As readers of this intermittent blog know sports has a very
special place in the journeys of my life. I have a classical view that the
overall person greatly benefits from athletic endeavor: mind-body-spirit. I
have written about it on occasion, starting with: http://travelranger87508.blogspot.com/2011/09/jack-and-giant-slayers.html
(also in my
posts: 09/16/11, 07/23/12, 08/17,12, 01/19/13, 02/04/13, 06/19/13)
 |
| McCambridge Park - Burbank |
I see it plainly in my continuing interests and activities:
archaeological site stewardship (I still teach it & heritage resource
investigations), incident management (Safety Officer 1 on wildland fires), and
tennis official/umpire (college mostly: yesterday I had good view, chairing San
Diego State vs New Mexico men’s #2 doubles & #1 singles). That doesn’t mean
I was ever particularly good at any sport (for-the-record: I wasn’t*), but I
enjoyed playing anyway- usually part of a team (something I still enjoy about
going on fire duty). I spent many hours at Burbank’s Brace Canyon Park, and the
epicenter of my sport recollections: McCambridge Park. For it was there that I
played many a baseball or basketball game, forging several acquaintances &
friendships. My mom arranged for my first tennis lesson there when I was ten,
it didn’t take (that would be several more decades in the future), and the
hours spent feeding quarters into outdoor court light timers for shooting hoops
is still a pleasant high school memory.
 |
| Some McPBs: Burbank High '64 |
So, it was with some regret that I came to the realization that
I would miss the next reunion of “The McCambridge Park Boys,” (McPB) scheduled
for May 2nd; same weekend as annual meeting of the Archaeological
Society of New Mexico (in Taos this year). I made a proto-type gathering
several years back while enroute to NZ. Would love to make this one, but
archaeology & tennis in New Mexico prevail this time. I think often about
the McPBs and how they’ve touched so many with their lives: Mike Acosta, Rollin
Adams, Jeff Altman, Jerry Altman, Bob Carter, John Coyle, Mike Cummings, Dean
DeHart, Danny DeMonbrun Mickey DePalo, Mike Feix, Jim Flavin, Ron Franzen, John
Gaball, Jim Grasse, Jim Greenfield, Danny Harris, Jack Harris, Kirk Harris, Joe
James, Jon Kirkwood, Bill Langer, Denny LePon, Gary LePon, Sam Licursi, Steve
Livingston, Bob Lopez, Larry Lopez, Don Ludwig, Joe Marca, Harold Maxham, Richard Nicholls, Bob Nugent, Mike Nugent, Freddy
Ortega, Gary Oseranksky, Bob Pappert, Wayne Patterson, Gerard Ravel, Terry
Scott, Steve Segal, Rick Shaw, Rees Smith, Daryl Spitzer, Dave Starleaf, Brad
Stenberg, Tom Veatch, Steve Wilson, and many others…
 |
| Some of the McPBs |
In her book Plunder of the Ancients, Lucinda Schroeder writes
about a couple of the Native American Graves Protection & Repatriation Act
cases we worked on. She starts with the East-West Trading Co., a component of
which was appealed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court (I realize I need to
start posting about some of my “case memories”). Anyway, when I read I am an
“affable man… kept in shape by playing tennis on a regular basis.” I remember
thinking “Geesh Cindy, this is supposed to be a ‘True Story’ and the only time
in my life that I’ve been in shape was when I got out of Boot Camp.” However, I
try… I think some of the McPB’s accomplish it.
I recently finished reading a book got that me thinking about
the overall role of athletics in a well-rounded life. I e-mailed one of the
McPBs (Don Ludwig), starting center on the Burbank HS Bulldog varsity
basketball team (Class of ’64).
Question sent
to Don Ludwig: “Just finished reading Laura Hillenbrand's book UNBROKEN
about Louis Zamperini. What a remarkable man; this ol' Viet Vet got misty a
couple of times at the end. He sure embodied the spirit of "fight
on." In your works with USC athletics did you get to work with him? Just
wondering. I think my next blog post will be about the positive impact that
athletics can have: yep, will certainly mention ‘The McCambridge Park Boys.’
"
 |
| Don & Debbie Ludwig + friends |
Don’s Reply
(which he has graciously allowed me to share): “Yes, I
coordinated the Trojan Christian Faculty Staff Fellowship
& undergraduate Spirituality & Sports Programs & we had
Louie come to speak to us with a professor friend from the Journalism School
doing the interviewing. This was 4 years ago when he was still able to
get around a little. We also showed the film clip on him that 60 Minutes
did…I also have read the book & recommend it to everyone!!!!
God bless you & ‘fight
on’ "
More
about Louis Zamperini from CBS Sports:
Plus,
some more re: Don Ludwig:
*- Contributing factors
probably included Gilbert Syndrome
and just being downright uncoordinated: I once had a high school football coach
note that I was the first player he had “ever seen trip over a yard-line.”
Other teammates, coaches & mentors can attest to that.
No comments:
Post a Comment