You would be hard-pressed to find bigger NCAA Division III basketball fans than Doug Palm BA 鈥�68 and Nancy Palm BA 鈥�69. They moved to Wisconsin in 1977, but the long drive back to campus didn鈥檛 prevent them from cheering on their beloved Vikings.
鈥淲e would drive down to Chicago at least twice a week to attend games,鈥� Doug recalled. Nancy added, 鈥淗aving just moved away and started new jobs, it was important to us to come back to campus to see familiar faces, catch up with our friends, and enjoy the game.鈥�
Doug and Nancy met at North Park in the mid-1960s and married in 1970 while Doug served in the United States Army. They returned to Chicago for a few years in the mid-70s before settling in Wisconsin. 鈥淚 always found it ironic that North Park started winning men鈥檚 basketball championships right after we moved away!鈥� Doug said.
Doug was always a sports fan, but Nancy took a little longer to come around. 鈥淚 used to bring a book to games, and if the book was too thick, our friends would predict overtime,鈥� Nancy recalled.
Over the years, they traveled to multiple Division III basketball finals, and in 2016, Doug received a surprising request. 鈥淚 got a phone call from a gentleman asking me to join the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame selection committee. I was stunned because the other committee members had all worked in basketball or played, and I鈥檓 just a fan.鈥� Doug said. He especially enjoyed being on the committee that selected Viking and former NBA player Michael Harper BA 鈥�80 in 2019.
Doug and Nancy are passionate about supporting athletics and ensuring first-generation college students can access the same opportunities they did. 鈥淲ho I am, in many respects, came from being at North Park and the people I met there,鈥� Doug said. 鈥淚t was life-changing.鈥�
鈥淕iving is a way to say thanks for what we experienced in the hopes that others can also attend North Park. If donating to help enhance the gym attracts a few more people to consider North Park, we have done our job,鈥� said the couple.
Building a Culture of Champions
The costs of staying competitive continue to rise, including facility upgrades, team travel, uniforms, and critical safety equipment. Your support of the Viking Club provides outstanding experiences to our student-athletes and invests in their overall well-being and success, on and off the field.
Join Doug and Nancy and other loyal North Parkers with a gift to the Viking Club at and become part of the new Gold Level supporters club. Contact the Office of Advancement at advancement@northpark.edu or (773) 244-5790 for more information.