By Frank Rajkowski, SJU Writer/Video Producer

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Excitement on the Saint John's University campus was building to a boiling point during the last week of October 1935.

The weather, however, was growing considerably colder.

Preparations were underway for the Johnnie football team's showdown with archrival St. Thomas, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 3. The Johnnie-Tommie game drew a big crowd, even in those days.

But that year, interest in the game was expected to be even higher because the two teams formed half of a four-way, late-season logjam atop the MIAC standings.

St. Thomas was led by standout linemen Earl Sundy and Gordon Gelhaye, a duo The Record referred to as "two titanic tackles." The Johnnies were led by All-MIAC quarterback Lane Scofield and All-MIAC tackle George Toman.

Extra bleachers brought in from nearby St. Cloud Tech High School were being placed on the east side of the field to accommodate the large crowd. And The Record reported that the Saint John's Marching Band would provide entertainment prior to the game and at halftime.

"The Johnnies should have a slight edge on the Tommies if comparative scores mean anything, but experience has taught that they mean nothing except trouble for whoever is foolhardy enough to place any confidence in them," wrote The Record in its game preview. "But no matter who wins the game, it should be one of the classic events in the history of the Minnesota Conference and a record-breaking crowd is anticipated."

But as the kickoff approached, so did winter. On Halloween, temperatures across the region began falling. And by the afternoon of the game three days later, an early-November snowstorm had arrived in Collegeville.

Thus, the crowd of over 3,000, when they could manage to see the action through the swirl of white, witnessed a stalemate in the snow – ending in a scoreless tie.

"Those Boreal snowblasts literally put the skids under our hopes of licking the Tommies last Sunday," wrote Record columnist Joe Duffy. "Naturally, it wasn't a fair trial of the strengths of the two teams, although the Johnnies showed themselves more than capable of coping with the heavy St. Thomas line."

Indeed, it was the Johnnies who had the best chance to score – an opportunity that came in the second quarter when they marched the ball to the Tommies' 1-yard line before turning it over on downs.

Saint John's then reached the St. Thomas 29 in the third quarter, and advanced as far as the Tommies' 36 twice in the fourth. But the drives ended twice with fourth-down stops and once with a fumble.

St. Thomas advanced as far as the Saint John's 18 in the third quarter, and after an interception, had the ball as deep as the Johnnies' 17 in the fourth. But the Johnnies came up with an interception of their own to end that threat.

Turnovers haunted both teams in the adverse weather conditions. The day's real heroes proved to be the punters as 36 punts were exchanged. 

Holding the edge was Saint John's punter John Van Buren (front row, second from right), a junior who averaged 35 yards per kick that afternoon. But Van Buren would go on to prove his heroism extended far beyond any feats on the football field.

The 1937 graduate and Mukwonago, Wis., native enlisted in the Navy following graduation and served as a bomber pilot in the Pacific during World War II. 

He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in March 1942 for his heroic conduct during operations in the Marshall Islands when the formation he was flying in was attacked by Japanese fighters.

The Record reported: "Van Buren," the Navy said, "through skillful handling of his plane and excellent marksmanship shot down one of the enemy fighters which attacked his formation."

Sadly, Van Buren was killed in action in June of that year at the Battle of Midway. Ignoring antiaircraft fire, he took part in the initial dive-bombing operations against Japanese naval units. His plane did not return and he was listed as presumed dead.

For his actions, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross by President Franklin Roosevelt.

The presidential proclamation read: 

"The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John James Van Buren (NSN: 0-81539), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron SIX (VB-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4-6 June 1942. 

"Defying extreme danger from concentrated anti-aircraft barrage and powerful fighter opposition, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Van Buren, with bold determination and courageous zeal, led his squadron in dive-bombing assaults against Japanese naval units. Flying at a distance from his own forces which rendered return unlikely because of probable fuel exhaustion, he pressed home his attacks with extreme disregard for his own personal safety. His gallant intrepidity and loyal devotion to duty contributed greatly to the success of our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

As for the football season of 1935, with the tie against the Tommies, Van Buren and his teammates finished their season 5-0-1. St. Olaf went on to defeat the Tommies 18-0 the following week in Northfield.

And while St. Olaf finished the season unbeaten in conference play, and Gustavus and Saint John's each tied with the Tommies, the standings show the Oles having played one less conference game.

Thus, the MIAC record book lists all three teams as having shared that season's conference title – marking just the second conference crown in program history for the Johnnies.

"This year again Saint John's under coach Joe Benda put another championship caliber team in the Conference race," reported The Record in summing up the season.

"The only blot on their otherwise perfect record is a scoreless tie inflicted upon them by a gamey St. Thomas eleven and played on a field better suited for skiing than football."

15 years ago (2005) – Overcoming injuries to several key players, he Saint John's rugby team beat Winona State 22-20 on Oct. 23 to win the Minnesota Final Four for the first time in school history.

25 years ago (1995) – SJU football coach John Gagliardi recorded his 324th career victory as his team beat Carleton 35-14 on Oct. 21 at Clemens Stadium. That moved him past legendary Alabama coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant for second place on the all-time list. Gagliardi would go on to record 489 career victories, the most of any coach in college football history.

40 years ago (1980) – Jim Phelps '82 (right) scored three goals as Saint John's defeated Gustavus 3-0 on Nov. 1 to advance to the final round of the NAIA District 13 soccer playoffs. The team eventually fell to Quincy (Ill.) in NAIA Area III action. Quincy would go on to win its fifth straight NAIA national title. Phelps led SJU with 12 goals and four assists that season.

45 years ago (1975) – The Johnnie football team made an abrupt trip to Spokane, Wash., and defeated Whitworth by a score of 7-3 on Oct. 25. Whitman (Wash.) notified Whitworth that Monday, Oct. 20, that it needed to forfeit the Pirates' Homecoming game due to a depleted, injury-laden roster (around 20). In order to save Homecoming weekend, Whitworth's coach Hugh Campbell reached out to Gagliardi to see if SJU would take the game, as the Johnnies were on their scheduled bye week. Gagliardi agreed to play, if Whitworth would cover the travel expenses (roughly $7,500), which ended up being raised by friends and alumni of Whitworth. Whitworth asked SJU to limit its roster to 36 players to limit the cost.

Fullback Tim Schmitz '78 scored the lone touchdown of the rain-soaked game, a 3-yard run in the second quarter. Schmitz led the Johnnies with 82 yards rushing on 19 carries and caught a 61-yard pass in the victory. 

On the following drive, Whitworth marched down the field but stalled at the Johnnies' 10-yard line, resulting in the Pirates' lone score of a 26-yard field goal.

50 years ago (1970) – John Cragg '71 claimed first place as head coach Jim Smith and his SJU cross country team captured its third of five straight MIAC titles in action at the conference meet held Nov. 1 at the St. Cloud Country Club.