A little late, but well worth the wait.  Enjoy.

• March 2010

The annual Schlactfest dinner on February 27, 2010 was a great success.  For the third year in a row the event was held at the Donauschwaben Society in Des Plaines, Illinois.  During the evening, team MVP awards were presented for all the senior squads.  David Nichols was selected by his peers as the 2009 MVP of the Over 40 Team; Jon Parsinen for the Over 30 Team; Mel Qoku for the Reserves and Danny Caruso for the First Team.  The awards were present by Green White General Manager of Teams and Executive Board Member, Tom Czop.   Each award winner was presented with a certificate; a Green White pin and an Adidas warm-up jacket with the club crest stitched on the front. 

Without a doubt, however, the highlight of the evening was a special tribute to Hans Metzinger.  The club honored the long-time club President for all his years of dedication and service to the club. Indeed, Mr. Metzinger has been at the center of the club for the better part of six decades; providing leadership, guidance, devotion, back-breaking labor and untold fiscal support through both good times and bad.  This year, with his retirement from active participation on the Executive Board, the club sought to honor him with a special tribute book, comprised of individual stories, memories, anecdotes and expressions of thanks collected from members and friends of the club.  The response and out-pouring of sentiments was overwhelming.  During the presentation, Mr. Metzinger was received with a standing ovation from the 350+ people in attendance.  A few poignant and touching tributes from the collection were shared that elicited both laughs and tears from the audience.  In addition to the book, which was entitled “A Tribute to Hans Metzinger,” he was also presented with a collage of photos collected over the last 60 years, and with a humorous “photo” of Cindy Kaempfer draped over the elder statesman’s knee, receiving the spanking he always says that she deserves.  Kaempfer made clear with a broad smile that the doctored picture was as close as he’d ever get to laying a hand on her. 

Of course, as so often happens at these kind of gatherings, controversy reigned during the event.  The 50/50 raffle was won by Walter Stadler, the winning ticket having been selected by his daughter, Madeline.  A near riot broke out when the nepotism was revealed, but order was restored as soon as Dr. Stadler bought a round for the house.

It goes without saying that it takes a Herculean effort to pull this event together each year.  At the risk of forgetting someone, thanks to Frank and Trudy Stadler, Hilde Kaempfer, Klaus and Hilde Kilian, Cindy Kaempfer, Hans and Anni Metzinger, Christine Feichtl, Todd Schneider, and Trudy Roth for helping to set up the hall.  Also thanks to Adam Sollman, Martin Koenig and everyone at the German-American Aid Society for all their help.  Special thanks to Frau Maria Kreiling and Herr Nick Bappert and the whole kitchen crew at the Donauschwaben Hall that included Maria Haas, Maria Franz, Margaret Bauchinger, Maria Bappert, Hilde Sendef, Peter Franz, Nick Kreiling, Kurt Melcher and Chris Salatino.  Also special thanks to everyone who helped with the preparation for and slicing, dicing and plating of the appetizers back at the Green White Clubhouse, including Hans Metzinger, Rolf Albrecht, Fritz Becker, Steve Pastorelli, Adam Sollman, Rosie Barth, Joe Schlenhardt, Klaus Kilian, Jake Truty, Tom Czop, and Fritz Spiess.  Thanks to Jon Duddles transport support and thanks to Rick Kaempfer and Todd Schneider for handling the master of ceremony duties in Frank Stadler’s absence. Thanks to Rob Stadler for all his hard work coordinating the ticket sales and to the coat-check crew of Madeline, Lauren, Alec and Aidan Stadler.  Thanks to Sheila and Lisa Stadler for the bar ticket sales.  Thanks to the Donauschwaben Jugendgruppe for serving all of the food, leading the prayers and anthems, and especially Anni Mayer, Jugendleiterin (Youth Leader) for organizing them.  Thank you to everyone at the Donauschwaben Society for the use of the hall and all their support.  Thanks to Jon Duddles for organizing the 50/50 raffle. Thank you to Todd Schneider for all his efforts in designing, organizing and editing the tributes to Mr. Metzinger, as well as creating the slideshow of pictures from the past year.  Thank you to Johnny Lim and Keith Andersson from KAP Graphics, Inc. for designing the tribute book cover and printing not only the book but also the special photos presented to Mr. Metzinger.  Lastly, thank you to all those who contributed to the tribute book and for making it such a special evening for Mr. Metzinger.  It was an evening that none of us will soon forget.

On February 12, 2010, Green White held its annual elections.  Of significant note, for the first time in more than 5 decades, the executive board will be missing Hans Metzinger.  It was a difficult decision, but Mr. Metzinger decided that now was the time to pass the torch to the next generation.  Through his steady hand over these many years, the club is in good shape as we enter our seventh decade.  Of course, Hans will continue to be a central fixture with the club in his new retired emeritus position.  Congratulations to the 2010 Green White Board:

President:  Cindy Kaempfer.

Sr. Vice President:  Jon Duddles.

Vice President:  Todd Schneider.

Secretary:  Kurt Melcher.

Treasurer:  Jamie Limna.

Recording Secretary:  Rob Stadler.

Membership Chair: Christine Condon.

GM of Teams: Tom Czop.

Clubhouse Manager:  Steve Pastorelli.

Cashiers:  Bob Bischoff, Frank Schmidt.

Social Chairpersons: Chris Feichtl, Hilde Kaempfer.

Ticket Chairperson:  Rob Stadler.

Newsletter Editor:  Fritz Schneider.

Metro League Delegates:  Jon Duddles, Tom Czop.

Landesverband Delegate:  Martin Koenig, Adam Sollman.

Judiciary:  Hans Metzinger, Sr., Hans Metzinger, Jr., Russell Rosenberg.

Archive Trustee: Todd Schneider.

Social Committee: Fritz Spiess, Rolf Albrecht, Klaus Kilian, Joe Schlenhardt, Martin Koenig, Tom Czop, Adam Sollman, Fritz Becker, Jamie Limna, Cindy Kaempfer, Steve Pastorelli, Chris Salatino.

Clubhouse Assistants: Klaus Kilian, Fritz Spiess, Martin Koenig, Rob Czop, John Dunkas, Greg Boltz, Todd Schneider, Tom Czop, Jamie Limna, Kurt Melcher, Jon Duddles, Chris Salatino, Russell Rosenberg, John Parsinen.

February 28, 2010 – The game did not start well for team in the tired green jerseys.  Two minutes into the mid-table match against International, Arso Mitreski was shown a blue card for a ticky-tack.  Thirty seconds later, the Italians made the most of their power play opportunity and grabbed the early lead.  But Green White regained their composure to equalize just three minutes before the intermission.  Sean Connor did the honors, seeing a rebound off the boards from Nick Dudziak into the net.  Following the break, Brendan Connor got a cheer from the crowd for plunking Metro League President Joe Zyzda in the head with a wayward clearance.  The moment of levity seemed to lift GW and seconds later, Green White captured the lead on the power play when Nick Dudziak poked in a shot from Jamie Limna.  Five minutes later, a cagy restart from Brendan Connor at the top of the box extended the lead to 3-1.  Placing the ball, Connor quickly played Tom Czop to the left, where the new Hannah Storm of Green White, bodied off a defender to turn and force the ball past the near post.  Commenting after the match, recently suspended PTI host, Tony Kornheiser blasted, “Tom Czop was wearing a horrifying, horrifying outfit today . . . way too short for somebody in his 40s or maybe even early 50s by now . . . He had on his typically very, very tight shirt.  He looked like he has a sausage casing wrapped around his upper body . . . I know he is very good, and I’m not supposed to be critical of Green White, so I won’t . . . but Tom Czop . . . come on now!  Stop!  What are you doing? . . He is what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point.”  Undaunted by the criticism, Czop silenced his critics moments later with a double effort off the glass to collect his brace and extend the Green White lead to 4-1.  What made it all the more remarkable was that the long-time GW First Teamer, did so only after taking a Nancy Kerrigan-like beating along the boards.  Several dramatic pounds on the glass; a James Brown-esque escort from the field, and a slam of the door to the bench later – the stallion returned in inspirational form to the theme of Rocky Balboa.  It was almost as if someone from Indiana was watching from the stands.  But with the game seemingly in hand and only eight minutes remaining, GW let it slip away, conceding three (3) unanswered goals to end the match with a 4-4 draw.  In the waning second, Arso Mitreski finished as he started; this time with another blue card for expressing his displeasure at the no call of a hard foul on Ozzy Rodriquez along the boards.  Unfortunately, throwing a water bottle at the opposition was not received well by the league and Mitreski has reportedly been  suspended from the league for one year.  (Biting contributions and analysis from Chris Salatino and Kurt Melcher).

Squad:  Jose Cornejo (k), Monroe Bell, Jr., Brendan Connor, Sean Connor, Tom Czop, Anthony Derose, Colum Donahue, Nick Dudziak, Jamie Limna, Arso Mitreski, Jason Okroy, Ozzy Rodriquez; Art Rosiles, Eric Spiess. Goals: TCzop (2) (Assist: BConnor), NDudziak (Assist: JLimna), SConnor (Assist:  NDudziak).

In other Metropolitan League action on February 28, 2010:  Eagles 4 – Zrinski 1; Vikings 4 – Maroons 2; Schwaben 1 – United Serbs 2; Sockers 3 – Connection 2.

On February 21, 2010, the Green White First Team started strong against a youthful Sockers FC in a mid-table match up at the Odeum.  Truth be told, Sockers had the better of the game from the start, but five minutes into the contest, Jason Okroy intercepted possession just outside the GW defensive zone.  A quick stutter step froze his mark and allowed the big defender to carry the ball to the opposite end of the field where he slotted Nick Dudziak on the angle for the first time strike and the lead.  It was Green White’s first purposeful advance into the Sockers’ end of the field and it paid dividends.  Seven minutes later, Green White doubled their advantage when Sean Connor pushed the ball across the face of goal for Jimmy Romano to turn it into the net.  It was the second goal in as many weeks from the diminutive defender, taken again from in close where the percentages are high.  Sockers pulled one back before the break to keep the game close.  But just 40 seconds after the intermission, the teams were on level terms on a shot that Jose Cornejo did well to get a glove on, but it had too much mustard and the ball trickle over the line.  Things looked to be slipping away when just 30 seconds later, Sockers took the lead on a defensive lapse.  But GW regrouped and was able to square the match with 8:30 remaining in the contest.  Eric Spiess found the ball in front and tapped it to Dudziak who sent it goal-ward with a flick of the heel to collect his brace on the day.  Unfortunately, just as it looked like the teams would share the spoils, Sockers hit for the game winner with just 45 seconds remaining, handing GW a disappointing loss.

Squad:  Jose Cornejo (k), Monroe Bell, Jr., Brendan Connor, Sean Connor, Tom Czop, Anthony Derose, Nick Dudziak, Brandon Hardy, Jamie Limna, Jason Okroy, Ozzy Rodriquez; Jimmy Romano, Art Rosiles, Eric Spiess.  Goals:  NDudziak (2) (Assists: JOkroy, ESpiess), JRomano (Assist: SConnor).

In other Metropolitan League action on February 21, 2010:  Connection 4 – Maroons 4; Eagles 6 – Vikings 2; International 2 – Schwaben 1; Zrinski 3 – United Serbs 5.

On February 14, 2010, the Green White First Team shared an intimate St. Valentine’s Day with Connection at the Odeum in Villa Park, Illinois.  But Green White was not in a giving mood and so dispensed with the flowers and candy to start on the front foot.  The opening goal came just five minutes into the match when Tom Czop dug the ball out of the left corner and played it up and off the keeper; seeing it fall to the feet of Jimmy Romano posted on the doorstep for the tap-in.  Eight minutes later, little Cupid himself, Brendan Connor, hounded the keeper with a singing telegram; forcing a poor clearance straight to Eric Spiess, who picked out the vacated and lonely net for a 2-0 lead.   Although Chuck Woolery was nowhere to be seen, Green White came back in less than “two and two” to make another “love connection.”  This time, Anthony Derose stole possession in midfield and immediately fed the grapes to Tom Czop alone in front, where the lead was extended to 3-0.  But Green White is, if nothing else, a caring and generous lover and gave one back on a defensive lapse just before the half.  Following the intermission, it was clear that Green White had lost their mojo, and things got nervy when Connection scored again to pull within one.  But with just under four minutes remaining, Jason Okroy righted the ship with a low, hard shot right down the middle.  The ball had too much power for the keeper to handle and when he spilled the strike, both Okroy and Arso Mitreski were on hand to collect the rebound.  Being the gentleman that he is, Okroy allowed Mitreski the honors and the Macedonian did not need to be asked twice as he danced around the keeper to re-establish a two goal advantage.  But with just 50 seconds remaining, the petulant Romano received a blue card for looking too much like a Teddy Bear with a candy-gram.  Connection scored almost immediately off the restart to make it close, but Green White closed out the remaining seconds to up their record to 2-2-2 on the season.  Following the game, the team celebrated by presenting coach Truty a gift certificate to Sybaris, but could find no takers to accompany him on the romantic adventure.

Squad:  Danny Caruso (k), Monroe Bell, Jr., Brendan Connor, Sean Connor, Tom Czop, Anthony Derose, Colum Donahue, Nick Dudziak, Brandon Hardy, Jamie Limna, Arso Mitreski, Jason Okroy, Ozzy Rodriquez; Jimmy Romano, Art Rosiles, Eric Spiess.  Goals:  TCzop (Assist: ADerose), AMitreski (Assist: JOkroy); JRomano (Assist:  TCzop); ESpiess.

In other Metropolitan League action on February 14, 2010: International 0 – Serbs 3; Maroons 0 – Eagles 5; Sockers 2 – Schwaben 3; Zrinski 3 – Vikings 1.

On February 7, 2010, the Green White First Team and Schwaben AC squared off in a pre-Super Bowl match up at the Odeum in Villa Park, Illinois.  Green White opened the scoring early when a Jamie Limna shot rebounded off the far boards and fell to Brendan Connor on the left of goal after a touch from Arso Mitreski.  Connor’s strike at the 18:10 mark gave Green White the early lead.  But Schwaben leveled in controversial fashion when Monroe Bell, Jr. was pulled to ground, losing possession in the process and giving Schwaben a one on one opportunity from close range.  The half ended with the score tied, but Green White had the better of possession in both quality and quantity.  In the second half, the game continued to go the green way when Jimmy Romano fed Tom Czop in the low post.  Czop turned his marker with a spin to the right and powered Green White into the lead.  As the game continued, Nick Dudziak did well with an overhead, goal-line clearance to preserve the lead.  But a Schwaben bomb from distance squared the match once again.  As the game wound to a conclusion, Green White had to kill off two separate blue card penalties, the last with exactly 2-minutes remaining, but another goal line clearance preserved the tie and a share of the points. 

Squad:  Jose Cornejo (k), Monroe Bell, Jr., Brendan Connor, Sean Connor, Rolando Cruz, Tom Czop, Anthony Derose, Colum Donahue, Nick Dudziak, Brandon Hardy, Jamie Limna, Arso Mitreski, Jason Okroy, Jimmy Romano, Art Rosiles, Eric Spiess.  Goals:  BConnor (Assist: JLimna, AMitreski), TCzop (Assist: JRomano).

In other Metropolitan League action on February 7, 2010:  Eagles 4 – Connection 2, International 4 – Zrinski 4; Sockers 3 – Maroons 1; United Serbs 2 – Vikings 1.

This month’s edition of the Green White Newsletter contains a tribute to Stefan Zimmer, one of the all time greats of Green White lore.  We’ve also recounted the exploits of the alte herren at the 2010 Las Vegas King Cup; scoured the police blotters to note the activities of recidivist Jon Duddles; contacted PETA to report abuses by the youth teams, and are pleased to see that Colum Donahue has finally found happiness.  I hope you enjoy.

• February 2010

Stefan Zimmer, a “true-green” Green-White member, passed away today. He will always be remembered as a great player, coach, general manager, and friend. We can also never forget his wonderful meat and sausage at all the Schlachtfests and “Steve’s famous burgers” and Hungarians at all the tournaments. At our 45th anniversary, he was elected “Mr. Green-White” – a title he earned and proudly held.

Wake:  Tuesday, Jan. 26 from 3-9, Grove Memorial Chapel, 1199 S. Arlington Hts. Rd, Elk Grove, IL

Funeral:  Wednesday, Jan 27, St. Matthew, 1001 E. Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL.  Depart funeral home at 9:00 a.m.

On January 10, 2010, the Green White First Team opened the 2010 Metropolitan Major Division Indoor season against a familiar foe in the United Serbs from Gurnee, Illinois.  As the game got underway, Green White was the surprise aggressor, moving the ball forward with pace as prescribed by coach Jake Truty.  In the early going, GW had a superlative chance go for naught when Anthony Derose and Arso Mitreski exchanged touches that freed Mitreski for a 1 v. 1 with the keeper, but Mitreski hit the left post with the net minder falling back on his heels.  As the period continued, Serbs employed a post-up game unique to all teams in the Major Division this year.  But Green White bodied up and stood tall, with Jason Okroy, Colum Donahue, Monroe Bell Jr., Jimmy Romano and Sean Connor each taking turns in the central defense and refusing to bite as the portly Serbian forward danced with the ball under foot and his back to the goal.  Despite the generally good defending, at the 7:20 mark, Green White left a man unmarked in the middle as the ball was fed across the face of goal from the left.  The first time shot deflected off the right post and in to give Serbs a 1-0 lead that they carried into the intermission.  But Green White came out firing in the second half and found the equalizer when Mitreski carried up the gut before dishing to Brendan Connor on the right.  From an acute angle, the poster boy for Lucky Charms fired at the far post to knot the game at one apiece.   As the boys in green continued to press, Rolando Cruz cursed his luck when he missed a chance in front with only the keeper to beat, and then wanted back a volley that fell to him in the same rapid exchange.  But with just three minutes remaining, Green White captured the lead on the counter-attack.  It started with a nifty over the head flick from Art Rosiles to free himself of challengers near the Serbian bench.  Once cleared, Rosiles spotted Cruz down field.  Cruz received the pass and slotted Brandon Hardy, who had out raced the tired defense to find an opening on the doorstep.  Hardy managed to slide the ball past the keeper for the game winner, but not without paying the price, as the keeper barreled into his planted foot; severely twisting Hardy’s ankle.  The angular one needed assistance from the field and was forced to watch from the bench with a bag of ice as Green White anxiously tried to kill off the remaining time.  With just 25 seconds remaining, and the Serbs throwing everything forward, Brendan Connor nearly collected his brace to seal the deal, but his ¾ length attempt with the goalie stranded at midfield bounced off the post just inches from the prize.  Nonetheless, time soon thereafter expired on the Serbs and Green White picked up a deserved win on their first outing of the young season. 

Squad:  Jose Cornejo (k), Nick Dudziak, Brandon Hardy, Jason Okroy, James Limna, Sean Connor, Brendan Connor, Eric Spiess, Tom Czop, Arso Mitreski, Rolando Cruz, Jimmy Romano, Monroe Bell, Jr., Anthony Derose, Colum Donahue, Art Rosiles.  Goals:  BConnor (asst. AMitreski), BHardy (assts. RCruz, ARosiles).

In other Metropolitan League Major Division action on January 10, 2010:  HNK Zrinski 3 – Sockers FC 1; Vikings AA 6 – SC Connection 1; Maroons 1 – Schwaben AC 2; AAC Eagles 1 – International 0.