October 24, 2006

STING REUNION
Former Hoosiers Get Together Reminisce about IU/Sting Days
Kathryn L. Knapp

September 26, 1981, soccer fans across America came together to watch the Chicago Sting play the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League’s Soccer Bowl held in Toronto. The city of Chicago had fallen in love with the Sting during their stellar campaign. The Cosmos were legendary for their talent. And on that day, the teams battled it out, with the Sting walking away with a 1-0 shootout victory.

Four former Hoosiers were there that day – three for the Sting (Rudy Glenn, Mark Simanton and Charlie Fajkus), and one for the Cosmos (Angelo DiBernardo).

For DiBernardo, that day doesn’t bring back incredibly fond memories. He sat on the sidelines in a cast from his thigh to his ankle, while recovering from ACL surgery and watched his team fall in the championship. But his experience in the NASL playing for the Cosmos was positive overall.

“The crowds were huge at Cosmos games,” DiBernardo said. “We averaged about 59,000 people a game. The Cosmos were what the Bulls were with Michael Jordan and what the Yankees are now. Everybody wanted to beat us. We had to meet the challenge.”

Sunday, September 17th, the Sting reunited at Toyota Park for a reunion during a Chicago Fire game. The players had a chance to reminisce and even show they still had skills in a mini-game. Sixteen members of the original team made the trip, along with Coach Willy Roy. It was a chance for everyone to relive the championship of 1981.

“It’s always great to see everybody,” Simanton said. “It’s fun to get together and see how everyone has grown up. As for the game, it was the fat guys vs. the skinny guys and it was tied.

“Not too many teams will get together after 25 years. It’s a great tribute to the character of players that coach Willy Roy selected.”

In the summer of 1981, sports fans in Chicago were searching for something to do, somewhere to go, someone to root for. There was no baseball due to a strike. So instead fans flocked to Wrigley Field and Comiskey Park to watch another game – soccer. Fans came out in great numbers to see what the Chicago Sting was all about.

“Soccer became an extremely popular sport,” Simanton said. “People wanted something to do. It was a successful run and we had a great following.”

At the end of the adventure, it was worth it for all involved as the Sting captured its first Soccer Bowl Championship September 26, 1981.

“Chicago has the greatest fans, but they like winners,” Glenn, who scored the winning goal in the 1981 Soccer Bowl Championship, said. “When we won we got followers. We had over 10,000 fans waiting for us at the airport after the championship.”

Simanton still remembers the experience fondly.

“The success of winning on the field is what you remember,” Simanton said. “And how the city embraced the team. It was fun. Finishing the season with the last game being a win in that style – the last game is the last game possible is the ultimate. Only one team gets to say that.”

The fun didn’t stop there. Chicago hosted a parade to honor its newest champion. The Sting went on to capture its second NASL title in 1984. But the 1981 team left everyone with special memories.

“The 1981 team was the toughest that I had ever played on,” Glenn said. “To reach that level as a high as an athlete doesn’t happen often.”

Before the quartet of athletes began their NASL careers, they starred for Indiana University. All four were a part of helping the Hoosiers become one of the top programs in the nation.

Fajkus suited up for the Hoosiers from 1975-78. DiBernardo, Glenn and Simanton came on board in 1976. DiBernardo left in 1978, while the other two remained through 1979.

“I came into IU not knowing what to expect,” Glenn said. “Our freshmen represented the top talented players from all over the United States.”

And in 1976, the talent spoke for itself. The Hoosiers made their first trip to the finals, where they fell 1-0 to San Francisco. In 1978, they took another trip to the finals, and fell again 2-0 to San Francisco. That title however, was later vacated.

“IU had not succeeded in the NCAA previously,” Simanton said. “My four years there we had success. We helped develop the program and found ways to be successful.”

In ’77 and ’79 IU bowed out of the tournament early. But the late 70’s started a pattern that IU soccer has grown proud of.

“At that time, I think IU was considered to be one of the better programs in the nation, even though we didn’t win a championship,” DiBernardo said.

In 1982 and 1983 IU won its first back-to-back titles. Since then, they’ve added five more. The Hoosiers have been to every NCAA Tournament since, except for 1986. IU has been to the Final Four (College Cup) 17 times, winning seven championships. The team is definitely a threat come tournament town.

During his three-year campaign, DiBernardo tallied 54 goals and 17 assists for the Hoosiers. His 125 points rank seventh best in IU history. DiBernardo won the Hermann Trophy in 1978 – the equivalent to football’s Heisman Trophy. In the NASL – DiBernardo played for Los Angeles in 1979 and the Cosmos from 1980-84.

Fajkus collected 38 goals and 38 assists in his four-year Hoosier career. His 114 points rank 10th best in IU history. Fajkus played for the Sting from 1979-84. He also played with Golden Bay in 84.

Glenn finished his career with 33 goals and 17 assists. He scored the third fastest goal in IU history at the :50 mark November 4, 1979 vs. Evansville. He also scored the quickest pair of goals in IU history, by scoring 38 seconds apart September 16, 1979 against Appalachian State. Glenn played for the Sting in 1980-82 and 1984. In 1983 he played with Team America.

Simanton collected 16 goals and 22 assists during his tenure at IU. He scored the fourth fastest goal in IU history at the 1:02 mark September 19, 1979 against Purdue. Simanton played for the Sting from 1980-84.

The NASL folded in 1984, with some teams creating indoor franchises. All four left their mark in the NASL and remain key players in IU’s rise to the top.

As for the similarities between IU and the Sting, Glenn said they were both families.

“Any quality team has to have a certain amount of bonding,” Glenn said. “You go through trials and tribulations like any other family. You have to work through them. You don’t walk away. You focus on a common goal. With a little bit of luck and chemistry, you walk away with a championship.”

Simanton said he now enjoys the game as a spectator. His experiences at IU and with the Sting have helped mold him into the person he is today.

“I learned to be a good competitor. I learned the team concept. I run a business today and am like a coach with my management team. There are different qualities in different people. You put them together and it makes a successful team.”

Twenty-five years ago, four former IU teammates were opponents, three on one side and one on the other. But at the end of the day, they’re still family.