We like to talk sports. These former Benton High athletes answered the following questions. We hope you enjoy reading this as much as we do.
1) What made the experience so special? 2) Who did they look up to? 3) How has the sport(s) changed since they played?
Want to be included? Shoot us a message. [email protected]
1) What made the experience so special? 2) Who did they look up to? 3) How has the sport(s) changed since they played?
Want to be included? Shoot us a message. [email protected]
Name: Billy Smith
Sport: Basketball, Baseball, Football, Track
Class of: 1975
1. High school sports was a rite of passage, and a big part of my life. The people I met along the way is what made the experience special to me. Several of my teammates and coaches became lifelong friends.
Success was another reason that made the experience special. Although we weren’t the best in every sport, we were competitive in all of them, and the best in some of them. Winning isn’t everything, but it’s a lot more fun when you do.
2. In my pre-Ranger days, it was my dad. I met him in the driveway when he got home from work with whatever ball was needed for the sport in season. I don’t remember him ever saying no. We played horse during basketball season, ran pass patterns during football season, and played catch and fielded ground balls during baseball season. I couldn’t have asked for a better role model.
When I started competing in sports, I looked up to my coaches. My coaches were great role models too (Perry Eisenhauer, Bob Johnston, Burton Wills, Don Webb, Chuck Oyler, Moose Phillips, Kenny Hungate, Harry Stewart, and Rich Herrin). Each one of them had characteristics that I appreciated and hopefully, some of those rubbed off on me. Every one of them had an impact on my life, but Coach Herrin was probably the most influential.
In my grade school and middle school years, it was primarily the basketball players that I looked up to, probably because of their success. The late 60’s was a great time for Benton basketball, and there were lots of guys to admire. There are too many to name but Rich Yunkus and Doug Collins obviously stand out because of their success. I had the opportunity to see Rich play when Georgia Tech came to play SIU, and I saw Doug play with the Olympic team in Louisville when they were getting ready for the 1972 Olympics.
As I entered high school, it was the upper classmen that I looked up to. Steve Stewart was a senior my freshmen year. Both of us being Grant Green Gorillas, I had the opportunity to watch him from grade school on up. He was good at everything, made it look easy, and I wanted to be like Steve. Coach Herrin brought me up to the varsity late in the season my freshmen year, and I had the opportunity to play in a few games with Steve. One distinct memory I have is running a two on one break with Steve against Murphysboro, one of those snippets of life that has stuck with me.
Robert Corn was another Ranger that I looked up to. Robert was a Junior when I was a Freshmen, and he took me under his wing for the next couple of years. I learned a lot of things from Robert, some good and maybe some questionable, but his work ethic is what I admired the most. I could never get to the gym before Robert, and he was driving in from Macedonia. Robert and I are close friends to this day.
My junior year, Scott Hall, Paul Dinkins and Steve McCommons were the senior leaders, and they were also my buddies. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I looked up to them as well.
3. All of the sports have changed, but some more than others. For us, football was not very sophisticated. There was no weight training, or off-season workouts. We didn’t study film of our opponents or review film of our games. We ran simple offensive and defensive schemes, and we had 2 coaches instead of 10. The football field was a dust bowl by the end of the season, and not the lush expanse of green grass of today. Ranger football has come a long way since then.
Baseball was similar to football. We weren’t very sophisticated but we had a cool place to play. To me, Eovaldi field was iconic with the covered, wooden grandstand and the wooden signs lining the outfield, and you didn’t see many fields that were 350 down the lines and 400+ in center. Preseason training for us was 3 or 4 practices where we each got 10 cuts at the plate, and then took some infield. Our season consisted of 10-12 games, and then post-season play. Our preseason practices were sometimes held on a parking lot at Rend Lake when it was too wet to get on Eovaldi field. Today they have an indoor batting cage that is utilized over the winter. Many of the kids take private hitting and/or pitching lessons, and the Ranger season is 30+ games. Ranger baseball has come a long way as well, but they don’t have the iconic place to play that we did.
I don’t really know how much track and field has changed, but I suspect it is more sophisticated as well. I do know that the facilities are much improved. The surfaced track and runways they have today are a vast improvement over the cinder and asphalt tracks that we competed on.
Basketball has changed in a lot of ways (rules, off season preparation, skills, fundamentals, physicality, and style of play). The rules changes that have impacted the sport the most are the 3 point line and the number of referees on the floor. I won’t judge if the changes are good or bad, but they have impacted the game.
During the summer, the gym was open 7 -11 every morning. The younger kids played from 7 – 9, and the older kids played from 9 – 11. Before I had my own transportation, my mother would drop me off at 7 and pick me up at 11. We also had “student teachers” during the summer that played with us (Dave Gray, Randy Smithpeters, and Mouse Garret to name a few). Twice a week, the gym was open in the evenings and provided the best competition in the area. The college guys home for the summer came to play and college level players from the surrounding area came to play as well (Dennis and Barry Smith from Eldorado, Mike Duff from Eldorado, Mike Newbold from Herrin, and others). We went to camps during the summer and worked at Coach Herrin’s camp as well. I personally went to camps at SIU, Union University, Arkansas State, ORU, and the University of Florida. Today, the summer programs and camps seem to be more team oriented, and I don’t think the kids have as much individual play time as we did.
Players today are more skilled in some ways. In particular, the players today handle the ball better and attack the basket off the dribble better than we did. Fundamentals don’t seem to be emphasized nearly as much however. Two things in particular that make me cringe are one handed passes and not blocking out, especially on free throws. The game is also more physical today than in our era. I don’t know if that is due to the generally improved strength of the players or if it is just the style of play.
The style of play is different. Again, I won’t judge if it is good or bad, just different. Today, there seems to be more motion offenses and pattern offense, and they are typically initiated off the dribble. The short-range game hardly exists and it is either a 3 pointer or a drive to the basket. Scoring is also way down compared to our era. I don’t know if that is the style of play or the physical nature of today’s game.
The basketball program in our era was superior to any in the area. I credit that to Coach Herrin, the lower level development, and the summer program.
Sport: Basketball, Baseball, Football, Track
Class of: 1975
1. High school sports was a rite of passage, and a big part of my life. The people I met along the way is what made the experience special to me. Several of my teammates and coaches became lifelong friends.
Success was another reason that made the experience special. Although we weren’t the best in every sport, we were competitive in all of them, and the best in some of them. Winning isn’t everything, but it’s a lot more fun when you do.
2. In my pre-Ranger days, it was my dad. I met him in the driveway when he got home from work with whatever ball was needed for the sport in season. I don’t remember him ever saying no. We played horse during basketball season, ran pass patterns during football season, and played catch and fielded ground balls during baseball season. I couldn’t have asked for a better role model.
When I started competing in sports, I looked up to my coaches. My coaches were great role models too (Perry Eisenhauer, Bob Johnston, Burton Wills, Don Webb, Chuck Oyler, Moose Phillips, Kenny Hungate, Harry Stewart, and Rich Herrin). Each one of them had characteristics that I appreciated and hopefully, some of those rubbed off on me. Every one of them had an impact on my life, but Coach Herrin was probably the most influential.
In my grade school and middle school years, it was primarily the basketball players that I looked up to, probably because of their success. The late 60’s was a great time for Benton basketball, and there were lots of guys to admire. There are too many to name but Rich Yunkus and Doug Collins obviously stand out because of their success. I had the opportunity to see Rich play when Georgia Tech came to play SIU, and I saw Doug play with the Olympic team in Louisville when they were getting ready for the 1972 Olympics.
As I entered high school, it was the upper classmen that I looked up to. Steve Stewart was a senior my freshmen year. Both of us being Grant Green Gorillas, I had the opportunity to watch him from grade school on up. He was good at everything, made it look easy, and I wanted to be like Steve. Coach Herrin brought me up to the varsity late in the season my freshmen year, and I had the opportunity to play in a few games with Steve. One distinct memory I have is running a two on one break with Steve against Murphysboro, one of those snippets of life that has stuck with me.
Robert Corn was another Ranger that I looked up to. Robert was a Junior when I was a Freshmen, and he took me under his wing for the next couple of years. I learned a lot of things from Robert, some good and maybe some questionable, but his work ethic is what I admired the most. I could never get to the gym before Robert, and he was driving in from Macedonia. Robert and I are close friends to this day.
My junior year, Scott Hall, Paul Dinkins and Steve McCommons were the senior leaders, and they were also my buddies. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I looked up to them as well.
3. All of the sports have changed, but some more than others. For us, football was not very sophisticated. There was no weight training, or off-season workouts. We didn’t study film of our opponents or review film of our games. We ran simple offensive and defensive schemes, and we had 2 coaches instead of 10. The football field was a dust bowl by the end of the season, and not the lush expanse of green grass of today. Ranger football has come a long way since then.
Baseball was similar to football. We weren’t very sophisticated but we had a cool place to play. To me, Eovaldi field was iconic with the covered, wooden grandstand and the wooden signs lining the outfield, and you didn’t see many fields that were 350 down the lines and 400+ in center. Preseason training for us was 3 or 4 practices where we each got 10 cuts at the plate, and then took some infield. Our season consisted of 10-12 games, and then post-season play. Our preseason practices were sometimes held on a parking lot at Rend Lake when it was too wet to get on Eovaldi field. Today they have an indoor batting cage that is utilized over the winter. Many of the kids take private hitting and/or pitching lessons, and the Ranger season is 30+ games. Ranger baseball has come a long way as well, but they don’t have the iconic place to play that we did.
I don’t really know how much track and field has changed, but I suspect it is more sophisticated as well. I do know that the facilities are much improved. The surfaced track and runways they have today are a vast improvement over the cinder and asphalt tracks that we competed on.
Basketball has changed in a lot of ways (rules, off season preparation, skills, fundamentals, physicality, and style of play). The rules changes that have impacted the sport the most are the 3 point line and the number of referees on the floor. I won’t judge if the changes are good or bad, but they have impacted the game.
During the summer, the gym was open 7 -11 every morning. The younger kids played from 7 – 9, and the older kids played from 9 – 11. Before I had my own transportation, my mother would drop me off at 7 and pick me up at 11. We also had “student teachers” during the summer that played with us (Dave Gray, Randy Smithpeters, and Mouse Garret to name a few). Twice a week, the gym was open in the evenings and provided the best competition in the area. The college guys home for the summer came to play and college level players from the surrounding area came to play as well (Dennis and Barry Smith from Eldorado, Mike Duff from Eldorado, Mike Newbold from Herrin, and others). We went to camps during the summer and worked at Coach Herrin’s camp as well. I personally went to camps at SIU, Union University, Arkansas State, ORU, and the University of Florida. Today, the summer programs and camps seem to be more team oriented, and I don’t think the kids have as much individual play time as we did.
Players today are more skilled in some ways. In particular, the players today handle the ball better and attack the basket off the dribble better than we did. Fundamentals don’t seem to be emphasized nearly as much however. Two things in particular that make me cringe are one handed passes and not blocking out, especially on free throws. The game is also more physical today than in our era. I don’t know if that is due to the generally improved strength of the players or if it is just the style of play.
The style of play is different. Again, I won’t judge if it is good or bad, just different. Today, there seems to be more motion offenses and pattern offense, and they are typically initiated off the dribble. The short-range game hardly exists and it is either a 3 pointer or a drive to the basket. Scoring is also way down compared to our era. I don’t know if that is the style of play or the physical nature of today’s game.
The basketball program in our era was superior to any in the area. I credit that to Coach Herrin, the lower level development, and the summer program.
Name: Hugh Frailey
Sports: Basketball, Golf
Class of: 1971
1. It was a great time to be a Ranger, not just at the high school but out in the community. Sports brought everyone together and gave even the most anti-social person the opportunity to engage in the conversation. They treated us all like stars and it was wonderful. 2. My mom was the #1 person I looked up to. She directed us and expected the best in everything we did. After mom, there was Rich Herrin, Doug Collins, Danny Johnson, Rich Yuncus, pretty much if there's a banner with a name on it in the Rich Herrin Gym, I looked up to them. 3. The biggest change is technology. After our games, we'd rush home to listen to Joe Browning doing the replay of our game on the radio. Now you can follow games, as they're being played, on social media. Also, when I played, Rich did not want any basketball players playing football. Today, there's more sports and more choices.
Sports: Basketball, Golf
Class of: 1971
1. It was a great time to be a Ranger, not just at the high school but out in the community. Sports brought everyone together and gave even the most anti-social person the opportunity to engage in the conversation. They treated us all like stars and it was wonderful. 2. My mom was the #1 person I looked up to. She directed us and expected the best in everything we did. After mom, there was Rich Herrin, Doug Collins, Danny Johnson, Rich Yuncus, pretty much if there's a banner with a name on it in the Rich Herrin Gym, I looked up to them. 3. The biggest change is technology. After our games, we'd rush home to listen to Joe Browning doing the replay of our game on the radio. Now you can follow games, as they're being played, on social media. Also, when I played, Rich did not want any basketball players playing football. Today, there's more sports and more choices.
Name: Denny Smith
Sport: Basketball
Class of: 1971
1. The friendships I made, the loyalty of the community to us made me realize the importance of our team to the community and teamwork in general. 2. Harry Stewart, Moose Phillips, Coach Herrin, Jerry Hoover (my favorite player). 3. I think the 3-point line is the biggest change in high school basketball, and not always for the best. It seems to be more of an individual sport now as opposed to a team sport. But, the successful teams are still team focused. This is true at every level of basketball.
Sport: Basketball
Class of: 1971
1. The friendships I made, the loyalty of the community to us made me realize the importance of our team to the community and teamwork in general. 2. Harry Stewart, Moose Phillips, Coach Herrin, Jerry Hoover (my favorite player). 3. I think the 3-point line is the biggest change in high school basketball, and not always for the best. It seems to be more of an individual sport now as opposed to a team sport. But, the successful teams are still team focused. This is true at every level of basketball.
Name: Lex Stewart
Sports: Football/Basketball
Class of: 1975
1. The close relationships and comradery that we had between teammates and coaches stands out for me. In football, much like life, it sometimes seems as though you are facing more than you can handle. When you know that your teammates can be counted on to come to your aid, you want them to also count on you. It was a great group of people to be associated with. I don't remember the games near as much as I remember the players and coaches. 2. My dad, Harry Stewart. 3. Safety practices are more strict today.
Sports: Football/Basketball
Class of: 1975
1. The close relationships and comradery that we had between teammates and coaches stands out for me. In football, much like life, it sometimes seems as though you are facing more than you can handle. When you know that your teammates can be counted on to come to your aid, you want them to also count on you. It was a great group of people to be associated with. I don't remember the games near as much as I remember the players and coaches. 2. My dad, Harry Stewart. 3. Safety practices are more strict today.
Name: Rod Shurtz
Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Track
Class of: 1978
1. What made those times special were the friendships and relationships I developed with my coaches and teammates, not to mention the amazing memories that are still shared today. In 1976, when we won the South 7 Conference Track title, IMO that may have been one of the best groups of athletes from top to bottom that ever competed at BCHS. 2. Besides my Mom and Dad, Billy Smith was the guy. I admired him as a person and as an athlete. He was an incredible Ranger in 4 sports and set the bar at BCHS. 3. The positives: I was blessed to have amazing coaches and great memories during my high school career and wouldn't change anything, but it has changed over these many years. Coaches have had to change with the times when it comes to education, nutrition, and training of their athletes. In addition, today's athletes have more access to technology and improved methods of training to ascertain their best performances. There have been changes in cross country and track, but the biggest change over the years has been in basketball. Many players are bigger, faster, and stronger. The game is faster in many ways. It seems to be a game of slashers and 3-point shooters. The mid-range jump shot doesn't seem to exist much anymore and the fundamentals of the game are not taught like they were years ago. The negatives: There are too many "distractors' for kids today. Social media has not been helpful with that. The 3-sports athlete is very rare. Parents and kids seem to want to focus on specializing in one sport and miss the many opportunities from playing multiple sports, being coaches by other coaches, relationships, and helping their athletic program become competitive overall. Playing together as a team and finding success is not as important. Instead, it seems to be "how can I benefit personally from playing this sport." The good Lord has blessed me and my family. I have two sons that are teachers and coaches, and they have a responsibility to help mold the youth in their communities. They hopefully can carry on the attitude of hard work and doing things the right way.
Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Track
Class of: 1978
1. What made those times special were the friendships and relationships I developed with my coaches and teammates, not to mention the amazing memories that are still shared today. In 1976, when we won the South 7 Conference Track title, IMO that may have been one of the best groups of athletes from top to bottom that ever competed at BCHS. 2. Besides my Mom and Dad, Billy Smith was the guy. I admired him as a person and as an athlete. He was an incredible Ranger in 4 sports and set the bar at BCHS. 3. The positives: I was blessed to have amazing coaches and great memories during my high school career and wouldn't change anything, but it has changed over these many years. Coaches have had to change with the times when it comes to education, nutrition, and training of their athletes. In addition, today's athletes have more access to technology and improved methods of training to ascertain their best performances. There have been changes in cross country and track, but the biggest change over the years has been in basketball. Many players are bigger, faster, and stronger. The game is faster in many ways. It seems to be a game of slashers and 3-point shooters. The mid-range jump shot doesn't seem to exist much anymore and the fundamentals of the game are not taught like they were years ago. The negatives: There are too many "distractors' for kids today. Social media has not been helpful with that. The 3-sports athlete is very rare. Parents and kids seem to want to focus on specializing in one sport and miss the many opportunities from playing multiple sports, being coaches by other coaches, relationships, and helping their athletic program become competitive overall. Playing together as a team and finding success is not as important. Instead, it seems to be "how can I benefit personally from playing this sport." The good Lord has blessed me and my family. I have two sons that are teachers and coaches, and they have a responsibility to help mold the youth in their communities. They hopefully can carry on the attitude of hard work and doing things the right way.
Name: Mark Smith
Sports: Football, Track
Class of: 1979
1. Being an athlete at B.C.H.S. was special for me for many reasons. My Dad played football for the Rangers on a team in 1944 that went undefeated and not scored on until the last game of the season when they traveled to Evansville Indiana and faced an unfamiliar passing attack which they hadn't seen and were not prepared for. I grew up listening and watching Ranger sports. I remember listening to broadcasts of the Ranger basketball '75 team with Bill Smith (cousin), Keith Tabor, Mark Craddock, Rob Dunbar, and other greats . My Dad took me to watch Bill play Qb for the football Rangers.
2. My playing days were 1976-1979 . I played for some good coaches and good men . Harry Stewart and Ken Hungate , Maurice Phillips , Chuck Oyler and Don Webb. The friendships with my teammates last till this day. I was fortunate and blessed to have the opportunity to coach football for the Rangers from 2009-2015 . It was some of the best times of my life with lasting memories .
3. The game of football has changed at Benton since my playing days . Today's game is faster and more complex with the technological advances for study and preparation . I will always be proud to be a Ranger! Maroon and White - All Day All Night!!
Sports: Football, Track
Class of: 1979
1. Being an athlete at B.C.H.S. was special for me for many reasons. My Dad played football for the Rangers on a team in 1944 that went undefeated and not scored on until the last game of the season when they traveled to Evansville Indiana and faced an unfamiliar passing attack which they hadn't seen and were not prepared for. I grew up listening and watching Ranger sports. I remember listening to broadcasts of the Ranger basketball '75 team with Bill Smith (cousin), Keith Tabor, Mark Craddock, Rob Dunbar, and other greats . My Dad took me to watch Bill play Qb for the football Rangers.
2. My playing days were 1976-1979 . I played for some good coaches and good men . Harry Stewart and Ken Hungate , Maurice Phillips , Chuck Oyler and Don Webb. The friendships with my teammates last till this day. I was fortunate and blessed to have the opportunity to coach football for the Rangers from 2009-2015 . It was some of the best times of my life with lasting memories .
3. The game of football has changed at Benton since my playing days . Today's game is faster and more complex with the technological advances for study and preparation . I will always be proud to be a Ranger! Maroon and White - All Day All Night!!
Name: Richard Harp
Sports: Football, Wresting, Golf
Class of: 1980
1. Teammates who I liked and had my back. Sports at BCHS gave me a sense of belonging to something that was a major part of the school. 2. Coach Rich Herrin was the main coach I looked up to even though I didn’t play for him. He ran the athletics at BCHS and taught me a lot about life, what was important, believed in me and always put things into perspective of the larger picture. I also looked up to the coaches I played for because they believed in me and had knowledge in their respective sports. 3. I believe that when I was in school all of the students wanted to be athletes and it was a great honor to make any of the sports teams. Today, kids have a lot more options to do with their time and not as many are interested in sports. I also think that today, kids seem to specialize in one sports with the goal of college play. In my high school time, kids played a different sport every season.
Sports: Football, Wresting, Golf
Class of: 1980
1. Teammates who I liked and had my back. Sports at BCHS gave me a sense of belonging to something that was a major part of the school. 2. Coach Rich Herrin was the main coach I looked up to even though I didn’t play for him. He ran the athletics at BCHS and taught me a lot about life, what was important, believed in me and always put things into perspective of the larger picture. I also looked up to the coaches I played for because they believed in me and had knowledge in their respective sports. 3. I believe that when I was in school all of the students wanted to be athletes and it was a great honor to make any of the sports teams. Today, kids have a lot more options to do with their time and not as many are interested in sports. I also think that today, kids seem to specialize in one sports with the goal of college play. In my high school time, kids played a different sport every season.
Name: Lisa Browning
Sport: Basketball
Class of: 1981
1. The time was special because I was young, had a lot of energy, and enjoyed being with my teammates. 2. Sally Neimeyer was my coach. I had a lot of respect for her and she was a talented coach. 3. I don’t know if I can answer the last question I haven’t really kept up with BCHS girls basketball. Sorry to say but life just gets in the way.
Sport: Basketball
Class of: 1981
1. The time was special because I was young, had a lot of energy, and enjoyed being with my teammates. 2. Sally Neimeyer was my coach. I had a lot of respect for her and she was a talented coach. 3. I don’t know if I can answer the last question I haven’t really kept up with BCHS girls basketball. Sorry to say but life just gets in the way.
Name: Mark Kerley
Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, track
Class of: 1982
1. Just being a part of Benton Ranger legacy and having the same coach, Rich Herrin, that my dad had when he was in school.
2. I looked up to Steve McCollum. I remember him when I was in grade school.
3. That hard work does pay off.
Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, track
Class of: 1982
1. Just being a part of Benton Ranger legacy and having the same coach, Rich Herrin, that my dad had when he was in school.
2. I looked up to Steve McCollum. I remember him when I was in grade school.
3. That hard work does pay off.
Name: Clydette Barnfield
Sports: Basketball, Track, Softball
Class of: 1983
1. My freshman year in basketball we won Class A State Championship. I loved playing basketball and got to play two more years at RLC. 2. I looked up to Coach Sally Niemeyer and the older players. 3. The 3 point line was added and small basketball since I played.
Sports: Basketball, Track, Softball
Class of: 1983
1. My freshman year in basketball we won Class A State Championship. I loved playing basketball and got to play two more years at RLC. 2. I looked up to Coach Sally Niemeyer and the older players. 3. The 3 point line was added and small basketball since I played.
Name: Marty Leffler
Sport: Football
Class of: 1984
1. Playing the sport that I loved. 2. Roger Staubach in football and Steve Gravey in baseball. 3. When I played high school football, your could not use your hands to block as an offensive lineman. It was all forearms and leg strength.
Sport: Football
Class of: 1984
1. Playing the sport that I loved. 2. Roger Staubach in football and Steve Gravey in baseball. 3. When I played high school football, your could not use your hands to block as an offensive lineman. It was all forearms and leg strength.
Name: Jeff Johnston
Sports: Football, Basketball, Track, Baseball
Class of: 1984
1. Competition, success, friendships. 2. Billy Smith. 3. All sports are more specialized. Students want to concentrate on just one instead of enjoying them all. I also feel the crowds have shrunk over time. But then again, basketball during the early 80's was really, really good so it was going to draw big crowds.
Basketball is completely different with the 3pt line, football is much more wide open with more passing, baseball plays twice as many games as we did.
Sports: Football, Basketball, Track, Baseball
Class of: 1984
1. Competition, success, friendships. 2. Billy Smith. 3. All sports are more specialized. Students want to concentrate on just one instead of enjoying them all. I also feel the crowds have shrunk over time. But then again, basketball during the early 80's was really, really good so it was going to draw big crowds.
Basketball is completely different with the 3pt line, football is much more wide open with more passing, baseball plays twice as many games as we did.
Name: Janet Carson Buttitta
Sport: Rangler Girls Dance Team
Class of: 1984
1. I absolutely loved my Rangler Girl sisters : competing, camps, practices and performances. To this day, I consider them to be my forever sisters. It was special to be a member of this fantastic team for four years and have so many priceless memories and sisters. 2. I looked up to the girls older than me. They were the teachers for us. Bill King was monumental in the Start and growth of the team. He definitely was a big influence in my high school years. I was a member of the band for four years as well, so he helped shape me into the person I am. 3. I have not seen their performances other than on social media. It seems most have had a lot of previous dance experience. Most of us did not have any prior training. So, to answer the question, more “twirls” and steps we had no idea how to do. I do watch on social media and love seeing how much things have changed and remained the same. I always cheer for my.......younger Rangler Girl sisters!!!!!
Sport: Rangler Girls Dance Team
Class of: 1984
1. I absolutely loved my Rangler Girl sisters : competing, camps, practices and performances. To this day, I consider them to be my forever sisters. It was special to be a member of this fantastic team for four years and have so many priceless memories and sisters. 2. I looked up to the girls older than me. They were the teachers for us. Bill King was monumental in the Start and growth of the team. He definitely was a big influence in my high school years. I was a member of the band for four years as well, so he helped shape me into the person I am. 3. I have not seen their performances other than on social media. It seems most have had a lot of previous dance experience. Most of us did not have any prior training. So, to answer the question, more “twirls” and steps we had no idea how to do. I do watch on social media and love seeing how much things have changed and remained the same. I always cheer for my.......younger Rangler Girl sisters!!!!!
Name: Kai Nuernberger
Sports: Basketball
Class of: 1984
1. It was a new country, a whole new lifestyle, and many new friends.
2, I looked up to my godfather.
3. Today's sports are more athletic with less fundamentals.
Sports: Basketball
Class of: 1984
1. It was a new country, a whole new lifestyle, and many new friends.
2, I looked up to my godfather.
3. Today's sports are more athletic with less fundamentals.
Name: Steve Summers
Sports: Basketball, Baseball, Football
Class of: 1985
1. The people and coaches. Coach "Moose" Phillips, Coach Hungate, Coach Webb, Chris Head, Jim Odum, and Randy House all made it so special. 2. Mr. Page, the Ag teacher and Coach Phillips. In football, my junior and senior years, I was the only one who could snap long for punts and field goals. They called me J.A.A.L.S. "Johnny All American Long Snapper. I had a t-shirt made up with the initials on it. 3. More parents trying to get involved and more players specializing in one sport.
Sports: Basketball, Baseball, Football
Class of: 1985
1. The people and coaches. Coach "Moose" Phillips, Coach Hungate, Coach Webb, Chris Head, Jim Odum, and Randy House all made it so special. 2. Mr. Page, the Ag teacher and Coach Phillips. In football, my junior and senior years, I was the only one who could snap long for punts and field goals. They called me J.A.A.L.S. "Johnny All American Long Snapper. I had a t-shirt made up with the initials on it. 3. More parents trying to get involved and more players specializing in one sport.
Name: Matt Wynn
Sports: Cross Country, Basketball, Baseball
Class of: 1987
1. The experience was special because it was important to the community. These were times that I was able to share with my friends and most importantly athletics provided a comfortable place for me. It was what I love. 2. Growing up I looked up to so many people probably because I was an only child. I loved all my coaches. Obviously Coach Rich Herrin and Ron Herrin were big influences on my life. When I was a kid I looked up to all the Ranger players, they were a big deal to me. 3. The sport of basketball has changed quite a bit. Basketball is still important which is great but I feel like the game is more wide open. Everybody is expected to handle the ball and obviously the three point shot changed the game. The three point shot opened more driving lanes and it definitely made a man to man defense more popular. The game is more physical today but it is still a great game. I really love Baseball. It is my favorite sport. I love the numbers and records and all the nostalgia that comes with Baseball. In my opinion, Major League Baseball has gone down hill. I grew up watching baseball players steal bases and stretch doubles into triples. I felt the game was extremely competitive. Today, it’s hard for me to watch. I like a Homerun every now and then but today’s game is like Home Run Derby.
Sports: Cross Country, Basketball, Baseball
Class of: 1987
1. The experience was special because it was important to the community. These were times that I was able to share with my friends and most importantly athletics provided a comfortable place for me. It was what I love. 2. Growing up I looked up to so many people probably because I was an only child. I loved all my coaches. Obviously Coach Rich Herrin and Ron Herrin were big influences on my life. When I was a kid I looked up to all the Ranger players, they were a big deal to me. 3. The sport of basketball has changed quite a bit. Basketball is still important which is great but I feel like the game is more wide open. Everybody is expected to handle the ball and obviously the three point shot changed the game. The three point shot opened more driving lanes and it definitely made a man to man defense more popular. The game is more physical today but it is still a great game. I really love Baseball. It is my favorite sport. I love the numbers and records and all the nostalgia that comes with Baseball. In my opinion, Major League Baseball has gone down hill. I grew up watching baseball players steal bases and stretch doubles into triples. I felt the game was extremely competitive. Today, it’s hard for me to watch. I like a Homerun every now and then but today’s game is like Home Run Derby.
Name: Rhonda Carlton
Sports: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, and Track
Class of: 1988
First let me introduce myself. I'm Rhonda Carlton, I have lived in Benton since 1984. I moved here to play basketball ,because as a 5th Grader, I watched the Benton Rangerettes play in the State Tournament.
I moved back to Southern Illinois in 1984, when my father , Wayne Stewart, took a job with Old Ben Central Shop. We left Price, Utah to move to Southern Illinois. I remember my dad asking me where I wanted to go to school? I had three choices: Benton, Christopher or McLeansboro. Well there was no doubt where I wanted to play. I wanted to play for the Benton Rangerettes because I wanted a chance to play at state. Well needless to say that would not be the case, but I could not be more proud of the decision that my parents made for me. I loved playing sports here in Benton. The coaches, teachers and fellow teammates were so supportive. So much that I went on to play volleyball, basketball and softball in college. Through the support of these people I went into teaching and coaching. I started my coaching career in 1995 with Judy Stark as the JV volleyball coach, then in 1997 I got with Mr. Knox and we started the Benton Middle School Volleyball Program, but due to my work schedule I had to give it up, but the sport continued at the middle school. Then in 2000 I was hired at Ewing Grade School to coach volleyball where I stayed for 18 years making 9 trips to state and finishing 3rd in 2008, 3rd in 2010 and 2nd in 2016. While falling more and more in love with the game and players I decided to go back to school and get my Masters in Education and teach while coaching. In 2009 I was hired by Ewing Grade School as a teacher and softball coach while still coaching volleyball there.Ewing had never had softball, so this was the beginning of a new program. Softball continues to grow at Ewing. One of my favorite parts to coaching at Ewing is to know that these players would some day play at Benton High School and maybe I could make a difference in their lives like my teachers and coaches did for me. After being at Ewing for 18 years I gave up coaching at Ewing Grade School and went on to be the head coach in volleyball at Benton High School. My next step is to possibly teach at the high school while coaching, Then you could say my sports career would have come full circle. So as you can see sports have truly changed my life and I have Benton High Coaches and Staff to Thank for that. Thank you Sally Niemeyer, Judy Stark, Fred Heinz , Mary Ellen Aiken and Mary Lou Payne for changing my world.
Sports: Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, and Track
Class of: 1988
First let me introduce myself. I'm Rhonda Carlton, I have lived in Benton since 1984. I moved here to play basketball ,because as a 5th Grader, I watched the Benton Rangerettes play in the State Tournament.
I moved back to Southern Illinois in 1984, when my father , Wayne Stewart, took a job with Old Ben Central Shop. We left Price, Utah to move to Southern Illinois. I remember my dad asking me where I wanted to go to school? I had three choices: Benton, Christopher or McLeansboro. Well there was no doubt where I wanted to play. I wanted to play for the Benton Rangerettes because I wanted a chance to play at state. Well needless to say that would not be the case, but I could not be more proud of the decision that my parents made for me. I loved playing sports here in Benton. The coaches, teachers and fellow teammates were so supportive. So much that I went on to play volleyball, basketball and softball in college. Through the support of these people I went into teaching and coaching. I started my coaching career in 1995 with Judy Stark as the JV volleyball coach, then in 1997 I got with Mr. Knox and we started the Benton Middle School Volleyball Program, but due to my work schedule I had to give it up, but the sport continued at the middle school. Then in 2000 I was hired at Ewing Grade School to coach volleyball where I stayed for 18 years making 9 trips to state and finishing 3rd in 2008, 3rd in 2010 and 2nd in 2016. While falling more and more in love with the game and players I decided to go back to school and get my Masters in Education and teach while coaching. In 2009 I was hired by Ewing Grade School as a teacher and softball coach while still coaching volleyball there.Ewing had never had softball, so this was the beginning of a new program. Softball continues to grow at Ewing. One of my favorite parts to coaching at Ewing is to know that these players would some day play at Benton High School and maybe I could make a difference in their lives like my teachers and coaches did for me. After being at Ewing for 18 years I gave up coaching at Ewing Grade School and went on to be the head coach in volleyball at Benton High School. My next step is to possibly teach at the high school while coaching, Then you could say my sports career would have come full circle. So as you can see sports have truly changed my life and I have Benton High Coaches and Staff to Thank for that. Thank you Sally Niemeyer, Judy Stark, Fred Heinz , Mary Ellen Aiken and Mary Lou Payne for changing my world.
Name: Scott Hall
Sport: Track/Cross Country
Class of: 1989
1. "The special part of my time were the coaches". They wanted your best each and every day but they also cared about you as a person 2. Coach Don Webb was so instrumental in molding my athletic abilities 3. Too many parents are trying to get involved nowadays. It's so easy to sit back and judge how they think things should be done without the knowledge and skills our coaches had.
Sport: Track/Cross Country
Class of: 1989
1. "The special part of my time were the coaches". They wanted your best each and every day but they also cared about you as a person 2. Coach Don Webb was so instrumental in molding my athletic abilities 3. Too many parents are trying to get involved nowadays. It's so easy to sit back and judge how they think things should be done without the knowledge and skills our coaches had.
Name: Stephanie Stayton
Sports: Basketball, Softball, Cross Country
Class of: 1999
1. Playing sports was special to me because I enjoyed the challenge and it kept me focused in my studies and my continued education as I obtained a softball scholarship as a pitcher after high school that help pay for my teaching degree I have now. 2. I look up to my parents and the coaches I had throughout my years as a player. 3. I feel sports have changed a lot since I have played. Throwing in travel ball has made it so much more and I feel a lot of times kids are getting burn out as it's becoming so much more competitive.
Sports: Basketball, Softball, Cross Country
Class of: 1999
1. Playing sports was special to me because I enjoyed the challenge and it kept me focused in my studies and my continued education as I obtained a softball scholarship as a pitcher after high school that help pay for my teaching degree I have now. 2. I look up to my parents and the coaches I had throughout my years as a player. 3. I feel sports have changed a lot since I have played. Throwing in travel ball has made it so much more and I feel a lot of times kids are getting burn out as it's becoming so much more competitive.
Name: Sara Dixon Stowers
Sports: Basketball, Softball, Tennis.
Class of: 2003
1. What made that time special was playing with my teammates, the exciting games that we had that were close. The group I had the pleasure of playing in started making a comeback in female sports. In basketball we had a lot of success in junior high and established our friendships at an early age and that is what made us such a good team, we wanted everyone to succeed. We won the conference and regional titles for basketball and had three consecutive years of winning more than 20 games. For softball we won two regionals, one in 2002 which was the first in school history. The second regional was in 2003. As for tennis I started as a junior because that is when the program started. 2. I looked up to a variety of players, my sister is seven years older and I saw a lot of ballgames as a young child. Some players I looked up to were Angie Brewer, Missy Broy (she played at WF) my old coach Jim Morrison (junior high) and Jeff Lonnon (high school coach), famous players were Lisa Leslie and Rebekah Lobo, and Cheryl Miller. 3. More pressure and more competitive.
Sports: Basketball, Softball, Tennis.
Class of: 2003
1. What made that time special was playing with my teammates, the exciting games that we had that were close. The group I had the pleasure of playing in started making a comeback in female sports. In basketball we had a lot of success in junior high and established our friendships at an early age and that is what made us such a good team, we wanted everyone to succeed. We won the conference and regional titles for basketball and had three consecutive years of winning more than 20 games. For softball we won two regionals, one in 2002 which was the first in school history. The second regional was in 2003. As for tennis I started as a junior because that is when the program started. 2. I looked up to a variety of players, my sister is seven years older and I saw a lot of ballgames as a young child. Some players I looked up to were Angie Brewer, Missy Broy (she played at WF) my old coach Jim Morrison (junior high) and Jeff Lonnon (high school coach), famous players were Lisa Leslie and Rebekah Lobo, and Cheryl Miller. 3. More pressure and more competitive.