Roger Huyink ‘53 (right) presents a check to Saint John’s University Senior Development Officer Tom Stock for a new sound system in Sexton Arena.
Saint John’s University graduate Roger Huyink ’53 and his wife Thelma were among the Johnnies’ most fanatical sports fans for decades. They never missed a home football or basketball game, and they often went on the road to watch the Johnnies as well.
They bled Johnnie Red.
“I have a connection to Saint John’s that has never diminished in my 71 years as a Johnnie,” said Roger, who also assisted on the basketball scorers’ table for many years. “My love and admiration for the place just seems to grow deeper and stronger each year.”
Thelma died in 2018, but Roger continues to be a regular at SJU athletic events along with his Johnnie son Charles ’75.
I met with Roger and Charles last May on the shores of Lake Sagatagan. Roger informed me that he wanted to fund a new, state-of-the-art sound system for improved public address and marketing in Sexton Arena and Jim and Adrienne Smith Court in Warner Palaestra. He wanted this new system for home athletic events (mainly basketball games).
Our present sound system in that facility, Roger said, was poor at best. Many of the components dated back to the opening of Warner Palaestra in 1973. After 47 years of use, Roger said it was time for an upgrade, and he wanted all the components from that old system removed – no more of the bailer twine or chicken wire that were used to try and upgrade the old sound system.
Roger paid the entire amount up-front for our new state-of-the-art sound system.
“I am 89 years old, and I want this project ready and completed by the tip-off of our first Johnnie basketball home game for the 2020-21 season,” he said. “I wanted this done so all Johnnie fans and I can enjoy hearing the improvements during these contests.”
More importantly, Roger wanted these improvements to enhance the facility that carries the names of his great friends – entrepreneur, philanthropist and Johnnie basketball standout Bill Sexton ’55, and legendary 51-year Johnnie head basketball coach Jim Smith.
“I am a long-time friend of Bill Sexton,” Roger said. “Bill and I taught together in Slayton (Minnesota). Thelma and I are the godparents of Bill and Joyce’s oldest son, Jim (class of ’81 and a past member of SJU’s Board of Trustees).
“I have also been very close to Coach Smith and his wife, Adrienne, during his lengthy career as SJU’s head basketball coach. These are the reasons why this gift of a new sound system in Sexton Arena and Jim and Adrienne Smith Court are so very important to me and to Thelma.”
Roger’s gift was very well-received.
“Roger and Thelma are great lifelong friends of Joyce and me,” Sexton said. “This gift from Roger and Thelma is a wonderful testament to their love for Saint John’s.”
“Few fans have longer or deeper love for SJU and Johnnie basketball than Roger and Thelma,” said Smith, who retired from coaching after the 2014-15 season. “They are great friends of Adrienne and mine, and I am grateful for their friendship and support of Johnnie basketball.”
“Both Roger and Thelma have been great friends of Johnnie basketball for many, many years,” current SJU head coach Pat McKenzie added. “Their latest gift is certainly another example of their appreciation and support of SJU.”
Roger gives to charitable causes like Saint John’s because, he said, “I can! And I believe deeply that it is important to do so. I owe a lot of who I am to Saint John’s.”
He grew up as an only child in Long Prairie, Minnesota and married his high-school sweetheart, Thelma, who earned her degree from St. Cloud School of Nursing and was a registered nurse during her career. Roger earned a degree in social studies/secondary education and taught social studies at Slayton High School from 1953 until 1992 (39 years). Roger and Thelma had five kids – Charles ‘75, Jane, Nancy, Karen and Gretchen – and all of them earned degrees from either a four-year or two-year academic institution.
Roger was introduced to Saint John’s by Diocesan priest Fr. Ted Peterka, who was a great friend to his parents. He said his parents were very supportive of his decision to attend SJU, and Roger said he made a wonderful choice. He was mentored on campus by professor and sociologist Emerson Hines and by Fr. Cleris Graves, his French professor. He student taught at St. Cloud Cathedral High School in 1953, then began his career at Slayton. After he retired, he and Thelma moved back to the St. Cloud area.
“I plan to continue my annual support for the SJU Student Fund, as I have faithfully done in the past,” Roger said.
“I had a great educational experience at Saint John’s University. And I will be forever grateful! to this place.”