1976-1978 Men's Soccer Teams were the first teams in Crown College history (St. Paul Bible College at the time) to win national championships. SPBC was a part of the United Small College Athletic Association (formerly known as the National Little College Athletic Association) during that time period. The 1976, 1977, and 1978 men's soccer teams brought home three consecutive USCAA National Championships.
Joe Tewinkel, Crown College Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2001, wrote about the team's success in a Bridge article in 1976. An excerpt from that article said, "St. Paul has been able to combine the skills of the sons of missionaries who learned their soccer overseas, the athlete who played soccer in the increasingly strong American high school programs and the natural athlete who learned his soccer on the St. Paul Bible College campus. Ask any of the squad members how it feels to be 'number 1' and you'll get the answer… "Praise the Lord!"
Carl Lightbody, a team captain, was a key member of these teams anchoring the defensive effort as the goalkeeper. When asked about these team Carl said, "We had a solid group of players during those years as many of them grew up as missionary kids playing soccer overseas. Most of the teams we competed against did not have this edge. Without them we would not have had the success we did."
John Teichroew, a key offensive player for the squad, when asked about his experience at Crown said, "So many wonderful memories—where to begin? … Those years at Crown were chock full of spiritual enrichment, starting with daily chapel sessions. Deeper Life. Prayer Band. Christian Service assignments. And many off-campus events and powerful testimonies."
Dave Larson, an influential member of the 1976 and 1977 teams, when asked about his faith said, "This two-year SPBC chapter is a key period on my lifelong faith walk. Professors, chapels, role models, a few life-long friends and being able to break a few boarding school-type rules - all helped me continue to form and shape my values, character commitment to Christ and ultimately prepared me for a career of serving the Kingdom in the public square."
