I was told (at an early age) that Madison-Model was dissolved because of the complaints lobbied by some KHSAA members that the Purples had an unfair advantage. The complaints were unwarranted because the two small schools combined werent as large as some of the schools in central Kentucky (Henry Clay dwarfed both in enrollment). Chief among those who wanted Madison-Model dissolved was principal Joe Ohr of Irvine who wasnt pleased after the Purples whipped the Golden Eagles 73-0 in 1960. Ohr had been on the Board of Control and was an executive with the KHSCA. He lobbied (along with others) to persuade the Board to vote to ban the partnership. They were successful. Twelve of the players on the undefeated 1960 team had gone to Model. They were George Adams, Freddie Ballou, Johnny Collins, Earle Combs, Conley Congleton, Jerry Congleton, Jimmy Congleton, John Davidson, David Rivers, Ben Robinson, Talbott Todd and Wally Norris. Eleven of the twelve transferred to Madison in the fall of 1961 and were declared eligible because the school they left (Model) did not object. Ballou and the Congleton twins (Jerry and Jimmy) opted to go back to Model after the 61 football season in order to graduate from Model in 1962, but the other eight transfers chose to stay at Madison and graduate in 1962 (Todd, Collins, and Adams) and in 1963 (Conley Congleton, Rivers, Robinson, Davidson and Combs). This article is from the Richmond Register (early 1961): _____ The term Madison-Model will no longer exist on the local sports scene after the current year ends in June. The administrations of Madison and Model High Schools made the announcement today and said the schools athletic teams will be listed separately with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association. Twenty two years ago, Dr. W. F. ODonnell, then superintendent of Richmond City Schools, and Dr. H. L. Donovan, then president of Eastern Kentucky State College, supervised the formation of a plan whereby students attending either school could participate in activities sponsored by both schools. During the years, certain Madison High courses not offered at Model have been open to Model students. This practice will also come to an end. Recently, T. A. Sanford (commissioner of the KHSAA) telephoned W. L. Holloway (Madison High principal) and Dr. J. D. Coates (Model High principal) and stated that the Board of Control of the Association had been asked for a ruling concerning the athletic program of Madison-Model High Schools for the season, 1961-62. Sanford further stated that he, as commissioner, would recommend to the Board that each school be declared eligible for membership in the KHSAA beginning with the next school year (1961-62). He commented that a protest could in no way affect his recommendation. Holloway and Dr. Coates questioned Sanford regarding eligibility for the 1961-62 season. He replied that eligibility would be determined by the school at which an athlete attends. A letter to the locals schools contained these remarks from Sanford: This is to advise that our Board of Control, in its meeting held in Lexington on December 22nd, 1960 by unanimous vote confirmed the recommendation mentioned above, and declared that the Madison High School and the Model High School shall each be considered eligible for membership in the KHSAA at the beginning of the 1961-62 school year. This statement was issued by Lloyd Patterson, superintendent of Richmond City School. Dr Coates and Holloway: The administration and faculty of both divisions of Madison-Model regret the unwarranted action of the KHSAA. Richmond, being a small city, allowed the cooperative efforts of the two divisions to make for an enriched program. Madison High will continue to field football, basketball, and baseball teams, Patterson said. Dr. Coates said Model will have a basketball team, but that no plans have been made for a football team. The following is a list of Model High students who played on the Madison-Model varsity football team this fall: George Adams, Freddie Ballou, Johnny Collins, Earle Combs, Conley Congleton, Jerry Congleton, Jimmy Congleton, John Davidson, David Rivers, Ben Robinson, Talbott Todd and Wally Norris. Model High students on the Madison-Model basketball team who are in grades under the 12th: Talbott Todd, Robert Vickers, and Johnny Collins. After the 1961 Madison-Model commencement, the two schools will hold separate graduate exercises. Model will be in its new plant on Lancaster Road when the 1961-62 term commences.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 22:57:15 +0000
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