THE JUICE GETS HIS DUE

Longtime Viking coach Dale Lemon receives Medal of Honor

Many remember Dale “Juice” Lemon for his work ethic and his appreciation for the fundamentals of baseball. His players remember “Juice” for his unique sense of humor and his passion for winning. For 35 years, Dale Lemon contributed to the game of baseball as few have.

For this, Lemon was awarded the Medal of Honor from the Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame March 16 at an awards banquet in David City, Neb.

The lifetime achievement award given by the hall is presented to those who have made significant contributions to the game over an extended period. The award is certainty fitting for Lemon.

Growing up in Lincoln, Neb., Lemon graduated from Lincoln Northeast High in 1950. There, he started for the Rockets basketball team in 1949 and 1950. After graduation, Lemon played basketball for two years at the University of Arkansas until transferring to Nebraska Wesleyan, participating in football, basketball, track and baseball upon graduation in 1957.

After finishing his undergraduate career, Lemon left for the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he earned a masters degree in physical education.

Lemon began his coaching career at Valley City (N.D.) State College, coaching from 1959-1963.

“I was coaching at North Dakota at the time when my [former] coach at Nebraska Wesleyan told me about the opening at Dana,” Lemon said. “I interviewed and everyone seemed to agree.”

Lemon arrived at Dana College in 1963. He signed on to coach baseball and teach physical education.

One of Lemon’s first players he coached upon arrival was pitcher Jim Jorgensen ’66, now Dana’s director of planned giving.

“Juice came my sophomore year,” Jorgensen said. “He was soft spoken and low key. He didn’t have a fiery temper or personality that other coaches had.”

Lemon’s coaching wasn’t flashy. He stressed playing fundamental baseball. It was this take on the game that allowed Lemon to compile a 503-635 career win-loss record, 13 conference championships and make 17 appearances in the NAIA regional tournament.

Perhaps the only thing more impressive than his winning statistics was the way in which he won.

“Juice did it all himself. We didn’t have an assistant coach,” said former firstbaseman and catcher Steve Appel ’84.

Lemon said he had just three assistants for a total of five years during his 31-year career at Dana.

“[Lemon] had a true love for the game. We use to kid him for his age but he had a rich understanding of the history of the game and the way it was played,” said Mark Clements ’90, a catcher and first baseman, who coincidentally received swimming lessons from Lemon as a child.

After 31 years at Dana, Lemon retired in 1994. When asked why he chose to stay at Dana College so long, Lemon responded, “I liked it here. I like the faculty, the people I worked with, the community of Blair, and the relationships down through the years.”