CHICAGO (January 2, 2012) – Norman Rathje, former head football coach and instructor in physical education at North Park University, died Dec. 9, of cancer. Rathje, 75, was living at Sedgebrook Retirement Community, Lincolnshire, Ill., at the time of his death.

Rathje coached football at the University in 1967 and 1968. Though he never met Rathje, Dr. Jack Surridge, North Park University athletic director, said the influence of Rathje's 1968 team is still remembered today. "The 1968 team (6-3) still has our best conference record at 5-2 and a second-place finish in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin," he said. That team set several records, and three Vikings players – quarterback/punter Bruce Swanson, linebacker Charles Burgoon and wide receiver Paul Zaeske – signed professional contracts, Surridge said. All three are in the Vikings Hall of Fame. On the 40th anniversary of the 1968 season, the University welcomed back team members and coaches for special recognition.

Rathje was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and graduated from Marion (Iowa) High School. He earned a master's degree in teaching from the University of Dubuque in Iowa. He worked more than 40 years as a teacher, football and wrestling coach, at schools such as North Park University, North Chicago High School, Wauconda High School, Wheeling High School and Buffalo Grove High School, all in Illinois. At Buffalo Grove High School he directed of an off-campus work training program before he retired. In 1989, Rathje was inducted into the University of Dubuque Hall of Fame.

Beverly Rathje said that student workers and others at the retirement community where he lived enjoyed talking with her husband about teaching and school experiences. Many of Rathje's former players and friends commented on the coach's career and his influence in their lives.

Swanson, Boise, Idaho, said he was fortunate to have had spent time with Rathje. "He taught us how to respond to setbacks with a focused work ethic and determination that finally paid off my senior year. He was tireless in his efforts to mold us into a team that could compete in the conference. He had high expectations and taught us how to raise our own expectations," Swanson said.

Dan Tepke, who played on the 1968 team, remembered Rathje as hardworking, loyal to the university and his players, and a person with strong family values. "(He) kept players focused on academics as well as athletics, and was very good at motivating us both in and out of season, was personable and wanted to win in the worst way," Tepke said.

One of the most memorable games in North Park's football history was the 1968 game against Augustana (Ill.) College, he said. Augustana's quarterback was Kenny Anderson, who played several seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.

"Coach Rathje coached one of his most if the most exceptional games of his career as the Vikings won a 48-42 shootout," Tepke said. "The officials for the game were Big Ten officials who came into the locker room after the game and commented something to the effect that it was one of the best football games they ever had been involved in."

Steven Eschenbach played at North Park from 1967 to 1970, and recalled that Rathje helped him out with a small football grant. "This helped out a lot when I was paying for my own education," he said, adding that Rathje was a fair and disciplined coach.

Tom Swanson was head student trainer and student manager on two of Rathje's teams in the late 1960s. "He treated me with great thanks, encouragement and respect. I really appreciated his willingness to recognize my efforts even though I wasn't a player," Swanson said. Rich Palesh played on Rathje's teams and was a graduate assistant on his staff in 1968. Rathje was "always a positive motivator who had a great influence on my success at and after North Park College (now North Park University).

Dave Franzen played on Rathje's 1967 team. "I remember him participating in live scrimmages with no equipment," Franzen observed. "He would reverse his cap and proceed to play middle linebacker with a toothpick in his mouth. I have thought of him fondly many times over the years," he said.