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When I attended the Malone University Athletic Hall of Fame event on January 24, 2020, I was quickly reminded that the two years that I was at Malone are still alive and well, 40 years later!
Troy Montgomery became the third team member to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Phil Eades and Randy Lane, the previous Hall of Famers, were there, along with teammates Tim Snyder, Jeff Hoop, Todd Montgomery and Ross Kantner. Seeing players’ wives, kids and friends was an exciting treat (and a reminder of how old I have become).
Those three HOF players, in my opinion, truly deserved the honor and recognition. I was privileged to see up close their talent, dedication, determination, and execution of soccer skills that have now been recognized as Hall of Fame members.
Troy’s honor had an added significant flavor, as I had known the Montgomery family for over 50 years! While I was coaching soccer at the University of Mount Union, young Troy and his brother Todd came to the games with their parents to watch their uncle Dale play. I know that Mom & Dad Montgomery would have been extremely pleased with Troy’s honor. BEEMANS GUM FOR EVERYONE!
The 1979 team recorded the first winning season in Malone’s history. The 1980 team became Conference Champions. That 1980 team still holds 5 school records to this day!
• Most Goals Scored In A Season
17 vs Wheeling (Malone 17, Wheeling 2) 9-7-80
• Highest Goals Per Game Average For A Season
4.4, 62 Goals in 14 Games, 1980
• Fewest Goals Allowed In A Season 13 in 1980
• Highest Winning % .857 in 1980 - Record 12-2
• Longest Winning Streak (No Ties) 11 Games in 1980
Soccer, as a team sport, takes 11 players to start a game. No one can score or defend without the help of ten teammates. Any team needs players who don’t start the game, but play many substitute minutes to help the team succeed. The team also is supported by players who do not get to play in every game. Every player is important to the success of the team because of their dedication, hard work and sacrifice by attending each practice session and training hard, regardless of their playing time. So, for the ’79-’80 teams, it was Not Just 3, But 37 and More! Some played only one year, some were injured, and some graduated, but all (Yes, all) were important members:
1. Banitorof, Rahim (79) 2. Behji, Farzin (79) 3. Burch, Doug (78, 79, 80) 4. Cottings, Doug (79, 80) 5. Crabtree, Dan (80) 6. Crabtree, Doug (79, 80, 81, 82) 7. Delucia, John (79) 8. Eades, Phil (79, 80, 81, 82) 9. Francis, Steve (79) 10. Gillens, Dave (80) 11. Gross, Don (79, 80) 12. Hoop, Jeff (79, 80, 81, 82) 13. Jenkins, Rich (78, 79) 14. Kantner, Ross (78, 79, 80, 81) 15. Kilasi, Osborne (79) 16. Kosaka, Yasushi (79, 80) 17. Krauss, Bob (78, 79)
18. Krauss, Don (79) 19. Lane, Randy (79, 80, 81, 82) 20. Malmsbury, Mike (79, 80, 81, 82) 21. Marshall, Greg (79) 22. Miller, Jeff (79, 80, 81, 82) 23. Montgomery, Todd (79) 24. Montgomery, Troy (79, 80, 81, 82) 25. Murray, Dave (79, 80) 26. Mylant, John (79, 80, 81) 27. Ng, Simon (78, 79, 80) 28. Nikzad, Arsalan (78, 79, 80) 29. Niver, Brett (78, 79) 30. Reynolds, John (77, 78, 79, 80) 31. Segala, Geoffery (78, 79, 80) 32. Snyder, Tim (80, 81, 82) 33. Sommers, Mark (79) 34. Vrancis, Dave (79, 80) 35. Wakeman, Wally (77, 78, 79) 36. Wantwadi, Kanza (80, 81) 37. Workman, Steve (78, 79)
And, There Are Still More!
Every team has managers and trainers to thank and appreciate. The ‘79-‘80 teams had ball girls and, of course, the refreshment stand. The Malone maintenance crew, who kept the field ready and the locker rooms clean, are all part of the team’s success.
These two teams were also encouraged and supported by the many fans who attended the games.
In addition to thanking everyone who help the 1979-1980 teams succeed, please consider the athletic department administration and staff, and the sports information director. Someone scheduled the games, confirmed referees for each home game, and made available transportation and meals for away games. Someone published the schedule and reported the outcomes.
The ‘79-‘80 teams were not the first to play at Malone. Soccer had been played for 13 years before and now 40 years since. It’s not hard to understand and thank all the work and dedication each soccer alum has put forth in representing the college.
AND MORE… When you understand Not Just 3, But 37 and More, you must also realize that no player arrived at Malone by himself. Winning congratulations should include moms and dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors and friends! Who drove the young players to community soccer practice and games?
Malone soccer success must also include thanks to players’ high school teammates and coaches. And no player was accepted at Malone without high school academic achievement, thanks to many dedicated teachers.
Malone University would not be successful without the leadership of the faculty and administration. And it would not be here today without those who established the school and worked hard over the years to make it successful. The first classes started in 1892 in Cleveland. The school moved to Canton 63 years ago and was named Malone after the founders, Emma and J. Walter Malone.
Our list of people for whom to be thankful is very large.
MALONE IS JUST 5%!
Those two seasons are still alive today also because of what the players have done since graduation. Please consider that, if the current average life expectancy of men in the USA is 76, it means the players only spent about 5% of their lives in college. Again, on average, they would have about 70% of their lives to live after graduation. Learning to be thankful, while preparing for a career during that 5%, is fundamental.
Hearing about what those 37 former student athletes and the support staff have done since graduation is always heartwarming and inspirational. I recently learned that one player spent time leading devotions and building a church in Paraguay. Former players’ kids are like soccer grand kids to me, and I always enjoy hearing stories about them. One soccer grand kid is studying at Moody in Chicago.
Hopefully, you will pass on these thoughts to some of the 37, their families and friends. And, of course, everyone is invited to share their stories and comments.
It Doesn’t Matter ......... I am so thankful to have been given the opportunity to grow up, work, learn and enjoy life. How delightful it is to remember my family, neighbors and friends who were of help and guidance. How grateful I am to my parents and grandparents who worked so hard to make our family successful and show me the fruits of hard work.
As I think back to all that has happened, combined with what I now realize, there is a very important lesson that I feel compelled to pass along. Do you remember the house you grew up in as a child? Who was your favorite teacher? What was your first major disappointment? Has your favorite music changed over the years? Who is your closest friend? Did you ever get in trouble with the law? What is your favorite holiday?
Think back over all the events in your story from your birth until this very day. Now consider that, no matter how great or hard your story is, or how different it is from anyone else’s you know, there was always one thing that was consistent for us all. Yes, for you, me and everyone else, It really doesn’t matter whether you are young or old, male or female, married or single, black or white or another race, rich or poor or middle class, healthy or not well. It doesn’t matter if you live in the United States or another country, in a large city, a suburb, or a small rural town. It doesn’t matter if you have many siblings, are an only child or an orphan; if you have many friends or none. It doesn’t matter if you graduated from school or not; wear business clothing or a t-shirt at work; attend a church or not. It doesn’t matter if you are short or tall; are a marathon runner or in a wheelchair.
But some will say, “We are too different. There are so many different lives to live, how could any one thing be the same in everyone’s life?”
As you reflect on your story, one fact will always remain: with every step, event, success or failure, happiness or sadness, and every breath you have taken in your life, there is one common thread…
Jesus Christ, He was there all the time.
He created you and knew you before you were born. He knew your parents and your grandparents. He knows about everything happening in the world. Not only was He there during every second of your past, but He is still there today, and He will be there every day of your life. And He is always waiting to help, comfort, save and bless you … Just ask Him.
When we were happy and laughed or when we were sad and cried, He Was There! With every birth and every death, He Was There! When we were sick or when we were healthy, He Was There!
Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, Was There All The Time.
A FINAL THOUGHT……… Some people have said that the freshman class of 1979 was one of the best in Malone soccer history. I was blessed to be able to coach them for two years. Because I arrived late as the new coach, I did not recruit and had never met any of the Malone players, except for Todd and Troy Montgomery. Well, then, how did all those freshmen arrive at Malone at the same time and join the upperclassmen for a successful season?
For me, there is only one answer:
Our Lord and Savior brought them all together!
