John Peloquin
Its the Johnnie bye week and while Coach Gagliardi worries about Bethel University for the next 11 days we’ll take some time out to enjoy the 2007 Homecoming reflections of ‘57 grad John Peloquin. Congratulations John on 50 years!
On Oct. 6,2007 the Johnnies were behind by 9 points late in the 3rd quarter of their football game with St. Olaf. Then John took charge of the game and the Johnnies responded with a 1 point victory. But I’m
getting ahead of myself.
For several months I had been anticipating going back to St. John’s for my 50th class reunion and my first football game at Collegeville in 50 years. It would also be my first Stiftungfestivity. Then, a few weeks ago, JohnnieFootball.com came on line. At the Stiftungfestivity I threatened Mr. Shoes that I would write a story and I don’t issue idle threats.
During the 1500 mile drive back to western Colorado, I thought of a hundred stories I could tell, shortened the list and then realized it’s only about Johnnie Football.
I could write about meeting my 50 or so classmates from 1957; about how much they changed and how they stayed the same—Johnnies all. But that’s another story.
I could write about the Memorial Mass and getting choked up when the necrology of the 60 classmates who are no longer with us was read. Then I realized that they are all still with us in spirit—Johnnies all. But that’s another story.
I could write about my first Stiftungfestivity hosted by Festmeister JJR. How Jean and I made friends for life with people I only knew from the Internet. What a great group: fins, Duff and the future Mrs. Duff, Veek, ROR and Ryan, 105, Dusty, Mr. Shoes, TC, Carbo The Carrs, OAS and forgive me for who I forgot—Johnnies almost all. But that’s another story.
I could write about the warm welcome we received by BDB in Menomonie. But that’s another story.
I could write about the most beautiful campus in the world and how much it has changed in the last 50 years yet it is still the same. But that’s another story.
I could write about the current Johnnies. The ones I met were friendly and courteous probably nicer than we were. I did notice that a lot of the current Johnnies must be hikers since a lot of them were carrying backpacks and you don’t need a backpack to carry a spiral notebook a couple of pens and a deck of cards. We only hiked to the old highway and then hitchhiked to the El Paso. I also noticed a lot of Johnnies and Bennies in the Bookstore. We didn’t spend a lot of time in the old Bookstore because back then all they had were books. These new ones are Johnnies all. But that’s another story.
The real story is about the football game. It was a thrill for me to be at the game just like old times except I was sitting next to Wayne Hergott. Back then he was on the field quarterbacking. He even commented that the plays were, for the most part, still the same. My take on the game doesn’t involve the plays or players or the what ifs. Those things have been hashed and rehashed and I agree with and disagree with all the comments. My take is what happened about half way through the 3rd period. The Oles had taken a 9 point lead and Wayne and I both noticed that the Johnnies looked lackluster. At every change of possession the Johnnies left the field looking down and weary. Then I noticed something happening. John started walking out and huddling up with the team near the sideline. When the Johnnies broke the huddle the first time they went back out on the field with a little more enthusiasm. This happened for the rest of the game at every change of possession and time out, John was in the huddle and each time the momentum grew. The Johnnies scored twice, held the Oles to a Field Goal and put on a clock killing drive. Now I don’t know what John said in those huddles and the game was surely won on the field but I do know that he took charge and the Johnnies responded and won that game. Going back 54 years the headline from the athletics section of the 1954 Sagatagan reads ‘Gagliardi Pilots Jays to Share in MIAC Crown’. That’s the way it was, that’s the way it is and that’s the way it’s supposed to be because that’s Johnnie Football as 57 Johnnie sees it from western Colorado.
Oct. 9, 2007
Montrose, Colorado
John Peloquin SJU 1957 BA Philosophy/Chemistry
