Earlier this year Don Krause had seen some of the stories I had posted about Coach Ciesielski (The Digger) and our Football Team on the Facebook page, "If You Grew Up in Lisle." That prompted him on 23 February to comment: "Well your football posts gave me some inspiration. Upon doing the math, this fall marks the 50th anniversary of the 1963 championship team. Would you be interested in working on a special recognition of this historic event?"
My immediate response was, "I'm all ears.........or eyes.....whacha got in mind?"
Don Krause: "Honoring, recognizing, and celebrating this great accomplishment. Your contacts and memories would pull much of reliving the past. I can see this culminating at a home game this fall, maybe a dinner or gathering. Try to include as many athletes, students, cheer leaders, coaches, teachers, parents, who are still around. I could work the Lisle end meeting with the current football staff to get their reaction. I believe it would be inspirational to the team. It just hit me today so much would have to be outlined and agreed before we move ahead. What are your thoughts?"
Roland Jenkins: "Very Interesting Don. What I would sign on for is a two part exploratory mission. As you said, you contact the powers that be and I will reach out to as many of the players and cheerleaders as I can. Rich Mason has the film.....etc."
Don Krause: "Okay."
The "Lisle Lions Fox Valley Conference Championship 50 Year Reunion" was born!
Don got busy and made contact with Jay Grochowski of the "All Years Reunion" Committee and it turns out they were thinking about a celebration of all the Championship Teams and Hall of Fame Coaches from Lisle during the half time of the Friday night game the weekend of the All Years Reunion. That sealed it for Don and I. Don started working his marketing magic in Lisle and I began to make contacts. First on the list was Rich Mason. Rich has transferred the 16mm Films his father took of our games onto DVDs (no sound). He has a highlites film of the 1963 Season and a game film of the historic Lisle vs. Lemont battle (no sound)
Rich sent me the DVD's, I downloaded them onto you tube and posted the links everywhere I could on Facebook, the IF you Grew Up in Lisle page, the Lisle Lions page and my own page. Out of that Gary Stanley and I started talking on line about doing a commentary voice over and possible background music. Gary lives in Oregon just over the Columbia River from me and we made arrangements for me to stop by one Sunday afternoon. I brought the DVD's with me so he downloaded them.
Using my editing program I was able to do a play by play review of the game film and develop a running commentary. What a great experience, it reminded me of the Monday afternoon "Chalk Talks" in Coach C's Biology Classroom review last week's game films. The only difference was I did not burn a whole in the 16mm film stock from constantly stopping and rewinding to show how "Jenkins" missed that tackle. I e-mailed the play by play to Gary and he worked up a voice over with background music. We hope to be able to show the finished product during the breakout session at the All Years Reunion and possible at the Saturday afternoon BBQ at the Lisle VFW Lodge.
Much work has gone into the contact and notification of as many members of the Classes of 1963 and 1964 as possible. I focused on the player with Rich's help, but Diane Sanders Scroll, Mary Beth Pechous Novak, Cathy Curtain Kaye and Ed Jones have also played a hughe role in research, contact and notification. Marsha Precious did the initial set up of the Team and Cheerleader Roster and has produced the Questionnaire we are using.
A bi-product of all the research has been recognition of those that lost their lives serving this great nation during the Viet Nam war and then subsequent conflicts. It has grown into a desire to honor all Lisle High School Veterans at the Friday night game during half time. Much thanks to Don and Ed for working with Brett Nila, Post Commander and Debbie of the Lisle VFW
Our research has also revealed that several of our classmates are no longer with us. Some were team members but all are worthy of being recognized and we are working on a tribute time and place.
Reunion Roster:
Players Attending:
Adamec Mike
Brinegar Ken
Cinert Bill
Gihle Bob
Havenar Paul
Janis Mike
Jenkins Roland
Jones Ed
Kader Colin
Leigh Dave
Mason Rich
Moyes Dave
Novak Mike
Paulson Rick
Rakosnik Lloyd
Siebert Joe
Sloup Jim
Wright Gary
Cheerleaders:
Gabler Sue (Smith)
Johnson Sandy (Jenson)
Gregg, Judy (Harper)
Unable to attend or contact Players:
Blindt Ed
Brekke Berne
Cunningham Bruce
Groce Larry
Hoffman Dwight
Hutchison Robert
Kvasnicka Fred
Luther Boo
Moudry Vince
Mulkins Gary
Reiman Dave
Rossetter Charlie
Simon Ed
Simpson Glenn
Wells Paul
Cheerleaders:
Gregg Judy
Kandlik Kathy
Moss Cheryl
Rychtarik Karen
Soderlund Carol
Why Would A ’72 Grad Get Involved In A ’63 Project Anyway?
Well it all starts back in the fall of 1964. Our family had just moved into the Oak View subdivision (mom still lives there now), and the first day of school Scott Novak introduces himself to me and says, “if you need any help or have any questions I’m here to help.” How cool was that? We became friends right away. One evening I was visiting Scott at his home when his older brother Mike appears in his letterman jacket. Wow what an impression that made on me.
Scott told the story as tiny upstart Lisle had won the championship against much bigger and established schools. I was already a football fan due to the Bear’s, and instantly became a Lisle fan. I would ride my bike to all home games and watch through the fence on the Kingston Road side.
Another great Lisle friend I made in seventh grade was Dick Jenkins. In fact Dick, Scott and I were teammates on the 1968 Lisle Freshman Championship team, Lisle’s first Northeast Conference Champs. Later on I would meet Rol Jenkins when he returned from Denver, and taught a Karate class at the College of DuPage which I was part of (& still use those learned skills today). I liked Rol a lot learning about nutrition and life lessons.
About a year ago I friended Rol through Facebook, and he started posting these great photos of the ’63 Lions. Up until then I didn't know he had played (no wonder Dicky was so tough in fact he was our Freshman co-captain) Right away I was interested based on the childhood stories of the team. One day in February I am sitting at a stoplight thinking about the photos Rol was posting, and it hit me”1963-2013 that’s 50 years I should do something.” It has been a pleasure working with Rol, his teammates, Coach Nalley, and Jay Grochowski. I look forward to seeing everyone on October 11 & 12.