USA > Indiana > Adams County > Decatur > The Commodores ; a history of Decatur Catholic basketball, 1921-1967 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
GEN
1 ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
L
3 1833 02989 5155
Gc 977.201 Ad1kc Adams, Bob 1951- The Commodores
THE COMMODORES A History of Decatur Catholic Basketball 1921-1967
By Bob Adams
-
A Short Note By the Author
When I started working a history of Adams County high school basketball nearly two years ago, I basically had no idea what I was getting into. I am a life-time fan of the sport, both as a participant, and a spectator. Even though I have practically every book ever written on high school basketball in our great state, I had no idea how long this would take.
I plan on doing all thirteen of the former and current high schools in the county. I have much of the research done, it just takes a little time getting in all down on paper. This work on Decatur Catholic will also be included, along with Decatur and Monmouth, in a history of Bellmont basketball. I just happened to finish this one first.
I would like to thank all of the fine women at the Decatur library, Dave Terveer, and Olin Edgall for the help they gave me with this.
Also, if anyone has any information that I left out, or information, or yearbooks from any of the county schools, please let me know. : could use any information on any of the schools prior to 1925. I can be contacted at 724-3359.
I have used a few abbreviations in this book-sc here is a list of them so you can decipher this. '-overtime game, : * means 1 OT, 2 ** mean 2 OT and so on. MPGT-Most points in a game by the team FPG-Fewest points in a game by the team
LMV-Largest margin of victory
MD-Largest margin of defeat
MPGI-Most points in a game by an individual. .
: hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed putting it together.
Bob Adams June 9, 1995
Copyright @ 1995 by Bob Adams
All rights reserved. No part of the contents herein may be used or reproduced in any form whatsoever with the written permission of the compiler.
Printed, published, manufactured and compiled in the U.S.A.
Allen County Public Library 900 Webster Street PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne. IN 46801-2270
A SHORT HISTORY OF DECATUR CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
CATHOLIC HIGH FOUNDED IN 1919
History of Catholic School Written by Margaret Mylott, DCHS grad.
Miss Margaret Mylott, a graduate of Decatur Catholic high school in 1923, being a member of the first high school class, prepared the following interesting history of the school. It was published in "The Tattler" last June ( 1924) and is published in this edition with the permission of the staff of the high school paper.
To revert to the days of 1881 seems quite a jolt to our modernized minds: for great and wonderful things have astounded and bewildered the world since this time.
Back in 1881, when St. Mary's was yet an infant parish, struggling though lusty, the good pastor, Rev. Theodore Wilken, turned his fatherly attention to providing a school for the small charges of his growing parish.
He built a school facing Madison Street, and was fortunate enough to secure a band of Sisters of St Agnes to take charge of the promising school. Four pioneer Sisters filled with zeal came to brave the trials and tribulations of a new mission, an infant school.
This dauntless pioneer was SR.AM Aloysia, who labored in the schools of St. Mary's parish for 38 years, and her efforts were well-spent, for every pupil who was fortunate enough to feel guidance of that wonderful Sister, is moved to tears of gratitude for the splendid work she did in cultivating his mind and lifting his heart to higher things. Sr. Aloysia left Decatur in 1919, but her memory is still revered by each and every one in St. Mary's parish and all ardently long for her return. Sr. Aloysia is now located in Hays, Kansas.
Sr. Augustine, another pioneer, endeared herself to all with whom she came in contact, and performed great work for souls. The good nun passed to her reward just recently after 54 years in the service of her God-a noble life-well spent. Sr. M. Borgia, the third member of the pioneer band, is still laboring in the fields of religion and we know that she still watches interestedly the progress of her school of days long past.
Sr. Euphrosine, the 4th member of the little band, is also sitil active in the service of her Master, and we know that Decatur and St. Joseph's school hold a warm corner down in her heart.
We take this opportunity to invite this band of three survinging members to the dedication of our new school so that they may have the opportunity to witness personally the fruition of their pioneer endeavors.
The school ably sponsored by good Father Wilken and the stout hearted Sisters flourished and expanded. Pupils entered, learned, and laughed, and were graduated, all carrying with them the uplifting ideals that were so ably instilled into their hearts. The first graduates were the Misses Blanche Adelsperger, deceased, and Nora Holthouse, no Sr. M.Dolores C.S.A.
After years of beautiful service to his God and fellowmen, good Father Wilken was called to his reward. However, his last days were gladdened by the wonderful progress his school had made, and surely from his place in Heaven, he still looks on and smiles complacently at the splendid strides his school is making.
"Rev. J.A. Seimetz, his able successor, proved to be an equally firm and ardent support of Catholic education, and encouraged the teachers and pupils in every conceivable manner.
"Rev. J.A. Seimetz dreamed of some day having a Catholic High and the dream was bound to materialize. In the spring of 1919, Father Seimetz, with the assistance of Sr. Aloysia worked out a plan of procedure. Although Sr. Aloysia was not destined to stay in Decatur to see the dream materialize; nevertheless, she has followed the success of the High School Department with the deepest interest.
At this juncture of 1919 the pioneer days of the second era begin. Rev J.A. Seimetz, Rev A.J. Kroeger, Sr.M Antonita and Sr. M. Odelia compromised the first faculty board of D.C. H. S. That first year was wonderful. Everyone was zealous and eager to make everything a "go".
The next year, Sr. M. Vera, our present competent principal came to bless our school with her presence. She was so zestful, so full of ambition, that all of us mentally resolved to live up to her high hopes, and, to make a long story short, that second year was glorious ..
Pioneering was great fun. Our assembly room was picturesque. We scorned the regular school desks, and gloried in the tables and folding chairs that were provided for us. We laughed, we learned, and we came out winners. Our faculty that year included Rev. J.A. Seimetz, Sr. M. Vera, Sr.M. Antonita and Sr.M Odelia. Rev. Otto Peters, our capable assistant, then made things look bright by injecting some athletic spirit into our school: and Rev Otto Peters by his splendid initiative and encouragement well deserves the title "Patron of D. C. H. S. Athletics."
Our third and fourth years of High School, the trial years, went on merrily. Sr.M sylvester was added to the faculty in the third year, and Sr. M. Almeda in the fourth year. Sr. Sylvester left after the third year, accompanied by the best wishes of the scholars, for she helped us pioneer, and our hearts are warm with praise for her. Sr. M. Almeda is still with us. She also captured our admiration by the splendid way she goes after things.
In September, 1922 we had the distinction of being honored by affiliation with the Catholic University of America, which was a boon to teachers and students alike.
With the graduating of the five Pioneer High School Students: Aloysius Schneider, Andrew Appleman, Charlotte Niblick, Irene Holthouse and Margaret Mylott, the High School was a thing complete. It was a reality.
Today, the beautiful, new Catholic School, that will house both the grad and High School departments, is being constructed, and it is a wonderful monument to those wh dream of things that make life worthwhile.
D.C. H. S. offers a classical course as well as a Commercial course. The present faculty of D.C.H.S. is composed of REV.J.A. Seimetz, Rev. 0. Peters, ST.M. Vera, Principal, Sr. M.Antonita, Sr. M. Almeda Sr. M.Beata and Sr. M. Claude. what can we say to express our appreciation of the efforts of those sacrificing teachers? Sr. M. Vera has devoted herself, heart and soul to the success of our High School, and has succeeded wonderfully. Sr. M. Antonita, our first High School teacher, is still with us. Her splendid faith in all of us has always given us added impetus. Sr. M. Almeda's three years with our school has endeared her to all who know her. Sr. M. Beata is a new member of the faculty this year. She has already won a favored spot in the hearts of students. Sr. M Claude, who has been added to the faculty this year, has seen her enthusiasm for music kindled a like love of harmonious sounds in the hearts of her pupils. Under her guidance we are looking forward to great things in music for the future. The School is growing. The Pioneer days are glimmering and fading into the distance, and a wonderful vista of advancement lies before us. The former students, Alumni, have ever the best interest of the old Alma Mater at heart, and plans are being discussed now for the founding of an Alumni Association for the purpose of "Carrying On."
So, a dream has materialized, and stand today, embodied in fullest reality, a glorious tribute to our noble pastor, his assistants and his co-workers, the Sisters, the great-hearted people of St. Mary's Parish, and the students and alumni of the grand old school.
( The following is reprinted from Decatur Democrat, 10/17/25
D.C.H.S. BEGAN ATHLETICS, 1920
Rapid Progess Made In Athletics Despite Small Number of Boys
In the fall of 1920, a mere handful of girls held a meeting with Father Peters and organized a basketball team. This marked the beginning of athletics in D.C. H. S. The pioneer athletes were Margaret Mylott, Irene Holthouse, Charlotte Niblick, Helen Gass, Marie Foos, Anna Baker, and Anna Dowling.
Not to be outdone by the girls, the boys (although only two in number) linked themselves with the eighth grade boys, who later showed such great prowess, and formed a team. This was in the season of 1920-21.
SEASON OF 1921
In September, 1921, the boys definitely organized a basketball team for they had six freshmen join them. Father Peters proffered his services as coach. No definite schedule was arranged, but the coach managed to secure eight games for the boys. Although they lost five of the games, they felt they had gained much in the way of experience.
The girls reorganized their team and progressed under the guidance of Father Peters. they played several games with D. H. S. and the St. Catherine girls of Fort Wayne, and always made a splendid showing.
SEASON OF 1922
In 1922, athletics were given a decided boost when the services of Lawrence Linn, former D. H.S. star, were secured. Mr. Linn proved an efficent coach, for his charges made very creditable showings against teams representing schools with a far larger enrollment than that of D. C.H.S.
The girls' team, having learned the fundamentals of the game, enjoyed the priviledge of competing with six or seven out of town teams. In the majority of the games, they had the short end of the score, but this was undoubtedly because of their lack of experience. Nevertheless, their spirits never ebbed and they persistently stuck to the rope until the end of the season, and made plans for a bigger and better girls team in 1923.
SEASON OF 1923
In 1923, athletics were given an added impetus by the addition of football to the curriculum of sports. This was made possible by the active interest and generosity of many local business men, who contributed the magnificent sum of $500 for the purchase of football equipment. France Conter, local, wide-awake, you business man, accepted the difficult task of working with raw material. Raw, indeed, for many of the boys had never before engaged in even a practice game of this famous sport. However, Mr. Conter more than fulfilled his contract as is readily seen by comparing the team's first defeat, 56-0, with its second, 24-7. the team closed the season without a victory, but they were not discouraged and looked forward to the bright prospects of the coming year.
Soon after Thanksgiving, th boys and girls opened the basketball season. Since the former coach, Lawrence Linn, was now a student at the University of Indiana, France Conter,, graduate of the U of I and football coach, became the director of the boys' team. Father Peters, the manager, arranged' a schedule of sixteen games. The team made an enviable record that year, losing only three games. Two of these were lost to C.C.H.S. by scores of 14-10 and 13-12. The 1923-24 basketball season was a great improvement over past seasons for the girls as well as the boys. The Varsity (girls) won eight out of twelve games played. SEASON OF 1924
The football season of 1924 was a failure as far as victories is concerned, yet it cannot be considered a failure in every respect. Experience had been gained in each game, and valuable material was uncovered for the next team. Prying off the lid of the '24-'25 basketball season was somewhat more successful than a similar event in football. Father Peters, manager, arranged a schedule of twenty games. These included Pennville, C.C. H.S., Cathedral of Indianapolis and others of importance. the first game with Pennville was a thriller, but D.C.H.S. proved itself winner by the close score of 19-18. At this game the boys displayed new uniforms of green and gold.
This season proved to be the most successful ever played by the warriors of the green and gold. They came through a series of 18 games, undefeated, the most brilliant record any school could wish for its team. Some of the victims of their prowess were: Pennville, St. Mary's of Huntington, C.C.H.S., C.H.S. of Indianpolis, Gibault of Vincennes, St. Patricks of Ft. Wayne, and Sts Peter and Paul of Huntington.
ENTER NATIONAL TOURNEY
Since the team came through the season without a defeat, the were invited to compete in the National Catholic Basketball Tournament, held in Chicago at Loyola University. Local fans furnished the necessary funds for the trip. The players, accompanied by Coach Conte and Father Peters, left for Chicago on the 2:22 A.M. train Wednesday morning, March 15 (1925). Those who made the trip were E. Christen, R. Voglewede, B. Meyer, H.Holthous, G. Laurent, F. Schultz, A. Voglewede, C.Gass and A. Wemhoff.
We entered the tournament unknown and unheralded. No one seemed to care about Decatur, nor think they had a chance. The team gained recognition and praise by winning it's first game over last year's champions, Spauldig Institute of Peoria, Illinois, 24-23. Next, the team was scheduled to play St. Thomas Academy of St. Paul, who had been the favorites of the dopesters. the team rallied after trailing 8-5 at the end of the half and came through with a 21-16 victory. the third opponents happened to be St. Viator's College from Bourbonais, Illinois. This was a very interesting tussle, and D.C.H. S. again proved itself the better team, leading in the final score, 18-12.
1
Finally came the St. Mels game, which proved fatal to the D. C. H. S. boys, who were becoming the favorites of the dopesters. The local lads were far in the lead when Lady Luck frowned upon them and put Gass out of the game with a sprained ankle. The team was lost without Gass. Their opponents took advantage of the lack of defense and added six points to their score. With twelve seconds to play they tied the score 11-11. This made a five-minute overtime period necessary. St. Mel's, hot from their rally, scored the winning two points. this gave St. Mels the game as they prevented D. C. H. S. from scoring again.
This defeat was the first suffered by the locals in twenty-two games. It was a heartbreaking defeat for both fans and players, but everyone in "the old home town" was more than satisfied and proud of the wonderful record made by the wearers of the green and gold.
Too much praise could hardly be given to this team when on considers that the many teams represented schools with an enrollment of several hundred boys. D. C. H. S. had eight boys last year.
The girls, also, had a successful season in
1924-25. Although greatly outweighed and often smaller in stature, they defeated eight of twelve opponents. They lost only one player, G. Smith, by graduation, so that they are confident of having an all-star team this season.
The boys have not organized a football team this year, because of a lack of players and no definitely arranged schedule. However, they are anxiously awaiting practice in the new gymnasium which will probably start next week. The outlook for a successful basketball season is bright. Three first string men, Voglewede, Holthouse, and Christen, and two subs, Schulte and Laurent, were lost by
graduation. Nevertheless, D.C. H.S., with veterans, Gass, Meyer, Wemhoff and A. Voglewede, hopes to establish such a record as will justify their entering the National Catholic Tournament again next March. Coach Conter will continue his excellent work and Father Peters has already arranged many games with prominent Catholic high school teams.
DECATUR CATHOLIC COACHES AND RECORDS
Year (s) Name
Over-all Record
1922
Father Otto Peters
3- 5
1923 Lawrence Linn
5-
6
1924-27 France Conter
82- 11
1928-40
George Laurent
168-134
1941-43
T. C. Zaynor
25- 37
1944-46
Gerald Vizzard
25- 33
1947
Elwood Hoke
4- 15
1948
Dan Perry
12- 10
1949-56 Dave Terveer
88- 88
1957-60
Allison Lindahl
39- 46
1961-62
Leon Youngpeter
26- 16
1963-64
George Waning
21- 20
1965-66
Bob Boyle
29- 15
1967
Bob Chuey
9- 12
TOP TEN SCORERS
Single Season
Career
Name
Year
Points
Name
Years
Points
J. Wilder
1955
497
J. Wilder
1953-56
1267
J . Lose
1966
450
D. Baker
1958-60
868
D. Baker
1959
446
J . Lose
1963-66
832
"Mongo "Meyer
1927
408
M . Meyer
1924-27
815
R . Meyer
1957
356
W. Gass
1928-31
799
Bollinger
1966
356
E. Kohne
1962-64
788
Gass
1953
347
R . Meyer
1955-57
713
Mowrey
1955
346
Wemhoff
1924-27
657
J. Wilder
1956
339
D. Kable
1955-58
630
S. Blythe
1962
327
Bollinger
1964-66
602
Most points game
94 Decatur Catholic 94
1966
Madison Twp
72
Fewest points game
5 Decatur Catholic
5
1923
Delphos St . John
34
Largest win
70 Decatur Catholic 87
1926
Anderson St. Mary 17
Worst Defeat
40 Decatur Catholic 19
1944
Ft. Wayne C.C.
59
40 Decatur Catholic 49
1962
Larwill
89
Most Points Game Individual 39 R. Meyer vs Pleasant Mills
1957
37 J. Wilder 1955
·
1921 DECATUR CATHOLIC
In the fall of 1920, a mere handful of girls held a meeting with Father Peters and organized a basketball team. This marked the birth of athletics in D.C. H. S. The pioneer athletes were Margaret Mylott, Irene Holthous, Charlotte Niblick, Helen Gass, Marie Foos, Anna Baker and Anna Dowling.
Not to be outdone by the girls, the boys (although only two in number) linked themselves with the eighth grade boys, who later showed such great prowess, and formed a
team. This was in the 1920-21 season.
(From the Decatur Democrat 10/17/25)
1922 DECATUR CATHOLIC
Coach : OTTO PETERS ( 1rst year)
Kirkland 2nds
18
21
Ft. Wayne Central Catholic 2nds Kirkland Twp
12
9
11
10
Bryant Fisher Harris
27
28
28
2
1922 Season Record
3
5
DCHS Record To Date
3
5
1922 TEAM MEMBERS Points C. Points
Name
G. Mylott
A. Appelman
E. Christener
A. Schindler
R . Vogelwede
F. Schultz
H. Holthouse
This was the first season that Decatur Catholic fielded a basketball team. Father Otto Peters was volunteered to be the coach. This was also the first year for the St. Joseph building. Although I could only find five games for Decatur Catholic, a later newspaper article reports that they played eight games and won 3.
MPGT 27 Decatur Cath 27
FPG 11 Decatur Cath 11
Bryant 28
Kirkland Two 10
LMV
18 Decatur Cath 20
Fisher-Harris 2 LMD 3 Decatur Cath 18
Kirkland 2nds 21
DC
OPP
Although no girls scores could be found, the girls organized a team under coach Father Otto Peters. An article from the Decatur Daily Democrat on October 17,1925 said that the girls played several games with Decatur High School and the St. Catherine girls from Fort Wayne, and, "always made a splendid showing."
r
1923 DECATUR CATHOLIC
Coach : LAWRENCE LINN ( 1rst year)
DC
Opp
Van Buren
14
31
Delphos St. John
21
16
Kirkland Twp
24
10
Lima St. Rose
15
13
Portland
11
17
Ft. Wayne Central Catholic
13
16
Delphos St. John
5
34
Celina Catholic
31
10
Ft. Wayne Central Catholic
11
15
Van Buren
8
18
1923 Season Record
5
6
DCHS Record To Date
8
11
TEAM MEMBERS
Name
H. Holthouse
Myers
Wemhoff
A. Christner
Snyder
F. Schulte
R . Vogelwede
G. Mylott
A . Appelman
MPG
31 DCHS 31 FPG 5 DCHS
5
Celina Catholic 10
Delphos St.John 34
LMV 21 DCHS
31
LMD 29 DCHS
5
Celina Catholic 10
Delphos St.John 34
MPGI
Lawrence "Lank" Linn was a Decatur High school grad and former center for the Yellow Jackets. This was the first season that DCHS played rivals Lima St. Rose, Delphos St. Johns and Fort Wayne Central Catholic.
Decatur Catholic also fielded a girls team in 1923
Bryant
10
33
Decatur 2nds
15
13
Bryant
21
8
DCHS
Opp
A history of DCHS athletics written in 1925 said that "the girls team, having learned the fundamentals of the game, enjoyed the privilege of competing with six or seven out-of town teams. In the majority of the games they had the short end of the score, but this was undoubtedly because of their lack of experience. Nevertheless, their spirits never ebbed and they persistently stuck to the rope until the end of the season, and made plans for a bigger, better girls team in 1924." (From the Decatur Democrat 10/17/25)
1924 DECATUR CATHOLIC
Coach : FRANCE CONTER ( 1rst year)
DC
Opp
Huntington St.Peter
30
9
Monroeville
42
14
Huntington St.Mary
21
15
Ft. Wayne Central Catholic
10
14
Ft. Wayne Central Catholic
12
13
Kirkland Twp
25
16
International Business College
26
15
Geneva
33
21
Monroeville
31
11
Ft. Wayne St. Patrick
9
11
Huntington St.Mary
26
8
Kirkland Twp
26
23
General Electric 2nds
23
11
Geneva
36
27
Ft. Wayne St. Patricks
21
17
Huntington St. Peter
25
15
Season Record
13
3
DCHS Record to Date
21
14
1924 TEAM MEMBERS AND POINTS
Name
Points C. Points
Name
Points
C. Points
F. Connell
0
H . Holthouse
110
A . Vogelwede
83
A . Wemhoff
112
B.Gage
0
· E . Christener
49
J. Omlar
0
F . Schulte
14
G. Laurent
4
R . Vogelwede
0
Meyers
3
C. Gass
24
G. Smith
France Conter, local businessman and I. U. grad was hired to create a football team at DCHS. Some local businessment donated $500 for equipment. This was one of two years that DCHS had a football team. When Lawrence Linn left to attend IU, Conter was given control of the basketball team as well. This was the most successful season in Decatur Catholic's short history. Two of their three losses were to Fort Wayne Central Catholic. Catholic's other loss was to Fort Wayne St. Patricks, and they avenged that loss later in the season.
MPG 42
DCHS
42
FPG 9 DCHS 9
Monroeville 14
Ft. Wayne St. Patrick 11
LMV 28
DCHS
42
LMD 4 DCHS
10
Monroeville 14
Ft Wayne CC 14
MPGI
.
r
1924 DECATUR CATHOLIC GIRLS Coach : Father Otto Peters
DCHS also fielded a girl's team this year.
DC
Opp
Super Six
9
16
Super Six
6
13
Hoosier Paint
16
26
Kirkland
16
10
St. Augustine
22
12
Huntington St.Mary
28
10
St. Augustine
14
6
Monroeville
16
5
Huntington St. Mary
23
12
Kirkland Twp
15
5
Berne
15
34
Decatur Business Girls
13
2
DCHS Season Record
8
4
TEAM MEMBERS
H. Holthouse
I. Baker
A. Clark
R. Smith
B.Christen
A . Murtaugh
H. Bremerkamp
A. Baker
A. Dowling
G. Smith
1925 DCHS Boys
Coach : FRANCE CONTER (2nd year)
Pennville
19
18
Berne
36
19
New Haven
18
11
Huntington St.Mary
31
12
Hartford Twp
50
7
Pennville
16
15
Fort Wayne Central Catholic
36
24
Indianapolis Central Catholic
27
18
Berne
24
18
Huntington St .Mary
41
12
Ft. Wayne Central Catholic
29
14
Indianapolis Central Catholic
22
20
Vincennes Gibault
29
21
Ft. Wayne St Patrick
22
7
Huntington St. Peter
36
14
Lima St.John
44
17
Kirkland Twp
35
16
Huntington St. Peter
38
9
24 Peoria (IL) Spaulding
24
22
21 St. Paul (Minn) St. Thomas
21
16
St. Victor College
18
12
Chicago St.Mel
11
13*
Rochester Aquinas
18
22
Exhibition
17
28
DCHS Season Record
21
2
DCHS Record To Date
42
16
Name
Points C. Points
Name
Points C. Points
R . Voglewede
146
146
A . Vogelwede
2
85
A . Wemhoff
70
192
J. Mylott
2
2
H . Holthouse
132
242
B. Meyers
87
87
E. Christener
61
110
F. Schultz
16
30
C.Gass
16
40
G. Laurent
20
24
Decatur Catholic became the first boys team in Adams County to go through the regular season undefeated. The Commodores won their first 21 games before losing to Chicago St. Mel in the National Catholic High School Tournement. They then lost to Rochester Aquinas to close out the season 21-2. This would be the best record in DCHS history.
MPG 50
DCHS
50
FPG 11 DCHS 11
Hartford Twp
7
Chicago St. Mel 13*
LMV 43
DCHS
50
LMD
4 DCHS 18
Hartford Twp 7
Rochester St. Auinas 22
MPGI
DC
Opp
National Catholic Tourney
Decatur Leaders
1925 TEAMS MEMBERS AND POINTS
L
1925 DCHS Girls
DC
Opp
Pennville
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.