Dec. 17, 1945: Monoxide Perils Lives of University Cagers Gas Escapes From Faulty Bus Heater

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 17, 1945.

Monoxide Perils Lives of University Cagers

Gas Escapes From Faulty Bus Heater

May Postpone Game Tonight As Result Of Misfortune

The lives of 15 members of the Valparaiso University basketball team were periled Sunday by deadly carbon monoxide fumes escaping from a faulty heater in a charter bus, it was learned today.

Wally Warnke, reserved center and brother of Don, assistant to Coach Loren Ellis, was most seriously affected by the fumes. He was taken to the Holy Family hospital in LaPorte and placed in an oxygen tent. Today his condition is reported as fair.

Several members of the big Crusader team only recently recovered from attacks of severe colds and influenza.

According to M. E. Zimmerman, business and program manager at the university, the squad members are “in no condition” to play tonight’s contest with the Bowling Green Falcons and efforts are being made to have the game postponed.

Additional details of the Sunday misfortune may be found on today’s sport page.

Dec. 5, 1970: VHS Will Play Trojans Tonight

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 5, 1970.

VHS Will Play Trojans Tonight

New Suede Shoes

Jeff Butterfield, center, Valpo High senior guard, models new green uniform and holds new green suede shoes he will wear tonight when Vikings play Trojans at Chesterton. Players in practice uniforms are Mark Schafer, left, and Mike Frey, right.

HOBART ー The Valpo Vikings ー the boys in the green suede shoes ー put a quick end to Hobart High’s three-game winning streak Friday night by easily defeating the Brickies on their own floor, 70-56.

It was the third straight win of the season for the Vikings and their second Duneland Conference win. They will journey to Chesterton tonight to take on the Trojans in another league tilt.

In defeating the Brickies, the Vikings came up with their best game to date. They played outstanding defense, shot well from outside, controlled the boards and came through with a devastating fast break.

The VHS defense held the Brickies to just four baskets in 22 shots in the first half and 16 for 52 for the game. VHS, meanwhile, hit 28 baskets in 65 attempts. The Vikings outrebounded the Brickies, 53-26.

Jeff Butterfield and Tom O’Neill led the Viking attack with 18 and 20 points, respectively. Butterfield was 9 for 19 from the field while O’Neill hit 7 of 14 goals and 6 of 7 free throws.

Shooting of the other Vikes were Mike Frey, 1 for 3; Mark Schafer, 2 for 4; Dan Keefe, 1 for 4; Jim Doane, 2 for 4; Freeman, 3 for 9; Domke, 3 for 8; Gordon, 0 for 1.

Slow Start

Both teams had trouble getting started in the first quarter. John Dubenetzky opened the scoring with a free throw and Jim Doane tallied a field goal to give the Vikings a 2-1 lead. They never trailed thereafter.

With less than a minute to play in the slow first quarter, VHS led 12-7. However, just before the gun, Dennis Doll came up with a three-point play for the Brickies to make the score 12-10.

Mark Freeman and O'Neill picked up quick baskets at the start of the second quarter and then Jeff Butterfield put on a display of outside shooting. He hit six long shots in the period in seven attempts as the Vikes rolled up 26 markers while holding the Brickies to 11 to take a 38-21 lead into the dressing room.

The Vikes slowed the game down in the third quarter and were outscored, 16-14. O’Neill had six points for VHS in the period and Larry Domke and Butterfield, four each. Dubenetzky led Hobart with five.

Reserves for both teams saw plenty of action in the fourth quarter as the Brickies again outscored the Vikings by one point ー 19-18.