
Frank Afable


Bob Ancona


George Bliss


Tom Bonen


Bob Campbell


Dan Cahill


Rusty Carlson


Mike Conklin


Don DeBat


Frederick DeBeer


Les Duncan


Wally “Dee” Dziewinski


Forest Park Review


Frank Fiarito


Bill Gleason


Glen Groebili

In his early twenties, Glen Groebili started the SundownersI a team named for the company Glenn worked for. They played two years (1963 64) in the Riis Park Industrial League. In 1965, they moved from the Industrial League to the Melrose Park Men’s League; they played there until 1973 and dominated the Monday and Wednesdays leagues.
He moved to Downers Grove and took the Sundowners to play in the Downers Grove Men’s League (1974-76). They finished in first place all three years.
Glenn moved to Green Bay, WI in 1977 and returned to Palatine, IL in 1981. In 1982 he was co-founder and president of the newly formed Northwest Men’s Catholic 16-inch League. The league began with six Catholic churches and grew to twelve. Glenn served as president, manager, and player from 1982 to 1992. His team (St Theresa) finished in first in most of the years and took the playoffs in most years. The league is still viable with ten teams. Additionally, he served as president of the Palatine Men’s Softball League from 1992 to 1996.
In 1999 he became president of the Chicago Geezer’s. The Chicago Geezer’s had teams in the fifty, fifty-five, sixty, and sixty-five age groups. These teams competed in Senior Men’s Tournaments from coast to coast and from Florida to Canada. They were committed to playing in ten to -twelve tournaments each year. They won the 60AA World Championship in 2000. Glenn was president, manager, and player until 2012.
He moved to Sun City Huntley in 2002 and began to play both 16-inch softball in Sun City and 12-inch for the Chicago Geezers. He became president of Sun City Softball Club in 2006 and served until 2008. He made numerous changes to conform to the Chicago style softball. He built a 10 x 16 storage facility and expanded the league from ten team to twelve teams and changed the morning pick up into a six-team league.
Glenn continued to play both 16-inch and 12-inch softball in Sun City and began serving a second term as president in 2013untill 2018. While president, Sun City added a 12-inch league and added a 16-inch double - loss elimination tournament at the end of the year. They currently have twenty-three sponsors, covering the twenty-three teams that play in Sun City. They also changed the method of recognizing the league champions from an awarding a team picture to awarding each player a team jersey. They also began a skills competition prior to the All-Star game. In 2017 they added an “Honor the Veterans” softball game. Fifty veterans that play softball in Sun City participated. Players received a hat and shirt for their branch of service. Each player was introduced. This event will now become an annual event.
In 2011, Glenn formed and managed 16-inch softball team for seventy-year-old players to compete in a six-county Senior Olympics, which is held In Elk Grove each year. Their team, the Sun City Clippers, has won the gold medal four out of six times.
Sun City Huntley now ranks with one of the best 16 - inch softball programs in the Chicagoland area. They currently have 240 players and twenty-three teams playing on one of the finest softball fields in the area. The players range in age from fifty-five to the eighties, proving that you are never too old to play softball. Fan support is amazing as the stands are filled for almost every game. It is Chicago 16- inch softball at its best.

Harry Hannin


William “Dub” Hill


Donald Jens


Charles Jensen


James “Milt” Melton

James was born on August 23, 1936. He grew up on the South and West Sides of Chicago, attended Emerson Grade School, and graduated from Manley High School where he was an outstanding basketball and baseball player. He attended Crane Junior College until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After his military service, he attended Chicago State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. He then began his career with the Chicago Park District, the United States Postal Service, and finally the Chicago Park District.
James was a solid softball player with the Feather Merchants. He was known for his outstanding knowledge of the game and his fierce competitiveness. As evidence of this, he managed UNK Wild Bunch to an undefeated season.
In 1969 the Chicago Park District assigned James to Washington Park as park supervisor with the mission of improving all the program and activities at Washington. He started an eight-team adult Sunday league. He later convinced the Chicago Transit Authority to move their Sunday league from Grant Park to Washington Park. He also helped convince the Chicago postmaster that a 16-inch softball league was a good idea for its employees. Their thirty-team league played on Saturdays. But with only eight fields available, James had to make fields on the grass.
Besides organizing the leagues, he started an umpire training and development clinic and created Umpires, Inc. Throughout the years, many umpires from this organization officiated at ASA National tournaments.
In 1980, the Chicago Park District re-designed the athletic fields with input from James. The softball fields were relocated to the north end of the park and the baseball fields were moved to the south end. This allowed for the addition of five more softball fields.
The Chicago Park District has recognized James for his outstanding performance in the field of professional recreation administration and for his outstanding dedicated service. To honor his service, the Washington Park Advisory Council installed a memorial stone in the softball area so that players of all ages will know of the person responsible for their “Field of Dreams.” In 2011, the Sixteen-inch Softball Hall of Fame honored Washington Park with its Field of Dreams award.
On August 6, 2010, James and Mildred celebrated their 50th anniversary with family and friends. On December 16, 2010, James passed after suffering a massive heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Mildred, his children Terrance, and Lisa, his granddaughter, Niki, and his lifelong friends and beloved umpire league.

Gloria Kolbusz


Gary Kasanders


Steve Kashul


Ed “Chicagoan” Kelly


Richard “Richie Commish” Klein


Bill Kohl


Ronald “Colonel” Kubicki


Tom Levar

Ask any sixteen-inch softball player to mention some of the top organizers for the past thirty years and Tom Levar’s name will surely appear at the top of that list. He started his organizing career as league director at Indian Road Park, running “A” and “B” league tournaments in 1977. The next year he moved to Portage Park and ran the leagues there until 1990. The Tuesday / Thursday leagues there featured legendary teams like the Playboys, Murder’s Row, the Stompers, and the Lyon’s 45s. In 1984 he took on added responsibility when he was appointed an A.S.A. commissioner by Ferris Reed and later by Tom O’Neill. From 1984 to 1990 he was the tournament director for the ASA Metro National Qualifiers in Des Plaines, Skokie, and at Portage Park. As tournament director, he organized and ran “A” and “B” tournaments from 1980 to 1990. From 1982 to 1990, he organized and ran eight-team invitation only tournaments that showcased some of the top teams of that era, including American Rivet, the Whips, and the Safari Tigers. Besides organizing tournaments, Tom also was an umpire, a player, and a manager. He was assignment chief and head umpire from 1984 to 1990 at the following Chicago parks: Portage, Indian Road, Wilson, Athletic Field, Clarendon, and Eugene Field. From 1976 to 1990 he played all infield positions with such teams as the legendary 45s: Lyon’s, Bally’s, and Budweiser. He also played with the Stones, the Alley, the Runts, and other teams. He also managed the Bally 45s and currently manages Good Wood that plays in Mt. Prospect’s “AA” League and plays at Hamlin and Indian Road Park. These teams won titles at the City of Chicago Metro Tournament, at Mt. Prospect, and in the ASA State and Metro tournaments. He has played in six ASA National tournaments and in three USSSA Nationals. He was also the color commentator for the Sports Channel 1986 coverage of the ASA Nationals in Mt. Prospect. Tom attended St. Patrick High School and holds a bachelor of arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University. Thomas and his wife, Debra, have two children - Thomas and Lauren. They live on Chicago’s Northwest side.

Al Maag


Tim Maher


James “Milt” Melton

James was born on August 23, 1936. He grew up on the South and West Sides of Chicago, attended Emerson Grade School, and graduated from Manley High School where he was an outstanding basketball and baseball player. He attended Crane Junior College until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After his military service, he attended Chicago State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. He then began his career with the Chicago Park District, the United States Postal Service, and finally the Chicago Park District.
James was a solid softball player with the Feather Merchants. He was known for his outstanding knowledge of the game and his fierce competitiveness. As evidence of this, he managed UNK Wild Bunch to an undefeated season.
In 1969 the Chicago Park District assigned James to Washington Park as park supervisor with the mission of improving all the program and activities at Washington. He started an eight-team adult Sunday league. He later convinced the Chicago Transit Authority to move their Sunday league from Grant Park to Washington Park. He also helped convince the Chicago postmaster that a 16-inch softball league was a good idea for its employees. Their thirty-team league played on Saturdays. But with only eight fields available, James had to make fields on the grass.
Besides organizing the leagues, he started an umpire training and development clinic and created Umpires, Inc. Throughout the years, many umpires from this organization officiated at ASA National tournaments.
In 1980, the Chicago Park District re-designed the athletic fields with input from James. The softball fields were relocated to the north end of the park and the baseball fields were moved to the south end. This allowed for the addition of five more softball fields.
The Chicago Park District has recognized James for his outstanding performance in the field of professional recreation administration and for his outstanding dedicated service. To honor his service, the Washington Park Advisory Council installed a memorial stone in the softball area so that players of all ages will know of the person responsible for their “Field of Dreams.” In 2011, the Sixteen-inch Softball Hall of Fame honored Washington Park with its Field of Dreams award.
On August 6, 2010, James and Mildred celebrated their 50th anniversary with family and friends. On December 16, 2010, James passed after suffering a massive heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Mildred, his children Terrance, and Lisa, his granddaughter, Niki, and his lifelong friends and beloved umpire league.

George Morse

A three sport star at Mt. Carmel, George went on to play basketball for Marquette University and professionally for the Sheboygan Redskins and the Chicago Bruins. George’s true love, however, was 16” softball. He played for such notable teams as the Golden Clothes and the Jimmy Rose Shamrocks during the 1939 season that included championships at Ogden Park and the 16th Ward Tournament. Morse’s career was interrupted by a 39 month stint in the Army during World War II. After the war, he returned to Chicago and became supervisor of Clarendon Park in 1946. Once on the job, he began a plan .: to make Clarendon the top softball park in the 50’s and 60’s by adding lights, bleachers, and four diamonds. To increase visibility at night, Morse had the balls dyed yellow in the basement of the park. A public address system and scoreboard kept the fans informed. Besides improvement to the field and ball, Morse instituted other changes to add an air of professionalism to Chicago’s game. First, a player was not allowed to enter the meticulously groomed field if he was not fully dressed in his team’s uniform. Second, Morse instituted rules changes. The base distance was increased from 45 to 50 feet, pitchers were allowed to take a drag step from the mound and perhaps the most progressive rule, he instituted the now universal third strike foul ball rule. These changes altered the face of softball forever and brought the top teams to Clarendon Park. Under Morse’s direction, Clarendon hosted two ASA Nationals and the prestigious Andy Frain Tournament. Fan reaction was tremendous. On many nights more people watched softball at Clarendon than saw the Cubs play during the day or the Sox that evening. In 1969 Morse assembled the Carlucci Bobcat team that went on to win the ASA National Championship. He returned in 1970-71 to manage them to two more national championships. Morse will always be remembered as one of the top managers and innovators in 16” softball history.

Mike North


Dave Novak

“No gloves. Never had them, Never will.” This motto, coined by Dave Novak best summarizes his years of dedication to Chicago’s game – 16” No Glove Softball. Dave began his career at the Park District of Forest Park 23 years ago in 1974 when Jim Sarno hired him as Softball League Supervisor. From 1975 to 1983 he was Superintendent of Recreation and from 1984 to present has held the position of Director of Parks and Recreation. 1998 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Forest Park Invitational Tournament and will also mark Dave’s 25 years of involvement with this event -- the last 15 as Tournament Director. During the past 25 years he has had the opportunity to witness the best - of the 70s, 80s and 90s and has fond memories of this “family reunion” each July. In 1993 the Board of Park Commissioners dedicated the 25th Annual Tournament to Dave - family to honor his sister Joyce Novak, an avid softball player and fan, who was killed in a traffic accident the previous January. In addition to his association with the Forest Park Tournament, Novak was also involved in the formation of the Super 16 Pro League in 1995. He is still an integral member of that league after three seasons. Dave graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation Administration. He and his wife Carol have two sons. Since the age of 16, both boys have been carrying on their father’s tradition by working as members of the summer maintenance ground crew staff for the No Glove Nationals and playing 16” softball. It’s truly a family affair.

Tom O’Neill

Tom O’Neill has distinguished himself as a softball organizer, and a major college referee. As director of the Blue Island Softball League for 22 years, O’Neill presided over many ASA major championships. In fact, from 1980 to 1989, all ASA major championships were won by Blue Island teams. In 2000, O’Neill had served as ASA Commissioner for 15 years, and was then Vice-President of the ASA. In addition to his many softball duties, Tom climbed the ranks of major college basketball refereeing. As of 2000, Tom had officiated for 21 years in most of the major college conferences across the United States, and had worked the NCAA tournament for 18 years and the Final Four three times. In 2000 Tom and his wife, Vicki had been married for 32 years, and had three children.

Larry Piekarz

Larry Piekarz has worked in the parks and recreation field since 1979. He has worked for the Park District of Forest Park since 1989. He started as Superintendent of Recreation and was named Director of Parks and Recreation in 2007 when Dave Novak retired. He has also served as Commissioner for the Streamwood Park District for ten years and as State Director for the National Youth Sports Coaches Association for ten years. Larry has been involved with softball for over thirtyfive years as a player, umpire, league supervisor, and now as tournament director of the best softball tournament on the planet - the Forest Park No-Gloves National 16-inch Softball Tournament. His love of softball and the tournament shows every year when he and his excellent park district staff and commissioners are often the first ones to arrive and the last ones to leave. Larry and his wife, Mary, have been married for over thirty years. They have four children - Joe (Courtney), Tom (Shelly), Betsy and Emily. Larry and Mary are proud grandparents to four wonderful grandchildren.

Irv Porter

Before becoming an umpire and a softball writer, Irv Porter was a softball player for eighteen years, starting his playing days in the 1960s. Indeed, Porter has played in nine World Tournaments. He recently completed his nineteenth year as an umpire, calling games at seven World Tournaments. Irv Porter’s softball writing career began when W.J. (Mac) McQuarrie, coach and sponsor of McQuarrie’s Catering Women’s Softball team, died in November, 1992. Irv Porter contacted Bill Dwyer of Chicago Metro Softball Magazine about writing an article honoring McQuarrie, a pioneer in the world of women’s softball. His article not only appeared in the next issue of Chicago Metro Softball, but it was also featured in the Illinois USSSA’s tournament guidebook the following year. Chicago Metro Softball Magazine liked Irv Porter’s article so much that they invited him to write an article about umpiring. From that moment on, his byline became a regular feature in the magazine. Although the magazine folded in 1996, Porter was hooked on softball writing, so he did what all dedicated writers do; he started his own publication - Illinois Softball Report in 1997. Illinois Softball Report was the premier softball-reporting source until 2002 when it was converted to a web based magazine. The move to a web based magazine brought numerous benefits to softball reporting. Tournament results could be posted quicker. Color photos and a photo album were added, along with the popular message board that allows players to share softball stories and to get in a few good natured “digs” about other players and teams. Players can also view tournament brackets online so they will always know who they will be playing. Veteran softball players respect Irv Porter for his playing days, his umpiring expertise, and most recently for bringing the exciting game of 16” softball to print and the internet. His expertise has earned Irv Porter numerous awards. He received the Illinois USSSA State Directors Award in 1986, 1991, and 1996; he received the 1990 Illinois USSSA Umpire-In-Chief Award; he received the 1994 Illinois USSSA Distinguished Service Award; the USSSA awarded him the 1996 Dwight Hall “Spark Plug” Award; and the Illinois Softball Report earned the 1999 USSSA Award of Merit.

Larry Randa


John Ratkovic


Paul Rowan


Mike Royko


Joe Sarna

Like many young people growing up in Chicago, 16" softball became a passion for him early in life. He started playing organized softball at Cornell Park in the Back of the Yards neighborhood of Chicago when he was in the fifth grade at St. Michael School (starting on the sixth grade team). After grade school he played in the intermediate (or teen) league with his friends at Cornell Park. He attended De LaSalle High School and earned letters in baseball, football and hockey. He also ran track his freshmen year. He received his bachelor’s degree from Lewis University in Plainfield where he played intramural softball and touch football. After graduation he played with the Silhouette SAC team in the adult softball leagues at Cornell and Donovan Parks. He also played with the Chicago Park District team at Grant Park and captained the Chicago Park District co-rec team at Grant Park during the ‘90s, winning the league title for six straight years. He currently plays for the Beeks in the Marist High School alumni league. They have also played at Grant Park and in LaGrange. Throughout his career, he has played on teams that have won championships at each level they have played. When not playing softball, Joe spent many years organizing leagues and umpiring. He started organizing in 1968 when he became a Chicago Park District employee. He was fortunate to learn the tricks of the trade under Edward “Duke” Senka, a great player in his own right. He taught him how to draw up round robin and single and double elimination tournament draw sheets as well as other aspects of tournament and league formation. He has conducted softball, basketball and touch football leagues for all age groups, ranging from grade school through teen and up to adult leagues while serving as the physical instructor at Cornell Park, the playground supervisor at Minuteman Park and as park supervisor at Wentworth and Vittum Parks. While at Cornell Park, he also assisted Jim Venckus in organizing and running the 14th ward Ed Burke Softball Tournament, one of the largest softball tournaments in the Chicagoland area during the ‘60s and ‘70s. As co-coordinating manager of citywide recreation for the Chicago Park District, Joe organized citywide softball and hardball tournaments, ran the Junior Bear Football program, the Cubs Care baseball program, the Silver Skates Speed Skating program at eleven locations and organized four fishing programs. After thirty years with the Chicago Park District, he moved to the Mayor’s office of Special Events in the Sport Development Office. He organized and conducted the Mayor Daley Hall of Fame Softball Tournament at Grant Park and is also the organizer of the Winter Delights Speed Skating Classic and is an assistant organizer of the Mayor Daley Chicago Sport Festival, a estival that draws over 75,000 participants at McCormick Place. He also works with James Rey of the Chicago Park District organizing the popular Mike Royko Memorial Softball Tournament at Grant Park. He and his wife, Christine, have three daughters, Sherry, Wendy and Tammy and seven grandchildren. They live on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

Jim Sarno

Jim was the Director of Parks and Recreation for the Park District of Forest Park from 1965 to 1983. In 1969 he organized the 1st Forest Park Invitational Softball Tournament. Held over Labor Day weekend in 1969, ten all-star teams from the suburbs of Chicago began a tradition that is still considered the most prestigious softball tournament in the Chicagoland area because of the excellent competition and the quality of the facilities. With a background in landscaping, Jim had designed and constructed dozens of baseball fields throughout the Western suburbs. When he came to Forest Park, he transformed those fields into his own “field of dreams.” He hauled in truckloads of brick dust and blue clay from any source available. Because of his efforts, an infielder could never complain about a bad bounce on Jim’s fields. After Jim “built it”, the top teams began “to come” to play historic matches. In the early 70’s the rivalries between the Bruins, Strikers, the Bobcats, and American Rivet attracted thousands to Forest Park to witness softball at its finest. Jim’s organizational skills and field construction techniques moved a few miles south into Bridgeview in the mid 1970’s when Tom Bonen called on him when he was developing the Windy City Softball Stadium in Bridgeview. He also worked with Tom in organizing the - Winston Softball Circuit and World Series at Forest Park. Jim is retired and lives in Scottsdale, Arizona. He has three daughters.

George Schaaf

George Schaaf grew up in the South Englewood neighborhood of Chicago and attended Chicago Christian High School where he played baseball. He started his thirty-five year playing and organizing career at a young age with the Englewood I Church team and the Calvin Church team. Both teams won their respective leagues most of the years that they competed. He then played for the Bobcats, Shoes, ERV, Moore’s, Alsterda - Ready Paving, Don’s World of Sports and the Calvin Church Reformed League at the top parks around Chicago and the suburbs. He spent the early days of his career at shortstop but moved to become a top defensive pitcher later in his playing days. As a power hitter, he normally hit third or fourth in the line-up. He was selected to numerous all-tournament teams and won many all-star awards. As an organizer, it didn’t take him long to have a positive effect on the game. He started and ran the Holland-American Church League from 1951 to 1957. In the mid-70s he built the Windy City Stadium in Bridgeview. After the stadium was closed, he donated the lights to Chicago Christian High School and donated the stadium seats to the Oak Lawn Park District. He also sponsored hundreds of park district and church teams through his family business, Schaaf Window Company, and coached many men’s and women’s softball teams. He is currently building a new gymnasium for Chicago Christian High School and an athletic complex for Trinity Christian College. George was known as a gracious winner and a good loser. Throughout his playing and organizing days, he taught the game by playing hard and always striving to be his best. As an example of this character, he missed playing in a lot of tournaments (and missed a lot of recognition) because he never played on Sundays due to his religious convictions, but these convictions strengthened his character on and off the field. George lives in Frankfort, Illinois. He has five children, George Jr., Donna, Barb, Linda, and Bob. His wife, June, passed away.

Bob Sirott

Ask most Chicagoans what they know of Bob Sirott and they are likely to mention his current assignment as anchor of NBC News at 4:30 p.m. with Marion Brooks, or they might mention his years developing WTTW’s -Chicago Tonight into a one hour newsmagazine, or they might talk about his years as a radio and television journalist with other stations. But mention him to players and fans of 16" softball and they are likely to praise the twenty-five years he has spent promoting and supporting softball on television and radio. He started playing softball in pickup games at Eugene Park in the '60s. In the '70s he started the WLS radio ‘89ers softball team, playing various area teams and in charity games. During the '70s he also was a charter member of the “Radio and Records” softball team. Members of the radio community (off and on air personnel) and record and concert promoters in Chicago would get together on Saturdays at Lincoln Park for pick-up games. One station manager who had just fired one of his disc jockeys ended up on the same team with the fired disc jockey that day. All went well for them that day and at least for one day a week the playing of softball smoothed over radio and record rivalries. Besides playing on teams connected to his radio career, he also started playing in an Evanston league with teams organized by Rich Melman. The "over-30s" leagues of those days have evolved throughout the years into the “anyone who can stand league” that he still plays in today. During the '90s he organized the Fox Things softball team and played around the city and suburbs with the staff of Fox Thing in the Morning, a television show he hosted for seven years with Marianne Murciano (his wife). He also played in the media league at Grant Park and in various celebrity games with a team from Fox. One of the most memorable celebrity games happened at Thillens Stadium in a game pitting media all-stars against former Cubs and Sox players with Michael Jordan playing with the Cubs/Sox team. Michael Jordan hit a double and was going to stretch it into a triple with Bob Sirott playing third. As the throw came into third, all Sirott could think of was somehow injuring Jordan to the point that his career would be ended and he would forever be remembered as the person who dashed the hopes of Chicago. Needless to say, the dreaded collision didn't happen, Jordan slid safely into third and the fate of the Bulls’ championships was assured. As anchor of Chicago Tonight, Bob Sirott promoted softball with stories about the people, places and history of softball. Afew years ago, after interviewing former President Jimmy Carter, Bob showed him a clincher. The former president was so enamored of the ball that he took it back to Plains, Georgia, making him probably the only president who has a souvenir of “Chicago’s game.” He and Marianne Murciano currently host the Saturday Radio Special on WCKG from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. He has interviewed Hall of Fame coach/organizer Bob Campbell about his tips for softball players. These days, during the transition into the weather segment, it’s not unusual for the anchor to ask the meteorologist if it will be a good day for golf on Sunday. Sirott, however, asks if he will be able to get his softball game in. He figures he’s still too young to be playing golf.

Joseph W. Strzelczyk

Military veteran Joseph W. Strzelczyk is best known as a "team player" who has spent much of his life working with young people as a baseball coach. That passion to help others moved him to seek public office in 1990 when he was elected to a position of Trustee in the Village of Summit, serving two terms. In 1997, Strzelczyk has elected as Summit's Mayor and is currently seeking re-election to his 4th term in office. Strzelczyk's public service began in 1978 working as a Special Recreation Instructor for the Chicago Park District. "I enjoy public service and I enjoy working with people, especially young people and senior citizens," Strzelczyk explains. My background gives me a wide range of experience that helps me as the Mayor of Summit to maintain the village as one of the best in the Chicagoland suburbs." But before that, Strzelczyk launched his own business as a young man working as a self-employed "trader" at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange in 1976 where he also owned a prestigious Trading Seat. Strzelczyk is an experienced writer, working for the Daily Southtown beginning in 1985 writing columns on softball and sports, and later writing articles for the popular Chicago Softball Magazine beginning in 1987. He hosted the popular "Let's Talk Softball" on Cable TV for Jones and Multimedia and Metrovision cable systems, and was a sports commentator for 1570 AM sports radio's "Miller Sports Report" in the 1980s. He also coached for the North American Pro Softball league in 1980. Strzelczyk continued his writing avocation, completing background reports that are used in court judicial proceedings for Cook County and he also worked as a county probation officer. Strzelczek served honorably in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, 1962-1963, and served five years in the US Army Reserves until 1968. As Mayor of Summit, Strzelczyk said he is committed to the goals of the Democratic Party. "I am a proud Democrat. And I have always strived to carry the ideals of the Democratic Party throughout my career. For me, Democrats were always the people who helped people, the Party that looked out for the Working Man and Woman. Democrats work together to make our communities strong so that we can live the American Dream and our children can have an even brighter future," Strzelczyk explained. "I was instrumental in helping the Village of Summit become a Pro-Union and Labor shop. This has helped our people raise families with job security with a fair wage. As a lifelong resident of Summit, I celebrate our working class roots and families working towards the great American Dream. I will continue to do everything in my power to help those families and especially the children of Summit achieve those dreams." Strzelczyk says his key achievements include reducing the village debt and making Summit profitable in the last two years, for the first time in more than two decades. His tough management of finances and public spending is reflected in his frugal office surroundings in his own office. Strzelczyk said that he is most proud of attracting new businesses to Summit including Advance Auto, Family Dollar, Portillos, Summit Cold Storage and LaFinka, a new restaurant. He was able to also bring in Krispy Kreme Donuts, which unfortunately closed several years ago. A key to the community's success, he said, is "making people believe that they can achieve what they seek and also that we can fight and defeat crime." During his term in office, crime has made a steady decline. Describing himself as a "straight talker," Strzelczyk is proud of the balance and diversity in the community with strong representation from many of the regions ethnic groups including Albanians, Hispanics, African Americans and Whites. Over the years, he has secured more than $2.5 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding which he has used to improve streets and strengthen the Village's infra-structure. In 2001, under his direction, Summit was able to bring in a 78-unit, $14 million Senior Housing Development. And last year, Summit was included in the revenue sharing agreement with the Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, which this year brought in more than $604,000 in added revenue to off-set the burden on taxpayers. The Stompers won the Kelly Park division title in 1975. They were the Forest Park runners-up in 1978 and won the championship in 1980. In 1984 and 1986 they took second place at the USSSA Nationals and won the title in 1985.

Tommy “T” Thompson


Thomas Taff


Mel Thillens


Joseph Umana


Wally “Dee” Dziewinski


Tim Weigel
