Norwegian American Weekly published an article about one of our members, Chuck Enge.  Chuck recently sent us a copy of the article.  We contacted Norwegian American Weekly and received their permission to duplicate the article and the text from that article.  The information is not available on their web site.

The text from the article is included next, and can also be viewed in the published article by <CLICKING HERE> or on Chuck's picture above.

Coach Chuck Enge The tennis ambassador to Norway
Norwegian American Weekly - West Coast Office - Jake Moe, Editor in Chief.

Chuck Enge lost his wife in early 2003 to cancer and as he says, "for the sake of my' heart, I felt that I needed to go back to Norway."

In 1989, Enge was in Norway on a Fulbright as an exchange high school teacher and coach. During this time, he made lifetime friendships. After his return to the United States, Enge returned to his successful career as a tennis coach and educator, traveling extensively around the country.

In 2004, Enge met with the Norwegian National Tennis Federation, and based on the valuable knowledge and experience of visiting over 650 U.S. colleges and universities, they proposed that Enge help guide Norwegian athletes in finding the right athletic opportunities in the United States.

It was with this official connection that the doors opened and created an entire "purpose for living" for Coach Chuck Enge. As a bonus, the U.S. Embassy Educational Exchange Officer, Anne Charlotte Lindbloom, stepped in to utilize Chuck's expertise for a trip to Oslo. He will be presenting at a one-day college athletic scholarship seminar at the Embassy and a two-day college fair at the Oslo Spektrum conference center.

As part of his presentation, he will be detailing his many years of experience advising student athletes on how to successfully work through the complex process of selecting the right college or university. He has prepared a Power-Point presentation, posters, bulletin board charts, and flyers to hand out, with the hope of reaching a large number of both high school athletes and their parents.

Now, Chuck has his hands full by working with U.S.-Norway Fulbright Foundation, the Norway-America Association, the Association of Norwegian Students Abroad, and the American Embassy Office of Public Relations.

Additionally, Tove Knudsen of the Oslo Fulbright office is arranging for Chuck to meet with individuals who have requested help during his stay in Norway. He will also conduct presentations at the Oslo Cathedral Skole and visit as many tennis clubs as possible.

Chuck has now visited Norway five years in row and on each trip has expanded his connection and influences with the premier high school athletes in Norway. Due to the fact that college athletics are not available in Norway, many of the students of high caliber look to going to the United States to compete at the college level.

As a result of Chuck's work in education, he has been elected into the Illinois High School Tennis Coach's Hall Of Fame, and was selected to receive a Distinguished Service Award from his alma mater, Luther College.

"I love working with the Norwegian athletes and each trip that I take to Norway I meet more good folks and develop contacts. Now, when I am home in Chicago, I even attend the Norwegian Church. The folks there are just terrific and plus the services are in Norwegian and it is a great way to practice the language."

Now, Chuck's life has meaning for Norwegians in Norway and Norwegian Americans here in the United States.

"Tennis and education have been my life and to combine it all with Norway is pure joy" the energetic Chuck Enge exclaims.

Duplicated text and reprinted article property of Norwegian American Weekly, Seattle, Washington, and reprinted with their permission.