves, Dan Turk, Phil Graeff, Ron Reeder, Craig Voorhees, Dan Parmley, Larry Willis, Kenny Poole.
Row 3: George Huppert, Ed DeWitt, Gary Wills, Rich Voorhees, Jerry Synder, Sam Marfio, Bill Bencini, Coach Don Brewer.
(not pictured: Tom Wright, Connie Sullivan)
The 1966 Red Devil Baseball team was one of the greatest Murphysboro High School Baseball teams, finishing the 1966 season as the best team in Southern Illinois and as one of the top eight teams in the State of Illinois.
This team was experienced and senior-laden. Its strength was great pitching which was evidenced in one 10-day span, winning seven of nine games. This included beating undefeated and South Seven Champion, Carbondale, in the first game of the District tournament and then Marion to clinch the District Championship. They shut-out both Anna and Sparta to win the Regional and Sectional Championships, advancing to the IHSA State Tournament in Peoria as the smallest school in the field of eight. The Red Devils were defeated by eventual State Champion, Glenbrook North, in the quarterfinal game.
The 1966 Red Devil Baseball team finished the season with a record of 17 wins and 8 losses. Six members were named to S.W.E. All Conference team. This team held the Red Devil season wins record for the first 47 years of baseball at Murphysboro High School.
This team was experienced and senior-laden. Its strength was great pitching which was evidenced in one 10-day span, winning seven of nine games. This included beating undefeated and South Seven Champion, Carbondale, in the first game of the District tournament and then Marion to clinch the District Championship. They shut-out both Anna and Sparta to win the Regional and Sectional Championships, advancing to the IHSA State Tournament in Peoria as the smallest school in the field of eight. The Red Devils were defeated by eventual State Champion, Glenbrook North, in the quarterfinal game.
The 1966 Red Devil Baseball team finished the season with a record of 17 wins and 8 losses. Six members were named to S.W.E. All Conference team. This team held the Red Devil season wins record for the first 47 years of baseball at Murphysboro High School.
1972-73 MTHS Basketball Team
Front Row, L to R: Steve Dozier (asst. coach), Jim Metcalf, Elmus Norris, Gene Sims, John Borgsmiller, Joe Ozburn, Carroll Porter, Bill Hiller, E.L. Bencini (head coach)
Row 2: Harold Thornton (mgr.), Charley Ruble, Jack Imhoff, Jim Wright, Bill French, Harold Williams, Henry Little, Fred Cornett
Row 2: Harold Thornton (mgr.), Charley Ruble, Jack Imhoff, Jim Wright, Bill French, Harold Williams, Henry Little, Fred Cornett
The 1946-47 Murphysboro Township High School Red Devils Basketball Team will go down in school history as the first basketball team to advance to the IHSA State Tournament in Champaign. Under the leadership of Head Coach E.L. "Doc" Bencini, the 1946-47 Red Devils won the IHSA Regional Championship and the IHSA Sectional Championship, and finished the season with a record of 15 wins and 9 losses.
1982-83 MHS Girls Basketball Team
Front Row, L to R: Laura Varner, Cindy Norris, Lisa Foster, Gaye Patterson.
Row 2: Coach Mark Bullock, Tracy Frischkorn, Leigh Ann Miesner, Linda Crawford, Mary Jo Renzaglia, Terri Limbert, Assistant Coach Molly Jo McDaniel, Misty Smith, Hope Cunningham
Row 2: Coach Mark Bullock, Tracy Frischkorn, Leigh Ann Miesner, Linda Crawford, Mary Jo Renzaglia, Terri Limbert, Assistant Coach Molly Jo McDaniel, Misty Smith, Hope Cunningham
The ’83 Girls Basketball Team went undefeated in the conference and regular season games writing themselves into the record books. The team was 14-0 in the conference and 26-2 for the season. The seniors on this team compiled a record of 83 wins and 22 losses over 4 years. Their only two losses came in the Carbondale Tournament and the Super-Sectional.
They were the 1st Girls Basketball team to be Regional Champs, Sectional Champs & to play in a Super-Sectional Game. During the year they outscored their opponents 1661-1017. The ’83 Girls Basketball Team was a true Champion, demonstrating determination and true team work. They left a legacy to which future girls teams will aspire. They were one of the all-time great teams in the history of Murphysboro Red Devil Girls sports.
They were the 1st Girls Basketball team to be Regional Champs, Sectional Champs & to play in a Super-Sectional Game. During the year they outscored their opponents 1661-1017. The ’83 Girls Basketball Team was a true Champion, demonstrating determination and true team work. They left a legacy to which future girls teams will aspire. They were one of the all-time great teams in the history of Murphysboro Red Devil Girls sports.