Greetings to Thorp Alumni
Thorp Alumni Association Loses Long Time Leader
Angeline ‘Angie’ Teclaw graduated from Thorp High School in 1941. After
graduation she went on to Gregg Business College in Chicago and earned a
degree in accounting that led to a very successful professional career.
Volunteering was a big part of Angie’s life. In 1993, upon her return to
her home town, Thorp, she continued volunteering in several
organizations including the Thorp Alumni Association. She took over as
secretary for the TAA in 1993 and continued until she stepped down in
2005. However, she remained active with the TAA through the alumni
reunion in July, 2006.
In 2002, the TAA presented Angie Teclaw with an award recognizing her
for her career successes and her lifetime of volunteering, despite
living with a handicap her entire life. The award, named in her honor,
is called the ANGIE AWARD, and has been awarded to other deserving
recipients.
Ann Huls, longtime friend of Angie, says, “We in the Historical Society,
the Legion Auxiliary and the Alumni Association will surely miss Angie’s
presence among us. She was a true leader and we felt comfortable and
confident with her in control. People seemed to want to give their best
to any project Angie was in charge of. I will always cherish the
memories of the personal friendship I was privileged to share with her.”
There is no device made that can measure what Angie has accomplished in
her life nor measure what she has meant as a volunteer to so many
organizations.
Thank you, Angie. You will be sorely missed and long remembered.
Thanks to Thorp Alumni Basketball Players
Recently, the Thorp High School basketball court was named JACK TETZNER
COURT. The lettering on the court was completed prior to November 25th,
the night of the dedication ceremony. The dedication preceded the
Cardinal boys’ basketball game vs. Chippewa Falls McDonell. A number of
players were in attendance at this dedication.
Former Thorp High School boys’ basketball players, those who played for
Coach Tetzner between 1954 and 1988, have donated money to purchase a
memorial plaque for their coach. The alumni will donate the plaque to
Thorp High School to be hung in the multi-purpose room near the entrance
to the gymnasium.
Many of the players who contributed to the Jack Tetzner Memorial Fund
commented on the impact he had on their lives. Some of those comments
follow:
“I was just a farm boy with average ability. Coach Tetzner was able to
recognize the strengths of each of his players. He worked us hard and
got us to give our best. He was tough, but fair.” George Lato ‘63
“Coach Tetzner! He gave his heart and soul to all of his basketball
teams! No one was more dedicated than he was. I have a lot of memories
of Jack and they were life long lessons that he taught all of us. It was
like it happened yesterday. Thank you, Jack.” Tony Welgos ‘65
“Throughout my life I have thought of Jack many, many times. I thank him
for a big part in how my life turned out; Jack was more than the best
coach to all of us.” Denny Haas ‘62
“The coach was larger than being an advocate for basketball; he was also
concerned about helping a person find his way in life.” Phil Pabich ’61
“It is remarkable that although this man was only involved in most of
our lives for a brief time at the end of our teenage years, the effects
of his coaching, teaching, and counseling have remained a part of us as
we continue through the various stages of adult life. I know that the
lessons that I learned while being a ‘Tetzner’ basketball player have
been applied throughout my life and have resulted in a greater level of
success and effectiveness than if I had not received such an important
education from him. As a principal, I see first hand the problems
associated with students who do not have a positive and influential male
role model in their lives and I feel very blessed that have had two such
men in my own life, my father, and Coach Jack Tetzner.” Jon Fleming ‘76
“After I officiated my first WIAA state tournament basketball game, I
got a phone call from Coach Tetzner. He said, ‘I watched your state
tournament game, you did a good job.’ This simple statement, coming from
a man that I respect and admire, still has a powerful message for me
today.” Bob Lesniewski ‘66
“Jack Tetzner was one of the most respected high school coaches in the
state of Wisconsin. He was a coach ahead of his time. He was respected
by opposing coaches. He was respected and loved by his players. He cared
about his players and was a great motivator.” Don Soderberg ‘57
“He was a key figure in my going on to college following six years in
the military and working in Thorp. He was a large figure in helping mold
what I am today.” Aaron Mattes ‘60
“I played in Jack’s first year at Thorp. We were the first team in the
area required to wear white shirts and ties to the games. He received
many compliments on how neat it looked to see a team dressed up like
that. If you look at the lives and careers of his players after
graduation, you8 might be amazed at their successes and accomplishments.
I believe Jack had a great deal to do with that. Rex Schmidt ‘56
“I was a second generation for Jack! He coached my father (Rich Boie
’61), and he always reminded me or razzed me that ‘Your dad wouldn’t
have done this or he would have done that.” Kert Boie ‘83
My memories include, “Playing in his 500th win game (cutting down the
nets), his banquet when he received the golf cart, and being able to
play a few rounds of golf with him after I graduated from high school,
and being able to spend time with him other than in the coach-player
setting.” Corey Brunett ‘76
“I only had Coach Tetzner for one year but, I always like the way he
would discipline the team.” John ‘Huntz’ Maier ‘55
“Coach Tetzner initiated the ‘Drake Shuffle’ on offense that allowed me
to be ‘center’ when the shuffle took its course and I achieved my dream
from 4th grade on to make a hook shot like I had practiced for many
years in our backyard. The ‘Shuffle’ made my day. Rich Alger ’55
Volunteers
During 2006, there were many volunteers who helped in some way with the
different projects conducted by the TAA. We have a wonderful alumni
organization because of the help and participation of:
Tash Stuesser, LaNore Anderson, Cretia Paff, Dean Hubbard, Joe Pawlak,
Bob Hmielak, Ed Kosik, Cora Kosik, Mike Schmidt, Marge Schmidt, Lenore
Giwojna, John Stewart, Carol Stewart, Kathy Soderberg and Ron Gjerning.
…………………………………………
The officers and staff of the Thorp Alumni Association wish everyone a
very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We thank you for your support
during 2006 and look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at the
All-Thorp alumni Reunion, Saturday, July 7, 2007.
Don Soderberg ’57, Norb Teclaw ’53, Ann Sniegowski Huls ’46, Jeanette
Palmer Kodl ’81, Geraldine Dudansky ’58, Clarice Warner Hubbard ’38,
Corinne Hubbard Gjerning ’67, and Armon Schmidt ’53.
TAA Scholarship Fund: Thorp Alums, remember the TAA Scholarship Fund,
which provides scholarships to THS seniors each year. You may send your
tax deductible donation to TAA, PO Box 75, Thorp, WI 54771
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