| Wyndmere
School Reunion |
June
24, 25, & 26 2005 |
Sports History WYNDMERE
HIGH SCHOOL, HATS OFF TO THEE, Wyndmere High School's six man football program originated under the direction of Coach Bob Berry in 1937. Ten new uniforms were purchased which had gold helmets and gold jerseys, with maroon trimmings and numerals. Because of the initial expense of purchasing good equipment, the athletic fund was heavily burdened so money was raised by sponsoring an athletic carnival and amateur events plus a cash donation from Coach Berry. None of the boys had ever played football before when practice began two weeks after school started. Gerald Gullickson, powerful fullback, was the only senior on the squad. Joining Gullickson to round out the first team were Norman Selland, Lyman Peterson, Wilbur Gullickson, LeRoy Olsgaard and John Schmit. Other players on the squad were George Johnson, Jr., Harlan Selland, Rudy Dotzenrod, Conrad Sanden, Milo Olson, Thomas Tisdel and Hilford Johnson. Because of the late start and few schools having football, Wyndmere scheduled only two games, which were both against Sheldon that first year. The team traveled to Sheldon for their afternoon game in the back end of a pickup truck and arrived covered with dust from the dirt and graveled roads-1 Immediately following the game, without cleaning up, the team returned to Wyndmere the same way. The team lost both games in this, the first year of organized football in Wyndmere, but the underclassmen received valuable experience for the coming year.
Back Row: Hoddy Jones, Hilford Johnson, Harold Becker, Milton Haugen, Harold Wittkopp. Middle Row: Coach M.H. Solberg, Donald Puetz, Duane Little, Jacey Nelson, Supt. Hanson. Front Row: Conrad Sanden, Harland Selland, Norman Oberg, George Johnson, Jr. and Rudy Dotzenrod. The 1960 year saw a change from 8 to 9 man football. The 1960 season saw an improved record of 4-3 with A1 Breuer and Gary Charlson leading the Warriors. Ken Bakkegard assumed the head coaching position in 1969 which he held until 1974. Leading the Warriors to 5-3 record were Dale Gilje, Bill Reese and David Woodbury. The 1970 team finished the season with an impressive 8-1 record with the only loss being to Milnor, Wild Rice Conference Champions. 1974 was THE year for the Wyndmere Warriors, as they on the Wild Rice Conference Championship, were the Wild Rice and Southeastern Conference Playoff Champions and Number One 11 man football team in the state power poll. Coach Bakkegard, who was named North Dakota Coach of the Year, was assisted by John Del Val and Wally Wittenburg as the Warriors rolled to an impressive 12-0 record.
Back (L to R): D. Erbes, J. Hager, F. Heitkamp, M. Boyer, T. Brosowske, R. Score, H. Veit, W. Gilje, J. Odegaard, Coach Wittenburg. Third Row: Coach Bakkegard, D. Stone, S. Breuer, D. Braaten, B. Meslow, S. Becker, G. Puetz, D. Erbes, J. Nankivel. Second Row: C. Gilje, P. Link, M. Haugen, M. Mashek, B. King, P. Veit, H. Bailey, R. Davis. Front Row: T. Johnson, J. Blazek, W. Bailey, D. Gannon, M. Metcalf, T. Vosberg, M. Hoffert.
Front
Row (L to R): Traill Vosberg, Mike Mashek, Steve Johnson, Curt
Gilje, Marston Metcalf, Mike Haugen. Back Row: Ken Blazek, Norman
Braaten, Mark Hoffert, Howard Bailey, Paul Veit and Pat Link.
ALL
CONFERENCE SELECTIONS In 1974, the Wild Rice Conference began
choosing an all conference team yearly. Those chosen from Wyndmere
have been the following:
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