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Tom Glorvigen (2021 Hall of Fame Inductee)

By Tom Hintgen, 07/31/21, 4:00PM CDT

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Tom Glorvigen, 1960 Fergus Falls High School graduate, was inducted into the Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 2021) Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Pebble Lake Golf Course in Fergus Falls.

Former Fergus Otter football player Tom Glorvigen, teammate Tom Greenagel, long-time fan LeRoy Quernemoen and others never forgot the famous hook and ladder play that won the game for Fergus Falls in the fall of 1957 in Thief River Falls.

The Otters trailed 26-25 with just over a minute remaining in the game. After a Prowler kick, Fergus Falls took possession of the football on its own 31-yard line.

Glorvigen, Otter sophomore quarterback, rolled back, spotted wide receiver Roger Sinner and connected with the Otter senior.

Sinner was hit from behind but before being tackled he tossed a lateral to junior running back Tim Cashman. The fleet-footed Cashman headed for the goal line and outran Prowler defensive back Dave Rasmussen.

Fergus Falls used the old hook and ladder play to win the game. Cashman was the trailing running back. This extended the Otter football winning streak to 21 games in the days when there were no playoffs in Minnesota high school football.

That 21-game win streak included the final two Otter football games in 1954, the 9-0 season in 1955, the 8-0 season in 1956 and the first two games in 1957.

“The play was 128 Counter Crisscross Bootleg Pass,” Greenagel said. “Tom (Glorvigen), Roger (Sinner) and Tim (Cashman) ran it to perfection.”

Glorvigen was later named to the high school all-star football north team that played against the south team in the summer of 1960 at Parade Stadium in St. Paul. Otter lineman Gordy Kvern was captain of the north team.

Glorvigen also was a star Otter basketball, track and baseball performer.

A look at the 1960 Fergus Falls High School senior annual has many photos of Glorvigen. Among them is an outstanding photo of Glorvigen in the 100-yard dash during a spring track meet.

Another photo shows Glorvigen as Homecoming king and LaVay Copeland as Homecoming queen.

From Ed Darby, friend of Glorvigen

A quiet and private man who possesses a multitude of exceptional talents, Tom Glorvigen has lived a life filled with adventure, challenges, and personal success.

Fifty years ago he headed to Montana, bought and built a RV campground on the historic Jefferson River (of Lewis & Clark fame). He sold his business in 2020 and is now retired.

Not really, as it is not in Tom’s DNA to stand still.

A skilled craftsman, Tom built his house, horse stable, dog kennel etc. In his spare time an ocean kayak took its place in the shop area.

Tom is an avid outdoor enthusiast who is dedicated to participating and preserving the natural environment. He never missed the opportunity to explore nature to the extreme.

Tom’s hunting and fishing skills knew no boundary. During bitter Montana winters, extraordinary experiences would be found in the Everglades, Keys and Caribbean. 

Tom’s local reputation for raising hunting dogs, who were always seen co-piloting the truck, remains a vivid memory to the locals.

To those fortunate to drop in when Tom is home, his warm hospitality often led to a memorable meal which featured Tom’s garden-fresh ingredients grown and prepared by a man with gifted culinary skills.

Today, in his late 70s, you should not be surprised to learn that Tom continues to downhill ski, takes ballroom dancing lessons, rides his horses, and has a truck full of dogs.

Finally, for a chosen few, this fiercely independent man is a valued, devoted, and loyal friend.