1977-78 Park Falls Cardinals

Episode Title: The Cards Take Flight: 2-4-6-8 All the Way to State!!

The 1977–78 Park Falls Cardinals were the first team in school history to punch their ticket to the state basketball tournament — but simply making it wasn’t enough. They were there to win it. Through first-hand accounts from players and coaches, you’ll hear the inside story of how a team battled through midseason injuries, lineup adjustments, and chemistry issues to finally gel at just the right time. Their improbable run featured stunning upsets over the state’s top two ranked Class B teams, Osseo-Fairchild and Winneconne, propelling the Cardinals all the way to the state championship game. Come along and relive the journey of a team of destiny as the Cardinals took flight to Madison.

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Park Falls at Mosinee – December 1977 – David Greenwood shooting, Ron Isham in background

Hurley at Park Falls – December 1977 – Rob Michalski

Park Falls at Ashland – January, 1978 – Dan Gehrman, Dave Herbst, David Greenwood

Prentice at Park Falls – January 1978 – Dan Gehrman with ball, Rob Michalski and Wayne Morgan look on

Park Falls at Phillips – February 1978 – (Top) Dan Gehrman, John Hall looks on (Bottom) John Hall

Ashland at Park Falls – February 1978 – Dan Gehrman

Spooner Sectional Semi-Final – March 11, 1978 vs. Arcadia (L Photo) Dan Gehrman and Ron Isham (R Photo) David Greenwood

Spooner Sectional Semi-Final – March 11, 1978 vs. Arcadia – Dan Gehrman and David Greenwood

Spooner Sectional Final – Park Falls vs Osseo-Fairchild – March 12, 1978 – Dan Gehrman

Spooner Sectional Final – Park Falls vs Osseo-Fairchild – March 12, 1978 – Dave Herbst

Spooner Sectional Final – Park Falls vs Osseo-Fairchild – March 12, 1978 L-R Dan Gehrman & Robbie Michalski

Spooner Sectional Final – Park Falls vs Osseo-Fairchild – March 12, 1978 – Wayne Morgan & Dave Herbst

Spooner Sectional Final – Park Falls vs Osseo-Fairchild – March 12, 1978 – Dan Gehrman

Spooner Sectional Final – Park Falls vs Osseo-Fairchild – March 12, 1978 – David Greenwood

Spooner Sectional Final – Park Falls vs Osseo-Fairchild – March 12, 1978 – John Hall

Spooner Sectional Final – Park Falls vs Osseo-Fairchild – March 12, 1978 – Coach Szelagowski

Park Falls Students – Sectional Final – Spooner – March 11, 1978

Article from Eau Claire Leader Telegram – March 12, 1978

Sectional Box Scores – Park Falls Herald – March 15, 1978

Spooner Sectional Final – Returning Home – March 11, 1978

Cardinal Fans!!!

Back Doors of the High School

Sectional Champions (Bottom L-R) Bill Daniels, Tommy Armstrong, Ron Isham, Dave Herbst, John Gustafson (Top L-R) Coach Szelagowski, Wayne Morgan, Paul Warren, Dan Gehrman, David Greenwood, John Hall, Robbie Michalski, ______________

Winneconne News – March 1978

WIAA State Semi Final – Park Falls vs. Winneconne – March 17, 1978 – Dan Gehrman & David Greenwood

WIAA State Semi Final – Park Falls vs. Winneconne – March 17, 1978 – Ron Isham

WIAA State Semi Final – Park Falls vs. Winneconne – March 17, 1978 – Dan Gerhman

WIAA State Semi-Final – Park Falls vs. Winneconne – John Hall shooting. David Greenwood and Dan Gehrman look on. March 17, 1978

WIAA State Semi Final – Park Falls vs. Winneconne – March 17, 1978

WIAA State Semi Final – Park Falls vs. Winneconne – March 17, 1978 Ron Isham encouraging John Hall after Hall made the go ahead FT in overtime.

Ashland Daily Press – March 18, 1978

State Final – Park Falls vs. Elkhorn – March 18, 1978 – Dan Gehrman, Ron Isham, Robbie Michalski

WIAA State Final – Park Falls vs. Elkhorn – March 18, 1978 – John Hall

WIAA Class B State Final – Park Falls vs. Elkhorn – March 18, 1978 – John Hall

State Final – Park Falls vs. Elkhorn – March 18, 1978 – John Hall, Wayne Morgan, Dan Gerhman, David Greenwood

WIAA State Final – Park Falls vs. Elkhorn – March 18, 1978 – David Greenwood and Dan Gehrman

WIAA Class B State Final – Park Falls vs. Elkhorn – March 18, 1978 – Keith Schmidt, Bill Daniels, Tommy Armstrong

WIAA Class B State Final – Park Falls vs. Elkhorn – March 18, 1978 – Ron Isham & David Greenwood

WIAA Class B State Final – Park Falls vs. Elkhorn – March 18, 1978 – Park Falls bench

WIAA Class B State Final – Park Falls vs. Elkhorn – March 18, 1978 – Wayne Morgan

State Final – Park Falls vs. Elkhorn – March 18, 1978 – Players receiving state runner up awards

Coach Szelagowski, Northern Division Coach of the Year