Most people in this area are aware of the Clutier girls basketball team’s remarkable history. From 1939 through 1948 the Clutier Charging Czechs dominated Iowa sports headlines. These girls, under the coaching of John Schoenfelder, had a record of 201 wins, 18 losses and 1 tie. They scored 12,295 points versus their opponents 5,660, and went to the state tournament six times, winning in 1942. Two of the Charging Czechs, Verna Mae Vorba and Adella Knoop were later inducted into the Iowa Girls Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Clutier Public Library proudly displays the trophy case and the pictures of the Clutier graduating classes. Also, the Library recently added the book, “From Six-on-Six to Full Court Press” by Janice Beran to the collection. This book was purchased with money donated to the library from the Hayek memorial. The book tells the story of Iowa Girls’ Basketball from 1893 to 1993 and Clutier is mentioned several times. The state championship trophy and white basketball and some other mementos are in a permanent display at the Iowa Hall of Pride in Des Moines

In September 2007, Mayor Ardene Cross proclaimed September 15 Charging Czech Day in Clutier in perpetuity. In honor of Charging Czech Day and so patrons can see the new book, we will have a display at the library through September 21, which will include the trophy case, the graduating class pictures, the new book, photos of the display at the Hall of Pride and programs from the 1941 Clutier High School Basketball Banquet. Visit us and see the display anytime during regular library hours.