St. Joseph's High School played their last basketball game in Alumni Gym Friday night.
After this school year, students will move to the new high school under construction right now on East LaSalle Street.
It was a very emotional night for players, alumni, parents, coaches and students. Generations of families have made memories in that gym.
"It's awesome, the atmosphere is ridiculous," said alum Bill John, class of 2008.
Revved up and adrenalin running. The players took to the court – win or lose, they were part of history on Friday.
And so was everyone else in this gym.
"It’s very exciting to say goodbye to this gym with this type of atmosphere tonight, and it will be missed," said basketball coach Marty Harshman.
Harshman played ball at St. Joe and graduated in 1993. For him, nostalgia set in early on.
"There's no greater feeling than playing high school athletics in front of your peers," Harshman said.
One of his teammates at the time, well known basketball player Pete Miller, came to cherish the good old times with his family.
"My greatest friendships were from this place and a lot of them were forged right here on this court," Miller said. "This transition is a great thing to go to the new school, but it’s bittersweet to leave this great old gym."
Proud alums from all over came back for one last holy war match up in Alumni Gym.
"We were class of 1971," said Myra Gasko.
"We've been in this gym 45 years between myself and my children," said Janet Pfeil.
"It's sad, but we're moving up on to a nice school in downtown," John said.
Tickets for this game sold out the day they went on sale. It was standing room only on Friday as everyone tried to hold on to one last piece of their teenage years.
"We played in the first volleyball team, we played on this floor," Gasko said.
"Saying goodbye to a lot of good memories," Pfeil said.
But tradition will continue on East LaSalle Street. St. Joe said everything is on schedule to open the doors of the new high school in time for next year.
"The traditions we've established here we will carry with us to our new place, that will never change,” said Principal Susan Richter. “The fact that we’re a family at St. Joe, this type of spirit – that will never change."
Marian won 64-49 over St. Joseph’s.
