Class of 2010

Hall of Fame: Class of 2010

Tom Ashman

Athlete: 1957-1961
Tom Ashman participated in 3 sports while in high school. He lettered 2 years in football, 2 years in basketball, and all 4 years in track & ﬁeld. Tom was the conference champion all 4 years in the high jump and placed 4th in the State Championship his senior year. Tom Ashman attended Millikin University and was a varsity starter in basketball both freshman and sophomore years. He then transferred to SIU-C. As captain of the track & field team he became an NCAA All-American in the high jump in 1966.
Coach: 1970-1979 Tom Ashman coached the Red Devils boys basketball team for 9 seasons.

During his tenure the Red Devils won: 152 games, 2 Invitational Championships, 3 Conference Championships, 4 Regional Championships, and 1 Sectional Championship! As JALC winningest men’s basketball coach, he guided the Vols for 15 seasons (1980-1995), compiling a record of 295-183. His 1989-90 squad won 29 games, setting the school record for wins in a season.

Tim Bowers

Athlete: 1947-1951
Tim Bowers participated in football & track while in high school. Upon graduation, Mr. Bowers attended SIU-C and participated in football
for all 4 years. Teacher:1958-1967 Taught Physical Education, Health, Driver Education, Government, and served as Guidance Counselor. Coach: 1959-1968
First Red Devils wrestling coach (9 seasons). Also coached football, track, and baseball. Administrator:1968-1989 Athletic Director (1964-1967) Assistant Principal at Carruthers Jr. HS (1968) Assistant Principal at Murphysboro Township HS (1969) Principal at Murphysboro Township HS (1970-1985) Assistant Superintendent (1985-1989) Board of Education:1995-2005 CUSD #186 Board Member

E.L. "Doc" Bencini

Basketball Coach: 1938-1954
“Doc” Bencini coached the Red Devils boys basketball team for 16 seasons. During his tenure the Red Devils won: 177 games, 4 Regional Championships, 1 Sectional Championship, the 1946-47 team qualified for the IHSA State Tournament. Football Coach: 1942-1944, 1945-1954 During his 12 years as head football coach of the Red Devils, his teams went undefeated four seasons and compiled a record of 84-11-9. His 1947 MTHS football team was the only team in the state to be undefeated, untied,and unscored upon! "Doc" Bencini was inducted to the Illinois Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1977 & the Monmouth College Hall of Fame.

Gene Ebersohl

Athlete: 1947-1951
Illinois High School Associaton State Champion in Half-Mile in 1951, Gene Ebersohl had a very unique high school athletic career. He participated in track & field only his senior year. He was a successful sprinter in the 100 and 220 yard dashes. Late in the track season he injured his leg. At the request of his coach, Steve Dozier, he switched to running the Half-Mile. Gene only ran the Half-Mile competitvely 3 times. The 3rd and last time is pictured here for the IHSA State Championship!

Lisa Foster

Athlete: 1981-1985
Lisa Foster lettered in 3 sports, all 4 years, while in high school. Softball (3 years All-Conference, 2 MVP Awards), Basketball (3 years All-Conference, 2 years All-South,2 MVP Awards), & Volleyball (MVP Award). Upon Graduation, Lisa Foster continued her athletic career at John A. Logan College in Carterville, IL (1985-87). She was named to the Women’s Basketball All-American Team in 1987. Lisa was inducted into the JALC Hall of Fame, 1991. Lisa continued her athletic career at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO (1987-89). She competed in both basketball and softball. She was 1st Team All-American in softball and All-Conference in both basketball and softball (1989). Lisa was inducted into the SEMO Hall of Fame (2007).

Joe Ozburn

Athlete: 1943-1947
Joe Ozburn participated in 3 sports while in high school. He lettered 4 years in basketball, 3 years in football, and 2 years in track. Joe was the captain of the 1946 undefeated football team and was selected to the Pat Harmon All-State Football Team. He was captain of the 1945-46 and 1946-47 basketball team. The 1946-47 basketball team was the first Murphysboro team to win a Regional and Sectional Tournament and advanced to the final 16-team State Tournament in Champaign. Joe received Honorable Mention on the All-State Basketball Team. Joe Ozburn accepted a scholarship to attend Louisiana State University where he earned 3 varsity letters playing basketball.

John Weatherly

Athlete: 1925-1929
John Weatherly participated in football, basketball, and track & field while in high school. He culminated his fine high school athletic career by winning the Illinois State Championship 50 yard dash in 1929. Upon graduation, John attended Monmouth College and earned 3 varsity letters in track. He set the Monmouth College triple jump record (47’ 7-3/4”) in the 1931 Drake Relays. That record stood until 2006, making the 75 year record the longest held in Monmouth College history. He won 4 individual and a total of 5 Midwest Conference championships in track (1931-1932). John was an AAU national medalist and was named as an alternate member of the 1932 United States Olympic team. John Weatherly was inducted into the M-Club Hall of Fame at Monmouth College in 1984.