Earlier this year, Tim and I ran into Dave McManus, a classmate of his from Old Mission Peninsula School (OMPS) back in the last century. Dave showed us a picture of the OMPS Basketball Team, circa 1960s, on his phone, so of course, I asked if he would send it to me so I could post it here – which he was happy to do!
This photo was taken in the OMPS gym. Tim thinks that during that particular year, they lost the championship by one point. He recalls that the final game was played in the St. Francis gym, but hopefully, someone else in the photo can weigh in with more info in the comments below.
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Tim also thinks the photo was taken sometime in the range of 6th to 8th grade (again, weigh in below, if you know). At that time, OMPS taught classes through the 8th grade before students made the big trip to town for 9th grade at what is now Central Elementary School on Eighth Street. As Tim recalls, the school’s elementary grades were in one part of the school, with the 9th grade in another. Ninth graders then went to Traverse City Central High School for 10th, 11th and 12th grades.
If you walk down the hallway at OMPS now, you’ll see a trophy case with a lot of the trophies proudly displayed from that era. A big thank-you to the current OMPS charter school folks for saving and displaying them. Here’s Tim standing in front of the case.
That sweatshirt that Tim’s wearing – along with lots of other Old Mission Panthers t-shirts, hats, mugs, car stickers and other items with the vintage design and colors from that era – are available for sale in our online store, Old Mission Peninsula Store. Click here to check them out.
Dave McManus reminded us that next year will be the class’s 50th anniversary. Anyone up for getting together for a reunion at Bowers Harbor Park sometime next summer? Leave a comment below or feel free to email me, [email protected].
Ok, let’s take a look at who’s in the photo:
Front row, left to right: Cheerleaders Patsy Greg, Cindy Carroll, Cindy Peckham (check out some other OMPS cheerleaders here)
Second row, left to right: Steve Fouch, Matt Gore, Tim Boursaw, Roger Easling, Jimmy Cosgrove, John Allen
Third Row, left to right: Tom Kelly, Eddie Bloxsom, Jim Gregory, Dave McManus, Tim Kelly, Jack Lardie
Back Row, left to right: Mike Griffin, John Bennett, Tim Neason, Clint Gore, Terry Kelly
Jim Thatcher is the teacher on the left.
Are you in the photo? Leave thoughts and memories in the comments section below!
This photo and article on the OMPS basketball team is fantastic. My brothers Tom and Tim Kelly and our cousin Terry Kelly are in the photo. What memories it brings back! The names of the other players, cheerleaders and Mr. Thatcher are all so familiar. Dave McManus was a friend of my brothers. Thanks for sharing this Dave and Jane.
Thanks, Kathy! Always fun to run across these vintage pics from OMPS (which really doesn’t seem like THAT long ago!). 🙂
Looks like Mr. Thatcher has his eye on somebody.
What great memories! Class of 1970 mostly- my classmates. I was a Jr high cheerleader and remember those boys! Great group. And I cheered with Patsy Greige. Thanks for sharing.