History of the Rantoul Falcons
The Rantoul Falcons were established in July of 1970. The first directors were Bill Dupriest and John Torcelli.
The Falcons consisted of 4 team levels: Peanuts (2nd and 3rd grade), Freshman (4th and 5th grade), Junior Varsity (6th and 7th grade) and Varsity (8th and 9th grade). The 9th grade participants were those that were cut from the high school freshman team. At the time, we used those players because they were in a league with Danville, which started high school football at the 10th grade level. The Falcons dropped the 9th grade team after the 2nd year.
The Peanut team was also dropped in the early 1980s and the freshman team was eliminated in the mid 1990s, with the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade teams remaining.
Through the mid 1980s, the Falcons competed in various leagues consisting of teams from Chanute Air Force Base, Danville, Rossville, Oakwood, Hoopeston, and Bloomington.
In the early years, the Falcons home field was at the waste water treatment plant—effectively called “Stinky Stadium.” Our practice fields were at Pleasant Acres Elementary School before moving to Eastlawn in the 1990s. Our home games moved from the water treatment plant to Maplewood Drive, where the post office is now. We built our own press box, and Rantoul High School donated their old scoreboard to us. Our next home field was the high school practice area at Wabash Park, enabling us to play night games because of the lights. All tournament games were played on home fields according to league record. The finals were rotated to league members. When RTHS allowed us to use their field, all finals were played there.
The Falcons also had cheerleaders for all levels of teams. At the end of the season the cheerleaders had their own contest. It included cheer performance and a dance team performance.
The Falcons were always competitive at all levels. During my time, many coaches and team leaders would say how much they would like to beat us because that made their season.
The Rantoul Falcons have survived many growing pains from equipment to schedules to playing fields. I am glad the Falcons continue to grow.
—Orland Johnson, Falcons Director, 1973–1988
Rantoul Falcons Football Golf Scramble
Saturday June 9
Rain Date: Sunday June 10
Willow Pond Golf Course
10am Tee Time
$60 Per Player Before June 1
$75 Day of Event
Sign Up
By E-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or By Phone (217) 377-3367
Prizes For Winning Foursome
Longest Drive
Closest to the Pin
Longest Putt
2012 Registration
Rantoul Falcons Football & Cheerleader Sign Ups
2012 Season Registration
Grades
3rd & 4th- Pee Wee
5th & 6th- Jr. Varsity
7th & 8th-Varsity
Maplewood Sports Complex
Saturday May 19
Saturday June 23
Saturday July 14- Final Sign Up
9 to 11
All Paperwork & Money Due By Final Sign Up
What You Need To Bring For Registration
-
Registration Fee for Football Players $150
-
Registration Fee for Cheerleaders $75
-
Payment Plans Available
-
Official or Certified Copy of Birth Certificate & Copy for Falcons Records
-
Copy of 2012 Sports Physical Exam for Falcons Records