Ballard will be the guest Jan. 5 when the Perry Bluejays recognize the 30th anniversary of their Class 2A 1988 State Championship.
Numerous activities are scheduled for the Raccoon River Conference doubleheader, including using the occasion as Alzheimer’s Awareness Night. All fans are encouraged to wear purple to the games to honor research into the illness and to honor late head coach Tom Schleicher.
Special apparel for the evening is available at an online store with all class proceeds being donated back to Alzheimer’s research in honor of coach Schleicher.
A special Alzheimer’s speaker will be featured, a 66-second fundraiser held and the ’88 players, staff and cheerleaders will be introduced, all between games. In addition, special purple wrist bands and placards for a remembrance wall will also be available.
PHS staff will have a fundraising “Jeans Day” Jan. 4, and Subway will sponsor halftime shooting contests.
For many years the boys state tournament at Veteran’s Auditorium in Des Moines featured Classes A, 1A, 2A and 3A, with Perry a 2A school. The Bluejays reached the tourney in 1987, defeating Maquoketa, 70-63, in the quarterfinals before falling, 72-67, to Cedar Rapids Regis in the semifinals. Audubon topped Perry, 70-49, in the semifinals as the Jays finished fourth.
They more than made amends in ’88, returning to “The Barn” and edging Western Christian (Hull), 85-79, and Washington, 68-63, to reach the title game. There they faced Council Bluffs St. Albert, who had slipped past Cedar Rapids LaSalle, 56-53, in the other semifinal.
The Falcons were no match for the Bluejays, who brought home the big trophy with a convincing 76-60 victory.
St. Albert would return to state to win the ’89 title, 65-59, over Pella, while Regis and LaSalle would eventually merge to create CR Xavier.
