On the weekend of 13th through 15th June, LPRFC welcomed many of our former players back to Chicago to celebrate 40 years of the club's existence. Alumni from all eras were present, from the club's founder, Jerry Fohrman, to most of the current club roster. It was evident from the numerous characters in attendance that little has changed in what makes an LPRFC player so unique.
The weekend began with the official opening night of the club's new business venture and home bar, Sterch's Tavern. Now under shared ownership of many of LPRFC's former players and the club itself, the bar was opened after many hours of hard work by Adam Meredith and several other volunteers in time to welcome all to Chicago.
It truly was a wonderful sight to see old acquaintances renewed. Long-time friendships had remained strong despite the years apart in many cases. The common link of the club had maintained an unbroken bond between all in attendance. Recognition was made to Pete Morich, Tony Boylan, Joe Sanner and Adam Meredith for putting together this new venture and it is hoped that the formation of a LPRFC supporter's mug club will allow many more to invest in the future of the team.
The night lasted long and words and tales of deeds past became as blurry as the eyesight of the story-tellers themselves.
Saturday morning saw the assembled masses congregate at Diversey Harbour, the spiritual home field of the team. While not a constant venue throughout the club's history, it seems to weave a common thread that touches teams from all decades. With the shenanigans of the previous night still a recent memory, there was a little consternation as to whether a team would be there on time (at least by this author). I should have known better. It is rare that the excesses of a previous night's drinking has ever kept an LPRFC player from his place on the field at kickoff and this was no exception with well over 40 players kitted up and ready to go. Of course, there is always an exception to every rule, and Joe Sanner arrived midway through the first half querying "when does 12 rugby time, actually mean noon?".
While the ubiquitous Barons' jerseys were the most evident, there was kit from all eras on display, the constant being the familiar green and gold colour scheme that is Lincoln Park rugby. Our thanks must also go the Japanese team that generously gave their time to enable us to host such an event. This has become a regular fixture for the LPRFC Old Boy's and it was deemed very appropriate that they provided the opposition on this occasion.
With so many players available, it was decided that the starting lineup would be determined according to age. The players split themselves by position then the oldest of each group was designated the starter for the game. I believe Pete McHugh provided a youthful burst from the fullback position at 51 years of age.
The Japanese took an early two-try lead during the match but Park fought back. The match resembled a hockey match of sorts at time - not due to fisty-cuffs on ice - with wholesale line changes at opportune moments. It was quite the site to watch a new pack come charging onto the pitch, like a cavalry charge of reinforcements. Highlights were too numerous to mention but it is safe to say that every player who took the field had at least one moment of past glory re-lived. Never have so many had so much fun at the bottom of a ruck.
A JD Cortese behind-the-back pass set up Park's first score and J. Stafford the younger scored with an eightman pick from a short range scrum. With the scores tied in the last minute of the game, Park caused a turnover inside their opponents twenty-two and Phil Clark scooped up the loose ball to run untouched for the game winning try.
Saturday night was the main event of the weekend. 175 guests attended the 40th Anniversary Banquet at the Wild Things Cafe in the heart of Lincoln Park Zoo. This was a rare occasion to switch from jerseys and shorts to black tie formal attire, although several had their own interpretation and focused more on "optional" rather than "black tie". Ties and rugby jerseys were matched, blazers were paired with shorts and sandals, and George Nottoli was resplendent with his curly locks protuding from underneath his top hat.
When the first guest to arrive was none other than Herbie Schmit - the owner of Der Read Baron, Park's bar for so many years - wearing a green and gold, club tie, it was obvious this would be a night of reminiscence. So many faces from so many eras were brought together for this special occasion. Friendships formed so many years ago were renewed.
On an occasion such as this, a weekend dedicated to all who had played their part in the history of the club, it was truly fitting that the first recipient of the new Lawless Trophy, for outstanding contribution to Lincoln Park RFC was presented by Paul Wilson, the current President to the man whose vision all those years ago set this story in motion, Jerry Fohrman, the club's founder.
The party continued into the small hours of the morning, with Strech's again being the venue for the after-party.
Sunday was a day to look back on the the day before, and think of those who had been unable to be part of these proceedings. Long departed team-mates whose lives had touched so many, some fleetingly but as many with substantial influence.
As we all drifted away from Wills, where we had enjoyed a casual afternoon of food and memories, it was perhaps fitting that the man who had traveled the furthest to be here with us, was left holding up the bar. Jon Kittelson, all the way from Norway, personified the comradeship of the club, returning one more time to the shores of Lake Michigan to be with his team.
