Don Lyle:
CLASS OF 1980
Lincoln Elementary SchoolClass of 1980
Calumet city, IL
University of TennesseeClass of 1989
Knoxville, TN
Thornton Fractional South High SchoolClass of 1984
Lansing, IL
Don's Story
School
I went to Lincoln Elementary from 1970-1980. I enjoyed Lincoln School very much.
Grade/teacher:
K - Ms. Frankenfield
1 - Ms.
2 - Ms. Sherman
3 -
4 - Ms. Kilgore
5 -
6 - Mrs. McGrath
7 - Ms. Kavedias (sp?)
8 - Mr. Johnson
My greatest memories of Lincoln were playing basketball in 8th grade. At the end of the season we kept beating powerhouse schools with our small, scrappy team. Eventually we went to the state tournament. A real life "Hoosiers" story for awhile. If I'm not mistaken, I believe a large picture of our team hangs above the entrance to the gym now. What a great team and group of guys.
Even greater, though, was our coach... Ray McGrath. To this day he's had a greater influence on my life than anyone else outside my family. "Coach" was an incredible human being. When we moved to Lansing in 8th grade, he made arrangements with the school board to have me remain at Lincoln. We were poor with only one car, so he drove to Lansing to pick me up and take me to school every day. He did that because he knew how much I loved that school and my friends. That's the kind of man Coach was.
I'll never forget the day "Coach" passed away. I cried for weeks. I had just visited him in the hospital a few weeks prior. I hadn't seen him in a few years. Before I entered his hospital room, his wife told me he wouldn't recognize me and to be prepared as he was physically much weaker now. I'll never forget walking up to his bed, holding his hand and just saying, "Hey Coach, it's me Donny Lyle." as he used to call me. Instantly the tears started to fall from his eyes and he squeezed my hand. He knew exactly who I was. My heart has never been so broken. I've always thought back to his legacy and strive to be as positive an influence as he was. He touched the lives of thousands around him.
On a lighter note, for most of those 9 years at Lincoln, I had a huge crush on Jackie Gaik. The irony is that my first dance in the school gym was with her best friend, Tina Zekich. We danced to Billy Joel's "Just The Way You Are". haha
My favorite teacher was Mr. Lyons (history). And I also liked Mr. Wisowaty when he was a brand new teacher in '79 (history). I heard he's the Principal now? Wow. I wonder if he still has that tight 'fro?
Do you remember:
-assemblies with Smokey the Bear?
-going upstairs to the older kids classes to parade single file in our Halloween outfits?
-playing fast-pitch baseball against the school wall and using a rubber ball?
-realizing how tall you were growing year by year by comparing yourself to the girl's gym teacher(Mrs.B-?)?
-wondering if the rumor about our principal's fake eye (what was his name?)were true...did he lose it from jumping rope or not?
-walking to school without fear?
-all those great ethic names like...Pananana-pang Sjorboonspa and Slobodan Jonlija and his many brothers? or and all those great names ending in -ski and -czyk?
-taking field trips to the museums
-the old gym floor with tha...Expand for more
t big bubble in it, before the "new" tartan surface... and that really low ceiling?
-Chester the Janitor?
-the original building before any additions and the old diagonal walkways and many trees? (gotta go way back on this one)
Lincoln was a great school that made it through some tough times because of good people that cared about it. I've been in East Tennessee for 21 years now, but would love to correspond with you if you remember me or my siblings...Doug('69-'78), Dan('73-'79) Dianne ('76-'79) or myself Don ('70-'80).
I heard after the fact that there was a reunion years ago. In 2005, it will be our 25th anniversary. If you know about any reunion being planned, please contact me. Or we can get a reunion started.
College
Entered University of Tennessee in fall of 1984. Didn't have a clue about anything, but had a lot of fun finding out on my own. Freshman year: Lived in Hess Hall and was roomed with a guy I didn't know - Everett Laster. 20 years later, we remain the best of friends. Met my very first girlfriend, Mary Beth Steisslinger(Chi Omega), but have lost contact with her since 1987. Sophomore year: Lived in North Carrick Hall. Met a long-time girlfriend, Ginny Schaeffer (Phi Mu). She was the funniest person I've ever known. Dated for over 5 years, but have lost contact with her since I moved to Chattanooga in '94. Also in sophomore year, I began playing on UT's Men's Volleyball Club. Junior year and beyond: Entered Naval Reserves over summer of '87. Lived off campus, attended classes periodically and continued volleyball until 1990. UT hosted the Collegiate Club National Championships my final year there... we made Final Four and I was honored as a 1st Team All-American (middle blocker). I never completed my degree as I evolved into the restaurant industry... Ruby Tuesday's World's Fair site and the original Ruby's on campus(since gone for many years)b/w '87-'89. Then later Regas, then Grady's(also the original one but since gone). School was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I had too much fun. But what memories... 7:50's on the top floor of Ayres Hall on the Hill..."studying" in the brand new library in 85(?)...watching Tennessee Football become what it is today...beautiful southern women everywhere you turn...Gus' or Vic & Bill's Deli...the old clubs with a different drink special for every night o the week...intramural sports...making hundreds of friendships. Where did time go?
TF South (1980-1983)
I never enjoyed high school very much. I played on the basketball teams and did track & tennis briefly. Last kid to arrive, first one to leave. I lived on Park Avenue just about a 1/4 mile south of school. Had a big huge crush on both Beth Miles & Michelle Michelich, but never dated them or anyone. Favorite teachers were Mrs. Brandenburg in Spanish(big crush again) and Mr. Hyde in English(hilarious).
Moved to Knoxville, Tn a week after Junior year finished and haven't heard from anyone from any school since in 25 years...
Register for Free to view all details!
Yearbooks
Register for Free to view all yearbooks!
Reunions
Photos
