Memoir Jukka Uunila 1923–2021

Commercial Counselor, a sports influencer Ahti Juhani “Yucca” Ounila died briefly after becoming ill in Helsinki on November 22, 2021. He was 98 years old, born in Himanga on June 4, 1923.

Plankkukari, the summer place of the childhood family, was Jukka Uunila’s first “sports college”. Sports were the main content of the summer days of brothers Jukka, Yrjö and Mikko. There were more sports in 10 matches.

After high school in Kokkola, Uunila’s intention was to continue in high school. However, these intentions gave way when the Continuation War began in the summer of 1941. Uunila enlisted as a volunteer, and after only a few weeks an order was issued to the front. The unit was the Infantry Regiment 53 in Kiesting. The regiment was hit by a moth, after which Jukka received shocking information: his father, Captain Kalle Uunila, had fallen in battle.

After the officer school, Uunila’s unit became the 15th Brigade in Aunus. It was also involved in the Lapland War, in the early stages of which the head of the company collapsed. The new chief was 21-year-old Lieutenant Uunila.

Repatriation After that, Uunila studied physical education at the Vierumäki Sports College. The job became the regional coach of athletics. The area was wide: from the Tampere – Jyväskylä line upwards. In the enthusiasm with which he coached, we felt he wanted to encourage the people through sport to make a return to a time of peace that seemed very difficult.

In 1949, Uunila was elected director of the newly graduated Kuortane Sports College. During Vierumäki’s time, he had become acquainted with the charming Karelian girl, Aila Rahikka. He married, the family was founded, and the children Kari (1950), Timo (1951) and Hannele (1953) were born. “The years of peeling were the happiest of our time,” the head of the family has said.

With bark the coach’s work stayed, and the upcoming sports leadership began, step by step. In the Finnish Sports Confederation, Uunila started in the committee, then joined the board and finally became chairman.

In the end, Uunila was ready to lead both the Finnish Sports Confederation and the Finnish Olympic Committee and the Finnish Sports Confederation. Also worth mentioning are e.g. holdings in the Stadium Foundation, the State Sports Council, the Athletes’ Promotion Foundation, the Athletics Support Foundation and the Board of the Finnish Sports College.

Uunila was awarded e.g. 4th Class Freedom Cross with oak leaves, 4th Class Freedom Cross, Northern Vienna Memorial Cross, 15th Brigade Memorial Cross, Finnish Lion Commander’s Badge, Grand Cross of Merit of the Finnish Sports Culture and Sports, Olympic Order of the International Olympic Committee and Commander of the Swedish Northern Star Order. He was also an honorary chairman or member of numerous sports organizations.

He was awarded the title of Commercial Counselor in 1976 and the Honorary Doctor of Physical Education at the University of Jyväskylä in 1982. He was a captain by military rank.

Kosti Rasinperä

The author is a long-term friend and colleague of Jukka Uunila.