St Thomas High School - Thomist Yearbook (Rockford, IL)

Page 75 text:

-Af: :E.,. . E, QiQ,.: .,A.:AE, zi, T CTT I' A.,,,.:: ,,,: ,A.2.1. ,,...,W.V. Zzg, 1.5 V ll The Tournament The chiming of the old clock in the tower harmonized beautifully with the gentle strains of Alma Mater which issued from the two carloads of tired basketball players. The an- cient timepiece in heralding the midnight hour was at the same time welcoming the St. Thomas basketball squad to the city of Davenport, Iowa, Where the VVest begins, and in the State where the tall corn grows. 011 our arrival at the Blackhawk Hotel, our headquarters during the tournament, we experi- enced in some degree, the feeling of the Israel- ites in reaching the promised Land. Beds never looked so inviting. Tired out from the effects of a victorious game with Sterling that day, and the long ride, we did not need Uncle Bob's bed- time stories to lull us to sleep. The next morning I found that my room over- looked the broad expanse of the Father of Waters, glistening liquid turquoise in its sombre setting of overhanging cliffs. As I sat spell- bound gazing at the beautiful scene, I thought of all the marvellous things the old river could tell had it only a tongue. I saw in fancy the birch canoe bearing the priest-explorer, Father Marquette and his companion, Joliet. I pictured the saintly Dominican Missionary, Father Sam- uel Mazzuchelli, a slight but an indomitable figure plying his oars upon that vast body of water. My day dreaming was cut short by the call for all the players to leave for St. Anthony's Church where we received Holy Communion and asked God's blessing on our day. Friday, we played what was considered one of the best games of the tournament. Thanks to our staying powers we defeated our oppon- ents, St. Peter's of Iowa City, by a score of 23 to Zl. Our record now was a good one-two games won, none lost, and a game with the strong Spaulding team of Peoria scheduled for the evening. Our fear of Spaulding was justifi- ed for they won from ns by eleven points. But feat as they were in victory the preceding days. A good sport needs no alibi, the better team won, but not without a struggle which our op- ponents acknowledged Vto be the hardest they had had to encounter all season. We played another game Saturday afternoon in which we were again the victors, but wc had lost the finals. St. Thomas, while not winning the tourna- ment received honors which were equalled by no other team in the tournament. VVhen the trophies were awarded on Saturday evening, St. Thomas was awarded the trophy for the best sportsmanship, both on the tournament floor and around the hotel and the city in gener- al. The team was awarded the fourth prize in the tournament proper, and one of the St. Thomas players, John Gree11, was awarded the trophy given for the most valuable man to his team. In addition Green was chosen as For- ward in the All-Tournament Team. So came to a close the Purple and White basketball season of '26-'27, a season in which the Paws were successful in seventeen out of twenty-one games. As the final whistle blew loudly and shrilly it meant more to five basket- ball players than the end of another hard fought battle. It meant that for the last time they had romped over the multi-lined basketball floor, clad in the purple and white uniforms. Gradua- tion would take its toll, ruthlessly, unconcern- edly, causing many a heart-pang as realization dawned upon the minds of the players that their four year athletic career had come to an endg realization that the '26-'27 Paw team had joined its predecessors in history. So the big book marked Basket Ball is clos- ed and laid carefully away to grow dirty and dusty with the months until next year when new aspirants to fame will dust off the volume, open the book, and don the Purple and the VVhite. All success to them! . T. Carroll Sizer, '27, the St. Thomas players were as glorious in de- Student Manager. .ar F I 3 3 e2.' T ettl 1 i i I I ',, , f I as . I7ll

Page 74 text:

'VVith filial respect and devotion, we are lifted in the light of Eternity and you see the priceless powers and graces showered on our souls, as we listen to your vigorous and luminous conferences. VVe determine anew to heed your urgent appeal to take our place, loyally, under the Banner of Christ our King, to carry into our lives the supernatural, to be enthusiastic heralds of Christ-always speaking and acting for Him. Truly yours is a spiritual and moral leadership holding its lamp high: Be it ours to remember! lt is a pledge of our gratitude for the past, joy in the present, and hope and expectation for the future. Heartfelt prayers, felicitations loving and true, we bring to you today. May the happy light from your well- spent years Shine soft and warm o'er your way. May the fruit of unselhsh service meet The ripened sheaves of a light that cheers, Bring their harvest of peace and joy to you offerbto you, dear Bishop, the homage of our heartfelt greetings. We beg you to accept our spiritual garland, which dur- ing the past month, we have woven near the light of the Tabernacle-roses of love, lilies of prayer, and shy violets of sacrifice. Through many more beautiful years. And may we, the youngest reapers, keep before our minds your lessons of faith and love that we may have with your ETERNAL JUBILEE. QKKSNS QNSQYZQ ABOUT THE DAVENPORT . TOURNAMENT St. Thomas went down to the Davenport games, And I'm sure they're not sorry for taking such pains, Because they brought home the most wonder- ful sight, Three nice looking trophies of silver so bright. One was a cup for gaining fourth place, Another for showing best sport in the pace And lastly John Green who took in great man- Thellilophy for being best man of their banner. Russell Meads, '27. l70l

Page 76 text:

KJ, -' 2 - 'Y 4 ' f 1. f . 1. 1. - .. . -- fa - - - f . .rp ,EQ ...fxfcxl Tgji. , -'21 WU 'l ire: N -,. aw' Q ,wxrfff wr ai! -asa. - 4 M525 :if 1 , .Li ' N -, itllhrwi ' f i WAITING THE RETURNS There was tumult in the building, In our dear St. Thomas High, And the halls were filled with students, Witli excitement in their eye. Pupils gathering in corridors, VVhere they whispered, each to each, VVhat's the latest news from Sizer That has come within your reach? n As the bleak Atlantic currents Lash the wild Newfoundland shore, So they beat against the casement So they surged against the door. And the mingling of their voices v Louder grew in stirring round, Till the quiet town of Rockford VVas all turbulent with sound. VVill they win it? Can they do it?'! A'VVho is starring? 'tWliat's the score? Wliat of Johnnie? Vtlhat of Holcomb? Oh, God grant they gain some more! Make some way there-let me nearer! I am stifling! A'Stifle then! VVhen our boys are at the tourney There's no time to think of men! u .i So they beat within the library, Seniors, Juniors, Sophs, and all, And the Principal stood by them, Eager too, to hear the call, Though the hour for lunch was over, Long before the message came, No one thought of being hungry, All the thoughts were on the game. See! Oh, See! the dense crowd quivers, All along the lengthening floor, As our Beulah from the portal Rushes forth to give the score. lVith both hands uplifted VVaving loose her jet black hair, llark! with deep clear intonation, Breaks her glad voice on the air. Hushed the students' swelling murmur, List the glad exultant cries, AAWOII!!! she shouts, a victory! Gone, Oh, gone, are all our sighs, Instantly upon the good news, The small leader took the floor, Forth he sends the loud cheers ringing Such as nt-'er were heard before! How they shouted! What rejoicing! How their clamor shook the air! For our boys had scored a victory In the gamels last minute there. Other games we had before us, St. Peter's next was on the floor, 'Though the St, Thomas The library Hushed are game was close contested had the higher score. now is silent, all the clamorous tongues, But three trophies glisten brightly, 'Trophies which our boys have won. Home they brought them to us proudly, Raising all our spirits high That school spirit of St. Thomas, VVhich please God shall never die! Irene Corley, '27. St. Thomas went down to the Davenport games, And l'm sure they're not sorry for taking such pains, Because they brought home the most wonder ful sight, Three nice looking trophies of silver so bright. One was a cup for gaining fourth place, Another for showing best sport in the pace, And lastly, John Green who took in great man- ner The trophy for being best man of their banner. Russell Meads, 'Z'7. J! . Vlaglzss i f f w l' H7 5 f ' ' 5 'mr i 5 T?W' , 5 ' . 'rf 'f-:A X --' ' V . ' .y l72l