Turk’s sports legacy on display at Tremont Museum this spring

TREMONT, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — The estimated population of Tremont is 2,250.

That’s a small town. But it’s a small town with a big sports tradition.

That sports legacy is on display this spring at the Tremont Museum which has put together an exhibit highlighting top athletes from the town in Tazewell County.

“We have 30-some athletes in the display, all of them are so accomplished,” said Tremont Museum coordinator Lori Fuoss. “You just can’t believe such a small town like Tremont would have so many talented people.”

The exhibit includes pictures, newspaper clippings, awards, medals, uniforms and other memorabilia from the athletes. It’s a walk down Tremont memory lane.

“In the early 1960’s Dave Becker set three (high school) track records that still stand today in the 100, 220 and 440 (yard races),” said author Charlie Flannigan of Tremont’s class of 1971. “He goes to the University of Illinois from little Tremont and wins the 600-yard run at the Big Ten meet.”

Flannigan is a former Tremont athlete who played football and ran track at Carthage College. He wrote ‘The Yank Down Under’ about his experiences as a coach in Australia after he graduated from college.

The displays include athletes from different eras.

Cambia Geyer, a 2023 Tremont High grad is a former state track champion now competing at Illinois State University. Her display isn’t far from the one for Bob Trumpy, a former tight end who played in the NFL from 1968-77.

“It makes me smile,” said Amelia Marino as she looked over her display of pictures and medals.

Marino, from Tremont’s class of 2014, was a high school state track champ and a national champ at Illinois Wesleyan when she was Amelia Glueck. Now Marino is the women’s track and field coach at IWU.

“I was so blessed to have the journey I had. It brings back so many memories. Kind of bittersweet too. I still wish I was an athlete to be honest,” said Marino. “It draws attention to some of the great athletes who’ve gone through the (high school), throughout history.”

The exhibit opened last weekend and will continue on the second and fourth weekends from 2-4 p.m. through the end of June. Admission is $10.00, cash only, and $5.00 for students.

The museum is located at 329 S. Sampson Street in Tremont.

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