Melrose Park in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Ralph "Babe" Serpico Field

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 29, 2024

1. Ralph "Babe" Serpico Field Marker

Inscription. Ralph "Babe" Serpico epitomized the concept of a "Local Hero." A native of the Village of Melrose Park, Babe was an All-American guard for the University of Illinois from 1943 through 1947. Babe was the team captain. His highlight being the 45 - 14 victory over UCLA in the Rosebowl of 1947. Babe passed away in 1995. His service to our community for 35 years will never be forgotten.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is January 1, 1947.

Location. 41° 53.767′ N, 87° 51.928′ W. Marker is in Melrose Park, Illinois, in Cook County. It is on 25th Avenue 0.1 miles north of Lake Street. The marker is on the north side of Serpico Field, across the road from the Melrose Park Civic Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 25th Avenue, Melrose Park IL 60160, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); San Giovanni Battista Scalabrini (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic Lake Street (approx. half a mile away); Kiddieland Amusement Park (approx. half a mile away); Casa Jalisco (approx. 0.7 miles away); Sharp Memorial Park (approx.

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0.7 miles away); Cpl. Robert H. Corley and Pfc. Ronnie L. Russell (approx. 0.8 miles away); Vietnam War Memorial (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melrose Park.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Major League Players from Proviso East (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Ralph "Babe" Serpico Field. Ralph "Babe" Serpico's son, Ronald, has served as mayor of Melrose Park since 1997.

The 1946 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was the first in school history to appear in a bowl game. Serpico, a senior from Melrose Park who had starred for Proviso High School, was a starting defensive lineman for the Fighting Illini. The team also boasted a pair of star running backs: Buddy Young, Illinois' first Black football star, and Art Dufelmeier, known as "The Flying Dutchman." That year's Rose Bowl, played on January 1, 1947, was the first that would formally pit the champion of the Pacific Coast Conference (now called the Pac-12) against that of the Big Nine. (The conference was previously and later known as the Big 10; it would have nine teams for five years starting in 1946, after the University of Chicago dropped

Ralph "Babe" Serpico Field image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 29, 2024

2. Ralph "Babe" Serpico Field

out that year, and until Michigan State joined in the early 1950s.) Ironically, both Illinois and UCLA had voted against the deal between the two conferences; the bowl originally previously was just a Pacific Coast team vs. another team from the Eastern U.S. UCLA in particular, having played to a perfect 10-0 record in 1946, had hoped to play either #1 Notre Dame or #2 Army in the Rose Bowl. UCLA, with its first unbeaten regular season record in school history (10-0), was a big favorite against the much smaller Illini, who had finished 7-2. But the Illini, after falling behind 7-6, overpowered the Bruins, rushing for 320 yards and winning the game, 45-14.

Also see . . . Ralph “Babe” Serpico Memorial Field. From the Village of Melrose Park official site

Excerpt: "But those who knew him best, remember him for his love for people. Melrose Park Mayor Ronald M. Serpico, Babe’s son, recalls this memory of his father: ‘There was a difference between bullies and tough guys back then. My father was a "man’s man"; a strong guy, but at the same time, he wore his heart on his sleeve. There wasn’t anyone he wouldn’t help. He would have guys cars fixed who couldn’t afford to fix them but needed their car to provide for their family. He found jobs for people and gave financial help to countless people. Be he always kept his assistance
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, September 29, 2024

3. Ralph "Babe" Serpico Field Marker
quiet so as not to injure the pride of those he helped. My father touched a lot of people in a good way. He was an outstanding Italian American who taught me the meaning of the word "family”’."

(Submitted on May 15, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 452 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 30, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.