Buffalo High School - - 2006 NGWSports Day
35 miles northwest of Minneapolis on #55
Years Represented: 1911-1932; 2006
In 2006, three first era players were gathered at the high school to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day: Vera Learned Ilstrup (she played throughout high school and one year in college - 1920s), Eloise "Honey" Anderson Mattson (1929-32) and her sister "Babe" Anderson Durand (1931).
The Buffalo girls basketball teams are featured on pp. 129-132. Read the stories about how Vera's team and the boys team traveled to Howard Lake in a blizzard, with the boys taking turns leading the bus driver to show him where the edge of the road was. When they arrived at the hall, the crowd was still waiting for them. The girls played and won the Wright County championship. After the boys game, the bus and the two teams went home, with the boys again leading the bus. Imagine the early hours that the teams must have arrived back in Buffalo!! With no cell phones to keep parents informed, we can only imagine the anxiety they experienced. Obviously, the parents trusted the school officials to keep their children safe.
"Honey" was an outstanding scorer and instrumental when the Buffalo team defeated Litchfield, breaking their 74 game winning streak.
The players signed books for friends, family and member of the community. Prior to the varsity girls basketball game, the three players were honored on the playing floor in front of their community. Each received a basketball and a plaque from the school. The two varsity teams sat at their benches, quietly watching and listening as the ceremony was conducted. Suddenly, both teams spontaneously stood up and formed a line, walking by the three women telling them 'thanks' for being their pioneer heroes. It was a touching moment.
As "Honey" was walking off the floor, she said to one of the book's co-authors, "who would have thought that at this time of our live, we would have an experience like this?!!" It was, indeed, a happy time.
Two weeks later, "Honey" died peacefully in her bed in her home. Her 92nd birthday was just ahead. At her memorial service, the memorabila from her basketball years and that special celebration of NGWSports Day were displayed. Her family understood the importance of her basketball playing days in their mother's life.
This event emphasizes the importance of honoring our heroes whenever we can and to preserve their history for future generations.
The Buffalo girls basketball teams are featured on pp. 129-132. Read the stories about how Vera's team and the boys team traveled to Howard Lake in a blizzard, with the boys taking turns leading the bus driver to show him where the edge of the road was. When they arrived at the hall, the crowd was still waiting for them. The girls played and won the Wright County championship. After the boys game, the bus and the two teams went home, with the boys again leading the bus. Imagine the early hours that the teams must have arrived back in Buffalo!! With no cell phones to keep parents informed, we can only imagine the anxiety they experienced. Obviously, the parents trusted the school officials to keep their children safe.
"Honey" was an outstanding scorer and instrumental when the Buffalo team defeated Litchfield, breaking their 74 game winning streak.
The players signed books for friends, family and member of the community. Prior to the varsity girls basketball game, the three players were honored on the playing floor in front of their community. Each received a basketball and a plaque from the school. The two varsity teams sat at their benches, quietly watching and listening as the ceremony was conducted. Suddenly, both teams spontaneously stood up and formed a line, walking by the three women telling them 'thanks' for being their pioneer heroes. It was a touching moment.
As "Honey" was walking off the floor, she said to one of the book's co-authors, "who would have thought that at this time of our live, we would have an experience like this?!!" It was, indeed, a happy time.
Two weeks later, "Honey" died peacefully in her bed in her home. Her 92nd birthday was just ahead. At her memorial service, the memorabila from her basketball years and that special celebration of NGWSports Day were displayed. Her family understood the importance of her basketball playing days in their mother's life.
This event emphasizes the importance of honoring our heroes whenever we can and to preserve their history for future generations.
Vera being congratulated by Supt. James Bauck
Honey Mattson, daughter Linda Martin
Babe admiring plaque provided by school