I don’t often write about my husband Carey. We met at Washington University and have been married 34 years. I saw him playing soccer, turned to my friend Laura and said, “You see number 18? I’m going to marry him.” But first, I needed to find out his name. And then actually convince him that it would be a good idea to date me. There was a time he tried to break up with me and I told him no. He was so stunned with my response, he didn’t, so here we are 34 years later. I figure with all that I put him through early on in our relationship, I should leave him out of my comic musings.
This past fall the university contacted Carey to let him know his 1978 soccer team was going to be inducted into the Washington University Athletic Hall of Fame. The school invited the entire team to be recognized as its first team to receive an NCAA bid. Washington University plays Division III sports, which means no scholarships are given for athletics. You play because you love the sport. (If I have gotten some of these facts wrong, please remember I am not an investigative journalist.) Getting a bid was a big deal then and now. Back then, Washington University was not a stepping stone for a professional sports career. It was where you went to become an engineer, doctor, financial analyst or scientist. The stands were not filled with fans screaming “Roll Tide!” Actually, I’m not sure what we screamed. There were usually 50 of us, someone had a horn, and inevitably a keg would be rolled in for the enjoyment of those watching. (It was the ’70s, what can I say?) After the game, the players would typically shower and go home or to the library to study. Occasionally, a professor would refuse to reschedule an exam if it conflicted with a game, so the player would miss the game.
This soccer team was good. They beat teams in better divisions and went to the NCAA tournament all four years. Many of them came back five years after graduating to play the current Wash U. soccer team, and beat them. It was the perfect chemistry of players, an unorthodox coach, a new athletic director and a school that treated sports as something that was not nearly as important as education. It worked perfectly.
So this weekend, nearly everyone from that team will be back in St. Louis to receive this honor. It is the first time Washington University has recognized an entire team. To my knowledge, all of these guys are productive members of society. There are a handful of doctors, engineers and business owners along with a variety of other occupations. Wash U. did its job; it made sure each of them graduated with a skill to succeed. While they might not have had thousands of people cheering at their games, they did share an experience that has kept many of them close friends, and one that I envy. Congratulations, guys! I’m not sure they could beat the current Wash U. soccer team now, but I wouldn’t bet against them.
Contact Patty at phannum@townandstyle.com.