The 1959 Gladbrook girls basketball team including front row (l-r) Viginia Schmidt, JoAnn Hoppe, Donna Duft, Judy Schade, Pat Gethmann, Myrna Hauschildt, and Marcia Lynk; back row (l-r) Pat Morrow, Carma Wiese, Coach Neubauer, Karen Walton, Mary McConnell, and Pam Sonksen. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEAN HOPPE

As the final seconds ticketed off the scoreboard clock of the 1959 Championship game, a thunderous chant rose from the sellout crowd. “We’re from Gladbrook, couldn’t be prouder; if you can’t hear us, we’ll yell a little louder!” A timeout was called by Gladbrook. Coach Chuck Neubauer encouraged the girls to look around, soak in the moment and listen to the cheers of the fans who supported them. The Gladbrook cheerleaders led the crowd in singing as the organ boomed the Gladbrook loyalty song. Soon the cheer “We’re state champs!” filled the cavernous recesses of the Veterans Auditorium in Des Moines as the final scoreboard read: Gladbrook 72 | West Central of Maynard 60. Many sports fans cheer for the underdog, and the Gladbrook Pantherettes who had lost to Maynard twice during the season had won the hearts of most of the approximately 12,000 basketball fans who filled the stands.

Girl’s basketball reigned supreme in the state of Iowa but its prominence was not easily attained. In 1925 school administrators voted to prohibit girls basketball as it was felt that young women were too fragile and susceptible to injury to compete in such a demanding sport. No one told that to the Gladbrook Pantherettes. This group of girls had visions of someday playing in the state tournament when they were in the 8th grade. They shared a common dream, a strong sense of purpose and a willingness to invest the time and effort required.

Coach Neubauer was a good match for the team as he pushed them to perform at their very best. He believed that hard work, discipline and focus produced results, and the Pantherettes mirrored their coach’s intensity. Chuck Neubauer passed away in 2002, leaving a remarkable coaching record of 581 wins and 155 losses.

In 1959 the game of women’s basketball was quite different than today’s game. There were six players on the floor with each team having three guards and three forwards. The court was divided into halves; the three offensive forwards were the only players who scored, and the guards were charged with preventing the opponent’s team from scoring. Players were restricted to two dribbles which made precise passing essential and scoring a challenge. The core of the Gladbrook squad were forwards: Myrna (Hauschildt) Feekin, Judy (Schade) Wendel and Marcia (Lynk) Haines. The guard court was comprised of Pat (Gethmann) Schade, JoAnn Hoppe, Donna (Duft) Neuroth and Virginia (Schmidt) Shoup. At that time most larger schools in the state did not have teams, but girls basketball was very popular in smaller communities like Gladbrook. The state transitioned to a 5 player, full-court format in 1994.

Gladbrook fans knew that their team was special. Their home gymnasium was packed on Friday nights, and if you did not arrive early, you might be challenged to find a seat in the bleachers. A winning basketball team provided fans with a few rays of joy and excitement during the dreary, cold Iowa winter.

The cover of the 1959 Girls State Basketball Championship official program featuring 16 teams including the Gladbrook Pantherettes who won the tournament. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEAN HOPPE

Gladbrook defeated Eldora in the district finals to qualify for the school’s first-ever state tournament appearance. It was a calm and confident Pantherette squad that won their first three games of the tournament defeating Ida Grove, Ballard and Garrison. But the greatest challenge lie ahead as the two best teams in Iowa were set to meet on the night of Saturday, March 14. The word “dynasty” best describes the West Central of Maynard team that Gladbrook would face in the championship game. Maynard had won 58 games in a row and featured Virginia Henniges, one of the most prolific scorers in Iowa basketball history. In the first three games of the tournament, Henniges had averaged over 50 points per game. She was unstoppable. Playing against a “legend” in a packed auditorium with a state-wide TV viewing audience would be unnerving for most teams, but Gladbrook took control of the game early in the contest. As they did throughout the season, the Pantherettes featured balanced scoring from their forwards. They shot an unbelievable 68% for the championship game. Meanwhile, the guards played tenacious, gritty defense and held Hennegis to her lowest point total of the tournament. One sports writer described it this way, “The guard court proved its reputation as the best in the tournament and probably in the state.”

As the arena horn blared signaling the end of the game, the Gladbrook players and fans erupted with joy. In addition to a large trophy, the team was presented with Hawaiian leis that had been provided by the Gladbrook Commercial Club. It was a surreal moment that will not be forgotten by those who were present.

While the celebration continued inside Veterans Auditorium, a mid-March blizzard was dumping a foot of snow outside of the arena. The highway patrol advised against travel, and it was apparent that most of the fans would be spending the night inside the building. Normally the championship team enjoyed a steak dinner at the upscale Johnny and Kay’s restaurant, but the celebratory meal consisted of chicken dinners served in a meeting room in the auditorium. While the Gladbrook team returned to their hotel, stranded fans in the auditorium enjoyed listening and dancing to music provided by local DJ Frosty Mitchel.

On Sunday morning, the Gladbrook team attended church services and then left for home. The road conditions had improved but were still treacherous. On the way back to Gladbrook there was a stop in Marshalltown where the team was presented with a key to the city. With a snow plow leading the way the Iowa Highway Patrol and Marshalltown police provided an escort back to Gladbrook, and a caravan that stretched almost two miles followed the triumphant team to their hometown. A celebration was attended by over 500 fans in the school gymnasium. Superintendent Cliff Evans’s announcement that there would be no school on Monday was met with loud cheers.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the state championship, members of the 1959 team were asked to share their recollections of that special season. Most of them mentioned the pride that they still felt decades after the fact. They spoke of the tremendous support they received from their hometown. They recalled the satisfaction that comes from working as a team, overcoming disappointment and achieving a common dream which included playing in the state tournament.

The Gladbrook pennant. PHOTO COURTESY OF DEAN HOPPE

In the 1960 tournament that followed, Gladbrook repeated as state champion. The 1960 team was undefeated and beat Eldora in the championship game. There was no blizzard in March of 1960 but the joy, celebration and sense of achievement were the same as the memorable season of 1959.

The 1959 team was honored in a ceremony at halftime of the 2005 girls state quarterfinal game. Eight members of the team were present as was Chuck Neubauer’s wife, Celesta. As in 1959, the women were presented with leis and a contingent of citizens from Gladbrook were there to give their support.

For years the two state championship trophies were prominently displayed in a glass case as you entered the Gladbrook school building. In unspoken words the trophies told visitors that you are entering the home of champions; this is a place where hard work, teamwork, determination, and community support produce winners.

Our Gladbrook school building may be gone, but the memories and gratification endure as the championship trophies are on display in a museum in downtown Gladbrook. Seeing them on display prompts one to think, “I’m from Gladbrook, couldn’t be prouder!” It is never too late to honor champions and the Gladbrook Pantherettes ruled the Iowa basketball scene in 1959 and 1960.

This article includes excerpts from a column written by Susan Schulz for the Gladbrook Tama Northern in March of 1979, the 20th anniversary of the championship season.

This article is part of a series titled ‘Gladbrook Greats’ written by Dean Hoppe, a proud graduate of the Gladbrook High School Class of 1963. The series focuses on individuals educated in the community of Gladbrook. Hoppe, now retired and living in the Twin Cities, intends for this series to bring back positive memories of his hometown community.