LHS Centennial Series wraps with fond look back

Posted June 27, 2018 11:00 pm

By Dale Eggert on behalf of Libertyville High School

1970 LHS track meet. As I usually did in my pre-high school years, I got as close to the action as my nonofficial status would allow (over the railing, at the finish line). Others in this picture are Coach Bill Dortch, directing the finishing runners; Coach Bill DeBruler, peeking over at the finish line; and Athletic Director Bob Tunnicliff, far right. Notice the cinder track. That's why freshman Carol Norman, holding the tape, was termed a "Track Cinderella." Courtesy of Dale Eggert

• The following is part of an ongoing series of articles in celebration of Libertyville High School's 100th anniversary.

With the 2017-18 LHS school year officially ending the last week of June, this article will also end the Daily Herald's Libertyville High School Centennial Series.

Early in the school year, the Daily Herald offered to print up to 100 articles on historical moments and people that made up Libertyville High School's first century.

Eighty-two articles were written. I wrote 67 of them, almost all of my articles on LHS Sports history. The only complaint I heard with the articles I wrote is there was too much emphasis on sports. I can explain.

There were 15 topic areas current and retired LHS faculty and staff were encouraged to write on. I chose athletics and planned on submitting two a month. When the articles stopped coming in on other topics, I started turning in two a week.

I feel qualified to write so much about LHS athletics, living all my life in Libertyville, being a 1974 LHS graduate, and having finished my 40th year on the LHS coaching staff.

You could say my involvement with LHS began in the fall of 1945 when my mother, Phyllis Granbois (Eggert), entered Libertyville Township High School as a freshman. She had a great high school experience, playing in the band, yearbook staff editor, GAA, and as the anonymous gossip columnist for the student newspaper (nice run, Mom, 69 years, but you are anonymous no more).

When my father (Don) got out of the Air Force in 1955, with my mom and dad wanting to live close to parents, they decided to settle in Libertyville. They felt their children would have a better experience in Libertyville schools than we would at my dad's alma mater, the much larger Oak Park.

Further qualifying me is that I grew up on Homewood Drive, located one block from both the Butler and Brainerd buildings. As a pre-high school student, I spent nearly every day after school in the fall and spring watching LHS practices or going to LHS sporting events if they were being held.

I had the same idea that Henry Underbrink, the early longtime LTHS principal (1918, 1922-53) had. In his retirement, he made his way down to the LHS sports complex every late afternoon to watch whatever sporting event was going on, practices or contests. With Underbrink living on Sunset, and myself on Homewood, we passed each other countless times, either coming or going to LHS.

I asked my mother who the friendly old guy always wearing the LHS Varsity Baseball hat was (I wanted one of those bad). She explained his role as longtime principal and that he was the most influential individual for the school being what is was.

As much as I enjoy LHS history, LHS athletic history in particular, I also enjoy having a part in making it. At 62 years old, a fair question I often get is, "How long do you plan on coaching?" My answer is always "Indefinitely." I will coach until I can't physically do it or LHS no longer wants my services (I hope the two happen the same year).

The next 100 years begins next school year. Someone 99 years from now will appreciate the efforts we took to preserve history for their bicentennial celebration. Yearbook and Drops of Ink staffs, they will be counting on you.

For those that don't believe at 5' 7", 145 pounds I played four years of LHS football, in our fall 1973 conference showdown with Barrington, on a 3rd and 5, they sent 6' 2", 215-pound tight end Steve Blanchard at me on a pop pass. Sound move, clear mismatch. But I cut him and he dropped it. Thirty-nine years later, Steve's son, Derek, was my varsity assistant wrestling coach. Courtesy of Dale Eggert

LHS's first and longest serving principal, Henry Underbrink (1918, 1922-53). The first picture is with the 1924 basketball team at age 30. The second picture is a few years before his 1978 death. He was a great fan of LHS sports to the end of his life. Courtesy of Dale Eggert

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.