It all started in Walker Hall, which is now the site of the Student Fitness Center and the home of Campus Recreation. A group of students—Paul Petricca ’80, Mike Schneider ’80, David Gross ’80, George T. Ralph ’81, and George R. Wundsam ’80—developed deep friendships over the love of sport and the intramural experience.
This group competed in virtually every sport and became champions in both soccer and softball in 1980. Their championships were not a happy accident but a common goal they all strived toward. Even though they hadn’t won a championship the previous year, they were admittedly a bit cocky and believed they had some talented athletes. Naming their team ICUC (Independent Champions University Champions), the students gave themselves some extra motivation and put a target on their backs. At that time, there were two separate leagues, one for independent groups and another for Greek organizations, with the champions of both leagues meeting for the University championship.
Members of the ICUC team in 1979.
Winning championships provided some great memories while at Illinois State University, but developing friendships has proved even more important in the many years since graduation.
Petricca, the de facto spokesman for the group, recounted his favorite memory from competition, a teammate’s grand slam home run during the University softball championship game. “Dave proceeded to hit the longest home run with the loudest grunt that I had ever heard,” Petricca said. “Thirty-five years later, I can still see the ball going over the head of the outfielder as I was standing on second base.
“Many of my fondest memories at ISU were from my experiences on and off the field or court with my intramural teammates. More importantly, the friendships I developed and still cherish today stem from my participation in the ISU Intramural program.”
While it’s a part of their lives that they relish and remember fondly, these students don’t just enjoy talking about the old glory days. They have continued their friendships, even with the challenges of geography, families, and other commitments. Each year, several members of their core teams return to Illinois State to participate in a pickup basketball game on campus and watch a Redbird basketball game. Several team members also live and work in the Chicago area, allowing them to get together often.
“In our adult years after graduation, some of our best memories happened during our annual visits to campus,” Petricca said. “I don’t know what my college experience would have been without Intramurals.”
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