The Losers Sixth (or Seventh) Man

We can't get enough of the Losers. Today, I am featuring our Sophomore sixth man, guard John Fleszewski.
John was a couple years behind most of us, although not the youngest guy on our team. John certainly brought his youthful energy to the court. He played in every game and might have even started one (how did that happen?). John lit up the net for a crispy 33.33% shooting percentage, leading our team in that category. (Okay, so he only took 3 shots, 33.33% is still 33.33%!)
John and I stayed in touch throughout college. He is a proud grad of Northern Illinois University (Go Huskies).
Thanks to the wonders of the internet and the intrusive world of Facebook, John and I have reconnected a bit. He is alive and well, still living in the greater Chicago area.
Again, despite the graininess, I love the picture. On the right is Greg Nessinger, trailing the play, but always ready for action (in other words, playing defense when the ball is stolen or the shot is missed). John is making a nice move, worthy of comparison to Pistol Pete Maravich. Look at how he is splitting the defenders. Simply poetry in motion.

John Fleszewski (with ball) and Greg Nessinger (black shirt on right) in Mt. Carmel gym in Chicago, IL-Spring 1983.

From the Update Desk

I have updates to 2 recent posts.

About a month ago, I wrote about Bill Jackson, a Chicago children's television legend. I emailed him to inform him of the post. Usually I would say it was because I am a shameless self-promoter. In this case, I really just wanted Jackson to know that I appreciated what he did for the NIE program and for all he did for children his whole life.
He responded and we exchanged a few emails. He also graciously sent me a couple signed sketches of Blob.
Reconnecting with BJ was a nice experience, especially around the holidays. I have ordered his book The Only Kid on the Carnival and can't wait to learn more about the man behind all of the great creations at the Fun Company.

Last week, I went back to my high school years to wish everyone a Happy New Year in German. After alerting Greg (who was one of the stars of the post), he responded in German. I am pretty rusty, but I managed to translate his response. Greg is a funny guy and should have his own blog, but he probably has better things to do. Either way, he is always welcome to guest blog here.
But wait, the reunion doesn't end there. I also located Andy Livingston, another of the stars of the post (and my high school German teacher). I emailed him and we have exchanged a couple notes since. Livingston is teaching and coaching at Lake Park in Roselle (IL). He and his wife Leland (also a teacher of mine back at Mt. Carmel) have 2 daughters.
I told him how I was much more advanced in German than other students when I took it as a course at DePaul. Students might have been stronger in vocabulary, but I was well ahead of them in stringing it all together. This is a testament to Livingston's teaching. I didn't even realize it at the time.
It was nice reconnecting with him. He's a good guy and a good teacher.

Glückliches Neujahr

Happy New Year!
At Mt. Carmel High School, I took 4 years of German. It wasn't so much that I loved the language, but more that I liked the 'A' that I figured to get each semester. That strategy worked quite well.
As a matter of fact, Ed Mann and I won the medals for top German students. (Okay, technically I won the medal and Eddie took second, but we called ourselves 'the co-medal winners'). Strangely, there was a couch outside of the classroom (I think it was there for the Guidance Counselor's office across the hall). Ed and I dubbed it "the medal winners' couch", as we sat there, while others stood, waiting for our German classroom to open.
Ed was one of my best friends, although we have since lost contact, unfortunately. Greg Nessinger was another good friend and German student, but he wasn't as lucky in the class as Ed and I. I swear, one time we had to translate a short story. Greg's work and mine were virtually identical, yet somehow I got an 'A' and he got a 'C'. I guess it wasn't too funny to Greg back then, but Ed and I found it hysterical. Since Greg and I have remained in some contact, maybe he will read this and let me know if he finds it funny now years later. Hey, there wouldn't have been enough room on the medal winners' couch for 3 of us anyway.
I have no idea what our former teacher Andy Livingston is doing these days. He probably was only about ten years older than us. I am guessing he is teaching and coaching football somewhere.
I still remember some of my German, although the years and lack of use have started to erode it. One phrase that will always remain with me for whatever reason is an appropriate one to start the new year.
Und Glückliches Neujahr!

A Bunch of Losers

The NBA basketball season starts today. Who knows what kind of season my Chicago Bulls will have? They have been very inconsistent over the last few years.
One team who was consistent was the Losers. They...we were consistently bad. The Losers were my intramural basketball team during my senior year at Mt. Carmel. I was the starting off-guard (accent on off), although I am not really sure we had positions, except for Tom 'Hammer' Skalski. He was definitely our big man in the middle (and our enforcer, a role he gladly filled).
Other Losers included Dave 'Mooner' Plonczynski, Greg 'Ness' Nessinger, Keith Urbon, Mike Szotek, John Fleszewski, Jim 'Fish' Fisher, Todd Kruk and Ed Mann. We had a great time and even won 1 game. Each Loser will have his time to shine here, but for today, Tom Skalski gets his turn.

Dave Plonczynski, an opponent (in blue) and Tom Skalski in Mt. Carmel gym in Chicago, IL-Spring 1983.