CORNJERKERS

The invention of the corn picking machine has made this hand harvesting process obsolete. By using modern machines, a farmer is capable of tending larger fields, thus producing more food with less effort. As a result, the term Cornjerker as used in the agricultural industry has become a colloquialism.

Hoopeston, Illinois has long been known as the "Sweetcorn Capital of the World." In the 1920's the term Cornjerker was first applied to the athletic teams of the school, just as the Pittsburgh Steelers got their name from that town's steel-mills. Bob Poisall, a sports writer for the Commercial-News, is credited with first coining the team name. From the information available, the name was a joke that stuck.

In the fall, the team buses to games were often late in leaving because the teams' members were still in the fields jerking corn. Per the custom at that time, Mr. Poisall was riding the team bus in order to cover the game for his newspaper. In exasperation on one of these occasions, he told them they would never get anywhere, they were just a bunch of cornjerkers. Glenn Brasel, coach of Hoopeston High School from 1922 through 1946, must have liked the term and felt it would be an appropriate team name. The emblem of an ear of corn first appeared on the team uniform in 1930. In 1965, the mascot known as "Jerky" was born. This walking ear of corn was created by Dick Hobbs, who was coach and athletic director at that time.

Cornjerkers come in all shapes and sexes. Brawny football players, lanky basketball players, speedy track team members, petite cheerleaders - all of these students are "Cornjerkers." Coaches, faculty, and fans are also a part of the Cornjerkers.

Originally, Cornjerkers were from Hoopeston. One of their rivals were the East Lynn Hornets. In 1973, the Hornets were turned into Cornjerkers - Hoopeston and East Lynn schools consolidated.