Former Hornets recall 1964-66 trips to historic college arena

By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

March is the month when Minnesota’s boys and girls high school basketball teams, including those from Otter Tail County, have the opportunity to play in the iconic Williams Arena during state tournament games on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The gigantic arena opened almost a century ago, in 1928.

This building, affectionately known as “The Barn,” invokes an electric feeling, high energy and a place that can be somewhat overwhelming for basketball players and fans.

“You always feel awe-struck when you enter Williams Arena,” said 1967 Henning High School graduate Ashur Cordes who was a reserve as a junior when Henning played in the state boys basketball tournament 60 years ago in 1966.

Cordes was a good reserve in the mid-1960s as a big man who came into Henning games to give the Peterson twins, Dick and Bob, a chance to get some needed rest from time to time. He later was a starter for one year at Fergus Falls Junior College, coached by Dave Retzlaff. Today Cordes continues to work on his grain farm and raise cattle near Henning.

Also having a sense of wonder and amazement at Williams Arena, as a Henning High School freshman in 1966, was Bob Bjorklund who later coached the Fergus Falls Otter boys basketball team. He led the Otters to state tournaments in 1984, 1986 and 1990, later coaching at Bethel University where he also served as college athletic director.

Williams Arena in Minneapolis features an unusual raised floor. Team benches and the scorer’s table are below the court. The building has an arched roof which, in itself, can also give players and fans a sense of awe.

Also remembering Williams Arena is Dave Ophein who was head boys coach when Henning participated in the 1965 and 1966 state tournaments.

“Walking onto the floor at Williams Arena in 1965 and seeing our Henning players play basketball in front of 18,000 people was indeed a big difference from the gyms we played in during the regular season,” Opheim said. “When we returned to state the following year, in 1966, we knew what to expect going into Williams Arena.”

Today Opheim, 89, is enjoying life as a retired businessman. He and his wife, JoAnn, live in Rockford, Illinois, west of Chicago, and spend winters in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

More memories

from Dave Opheim

“The first year we went to state, in 1965, there was only one class for Minnesota high school boys basketball,” Opheim said. “We tried to play as many large schools as possible in order to get the best competition. We felt that Henning could compete with any team in the state of Minnesota.”

Opheim remembers the championship game with Glenwood in the 1965 District 22 tournament. “They were ahead of us by 15 points in the second half of the game. We put in reserve Rick Thiel and he pretty much took over. We ended up coming back and winning the game.”

Henning won the Region 6 title in 1965, defeating Detroit Lakes at the Concordia College Fieldhouse in Moorhead and advancing to the state tournament, losing to Bemidji in overtime in the quarterfinals. A year later, in 1966, Henning defeated Crosby-Ironton in the Region 6 finals at Concordia, again advancing to state competition.

“We had the majority of players back from the 1965 team,” recalls Opheim. “Our young men excelled on the basketball court and were polite, courteous and were very good students.”

Henning advanced to the semi-finals at state in 1966 and lost to Edina-Morningside in three overtimes. It was a classic David versus Goliath matchup.

“When they announced the all-tournament team members, Henning was the only team to get a standing ovation by the 18,000 fans in Williams Arena, including the fans from Edina,” Opheim said. “That brought out the goose bumps.”

Several players from Henning teams in the mid-1960s received college basketball scholarship offers.