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Press Releases:
July 1, 2002
Hebron's 1952 Basketball Champions
to Appear at Historic Farm Days
Five members of Hebron's 1952 state champion basketball team
will be special guests at the annual Historic Farm Days and Red
Power Round-Up, held at Penfield in Champaign County.
Phil Judson, Bill Schulz, Ken Spooner, Jim Wilbrandt, and Jim
Bergin will appear from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 14. (NOTE:
Printed posters and previous press releases give the date as
Saturday - it has been changed.) They will be joined by
Scott Johnson and Julie Kistler, authors of Once There Were
Giants, the new book commemorating the team's improbable
journey to a state championship. Together they will give a brief
talk, answer questions, and sign copies of the book. Videotapes
of the 1952 championship game will also be available.
Fifty years ago, with an enrollment of just 98 students,
Hebron became the smallest school ever to win the Illinois high
school basketball championship. Favorites of fans across the
state, the Green Giants swept through the "Sweet
Sixteen" field at the University of Illinois' historic Huff
Gym, defeating Champaign High School 55-46 in the first round on
their way to a 64-59 overtime decision over Quincy in the title
game.
The signing will take place on the grounds of the former
Penfield High School, which holds a distinction similar to
Hebron's in the annals of Illinois high school basketball. In
1929, with an enrollment of just 28 students (none of them
seniors), Penfield became the smallest school ever to make the
"Sweet Sixteen" in the Illinois high school
tournament, reaching the sectional championship game before
losing to Champaign (only eight teams advanced to the state
finals in those days).
Historic Farm Days, sponsored by the Illinois & Indiana
Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Club, is an annual event in
Penfield. This year's show, which runs from July 11-14, includes
a special feature: the Red Power Round Up, a farm-implement show
focusing on vintage International Harvester equipment. The Red
Power Round Up travels to a different location around the
country every year.
Getting to Penfield is easy (map).
From the Rantoul exit on I-57, travel 12 miles east on U.S. 136.
From the Ogden exit on I-74, travel 12 miles north on County
Road 22.
More information about Historic Farm Days and the Red Power
Round Up can be found at www.antiquefarm.org.
May 9, 2002
Authors of
Hebron Basketball Book Come to
Dixon and Oregon on May 13
Scott
Johnson and Julie Kistler, co-authors of the new book
commemorating the 1952 Hebron High School basketball team’s
historic state championship, will make public appearances in
Dixon and Oregon on Monday, May 13.
The book, Once There Were Giants, details the improbable journey of the Hebron
Green Giants, a school of only 98 students, as it won the
Illinois high school basketball championship.
This winter, fifty years later, the team was honored in
ceremonies at Peoria (during the IHSA state championships) and
Hebron.
From
3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, the husband-wife team will sign their new
release at Books on First in Dixon. Once
There Were Giants will be on sale for $15 at the bookstore,
which is located at 202 W. First in downtown Dixon.
For more information, call 815-285-2665.
At
7 p.m. Julie, who has authored over 25 novels, will speak at the
Oregon Public Library Writers’ Forum on “putting together
the pieces of your writing.”
The public is invited to the presentation.
The library is located at 300 Jefferson Street in Oregon
and can be contacted at 815-732-2724.
Hebron’s
unusual champions were fan favorites in their own era and are
still loved by basketball fans everywhere.
In just three short months since its publication, Once
There Were Giants has sold over 5,000 copies.
Net receipts from the
book go to the Illinois High School Activities
Foundation, which provides scholarships to students who combine
a high level of academic achievement with interscholastic sports
and activities.
April 24, 2002
1952 Hebron Basketball Team
Returns to Elgin on May 5
Four members of the 1952 Hebron basketball team will return
to Elgin on Sunday, May 5, to give a brief talk, answer
questions, and sign copies of Once There Were Giants, the
book about the team's improbable journey to a state
championship. Fifty years ago, Hebron's pivotal 49-47 victory
over the Elgin Maroons in the old Elgin High School gym
propelled the Green Giants toward their date with destiny.
Books at Sunset will host the event from 3 to 5 p.m. The
bookstore is located at 1100 South Street, on Elgin's southwest
side (map).
Seating is limited, so persons interested in attending are asked
to RSVP by calling Judi Brownfield at the bookstore at
847-888-1860.
The four team members scheduled to appear are Phil Judson,
Bill Schulz, Ken Spooner, and Jim Wilbrandt. Authors Scott
Johnson and Julie Kistler will also be on hand at the signing.
The authors are both 1974 graduates of Elgin High School.
The book will be on sale at Books at Sunset for $15. Net
receipts from Once There Were Giants go to the Illinois
High School Activities Foundation, which provides scholarships
to students who combine a high level of academic achievement
with interscholastic sports and activities. In the three months
since its release, the book has sold more than 5,000 copies.
February 28, 2002
1952 Hebron Basketball Team
Will Finally Play in Peoria
Fifty years ago they set the high school basketball world on
its ear. On March 8, eight members of the 1952 Hebron
basketball team will descend on Peoria and the IHSA boys
basketball tournaments to mark the Golden Anniversary of their
triumph.
The amazing Hebron Green Giants will be honored on the floor
of Carver Arena both weekends, just prior to the Class A and
Class AA championship games. In addition, the team will be
in the March Madness Experience exhibit hall from 3-5 p.m. on
all four days of the tournament (March 8, 9, 15, and 16) to
greet the crowd and sign copies of Once There Were Giants,
the book documenting the team's amazing journey to a state
championship.
The eight team members scheduled to appear during the Class A
weekend are starters Paul Judson, Phil Judson, Bill Schulz, and
Ken Spooner, along with reserves Bill Thayer, Jim Wilbrandt, Jim
Bergin, and Joe Schmidt. Relatives of the two deceased
players, Don Wilbrandt and Clayton Ihrke, and relatives of head
coach Russ Ahearn and assistant coach Phil Hadley will also be
in attendance. Six of the players will return during Class
AA weekend for an encore performance.
The March Madness Experience, which opens
its doors at 6 p.m. on Thursday evening and continues through
Saturday night both weekends, will include a
museum-type display of photographs and other memorabilia from
Hebron and from Huff Gymnasium, where the historic championship
game was played.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the Civic Center, the
Peoria Public Library (107 N.E. Monroe St.) will host an
up-close visit with Hebron players Phil Judson and Ken Spooner
and Judy Benda, daughter of Coach Russ Ahearn, on Saturday, Mar.
16, from 1 to 2 p.m. Also on hand to answer questions will
be Julie Kistler, co-author of Once There Were Giants.
Home Town Celebration Set in Hebron
Peoria isn't the only place where fans can catch a glimpse of
the 1952 champs.
On Sunday, March 10, the day after the Class A champion is
crowned, the festivities move from the wide-open spaces of
Carver Arena to the friendly confines of Alden-Hebron High
School, where a joyous 50th anniversary Home Town Celebration is
planned.
Fans who've always wanted to see the unique Hebron water
tower or the tiny "stage gym" where the team played
are invited to join the eight surviving team members for a 2
p.m. get-together at the high school.
The team will arrive at the school after a caravan through
the streets of Hebron, recalling the motorcade 50 years earlier
that brought the team all the way home from its victory in
Champaign.
The festivities at the school will include a brief
question-and-answer session with the players, a free throw
contest, an autographed-ball raffle, and other surprises.
After the program, the team will also be available for
autographs. Copies of Once There Were Giants and
other memorabilia will be available for purchase at the school.
Alden-Hebron High School is located on Illinois Route 47 on
the south edge of Hebron. If you can follow your roadmap
to Hebron, you won't be able to miss the high school.
Chicago Their Kind of Town, Too
Finally, several members of the 1952 Hebron team will appear
at the Class AA super-sectional doubleheader to be held March 12
at the United Center in Chicago. The players will be
introduced on the floor between the two games and will be on
hand to meet fans in the concourse after the ceremony.
Chicago-area fans won't want to miss this opportunity to
honor the 1952 state champs and see two great high school
basketball games at the same time.
February 12, 2002
1952 Hebron Basketball Team
Comes to DeKalb Feb. 23
Five members of the 1952 Hebron basketball team will be in
DeKalb on Saturday, Feb. 23, to sign copies of Once There
Were Giants, the book about the team's improbable journey to
a state championship. Borders Bookstore will host the event from
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The bookstore is located at 2520 Sycamore Rd.
(Illinois Route 23) in Northland Plaza (map).
The mall is about halfway between DeKalb and Sycamore.
Later in the day, the team will visit Chick Evans Field House
for its "Last Hurrah" as host of the Northern Illinois
University basketball team. From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., the team will
be on hand to greet fans prior to NIU's contest against Central
Michigan. They will also be introduced to the crowd during the
game.
The five team members scheduled to appear are starters Phil
Judson, Bill Schulz, and Ken Spooner, along with reserves Jim
Wilbrandt and Jim Bergin. Judson's son, Rob, is the head
basketball coach at Northern Illinois University. Spooner
graduated from NIU and went on to teach and coach at
Richmond-Burton and Alden-Hebron.
Co-author Julie Kistler will also be on hand at the signing.
Kistler wrote the book with her husband Scott Johnson, who is an
assistant executive director for the Illinois High School
Association. Both authors are natives of Elgin.
The book will be on sale at Borders for $15. All proceeds
from Once There Were Giants go to the Illinois High
School Activities Foundation, which provides scholarships to
students who combine a high level of academic achievement with
interscholastic sports and activities.
In March, all eight surviving players will be honored at
ceremonies during the Class A and Class AA boys basketball
tournaments in Peoria.
Fifty years ago, DeKalb High School was one of many
large-school victims on Hebron's schedule. With a 68-46 win over
DeKalb in the sectional finals at Waukegan, Hebron advanced to
the Sweet Sixteen tournament in Champaign and its place in
history.
January 11, 2002
Hebron Basketball "World Premiere"
Book Signing Jan. 26 in Woodstock
Four members of the 1952 Hebron basketball team will be
present Saturday, Jan. 26, at the "World Premiere" of Once
There Were Giants, the book about the team's improbable
journey to a state championship. The event will be held at
Knuth's Sport and Office Outfitters on the Woodstock Town Square
(110 S. Johnson St.) (map)
from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fifty years ago, the Woodstock Town Square was the scene of a
wild celebration as the Green Giants' caravan made its way from
Champaign to Hebron. Photographs of that celebration are
included among the 100-plus illustrations in the book.
The four team members scheduled to appear are starters Phil
Judson, Bill Schulz, and Ken Spooner, along with reserve Jim
Wilbrandt. All four still live in Illinois.
Authors Scott Johnson and Julie Kistler will also be on hand
at the signing. Johnson is an assistant executive director for
the Illinois High School Association, which published Once
There Were Giants. Both authors are natives of Elgin.
The book will be on sale for $15 at the signing. All proceeds
from Once There Were Giants go to the Illinois High
School Activities Foundation, which provides scholarships to
students who combine a high level of academic achievement with
interscholastic sports and activities.
In March, all eight surviving players will be honored at
ceremonies during the Class A and Class AA boys basketball
tournaments in Peoria.
December 12, 2001
IHSA to Publish Book for
Hebron’s 50th
Anniversary
Fifty years ago this March, a school with just 98 students
played its way into the history books by becoming the first and
only "small school" ever to win Illinois’
single-class basketball tournament. Even then Hebron’s state
championship was hailed as the tournament’s most memorable
moment. Now, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of that
historic event, the IHSA is publishing Once There Were Giants,
a book that chronicles Hebron’s improbable road to victory.
The Green Giants’ win over Quincy in the 1952 championship
game -- the first to go to overtime, the first to be televised
-- still resonates with sports fans everywhere.
"We’ll never see another story quite like it,"
said Scott Johnson, who co-authored the book with his wife,
Julie Kistler. "The Hebron saga shows that it’s possible
for any team with enough drive and determination to succeed
despite incredible odds. It’s the Illinois version of Hoosiers,
except this tale is true."
The book refutes some common misconceptions about Hebron. The
Green Giants didn’t "come out of nowhere" to win the
title in 1952, and the reasons for the team’s success went
beyond having a 6-foot-10½ center and talented identical twins.
Instead, Once There Were Giants shows that the roots of
Hebron’s championship went back almost 25 years, and included
a culture that immersed itself in basketball, a pro-athlete
older brother who patiently guided the younger players toward
excellence, and a coach who was absolutely focused on one goal:
winning the state title.
"What a wonderful book," said Phil Judson, one of
the twins, who later coached boys basketball at Zion-Benton High
School. "It’s interesting, entertaining, and tells the
true basketball story of the Hebron Green Giants. There were
many marvelous moments on the way to our state championship.
This book puts me back on the floor once again and lets me
experience the achievement to its fullest."
Once There Were Giants was conceived as a charity
project. The proceeds will benefit the Illinois High
School Activities Foundation, which provides scholarships to
students who combine a high level of academic achievement with
interscholastic sports and activities.
The book, which runs about 250 pages and includes over 100
photos, will be available by February 1 at a price of $15.
Persons who are interested in obtaining a copy hot off the press
can send a check or credit card information to "Once
There Were Giants," IHSA, P.O. Box 2715, Bloomington, IL
61702, or call the IHSA Office at 309-663-6377
to make a credit card order. An
online form is provided.
No shipping and handling costs will be added to personal
orders received before February 15. Books will be shipped as
soon as they are available. The IHSA expects Once There Were
Giants to sell quickly, so if you want to be sure to obtain
a copy, order now.
Merchants or booster groups that are interested in retailing
the book should contact the IHSA for arrangements.
Hebron Team to Appear at March Madness
in Peoria and Chicago
Hebron’s 1952 championship team will appear in Peoria
during both weekends of 2002 March Madness to talk to fans and
autograph copies of Once There Were Giants. The players
will appear in the March Madness Experience exhibit hall between
sessions each day of the tournament (March 8, 9, 15, and 16) and
will be recognized on the floor of Carver Arena before the
championship games on both weekends, Class A (March 9) and Class
AA (March 16).
Several members of the team will also autograph books at the
Class AA super-sectional doubleheader at the United Center in
Chicago on March 12.
The March Madness Experience will include a museum-type
display of photographs, scrapbooks, and other memorabilia from
Hebron and from Huff Gymnasium, where the historic championship
game was played.
The surviving members of Hebron’s 1952 tournament squad are
Paul Judson, Phil Judson, Bill Schulz, Ken Spooner, Bill Thayer,
Jim Wilbrandt, Jim Bergin, and Joe Schmidt. They will be joined
by relatives of the deceased players (Don Wilbrandt and Clayton
Ihrke) and coaches (Russ Ahearn and Phil Hadley). |
