Public secondary school in Harvey, Cook County, Illinois, United States
Thornton Township High School
, often simply referred to as
Thornton
is a
public high school
founded in 1899, located in
Harvey
, one of the
South Suburbs
of the city of
Chicago, Illinois
, USA. The school is one of three administered by
Thornton Township High Schools District 205
. It is occasionally confused with the two other similarly named schools in the district,
Thornridge High School
and
Thornwood High School
.
A predominantly
African American
and
Hispanic
high school, Thornton is best known for its alumni who have been successful in both the
Performing Arts
and athletics.
[5]
History
[
edit
]
The site for
Thornton Township High School
was decided by a special election on May 28, 1898, where
Harvey
was selected over
Dolton
by a 1,504 to 1,123 vote, with the estimate of the school's cost being $40,000.
[6]
Oscar L. Murray was the architect of the building whose cost by October 1898 was $35,000, and was planned that included physical and biological laboratories, a library, gymnasium, a 280-seat assembly room, and bicycle/lunch rooms.
[7]
By May 1899, the plans had been firmed up to include a two-story structure with basement, with an interior to be finished in
red oak
. Heat would be provided by steam, with electric fans and an automated clock and signal system. The main floor assembly room was expanded to seat 700. Construction was set to begin in June, with completion in October.
[8]
The original building was located at 154th Street and Columbia Avenue.
[9]
In 1913, Thornton was one of nine schools, and the only south suburban school, invited to found what became the Suburban League, which mostly consisted of schools like Thornton which had formerly been members of the Cook County High School League.
[10]
In 1928, 16-year-old
Betty Robinson
(between her Junior and Senior years at Thornton) not only won the very first Olympic gold medal awarded to a woman in the 100 meters (at the
1928 Summer Olympics
in
Amsterdam
), but set a world record which stood until
1932
.
[11]
During
World War II
, like many high schools, Thornton made changes to accommodate the war effort. Evening classes for adults started in 1942 to begin training people for necessary war jobs.
[12]
By 1943, the school was open for 87 hours each week, and had been converted almost exclusively to wartime training.
[13]
Additions were made to the building in 1912 (costing $140,000), 1927 ($345,000) and 1937 ($300,000).
[14]
[15]
A third floor was added in 1948.
[16]
In 1949, a new physical education facility was added, including a
natatorium
, wrestling rooms, locker facilities and classrooms for health classes, in addition to two gymnasia, one of which could seat 3,500 for basketball games.
[17]
[18]
The new gymnasium was dedicated in April 1950.
[19]
Athletics
[
edit
]
Thornton's sports teams, which are referred to as the Wildcats, compete in the
Southland Athletic Conference
. The teams also compete in state championship series sponsored by the
Illinois High School Association
(IHSA). The school colors are purple and white. Teams are stylized as the "Wildcats".
The school sponsors interscholastic athletic teams for boys and girls in
basketball
,
soccer
,
track and field
and
cross country
. Boys may also compete in
baseball
,
American football
,
swimming
and
diving
and
wrestling
. Girls may compete in
cheerleading
,
softball
and
volleyball
.
The following athletic teams have won or placed top four in their respective IHSA sponsored state tournament:
[20]
- Basketball (Boys) ? State Champions (1933, 1966); 2nd Place (1934, 1935, 1961, 1995, 1996); 3rd Place (1983, 1997, 2009); 4th Place (1965)
- Football ? State Champions (1991)
- Wrestling ? State Champions (1954, 1955, 1959)
Activities
[
edit
]
Thornton is known for its illustrious Speech team. The following groups advanced to the IHSA State Finals competition, sponsored by the IHSA, and were crowned champions.
[20]
- Debate
: State Champions (1975)
- Drama
: State Champions (1985, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2019)
- Group Interpretation: State Champions (1981, 1983, 1997)
- Individual Events
: State Champions (1988, 1993)
Notable alumni
[
edit
]
- Jim Ard
was an
NBA
player and member of the
1976 NBA Champion
Boston Celtics
, sixth overall pick of
1970 NBA draft
.
[21]
- Lloyd Batts
was a basketball player for the
University of Cincinnati
who played one season with the
ABA
Virginia Squires
.
[22]
- Ed Beinor
was an
NFL
tackle
- Michael Boatman
is an actor and writer, known for starring roles in the television series The Good Fight, The Good Wife, Instant Mom',
Spin City
,
Arliss
', 'China Beach and Hamburger Hill.
[23]
- Lou Boudreau
was a
Major League Baseball
shortstop
and
manager
, elected to the
Baseball Hall Of Fame
in
1970
. A copy of his Hall of Fame plaque hangs in Thornton's "Boudreau Room". He also led Thornton's basketball team to three state championships in the 1930s.
[21]
[23]
[24]
- Steve Coutchie
quarterbacked the undefeated national champion
1923 Illinois Fighting Illini football team
.
- The Dells
is a primarily
R & B
musical group formed in 1952 that was inducted in the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
in 2004 and known for the song "
Oh, What a Night
".
[21]
- Suzzanne Douglas
? actress
[25]
- Tom Dreesen
is a comedian, entertainer and public speaker, best remembered for his appearances on
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
and
Late Show With David Letterman
, and as an opening act for
Frank Sinatra
.
[21]
[23]
- Melvin Ely
was a professional basketball player who played for the NBA's
New Orleans Pelicans
.
[26]
- Mustapha Farrakhan Jr.
is a professional basketball player who played for the
University of Virginia
and is a member of Nation of Islam.
- Lupe Fiasco
(Wasalu Muhammad Jaco) is a
Grammy Award
-winning
rapper
.
[27]
- Terry Fox
(class of 1953) was an MLB pitcher (1960-66) for the Milwaukee Braves and Detroit Tigers.
- Barry Gardner
was an NFL linebacker (1999?2005), and member of the
Philadelphia Eagles
team that appeared in
Super Bowl XXXIX
.
[28]
- Winfield Garnett
was an
NFL
defensive tackle
- Steve Gaunty
was an
NFL
wide receiver
- Jack Golden
is an
NFL
linebacker
who was a member of two teams which appeared in the
Super Bowl
; the
2000 New York Giants
and
2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
.
[21]
[29]
- Napoleon Harris
was an NFL linebacker (2002?2009) for the
Minnesota Vikings
and later a member of the
Illinois Senate
.
[21]
[23]
- LaRoyce Hawkins
(class of 2006), spoken word artist, stand-up comic and actor, starring on
NBC
's
Chicago P.D.
.
[30]
- Bill Hayes
is an actor and singer, best remembered for his role in the
soap opera
Days of Our Lives
.
[21]
[23]
- Rod Higgins
played in the
NBA
for 13 years before becoming an executive with the
Charlotte Bobcats
.
[21]
- Terrance Jamison
(class of 2005) is a co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach for the
Illinois Fighting Illini
.
- Tim Jamison
was an
NFL
defensive end
for the
Houston Texans
- Richard Johnson
was an
NFL
defensive back
for the
Houston Oilers
- Marvin Jones
(born 1993) is a basketball player in the
Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Norman J. Kansfield
, president of New Brunswick Theological Seminary, 1993?2005.
- Lamar McGriggs
(class of 1986) played linebacker for the New York Giants and in the Canadian Football League.
- Antwaan Randle El
was an
NFL
wide receiver
for the
Pittsburgh Steelers
and
Washington Redskins
who played for the Steelers' championship team in
Super Bowl XL
; currently a television sports commentator
[21]
[23]
- Don Robertson
is a former
MLB
outfielder (
Chicago Cubs
)
- Betty Robinson
(class of 1929) is a two?time Olympic gold medalist; she won the first gold medal in the
women's 100 meter dash
at the
1928 Summer Olympics
. She held the world record in the 100 meters for 4 years. Her Olympic gold medal is housed at the school.
[21]
[23]
[31]
- Dandrell Scott
is a rapper and voiceover actor for
Wendy's
.
- Shelby Steele
is an author, columnist and filmmaker.
- Dick Steere
was a guard in the National Football League.
- Tai Streets
is a former NFL wide receiver (1999?2004) who played for the University of Michigan's 1997 national championship team.
[21]
[23]
- John Sullivan
played shortstop for the Washington Senators and St. Louis Browns in six
Major League Baseball
seasons during the 1940s.
- Willie Taylor
- singer
[
citation needed
]
- Danitra Vance
was an
Obie Award
?winning actress, perhaps best known for her time performing on
Saturday Night Live
, where she was the first African-American woman to be a regular cast member.
[32]
- Melvin Van Peebles
is a director, producer, actor and writer (
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
).
[23]
- Tracy Webster
(class of 1991) is a basketball assistant coach at the University of California at Berkeley who was interim head coach for
DePaul
in 2010.
- Steven Whitehurst
is an author, poet, essayist and educator.
[33]
- Sammy Williams
was an
NFL
offensive tackle
References
[
edit
]
- ^
Thornton Township H.S. District 205 District Administration; accessed August 19, 2019
- ^
Administration, Thornton H.S. homepage; accessed October 18, 2010
Archived
July 19, 2008, at the
Wayback Machine
- ^
a
b
c
"Thornton Township High School"
. National Center for Education Statistics
. Retrieved
March 26,
2020
.
- ^
"Thornton High School profile, ihsa.org; accessed November 24, 2008"
. Ihsa.org
. Retrieved
January 31,
2011
.
- ^
Class of 2007 school report card, p. 1; accessed November 24, 2008
[
dead link
]
- ^
Harvey Wins School Site
, May 29, 1898,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, p. 3; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
Trustees Oblige Supt. Andrews
, October 22, 1898,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, p. 5; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
Thornton Township High School, Harvey, Ill.
, May 28, 1899,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, p. 10; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
Harvey School Bonds Sold
, July 9, 1899,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, p. 8; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
Preps To Form New League
, May 24, 1913,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, p. 14; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
Shirer, William,
Chicago Girl Breaks World's 100 Meter Record
, August 1, 1928,
Chicago Daily Tribune
; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
Thornton Night Classes Enroll 452 in War Study
, September 6, 1942,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, p. SW3; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
Thornton High School Adapts Studies To War
, February 28, 1943,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, p. SW2; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
Thornton High Asks $300,000 To Build Annex
, September 27, 1936,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, p. SW2; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
Thornton Board To Rush School Addition Plans
, February 7, 1937,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, p. SW2; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
Start Building Thornton Twp. High Addition
, April 11, 1948,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, p. SW7; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
Tell details of Harvey's School Gym
, December 5, 1948,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, p. SW 1; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
Thornton Twp High Gymnasium contract Let To Contractor
, January 9, 1949,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, p. SW 11; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
Thornton High To Dedicate $350,000 Gym
, April 30, 1950,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, p. SW 11; accessed
ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849?1986)
; November 26, 2008
- ^
a
b
"Season summaries for Thornton Township HS, ihsa.org; accessed November 26, 2008"
. Ihsa.org
. Retrieved
January 31,
2011
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
"Thornton Pride Stays With You"
.
Suntimes.com
. April 11, 2007. Archived from
the original
on August 14, 2007
. Retrieved
January 31,
2011
.
- ^
"Lloyd Batts stats and bio"
.
Basketball-reference.com
. May 9, 1951
. Retrieved
January 31,
2011
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
Bell, Taylor (August 25, 2010).
"Visiting the Boudreau Room"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. Retrieved
November 19,
2010
.
The curious thing about Thornton is that, despite the decades of tradition and legacy of great coaches and athletes ... any other athletic facility is named in honor of any of them...Lou Boudreau, Jack Lipe, Tiny Huddlestun, Betty Robinson ... There is a copy of Boudreau's plaque that hangs in baseball's Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., and Betty Robinson's gold medal from the 1924 Olympics ... In May 2010, the school added a Thornton Wall of Fame in the main building that honors some of the great athletes and student leaders of the past?Boudreau, Robinson, comedian Tom Dreesen, actors Bill Hayes, Michael Boatman and Melvin Van Peebles, industrialist Dan Ustian and athletes Tai Streets, Melvin Ely, Napoleon Harris and Antwaan Randle El.
[
permanent dead link
]
- ^
"Hayes, Neil, 'Lou Boudreau: Let's play two'
"
.
Suntimes.com
. November 23, 2008
. Retrieved
January 31,
2011
.
[
dead link
]
- ^
"1974 Thornton Township High School Yearbook (Harvey, Illinois)"
.
Classmates.com
. 1974
. Retrieved
September 17,
2017
.
- ^
"Melvin Ely"
.
- ^
"Fruchter, Alexander, 'Hip To Be Square'
"
.
Soundslam.com
. Archived from
the original
on January 8, 2011
. Retrieved
January 31,
2011
.
- ^
"Barry Gardner bio & stats"
.
Databasefootball.com
. December 13, 1976. Archived from
the original
on May 28, 2011
. Retrieved
January 31,
2011
.
- ^
"Jack Golden stats and bio"
.
Databasefootball.com
. January 28, 1977. Archived from
the original
on November 22, 2011
. Retrieved
January 31,
2011
.
- ^
"The Shopper 11/16/17"
. November 16, 2017.
- ^
Tamm, Kirii (March 28, 1957).
"Babe is Pleased Thornton Hasn't Forgotten Her Feats"
.
The Thorntonite
. Retrieved
January 31,
2011
.
-
Zabell, Martin (September 27, 1992).
"Racing Back Through Time: First Female Gold Medalist Comes Home"
.
Chicago Tribune
. Retrieved
January 31,
2011
.
- ^
"Obie-winning Actress Danitra Vance, 35"
,
Chicago Tribune
, August 23, 1994
, retrieved
November 19,
2010
,
Once described as a cross between Laurie Anderson and Little Richard, Ms. Vance appeared in feature films and in 1985 became the first black woman to join the regular cast of "Saturday Night Live," where she stayed for a year ... At Thornton High School, she auditioned for a play but failed to win a part. Nonetheless, she got up during the performance and acted anyway and became the star of the show ...
- ^
Whitehurst, Steven (1991).
About the Author
. United Brothers & Sisters Communications.
ISBN
1564110141
.
Steven Whitehurst was born into a single-parent family in Chicago on March 3, 1967. After spending his early years living in housing projects on the city's southside, his family moved to Harvey, Illinois. In Harvey, Steven graduated from Thornton Township High School in 1984.
External links
[
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]
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