The golf teams at Salem Community High School would certainly not be as well known today if it were not for the coaching of William “Bill” Morgan.

Having coached for 33 years, 22 of which were as the golf coach at SCHS, Bill has achieved an impressive list of accomplishments. Probably the most impressive is a string of 15 North Egypt Conference championships, defining SCHS as the school to beat every year in the conference tournament. Also during his tenure, Salem won 16 invitational championships, seven Class AA regional championships, one sectional championship, three appearances in the State finals as a team and 12 individual State final appearances. He was named the Southern Illinois Coach of the Year in 1991 and 2002. Bill coached at least 15 players that have received college scholarships and 6 golfers who are now members of the PGA of America.
(more…)

In the early 1970′s no other athlete displayed more ability to excel in three sports than Don Jones. Don played football, basketball and baseball for SCHS and was a large contributor to the success of all three teams.

As a quarterback on the football team, Don was a 1st Team North Egypt Conference quarterback. His head coach, Gary Brandt, stated “Don does a fine job of running the club and I have not seen any other quarterback as good as Don this season.” He was also named the “Player of the game” vs. Mt. Carmel on October 15, 1971.
(more…)

Since Salem added tennis as a team sport in the early 70′s, most observers consider Bob Plaschke, a 1981 Salem Community High School grad, to be the best player produced by the program.

There is much to support this:

• He is the first tennis player to be elected in the SCHS Sports Hall of Fame.
• Bob has won more singles matches than any player in Salem history.
• He was the North Egyptian Conference Singles Champion in 1979 & 1981.
• In 1979 Plaschke and his double partner Mic Martin won the IHSA district meet and
  advanced to the state meet. In 1981 Plaschke and Jay Henke won the IHSA district and advanced
  to the state meet.
• He lettered in tennis all four years at SCHS under coach Bill Morgan.
• Bob was a member of the 1981 Junior Davis Cup Team.
• He was rated the #1 tennis player in Southern Illinois for those 16 & under and then again for those 18 & under.
• He also played tennis for Northwestern University his freshman year there.

(more…)

For more than half a century Floyd Smith has been one of the biggest supporters of Salem Wildcats athletics.

Smith has been a boys basketball reserved seat ticket holder for 52 years. Smith has had the same seat in B.E. Gum Gym since the 1955-1956 season.

In addition to boys basketball, Smith has faithfully attended or followed all Salem Community High School sporting events.

Smith has been actively involved with the Salem Shriners for 50 years. Among his duties include raising funds for the Shriners Hospitals through the annual Salem-Centralia Shriners football game.
(more…)

A bad break in high school turned out to be perhaps the best break in the life of Bob Jamison, Jr.

During his sophomore year in high school, Jamison suffered a broken leg during the last day of two-a-day football practices.

While that injury for all intent ended Jamison’s athletic career on the gridiron, it directed him towards what eventually would be his adult profession.

Jamison spent the rest of that season spotting for broadcasts on WJBD Radio. It would be the first of many broadcasts in Jamison’s life.
(more…)

A 1971 graduate of Salem Community High School, James Willhite had a highly prolific athletic career.

Willhite participated in four sports during his high school career with football and track the site of his
biggest success.

In football Willhite put up the best numbers ever for a Salem tight end and some of the best yardage numbers ever for Wildcats receivers.

A three-year starter. Willhite caught 23 passes for 513 yards as a junior in the 1969 season. During his senior season Willhite hauled in 25 catches for 421 yards and two touchdowns.
(more…)