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Swoop Swoop
Built in 1919, Lindblom Technical High School, now Linblom Math and Science Academy, is a beautiful Beaux-Arts building located on Chicago’s South Side in the West Englewood neighborhood. Eagles’ alum and students are well known for their call-back when someone says Lindblom “Swoop Swoop.”
As like so many gyms built before the 1920s, spectators at basketball games wasn’t really a major concern for building engineers and architects. Fitness and exercise was, so the small Maroon Gym, aka “The Nest”, is a room with a low ceiling and an even lower running-track around the edges of the court.
You will not see another gym like this that is still in use anywhere in the state.
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Base-line threes aren’t an option here and your half-court shot better be a laser, because even if its under the support beams, it still has to get past the lights. I can’t imagine volleyball being played here.
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The Nest
The greatest part about the nickname of the gym is, if you were to look at the gym from above, the short oval track and its chain-fence almost resemble a giant eagle’s nest. Although opposing players & coaches might refer to it more as Thunderdome, as the students are relegated to the track and during a packed game can be 2-3 people deep against a railing that is directly over the playing floor in spots.
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The sound in this gym is another aspect of intimidation. If they don’t have a DJ court-side, they have a drum-line and dance team on the track.
The Past
Lindblom has a storied history as a school that has been around for over 100 years, but despite some good players and a few good years, the basketball team has little post season hardware. They made state in the 1941-42 season, took home 3A Regional titles in 2009, as well as the 2011 sectional championship team, which was their last plaque. However they fell short of a 3A Regional title in 2021-22 with a 3-point loss to Nazareth Academy.
A trophy case on the main floor by the front entrance however highlights a time when Lindblom was a school whose sports teams were not an opponent you wanted to play. It’s worth a look at on your way to the gym if not for the old leather football helmet and trophies from the 1930s.
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