Montezuma’s Revenge
Given the historical low bar, e.g., Tony Quinn, I think Chester Slome represented a worthy candidate to enter North Park’s Hall of Fame. So I thought creatively, knowing that Chester currently lives in assisted living. He subscribes to the New York Times and works the crossword puzzle each day. Cognitively, he is well. He can transfer without assistance though I doubt he could walk unaided down the hall. Somehow North Park should honor his service. Below is our nomination. I have added an epilogue.
Dear North Park Viking Hall of Fame Selection Committee Members:
In Fall 1982, a collection of students worked for me as part of North Park’s indoor Physical Plant operation, which I directed for over 30 years. I recall two, i.e., Dwight Bodine and Steve Johnson, formed an intramural football team called Montezuma’s Revenge (Revenge). Since I supervised these Physical Plant employees and other team members, I volunteered as the team’s faculty representative. After Comptroller Jerry Johnson (father of Revenge players Steve and Paul Johnson) left North Park, he and I remained friends. Also, I have maintained contact with Mark Erickson; we can chat for hours.
According to Mark’s personal records, Revenge completed the regular season as the league’s only undefeated team in a field of 12, outscoring its opponents 110-18. Revenge beat Russian Roulette in the playoffs’ first round, and then defeated the Apogees, a one-loss team, to advance to the championship against another one-loss team, the Chinese Bandits, which Revenge defeated during the regular season.
Quarterback Steve Johnson (top row, center) led Revenge. While no official records exist, he may be the most prolific passer in North Park intramural football history. The Bandits were a worthy championship opponent, featuring first-team, All-State (CT) running back, John Bergstrom. Brian Wapole of the College News sports beat attended the championship game. His College News article featured the photo of the champions. In his article, Mr. Wapole noted that on the muddy field in November, quarterback Steve Johnson “was the difference in the hotly-contested game” as his “favorite receiver, Mark Erickson, had more than a few clutch grabs.” Mr. Wapole described Bandit Dave Otfinoski as a “terror on defense and offense” with praise granted to several other Bandits. (Mr, Otfinoski currently serves as Chair of North Park University’s Board of Trustees.)
The article mentioned numerous other Revenge players such as George Filley, Dwight Bodine, Paul Johnson, and Wendell Martinez. Mr. Wapole declared Paul Johnson the game’s defensive MVP and noted Martinez caught the game-winning touchdown. Beyond the aforementioned Revenge players, the roster included: Paul McAboy; Jack Roselle; Mark Hankins; Mike and Rich Menzynski; Brian Hennigan; and Bill Sanderson. Also, Revenge members George Filley, Mark Erickson, and Paul Johnson competed on North Park’s wrestling team during the 1982-83 academic year, and Jack Roselle and Wendell Martinez previously played for Viking Hall of Fame inductee, Wilbur “Goose” Anderson, on the school’s football team.
In their post-North Park lives, I know Steve Johnson has served on North Park’s Board of Trustees, his brother Paul has sung in Iron River, Michigan, with Grace Covenant Church’s choir for over a decade, including duets with his father, and both Jack Roselle and Mark Erickson served on the Board of Directors of The Friendship Center (https://friendshipcenterchicago.org).
My “Indoor Crew” admirably worked behind the scenes to keep academic and athletic facilities clean and operating smoothly. Q: Who emptied Athletic Department trash cans, cleaned the men’s basketball locker room and showering areas, refinished the gymnasium floor, scoured dorm room bathrooms, set up and broke down fixtures for events such as concerts, invited speakers, and graduation ceremonies? A: My student employees. My dedicated indoor crew clearly enriched the lives of North Park athletics and its student athletes, a valuation that has been far too often overlooked. My staff, including Revenge teammates, unmistakably enhanced the well-being of Athletic Department employees and student athletes; the entire campus, actually. Montezuma’s Revenge completed its championship season undefeated, and could arguably be considered North Park’s greatest intramural football team of all time!
In conclusion, Montezuma’s Revenge clearly contributed to the North Park athletic program in an outstanding way with an undefeated season and, as Physical Plant employees, over an extended period of time. Thus, as faculty representative, I nominate Montezuma’s Revenge for your consideration to be inducted into the North Park Viking Hall of Fame under the “Honorary Members/Special Consideration” category.
Sincerely,
/S
Chester Slome
North Park College/University Retiree, 2005
Epilogue. Shortly after submission for consideration, the North Park Athletic Director erroneously replied by stating the nomination did not meet induction criteria. His misinformed opinion contradicted that the Hall of Fame Committee, for example, had previously inducted Ivar Wistrom for “Field Maintenance.” Mr. Wistrom, like this nomination, fell into the “Honorary Members/Special Circumstances” category. which contains vague and subjective criteria. Specifically, the vague and subjective criteria (just like other “Halls of Fame”) stated that one must have “contributed to the North Park athletic program in an outstanding way” and was “supportive of athletic program over an extended period of time.”
One can amusingly quibble about the very low bar for players and coaches connected to North Park varsity teams, notably football. These include at least 10 gridders who have been inducted despite having never played on a team that completed a single winning season though I note that one Love brother had exceptional individual statistics. A head football coach received HOF induction for never having a winning season that included an 8-28 record during a four-year span in 1981-84. SMH.
In addition, the current committee neglected to induct swimming sensation Lida Kuehn nee Bond. Lida’s historical marks within the athletic program include 13 school records, and she is clearly the finest to ever compete as a swimmer at North Park. Why would the committee fail to honor her? SNAF-U, not NPU.
— Mark Erickson
[Editor’s note: Summer crews led by Chester Slome stripped off the previous year’s scuffed varnish and resurfaced the North Park Gym floors in August of every year for decades (including the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship years of 1978-80, 1985 and 1987) thereby presenting the college community with a bright, shiny new playing surface every autumn. If that alone doesn’t make him an integral part of North Park Athletic success, one wonders what it would possibly take.]
