Jim Machacek

February 11, 1931 – June 22, 2012

Last Friday, Jim Machacek, a founding member and one of the first Presidents of the Northfield Hockey Association (NHA) passed away.  He was as integral as anybody in the founding of NHA, High School Hockey and the Ice Arena.  His contributions, dedication, and passion for hockey in Northfield are unmatched. 

Jim, among others, had tried to persuade high school administration to start a hockey program but was told “no arena, no varsity hockey”.  So in 1975-76, he and Rod Grubb acted as General Partners and, along with other investors, built the indoor arena our Association calls home.  The building of the arena and Jim’s efforts were the impetus to the first Northfield High School hockey team which played its inaugural season in 1976-77.  He had two sons on that first team; Dave, who graduated in 1977 and Brian, who graduated in 1979.  He continued working and assisting on the mechanical side of the arena until it was transferred to the city in 1984.  Jim had an uncanny memory and could remember specifics of almost any game or team that played in the arena in his years there.

Since the mid 1970’s, NHA has presented The Jim Machacek Award annually to an individual or organization in recognition of their dedication to promoting youth hockey in Northfield.  In the coming months NHA will be considering ways to honor Jim during the 2012-2013 season.

Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Jim’s sons and their families; Chuck (Plano, TX), Dave (Northfield, MN) and Brian (Northfield, MN). We also offer our sympathies to Jim’s extended family and his many friends.  While Jim will be greatly missed, his passion for hockey in Northfield will be carried on.

Please take a minute to click on the link below and read Jim’s obituary –

http://www.southernminn.com/northfield_news/obituaries/article_0fcf3b9e-1c55-5742-ab60-bbbb26e8085c.html

Thank you to Steve Cloud, and others, for contributing to this article.