Out and About

Hall of Fame Festivities, February 17, 2001

by Phil Johnson

Six people were inducted into the Viking Club Athletic Hall of Fame at Anderson Chapel on the North Park campus. This writer had the privilege of presenting his favorite two—Bob Bach and Ivar Wistrom.

Bach, known also as "Socko" reflecting his speed (under 10-flat in the 100-yard dash), was Mr. Outside for the North Park Vikings from 1957 to 1961. He still is a great natural athlete who, to mention just a few things, is able to punt with either foot on the run, to catch passes behind his back without breaking stride, and to make incredibly long hook shots and jump shots. Bob played baseball as well as football during the four years that he lit up the campus.

Ivar, on the other hand, with no NP letters, is the most famous Viking sports figure of all time. He took care of the whole campus for a thousand (actually thirty-seven, but it had the quality of a millennium) years and gave special care to the athletic facilities. Even more important, he hired, trained, worked, and mentored generations of North Park athletes. Young men who worked for Ivar never forgot the experience or the man. He received a thundering, standing ovation when he was presented the Hall of Fame plaque.

Other inductees were Doug Cederberg (’80), Carl Favaro (’74), Dan Galante (coach), and Karl Peterson (’84).

Karl is the first soccer player to enter the Hall of Fame. Close friends of Pietisten have played with, coached with, and been coached by Karl and they bear witness to his tremendous skill, hard work, and leadership.

A sell-out crowd watched the North Park Vikings battle the highly-ranked Augustana Vikings on the hard-court. The "right" Viking tribe won bringing the day to a happy, fitting climax.