Mining Basketball in Mineral Illinois
Great teamwork between the Basketball Museum of Illinois and the Illinois High School Glory Days website team helped them discover incredible gems (history and memorabilia) in Mineral, Illinois on July 15. Dave Nanninga, the leader of his Illinois High School Glory Days team and Basketball Museum of Illinois
chairman Bruce Firchau worked together to host and informative and enjoyable historical event at the Methodist Church in Mineral.
There were 65 people in attendance, some driving more than 2 hours. Radio station personalities and IBCA Hall of Famers Brian Reusch (WCCI) and Jim Taylor (WRMJ) were also there representing Northwestern Illinois.
Guest speakers included the Illinois High School Glory Days website team
Dave Nanninga, Kev Varney, Cody Cutter and Roberta VanBriesen. Other speakers were IBCA Hall of Fame Player Val (Wancket) VanHyfte who played at Atkinson High School and Bradley University, Jason Burkiewicz a very successful coach at Annawan High School, IBCA Hall of Fame Coach Chuck Blake who had a great run at Neponset High School, Ohio High School and Eureka College graduate Brad Bickett. Brad is an IBCA Hall of Fame Player and Coach who had an impressive dynasty at Bureau Valley High School. Kevin Hieronymus (IBCA Hall of Fame -Media) is well known for his work at the Bureau County Republican Newspaper and creating the Bureau County Athletic Hall of Fame also spoke.
Dave Nanninga had the pleasure of introducing former Mineral High School
players that contributed to their District Championship Teams
The stories and experiences shared that afternoon took us down memory lane and reminded us how basketball gave their school regional and state recognition
To support their stories were tables and displays of plaques, trophies, pictures, letter jackets and uniforms from schools that don’t exist
anymore. Some of the memorabilia dated as far back as the 1920’s.
The Basketball Museum of Illinois and the Illinois High School Glory Days Team
are exploring sites for future events. Stay tuned.
L-R – Valerie (Wancket) VanHyfte (IBCA HOF Player from Atkinson High School & Bradley University), Jason Bukiewicz girls basketball coach at Annawan High School, Chuck Blake, IBCA HOF & retired Neponset High School Girls Basketball Coach & Brad Bickett who played at Ohio High School and went on to have a terrific career as the Boys Coach at Bureau Valley High School and Rock Fall High School. Brad is in the IBCA Hall of Fame as a player and coach.
Valerie (Wancket) VanHyfte with her daughters. Celina on the left, played at Annawan High School and Southern Illinois University. Jayde on the right played at Annawan High School and is playing at Arizona State University. Celina is holding a picture of her mom when she played at Atkinson High School.
Brad Bickett (L) & Jim Taylor (R) from WRMJ Radio. Both are IBCA Hall of Famers.
Illinois High School Glory Days Website Team
Dave Nanninga leader of the Illinois High School Glory Days website team.
Kev Varney member of the website team.
Roberta Van Briesen member of the website team.
Cody Cutter member of the website team.
Illinois High School Glory Days Website Team have researched over 1,200 Illinois High Schools that have closed and their website has been viewed over one-million times.
Former Neponset Girls Coach & IBCA Hall of Famer, Chuck Blake.
Neponset Shooting Shirt
Neponset Letter Jacket
IBCA HOF Official Ken Wilcoxen wearing his Walnut High School letter jacket
Uniforms
1932 Hooppole High School uniform
Ohio High School uniform.
Mineral High School memorabilia
1952-53 Mineral Basketball Schedule
Cheerleading Uniform
Boys Basketball Uniform
Letter Sweater
More Memorabilia
1931 Little 8 Conference Tournament won by Sheffield High School
1926 Bureau County Championship Plaque won by Sheffield High School.
Randy Hasbrook of Sheffield holding a Sheffield High School letter sweater.
Wyanet High School sweatshirt.
Mineral High School Jackets
Warm up jacket for Mineral High School and a school jacket listing their District Championships.
Kev Varney of the Illinois High School Glory Days Team brought these two District Championship plaques won by Reddick High School.
Pictured is Kevin Hieronymous speaking at our Mineral Event. Kevin an IBCA Hall of Famer who writes for the Bureau County Republican Newspaper and has also created the Bureau County Athletic Hall of Fame.
Related Articles
Related
Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame Explained: Who Gets In and Why It Matters
The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame does more than honor great careers. It preserves the game’s story across the state and recognizes the people who helped shape it.
For many fans, players, and families, the Hall of Fame can feel larger than life.Its purpose is simple. It exists to celebrate excellence, leadership, service, and the lasting impact basketball has had on Illinois communities. At the Basketball Museum of Illinois, the Hall of Fame stands as one of the clearest ways that mission comes to life.
Doc Rivers and Candace Parker Earn Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Induction
Two Illinois legends, Doc Rivers and Candace Parker, have been selected for induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Both are proud members of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, further reinforcing Illinois’ deep impact on the game at every level.
Be A Better Coach: Marty Gaughan on Developing People First
Great coaches do more than teach plays. They shape habits, set standards, and help young people grow into confident, capable adults. That belief sits at the center of Be A Better Coach, the book by longtime Illinois coach and educator Marty Gaughan.