Forged in the Forest more than 60 years ago, the friendship between Mike Dau '58, David Parker '59, and John Hartford '60 is a special one.
That friendship and shared sense of Forester pride has continued throughout the six decades since their time as student-athletes at the College. The three have met up in person numerous times on and off campus, most recently at this year's Homecoming celebration on October 2. They even posed for a picture in front of the well-known Dau Room photo of them taken after their 20-12 victory over perennial College Conference of Illinois (CCI) power Wheaton College in 1957. All three still show their Forester spirit and pride six decades later as some of Lake Forest College's biggest fans!
The Foresters claimed a share of the CCI title in 1957 and Dau, an offensive lineman, was named the team's Most Valuable Player. He was also a First Team Collegiate All-State selection by the Peoria Journal Star and an Honorable Mention All-American (NAIA). He went on to serve as the football team's head coach for 26 years and is in his 30th season as an assistant. He has also been an athletic director, handball coach, baseball coach, and JV basketball coach at the College and was inducted into the Forester Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977.
Hartford led Lake Forest with 72 rushing yards on 20 carries in the memorable victory over Wheaton. That season he was the team's leading rusher with 479 yards on 98 attempts and scored four touchdowns. The fullback was named Fourth Team Collegiate All-State by the Peoria Journal Star.
Parker had both of the team's receptions against Wheaton for 24 yards, and continued on to be the team's leading receiver with 12 catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns that season. He was also a First Team All-CCI defensive end as a junior and senior and joined Hartford as a Fourth Team Collegiate All-State selection by the Peoria Journal Star in 1957. Parker joined Dau in the Forester Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.
Off the field, their friendship grew in numerous ways as well! Dau and Parker were not only roommates, but also fraternity brothers in Phi Pi Epsilon. While Dau and Parker already knew each other from high school, Hartford quickly clicked with the two of them and their friendships continued to grow over football and while hanging out in downtown Lake Forest. Hartford noted, "we made it through some good times and some bad ones, but the important thing is we always stuck together." Even after college, the three men stayed involved in each other's lives and often reunited several times over the year at Forester home athletic events.
When asked what retuning to the College meant to him, Parker responded that "it reflects one of the happiest times in my life, and is also where I met my wife!" Hartford also stated, "it means the world to me to come back here because it brings me back to an era where life was a lot simpler. It is a pleasant place to be." Dau added, "we each have a great love for this institution."
Apart from playing their sport, all three gentlemen referenced their strong friendship as one of the most valuable takeaways from their time as Forester student-athletes. Seeing them reunite over their love of Lake Forest is truly inspiring for those of us at the College. Forever fans of the Foresters, you can be sure to find Dau, Parker, and Hartford continuing to support the current teams and meeting up on campus whenever possible.