Long-time fan still bringing cheer to games
88-year-old fan still finding his way to college games
Stacey Campbell - STAFF WRITER
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: Features
Anyone who has attended Grand View sporting events has probably seen Julius "Jules" Polich. Polich, who is 88 years old, can be found in a grey and red Vikings sweatshirt, his "Best GVC Fan" nametag, a horned Viking helmet and doing his best to get the crowd excited.
Wesley Brooks, director of residential life, said, "During every timeout he dances polka-style stuff. He tries to embrace the crowd and get everybody up and clapping."
Polich is Grand View sports' most valuable, and appreciated fan. He has an award hanging over his television stating this, as well as people who will vouch for the fact.
Jodi Nikkel, art education senior and basketball center said, "He is our greatest fan, he has been around a lot of years, as long as I can remember."
Lou Yacinich, head baseball coach, said, "We feel a little more complete when [Polich] shows up. Everybody looks for him."
The "Julius Polich Viking Spirit Award" has been give out in the past and will probably be brought back in the near future according to Yacinich.
Polich comes to most games, but because he is getting older cannot attend all games. He walks with the aid of a walker and can no longer sit on the bleachers. He must use a chair.
"It hurts me because I can't get over there like I'd like to," Polich said.
Polich, who has lived next door to Grand View since 1950, can't remember how long he's been coming to watch soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball and baseball games, but he said he knows its been well over 30 years.
"I like sports and I got attached to the kids and coaches," Polich said of why he started coming to games, "When I could get around I would go practically every day to see the games and practices."
When he arrives at the Wellness Center for an afternoon basketball practice, Polich is greeted like an old friend and some of the coaches actually are old friends. Denis Schaefer, Wellness Center director and head men's basketball coach, said Polich used to bring the coaches Hershey chocolate bars from Dahl's.
Wesley Brooks, director of residential life, said, "During every timeout he dances polka-style stuff. He tries to embrace the crowd and get everybody up and clapping."
Polich is Grand View sports' most valuable, and appreciated fan. He has an award hanging over his television stating this, as well as people who will vouch for the fact.
Jodi Nikkel, art education senior and basketball center said, "He is our greatest fan, he has been around a lot of years, as long as I can remember."
Lou Yacinich, head baseball coach, said, "We feel a little more complete when [Polich] shows up. Everybody looks for him."
The "Julius Polich Viking Spirit Award" has been give out in the past and will probably be brought back in the near future according to Yacinich.
Polich comes to most games, but because he is getting older cannot attend all games. He walks with the aid of a walker and can no longer sit on the bleachers. He must use a chair.
"It hurts me because I can't get over there like I'd like to," Polich said.
Polich, who has lived next door to Grand View since 1950, can't remember how long he's been coming to watch soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball and baseball games, but he said he knows its been well over 30 years.
"I like sports and I got attached to the kids and coaches," Polich said of why he started coming to games, "When I could get around I would go practically every day to see the games and practices."
When he arrives at the Wellness Center for an afternoon basketball practice, Polich is greeted like an old friend and some of the coaches actually are old friends. Denis Schaefer, Wellness Center director and head men's basketball coach, said Polich used to bring the coaches Hershey chocolate bars from Dahl's.
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