ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” story. It is an editorial by the editor.

B9315402645Z.1_20141206214615_000_GSS9B8LAE.1-0“History… is bunk.” — Industrialist Henry Ford

 We put too much stock in the importance of ceremonies and cosmetic honors, but when we retire the football jersey of a hometown hero, we should make certain we continue the tradition.

I was told not long ago that the No. 22 jersey of Don Japinga was retired in late spring 1962 and my extensive, but incomplete, research has shown me nothing to the contrary. However, nearly 54 years after Japinga graduated from WHS, it’s possible someone could “don” No. 22 for the Wildcats on the varsity gridiron.

Jim Panyrek, former owner of Joe’s LP gas and a member of the family that operated the iconic Joe’s Grocery in the Gun Lake area for many years, called me to say he’s worried those who do not honor history eventually will allow No. 22 to be worn.

Panyrek said he called Wayland High School Athletic Director Justin Wilson, who told him he would need proof. Wilson has been on the job for fewer than two years, so how is he able to determine whether this is an honored tradition or a hoax?

Panyrek said he was a freshman in high school and personally witnessed the ceremony in which Japinga’s jersey number was retired. Don also in that ceremony became the first to be presented with the Louis Japinga Award in honor of his father, who had died Jan. 30, 1962. The Japinga Award to this day continues to be the most coveted athletic honor at WHS.

Louis Japinga was co-captain of the Hope College football team in the 1930s and a well respected teacher and coach at Wayland. His son in 1965 was co-captain of the Michigan State football team that was undefeated when it played in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 1966.

Don Japinga, twice an all-state football player, was said to have won an honor that wasn’t even given to Phil Regan, Ron Stehouwer or even Jessica Merchant.

Unfortunately, the jersey retirement was not reported in 1962. An examination of the Wayland Globe editions showed no mention, only that Don Japinga had been honored as the top athlete of the year. Further research failed to turn up any mention of jersey retirement, but varsity football team pictures in all WHS yearbooks from 1963 to 1986 showed no one wearing No. 22.

This doesn’t mean no one has worn the coveted jersey number during any football season, but it helps prove the assertion of number retirement.

We cannot ask Don himself because he died on Jan. 23, 2010.

Panyrek insists he witnessed the ceremony and among those also in attendance was former Wayland Schools Superintendent Tom Tarnutzer.

The research has been extensive, but not 100% complete. All indications are that Panyrek’s claim is true. It would be a real tragedy if a hallowed tradition was halted because of a lack of interest in history.

PHOTO: Don Japinga wore No. 14 as co-captain of the Michigan State football team in 1965. It appears his No. 22 jersey was the only one retired in Wayland athletic history.

Tags: Wayland High School

4 Comments

Dick Miller
January 26, 2016
Just heard about your editorial concerning the retirement of Don Japinga's football jersey number 22. I was a member of that football team and graduated with Don. My best guess is that given the untimely death of Don's father, the first ever awarding of the Louis Japinga Award and Don's athletic accomplishments in the 1961-1962 school year all combined to create a moment in which the number 22 was "unofficially" retired. If Phil Regan and Ron Steouwer do not have their numbers officially retired then it seems curious that Don's is. The fact that there was a period of time from 1963-1986 when no one wore number 22 is probably because a lot of folks thought it was retired. What represented "official" at that time would seem to be the issue. The fact that there is no evidence that it wasn't is certainly not proof that it was. Perhaps your opinion piece will spark further memories of others who know for sure one way or the other. Good luck with the quest. Dick Miller
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Rick Baughman
January 27, 2016
I'm not sure how you 'officially' retire a jersey but I can share some very clear memories. As a junior high kid, I'll always remember coach John Wild's teams steamrolling opponents using a undersized 10th grade running back wearing 22. Later in Don's senior year, he was almost the only Wildcat weapon but I believe they still won the old BarKenAll conference. I attended Don Japinga's graduation (as my sister marched in with him.) Great mention was made of the Louis Japinga Award and fact that Don's jersey was being retired (#22). A few years later during my senior football season our new coach, Lyle Berry tried to assign number 22 to one of our teammates. Several of us spoke up, pointing out that the number was retired.
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Free Market Man
January 27, 2016
I was grade-school age (10) at the time I went to the ceremony with my parents for the announcement of the initial Louis Japinga award winner. At the time, the people I remember for the honor were Art Kidney, a fine athlete in his own right, and Don Japinga. I also remember either at that ceremony or another later, it was announced the #22 would be retired from football jersey selection for any JV and varsity football player. Nobody wore the jersey number while I was a player, nor were any others in years afterward that I ever remember seeing. It was an emotional time, in that Louis Japinga had recently passed, and the award creation was announced. Many male athletes since then have won the award, but none have accomplished as much as Don did. Don Japinga was and is the best football player to ever graduate from Wayland. Both Phil Reagan and Ron Stehouwer were both great athletes, as Ron played both college and pro ball for the Steelers, and Phil played baseball in college for Western Michigan and pro ball for the Tigers, Dodgers and Cubs. But Don was special, and anyone who saw him play would understand why I say that. He was an outstanding offensive and defensive back — ball smart, quick to the hole, and turned on the speed in the clear. The smallest guy on the Michigan State team, he was a walk on. He became co-captain on the best Michigan State team ever. Ironically, a sure handed punt returner, he fumbled a punt from UCLA deep in Michigan State's own territory, resulting in UCLA recovery and eventual score to win the Rose Bowl in 1966. Regardless, he was a great football player, and people who knew him always spoke highly of him and his abilities. John Wilde, I believe was the football coach and maybe athletic director at the time. I'm sure he has passed, but maybe his children know of the ceremony where his jersey (22) was retired. Don's mother was my principal in grade school and she was a nice and kind lady. Never missed Don's games at Michigan State.
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Jeff Salisbury
February 1, 2016
From the yearbooks I recently reviewed at WHS No. 22 was being distributed to players at various levels during the 1960s. Some team photos show players standing behind other players or hunched over so it is impossible to positively record numbers on each and every player in each and every year.. I didn't go past the 1969 book but what is clear is that 22 was visible on a number of teams in a number of books. Once I'd determined the number was not out of circulation in the 1960s that seemed sufficient. I did look through books in my own collection beginning with 1986 and running through 2009 and 22 was distributed at all levels. One more bit of research: Athletes are often a superstitious lot and when Don Japinga arrived at MSU one would guess he'd have asked for his familiar high school football number. However, another player wore 22 - Harry Ammon - a senior. Even though he graduated Don (even when he was a captain) ever wore 22 - choosing No. 14 instead. None of this would refute the idea that much was made of Don't career at WHS and the honors that were bestowed upon him nor negate the fact he wore No. 22. And it's certainly possible that over time the memories of 50+ years ago (banquets, assemblies, commencement) have merged into a more common recollection that Don's exploits resulted in yet one more honor of having his jersey retired. Before moving to Wayland in 1985 I'd met Don (we had AAA insurance and he worked in the office to which we were assigned) and after I started here I contacted Don and had him come speak to the team. He was gracious enough to drive over from Lansing one afternoon to a practice session during Homecoming Week. He talked about various memories including specific games and team rivalries etc. I can say that the subject of his jersey being retired never came up in his memories or remarks to the players that afternoon. The boys were not in their game jerseys, but had they been, he'd have seen No. 22 that day.
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