As a former Ophan, the legend I learned was that early on in the school's history the Basketball team was playing in Chicago. Apparently a Chicago sportswriter at the time made the comment that the team "looked like a bunch of orphans" when referring to their tattered uniforms.
The name stuck as the new name replaced the old nickname, "Cardinals."
Let me tell you, people from this town are extremely proud to be "Orphans."
The address of the Centralia Area Historical Scty is: 240 S Locust St, Centralia, IL 62801
The address of the Centralia Area Historical Society is: Po Box 1343, Centralia, IL 62801-9120
136 miles. This is the best route:Follow IL-161 EAST to I-57 NORTH.Take I-57 NORTH to Champaign.
Google Maps estimates the driving time as 4 hours and 52 minutes.
Lou Lowdermilk died December 27, 1975, in Centralia, IL, USA.
Gene Paulette was born May 26, 1891, in Centralia, IL, USA.
Brian Dinkelman was born November 10, 1983, in Centralia, IL, USA.
Bryan Eversgerd was born February 11, 1969, in Centralia, IL, USA.
Gary Gaetti was born August 19, 1958, in Centralia, IL, USA.
Dobyns-Bennett (Kingsport, TN) won their 2,000 game last year replacing Centralia, Ill. who now has a little over 1979 wins. Mt. Vernon, IL; Centralia's archrival is also in the top 5 other then that i dont know the rest P.s Centralia's name is the Centralia Orphins or the Orphin Annes so they still win the oddest name award-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------These 4 were the winningest in the nation and joined Quincy for their Thanksgiving Tournament a few years ago (Centralia, IL; Collinsville, IL; Quincy, IL; & Dobyns-Bennett -Kingsport, TN).Here are some numbers. Dobyns-Bennett comes from their own website. The Illinois teams number come from the Illiniois High School Association (IHSA) records (available online). These records are regular and postseason games but do not include tournaments, etc. I know this because the Blue Devils have 1900 some wins overall - which includes all tournament games, etc.Dobyns-Bennett, Kingsport, TN 2064 wins - 681 lossesCentralia, IL 2028 wins - 890 lossesCollinsville, IL 1943 wins - 725 losses Quincy Blue Devils, Quincy, IL 1743 wins - 623 lossesMt. Vernon, IL 1733 wins - 849 losses
his name was bob il-sung
Chattanooga, TN is approximately halfway, slightly closer to Tampa. A good place to stop would be near Lookout Mountain, west of Chattanooga, Exit 174 from I-24.