- Charles "Chuck" Von Feldt, a 1968 graduate, anchored the start of a basketball renaissance, and left an indelible mark on the Duhawk record book. More than 35 years after his last game, the Austin, Minn., Pacelli standout, still holds school records for the most field goals in a game (21), most field goals attempted in a game (31), ranks 15th in all-time scoring (1,184), third in rebounds (683), sixth in single season scoring average (22.6 in 1967-68) and ninth in free throws in a season (129 in 1967-68).
- As a junior, Von Feldt was one of the leaders of the Gerry Potts-coached team in 1966-67 that finished 18-10 - the most victories by a Duhawk team in 13 seasons. Known as a team player and rugged rebounder, Von Feldt had a 48-point single game and 24 rebounds in another game - two of the top individual performances in school history.
- Von Feldt co-captained the 1967-68 team and was more than a leader in name. He led the Duhawks in scoring (22.6 points), rebounds (13.2 a game) and shot a sizzling 63 percent from the floor. As a senior, one college sports publication selected him as the fourth best player among the nation's small colleges. Von Feldt was an all-Midlands Conference selection and became the 10th member of the Duhawks 1,000-point club.
- A leader off the court too, Von Feldt is a CPA who runs his own insurance agency and is a member of the local volunteer fire department in Burnsville, Minn., where he lives with his wife of 36-years, Judy. They have three children - Jana, Jaime and Jeff - and four grandchildren.
Story As I was growing up in Austin, Minnesota, and learning the game of basketball, I was destined to be tutored by a coach (Don Carlson) who was a former Marine drill instructor who displayed a hard-nosed style of play as well as a very disciplined training program. I was taught that you played the game with “toughness” and you were expected to “be on the floor after all the loose balls.”
I brought this style of play to Loras. Early in freshman year, we were engaged in a Saturday morning scrimmage with the alumni led by Dick Wright and “the Potts brothers.” A shot was taken but missed. The rebound was careening over the floor and instinctively I dove for the loose ball. To be expected, Tiny Potts was also rushing to recover the ball. As we met, my right shoulder rammed into Tiny’s right knee. I lost the battle and immediately felt pain. I couldn’t lift my arm; the right shoulder was separated. After practice, Father Hayek drove me over to the hospital where they confirmed the injury. Despite the “remedies” applied by Doc Kammer, I was to be held out of practice for two weeks. During this time, I recalled my “drill instructor mentality” and practiced my shots using my left hand and going to my left. Progress was made, both with my injury and my game.
Loras traveled to Winona, Minnesota, to play St. Mary’s College. I was allowed to make the trip. Doc Kammer taped my shoulder up with some Rube Goldberg style pad which gained me more sympathy from the crowd than protection for my shoulder, but I didn’t care since I was on the bench, suited up, and ready to play. With five minutes left in the game, Charlie Riney fouled out. Coach Zahren looked down the bench and called my name. The score went back and forth during the closing minutes. With under a minute left, I was fed the ball and I made a move to the basket. With my left hand, I made a shot that gave us the win.
As I look back on my career at Loras, I attribute my success to the fact that my pivot moves consisted of being able to go to both my right and left with equal ability. The adversity of an injury early in my career definitely created an opportunity for me. Tiny Potts probably never realized it, but he played a major role in my career at Loras College.
