Prep of the Week by Brad Wilson of the Des Moines Register newspaper: Collins' left-hander, John Vasey who pitched his team through last week's Sub-State series and the opening round of the State Meet is the Register's Prep of the Week. It is now history that Vasey and the Collins team was beaten Monday night by Council Bluffs' Thomas Jefferson, 10-4, in what was Vasey's 9th consecutive tournament pitching appearance since the start of the sectional competition. Three of his iron-man pitching feats were posted in a six-day span last week, starting with a no-hit, 2-0, triumph over Stanhope Monday, (Insert 2005: Previous game was a no-hitter, 7-0 win over Huxley.) his fourth no-hit game this spring. He came back Wednesday after a single days' rest to beat Des Moines East, 1-0 on a five-hitter. Then, after two-days of rest, he sat down Cedar Rapids Franklin, 5-1, on a one-hitter in the first round of the State Championship meet. The 18-year old senior has been an outstanding hurler all through is prep career, and in American Legion Junior Baseball. A four-year letterman in baseball and basketball, John finished the spring season with an 11-2 record. He gave up 32 hits and struck out 150 in 83 innings. He is a good scorer and rebounder in basketball and also earned scholastic honors as valedictorian of his class.
Comments from a 1956 graduate on his construction work for the new gymnasium: The construction was started shortly before school was out in spring of 1956. The contractor brought a couple laborers as well as two or three masons from State Center. There were several people hired from Collins during the summer of 1956, including 1956 graduates: Ben Clark, Larry Laird, Jim Wilson, and Bob Rice with wages near $1.00 per hour. The class of 1957 was the first class to use the gym for graduation; however, it wasn't in full use until the 57-58 Season.
We are continuing our Chronological Biography endeavor in coming years to the July 1983 merger of Collins and Maxwell schools. We are hopeful the 74 years completed are interesting, intriguing, refreshing, informative, enjoyable entertainment; entirely or special segments that have personal interest to you. John Duesbury