1970 CHAMPIONS chapter 120

There is a year in quizzing that has confused me since I began writing. Holden Bowker and I have been writing back and forth trying to sort it out. Is this my final answer? Yes, my final answers.

Our district competed in the first Bible quizzing Championships at Estes Park, CO where University Drive represented the district. The ’67 team was Cliff Miller, Judy Friesen (doing us a favor by helping us meet the “A team consists of both sexes” rule), Bob Peters, Larry Clark, and Holden Bowker. Judy was in Grade 12, Cliff in Grade 11, Holden in Grade 10, and Bob and Larry in Grade 9. We didn’t know what the competition was going to be like, but in reality there were only three strong teams. We were one of them with Western PA and Vancouver.   

Found the missing photo from 1967: B: Clyde, Della, unknown,
Ken Seimens, Eldred Ratzlaff F: Holden Bowker, Cliff Miller,
Judy Friessen and Bob Peters.

The team wore a blue and red tartan vest in celebration of Canada’s centennial. It was great to hear the shouts of “Canada, Canada, Canada.”

There was no International quizzing competitions the summer of 1968. We both remember yearend competitions but are now sure (as of today at least) that the major competitions were at Youth Conference at CBC. We lost and believe we lost to Vancouver. They came back one more year for the next International competitions and we finally beat them in 1969.

The struggle to rebuild the program was difficult because of the missed year. Districts who had competed at LIFE dropped the program. I don’t believe there were any new districts since LIFE. Many did not see it worth the effort. We were starting over. It was all Floyd and I cold do to keep out mouths shut. I really wanted to say, “Told you so.” Had I done so, Della would have let me know what a mistake I had made.

When the 1969 team returned with the international trophy an article and news story made the Saskatoon Star Phoenix. I made my first television appearance. I appeared on a local noontime interview show trying to explain Bible quizzing without pictures or quizzers present and only a trophy to show. The PR was good for the church and even boosted the program within the church. A large number of teens showed up in the fall to give quizzing a try. It was much harder than many expected and the numbers eventually dwindled. Some stuck around for the fun and friends.

The surprise and unexpected benefit of quizzing was that school grades improved. Students learned good study habits and how to focus on what was most important. That made some parents very happy.

Holden graduated after the big team win and personally earning a trophy as the top quizzer. That meant he had to leave the program, but he didn’t want to. The 1970 International Championship team  consisted of Brenda Ratzlaff, Jan Abramoff, Bob Peters, Dave Hanchurk, Rick Hindmarsh and Larry Clark. This entire group had International competition experience and was very ready for another run at the title. Bob had been on the second place them in 1960. This team knew what it would take to win. They had all done it before, and it showed. It was still a huge challenge and other districts were gunning for us.

The team looked sharp in lime green mock turtleneck shirts (the color was” in” at that time). We had abandoned the sophisticated and formal tie for the boys of the two previous seasons. Besides, those shirts were more comfortable than a tie.

We created small teams of three each for competition within the church. I wanted everyone answering questions. We kept score and took the five top scorers to the finals.

These are the quizzers who remained with us most of the year: BACK: Bob Peters, Larry Clark, Clyde (coach), Rita Adrian, Carol Derkson, Lois Ford, Rick Hindmarsh, Dave Hanchurk. FRONT: Unknown, Bev Hanchurck, Colleen Hindmarsh, Bonnie Peters, Jam Abramoff.

I was a bit concerned about the future of quizzing in our district as we were winning every meet in which we competed. I had fears other churches would get discouraged and drop out. I did not want to see that happen. I wanted to see the program grow. We walked a tight wire but I’m not sure we succeeded. We did not lose in the 1970 season.

I have this photo from the church archives of all the kids who quizzed in preparation for selecting the final team. If anyone recognizes the names I am missing, drop a note in the comment section or email me at cswalker42@yahoo.com. I would also like to know whom we competed against in both 1970 and 1971. I’m pretty sure Western PA was in both those contests. They were the main powerhouses we faced each year. Vancouver disappeared from action after the 1969 meet.