Murphysboro High School Hall of Fame: Class of 2011
Virgil BoucherAthlete: Class of 1928
While in high school, Virgil Boucher participated in football. He was named All-Conference in 1927 and 1928. Upon graduation, Virgil continued his football career at Monmouth College. Virgil Boucher taught and coached at Peoria Woodruff High School from 1942-65. He won 140 games as a football coach at Media, Sparta and Woodruff, excelling in the 1950s. He led Woodruff to a 27-1-2 record from 1955-57.His 1955 team outscored opponents 285-7. He has been inducted into four Halls of Fame: Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Monmouth College Woodruff High School and The Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. |
Ben DanielAthlete: 1942-1946
Ben entered MTHS in the fall of 1942. He went out for football, and in those days there were no Freshmen games. The Freshmen practiced against the Varsity every day. The MTHS 1942 team lost only one game, and only allowed 38 points scored against them. Ben and Jack French were the only Freshmen allowed to dress with the Varsity for the Carbondale game. Ben was a starter and letter winner during the next three years. He played center on offense, and was a down lineman on defense. Ben played basketball all four years at MTHS, and he lettered three years. He was a fearsome rebounder and outstanding defender. He seldom took shots but was a real asset to the teams he played on. |
After graduation, Ben went on to Northwestern University in Evanston, IL where he played Varsity football for three years, and was a member of the Wildcats winning Rose Bowl Team, which made him the only Murphysboro player to go to the Rose Bowl.
Frank EovaldiAthlete: Class of 1925
While in high school, Frank Eovaldi participated in football, basketball, and track. Frank was a versatile football player as he played several positions: running back, punter, passer, as well as linebacker. He was named All-State in football. Frank Eovaldi continued his football career at Southern Illinois Normal University in Carbondale, IL (1927-30). Frank played fullback and kicker and received All-State recognition for helping his team win the Little NineteenConference in 1930 with a 9-0 record. During his four years at SINU, the Maroons (now known as the Salukis) were 24-9-5 . The 1930 squad scored 224 points and held opponents to just four touchdowns. Frank Eovaldi was inducted into the SIU Sports Hall of Fame in 1979. |
Elbert IsomAthlete: Class of 1923
Elbert Isom graduated from MTHS in 1923. He played football, basketball, and track. Both the 1922 and 1923 football teams were Southern Illinois Champions, with the 1922 team being undefeated. Elbert was the captain and All-Star on each of the 1921, 1922, & 1923 Red Devils Football Teams. He was also named All-County on the 1921-22, and 1922-23 Basketball Teams. In addition, he received the Gold Award his senior year, given to the Top Academic Athlete. A true Minuteman, Elbert never missed a single day of school in 12 years. After high school graduation, Elbert attended University of Illinois (Champaign, IL) and graduated in 1927. He then coached at Ogden High School for 3 years: 1927-30. |
He accepted a coaching position in the spring of 1930 in Lynden, Washington. He coached basketball for 16 years, became high school Principal and then Superintendent of Lynden Schools before retiring. In 1989 he participated in the dedication of the school named for him, Elbert Isom Elementary School. Elbert married classmate Marie Perschbacher in 1928.
Jerry KellumAthlete: 1970-1974
Jerry Kellum lettered in basketball and track while attending M.T.H.S. In basketball, he was a four year varsity starter. At the time of his graduation in 1974, he was the all-time leader for most points scored and most rebounds in Red Devil Basketball History. At this time (2011), he remains the all-time record holder for most points scored (49) in one game. Jerry led the Red Devils to a 49-6 record durning his Junior and Senior years as a player. This included two Conference Championships, Two Regional Tournament Championships, Two Sectional Finals, the Belleville East Invitational Championship, and the Taylorville Invitational Championship. |
He was selected as an All- Conference, All-Southern Illinois, and All-State player during both his Junior and Senior years of high school. Upon graduation from M.T.H.S., Jerry continued his basketball career at Three Rivers Community College (1974-75) and John A. Logan College (1975-76), and Southern Illinois University (1976-78). In 1975-76 he led John A. Logan College to a 25-4 record and the Colleges' first conference championship. He was selected to the All-Conference and All-Illinois All Star Teams. In 1976 he became a member of the S.I.U. basketball team coached by the late Paul Lambert.
Kin LavenderAthlete: Class of 1959
While in high school, Kin participated in baseball, basketball, football and track, earning 12 varsity letters. Kin was a four year starter on the Red Devil baseball team playing many different positions. He hit over .400 his senior year leading the team to the conference championship. He received a tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals in the summer of 1959. Also, when the schedule allowed for it, Kin scored numerous points for the Red Devil track team throwing the discus. Kin is the fourth leading scorer in Red Devil basketball history with 1501 career points. He scored 40 and 41 points respectively in separate games during the 1958-59 season. He received All-State recognition in basketball in 1959. |
Kin was the quarterback on the undefeated 1958-59 Red Devil football team and received All-State recognition that season. He received a football scholarship to the University of Missouri-Columbia where he was a member of respective teams that won the Orange Bowl defeating the Naval Academy and the Bluebonnet Bowl defeating Georgia Tech.
Joe MelvinClass of 1934
While in high school, Joe played football for the Red Devils. After returning from WWII, Joe was in charge of the chain gang at MTHS football games from the early 50’s through 1968. During this time when playing away games, football players would put on equipment and uniforms at the away school and then would shower after the game. In order to provide the players more room on the bus Joe would load all the players equipment duffels into the back of his truck and then would go to the away school and have the equipment unloaded when the players arrived. After the game the players equipment would again be loaded into his truck and the process repeated at MTHS. |
This was done not only for the varsity games but also the JV and freshman games. In 1965 the Egyptian Officials Association recognized Joe for his contribution to sports. Many times during this period, Joe and his trusty truck were pictured in the Crimson and Corn yearbook as an integral part of the Red Devil football experience. The MTHS football program and athletic staff recognized Joe for his contributions to Red Devil football. He was the first person awarded a gold lifetime pass to Red Devil athletic events in appreciation for his support. He was the original number one fan, Mr. Red Devil Joe Melvin.
James "Jimmie" SmithAthlete: 1934-1938
James "Jimmie" Smith participated in 3 sports while in high school. He was a Red Devil in football, basketball and baseball and lettered in all three sports. Jimmie was named All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-State during the 1937 Football Season. Smith participated in football four years at the University of Illinois; playing left halfback in 1939, right halfback in 1941 and fullback in 1942. He missed the 1940 season after hurting his knee and needing surgery in the fall. He was responsible for both touchdowns in Illinois’ 16-7 win over No. 1 Michigan in 1939, rushing for one and passing for another. While at Illinois, Jimmie played for Hall of Fame Coaches Bob Zuppke and Ray Eliot. After graduation, he played for the Iowa Seahawks and Don Faurot, another Hall of Fame coach. |