HR0146 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0146 LRB095 11429 KXB 32292 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to acknowledge the 100th anniversary of Centralia High School boys basketball program; and

WHEREAS, In 1906 the first basketball game was played in the basement of "B" Building, which had a 12 foot high ceiling and support posts on the court; and

WHEREAS, Play was moved in 1922 to a new gymnasium, which only provided seating on the west side of the gym; 1936 saw the move to the A.L. Trout Gymnasium, named after Centralia's legendary coach; and

WHEREAS, A.L. Trout served as coach from 1914 until 1950; "Coach" holds the Illinois High School Boys Basketball record for wins at one school with 809 wins; and

WHEREAS, Centralia High School is listed 9th among all-time winning boys basketball teams and the winningest high school basketball team of the 20th century; and

WHEREAS, Centralia earned the nickname "Orphans" after a Chicago sports writer referred to the team as orphans after seeing their bedraggled suits and button-less warm up jackets; Coach Trout liked the name and it stuck; they are the only sports team with the nickname; and

WHEREAS, The Centralia High School basketball Orphans, winners of State tournaments in 1918, 1922, and 1942, have been a source of immense pride to the citizens of Centralia; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the many fine athletes who have been a part of the colorful history of Centralia Orphans basketball; we also thank the coaches, managers, athletic directors, boosters, fans, and everyone involved in the basketball program, for making it such a vital part of the Centralia community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to a representative of the Centralia High School basketball program as a symbol of our esteem.