Gym Dandy

Let’s take a trip down memory lane. Do you remember playing in small school gyms filled with nostalgia, artwork, and a small cracker box feel? It seems as though we are losing those classic nostalgic gymnasiums that high school basketball teams call home across the state.

Personally, I remember traveling to small town gyms playing round ball in such locales as Neponset, Wyanet, Buda, New Bedford, Ohio, Lamoille, Malden, Ladd, and the list goes on. Some of these gyms occasionally host basketball contests, but like many defunct high schools, the gyms remain empty, with just memories of days gone by keeping them company.

I’ve noticed over the past few years, the many co-ops and consolidations eating up our favorite historical gyms. Many due to a small school getting eaten up by their large school neighbor, and former nemesis, while others become outdated the schools build anew.

While in Avon last night, it conjured up many gyms that have been forgotten in my mind. The high school of just 90 kids has such a retro feel. My broadcast was set behind the scorers table on what is the stage. The benches sit on the main playing floor, while the official scorers table sits above the floor on the stage. A unique gym that many have forgotten.

In recent years, I have broadcasted final games at the old “Farmerdome”, former home of the Farmington Farmers. A very unique gym in which the band plays overlooking the playing floor in the balcony. Cuba High School recently rebuilt as Farmington just did. I was fortunate to broadcast the final varsity boy’s basketball contest at the Cuba Cardinal Crackerbox.

For the vintage enthusiasts who would like to reminisce about these old gyms from deactivated high schools, many pictures abound at a website I am also associated with at www.illinoishsglorydays.com. The website was founded by Dave Nanninga and has become a fixture for those looking back as time moves forward. Please contribute any photos of defunct high schools if you have the chance.