Hamline Hall of Fame

It wasn't officially homecoming, but it certainly felt like it when Steve took us back to Minnesota this weekend.

Steve was invited back to his alma mater to be inducted into the Hamline Athletic Hall of Fame. We received red-carpet treatment including brunch at the President's house, priority parking, tail-gating passes and seats on the 50-yard line to watch the Hamline Pipers football team.

At halftime, the Hall of Fame inductees were introduced on the football field. Almost before the announcements were over, Steve and team-mate David Wenberg were greeted on the track by their mentor and coach, Kent Stahly. Even Coach's wife remarked on how good it was to see "her boys" again.

The day culminated in a dinner ceremony and each inductee gave a tribute about their experience at Hamline. No one talked about winning, but each one talked about the wealth of love and learning outside the classroom at Hamline.

For Four years, Steve was a point-producing member of the Hamline Track and Field team which earned him four varsity letters. Steve's event was the pole vault and during his time at Hamline he set the school record for both the indoor and outdoor events. He also added numerous meet and conference records to his resume during that time. For his accomplishments, Steve was honored as a four time All-MIAC performer and awarded All-American status in 1979 and 1980 at the national indoor and outdoor meets.

Team-mate, fellow pole vaulter and and co-inductee David Wenberg '83 also publically recognized Steve at the Hall of Fame ceremony for teaching him how to break Steve's records. Steve was also inducted into the Hamline Hall of Fame several years ago with the 1980 Men's Track & Field Team.

Appropriately, Steve's Hall of Fame plaque will hang in the original field house and in the same corner where he used to pole vault.

Both girls have decided against going to Hamline --- It's too cold!

We saw Steve's dad who was just around the corner from our hotel in a rehab center recovering from a hip fracture and we even connected with the Senator and the Sister too.

...............Mike.....Ariel.....Sarah.....Rachel.....Steve.....Caleb.....Carol.....Mark...................

.........Aubrey.....Caleb.....Sarah.....Josh.....Ariel.....Steve.....Rachel.....Sarah.....Mike.....Vicki.........

The rest of Mike's clan even met us for an early breakfast before we headed back home. (I'm not sure if they really got up early to see us or because they were headed to the Packers' game.) Nevertheless, we enjoyed reminiscing and razzing together. I'm always amazed at the stories that surface when they get together.