Sunday, May 1, 2022

Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Hamline

 Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Pipers of Hamline fielded a wrestling program at one time. 

Jeff Fordice

Although Fordine wrestled for the Pipers, it was as a hurdler in track where he really excelled. Never able to make the varsity of his his school team, Fordice transferred to Hamline from Inver Hills community college. He took a work ethic & a belief that through the right coaching he could become a champion & did just that. Along with winning two conference titles, he earned All American finishes of 4th & 5th at the track national tournament. 

Willie Johnson 

Hamline originally discontinued wrestling at the 1969-1970 season, not having a program in 1970-1971. It was Willie Johnson who also played football and participated in track who helped to reinstate the program a year later for the 71'-72' season. Quite the renaissance man, also being a member of the theatre, choir and yearbook.  Post college he did work as an announcer for both Hamline football & basketball before becoming a professor of speech at Normandale Community College. 

David Lechner 

A kicker on the football team & the soccer team's lead scorer, Lechner also wrestled for the Pipers. 

Chuck Slocum 

Also a member of the football team, Slocum earned varsity letters in wrestling for the Pipers in the late 60's. 

 



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