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Wendell Meeks - Family Memories
Born in 1944, Wendell Meeks grew up in the southern Illinois town of Centralia, graduating from high school in 1962. Wendell talks extensively about his home town, about its early efforts to integrate the schools, and about Centralia High School sports, especially Orphans basketball. During his junior year, the team made it to the Super-Sectionals, and in his senior year when Wendell started at center, the team made it all the way to the Quarterfinals, where they were defeated by the eventual state champion, Chicago-Carver. Following high school, he attended Oberlin College, where he continued playing several sports. Upon graduation from Oberlin, Wendell went on to a long and successful career in education.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Centralia Lost
Abstract
Interview Session (Audio)
Photos
Caption
The Centralia High School Orphans gathered for a team photo during their highly successful 1962, when they were rated first in the state. They made it to the quarterfinals, but were beaten by Chicago-Carver. Meeks is in the first row, second from right.
Where:
Centralia, Illinois
When:
1962
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Captain Wendell Meeks (on the left) and Coach Bill Davies (on the right) with the 1962 Centralia Orphans, a winning team that made it all the way to the quarterfinals of the state tournament.
Where:
Centralia, Illinois
When:
1962
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
A Centralia Orphans cheerleader reacts to Carver’s winning shot during the Orphans’ title game with the Chicago school in 1963. (Photo from “100 Years of Madness: The Illinois High School Association Boys’ Basketball Tournament.”)
Where:
Unknown
When:
1963
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
The Centralia Orphans made it all the way to the state finals in 1963, where they lost a nail biter to Chicago – Carver by one point. Meeks followed his old team closely while attending Oberlin College that year.
Where:
Unknown
When:
1963
Ownership:
Photo from “100 Years of Madness: The Illinois High School Association Boys’ Basketball Tournament.” May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
Wendell and Loretta Meeks celebrate Wendell’s 70th birthday at the Lincoln Greens Golf Course in Springfield, Illinois in the July, 2014.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
July, 2014
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo