The year was 1973.
The United States' involvement in the Vietnam War came to an end.
The first handheld mobile phone call was made.
The Miami Dolphins won the Super Bowl in January, capping the only undefeated season.
And, in Greencastle, two teams were enjoying their own success, as the Greencastle High School football and volleyball teams were making history.
Those two teams will be recognized this Friday with the "Golden Perfect Purple" reunion, signifying 50 years since the greatness took Greencastle and Putnam County by storm.
The festivities will begin at 4:45 p.m. when the doors open at McAnally Center and will continue through the football game against North Putnam that evening. All are welcomed to attend and visit.
During halftime of the Greencastle - North Putnam football game, the players, managers, coaches and cheerleaders of the two teams will be introduced and recognized.
The 1973 Greencastle volleyball team reached the IHSAA Final Four for the first and only time in school history, putting the city and program on the map.
Brenda Andis Brink earned the IHSAA Final Four Trophy for Outstanding Attitude, while head coach Ann Lawver led the Tiger Cubs to its greatest season.
On the gridiron, the Tiger Cubs went a perfect 10-0, and were backed by an offense that scored 300 points and a defense that surrendered only 36 points. Along the way, Greencastle won two overtime games and recorded five shutouts under head coach Gary Cassells, who played guard at Indiana University, where he earned All-American and All-Big Ten honors.
Cassells helped the Hoosiers win the 1967 Big Ten title and play in the Rose Bowl under coach John Point.
A total of 14 players from the Greencastle football team earned Western Indiana Conference all-conference honors, as Phil Fisher and Mike DeVylder had the distinction of making both the first and second teams.
One of those players was junior center Rick Wokoun, who recalls the Tiger Cubs having a team that complemented each other on both sides of the football.
"We were lucky to have many good athletes on both offense and defense who played well together and complemented one another's skills. Our fourth and fifth wins were come from behind against good teams. After our fifth over Plainfield, a very tough opponent, we started to think that we could win them all," Wokoun told The Putnam County Post.
Wokoun said when he looks back on that team several things stand out, beginning with the defensive play.
"Great defense from the beginning. Five shutouts and only one team scored twice. The defensive backs intercepted more passes than completions allowed. On offense, we were a Power-I running team. Four tough and punishing runners, one of whom had 1,000-plus yards rushing," he said.
As for being recognized Friday, Wokoun said he and his teammates are "thrilled that Greencastle High School and athletic director Doug Greenlee have gone out of their way to make us feel welcome."
"We will savor any applause we might get, as it may be our last on field recognition. What's best is that we will be back together as a team again. Fifty years? It's incomprehensible and unbelievable. Until we see one another's gray hair and realize that we are watching high schoolers who could be and some are our grandchildren. We feel very lucky to be able to gather together as old friends to remember our own glory and to cheer for the Tiger Cubs always," said Wokoun, who added he has been keeping up with how this year's team has played, as well as all the other sports. "We love seeing Greencastle High School's success in fall sports across the board. All the teams are having great moments, and it isn't over yet."
Current Greencastle football coach David Stephens is looking forward to having the 1973 team together again.
"They played five years before I was born, but I have heard stories about them. I cannot wait to thank them and honor them for laying the foundation of great football at Greencastle," Stephens told The Putnam County Post.
As someone who grew up and played for Greencastle and is in his first year as coach, Stephens said it is "special" to recognize this team.
"It's really special. One of the things that we talk amongst our staff is that we don't want to have just a good team or a good season. We want to have a great program that continually competes for titles. Getting to honor guys who have laid that foundation will be incredible," Stephens said.
