Team
Mates
News
about what's going on in the lives of CAL's
Alumni
Big C Varsity Athletes and their families
The Big C
Society
Spring/Summer, 2004
_____________________________________________________
Samuel B
(Beau) Breck, (Crew, '54) and wife, Helen, moved to Carmel last year after
60 years in Piedmont. Beau remains active as an investment advisor spending two
days each week in San Francisco and the other three days working in his Carmel
home office. The Brecks enjoy skiing, fly-fishing and mountain biking, as well
as annual trips to the British Isles and elsewhere in Europe. A Bear Treks
adventure to Spain and Portugal also made the agenda this Spring. So if he's
spending two days a week in San Francisco and three days a week in Carmel, all
these travels were weekend trips ????
Don Bowden
(Track, '58) was among seventeen renowned milers honored by The
American Running Association at a black tie banquet on May 26 in Washington D.C.
More than 300 people attended the gala, which was held to commemorate the 50th
anniversary of the world's first sub-four-minute mile. Don, who was the first
American to break the 4-minute barrier, was joined by, among others, Francie
Larrieu Smith, Doris Brown Heritage (the first American woman and the second
woman in the world to run a sub-5-minute mile), Wes Santee, Craig Masback,
Marcus O'Sullivan, Kip Keino and Alan Webb.
Fay Blair
(Track, '49) recently sold his CPA practice and headed into 'semi-retirement' at
age 79. He remains active as a consultant from his home base in Santa
Rosa.
Tex Byrd
(Football, '59) checked in from Reding to announce that the '58 Rose Bowl Bears
are trying to compile a roster of all their team mates for the purpose of
conducting periodic social gatherings and supporting Jeff Tedford and the
current Cal football program. Charlie Holston and Pete Domoto are heading up the
effort. All Pete Elliott era ball players are encouraged to contact Tex at
tandabyrd@shasta.com.Ó
Larry
Colton (Baseball, '64) reports from Portland, OR that, since graduation, he
has played professional baseball, including 'a Tuesday with the Phillies',
taught high school English and written three books (definitely a noteworthy
accomplishment since, he admits, he took Subject A Bonehead English not just
once but twice while at Cal). He's also served as Executive Director for three
non-profit organizations whose objectives are improving literacy in Oregon
Schools. Last, but certainly not least, he has raised two outstanding
daughters.
Bill
Daggett (Swimming, '55), wife Rosemary and daughter Emily recently traveled
from their home in Boston to visit friends and renew acquaintances in the Bay
Area. Their visit included a tour of the Cal campus, including Telegraph Avenue.
Bill says he doesn't remember Telegraph being quite 'like that' when he was in
school. Kept looking for 'Jules' but couldn't find it.
Hugh
Ditzler (Tennis, '53) celebrated 50 years of marriage to wife, Nancy (also
Cal, '53) with a gathering of friends at the Claremont Country Club in Oakland.
The gathering included, among others, Beau Breck and Pete Dolliver
(both Crew, '54), Clif Mayne (Tennis, Basketball, '55) and
Rupe and John
Ricksen (Tennis, Basketball, '53). Rupe and John also recently celebrated
their 50th
anniversaries (to their wives, Coleen and Mary, not to each
other).
Mel
Duezabou (Baseball, '40) is living in Oakland, CA. After his baseball career
at Cal (where he was captain of the Freshman and Varsity teams), he played 8
years of professional ball with the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League. He
has been married 62 years to wife Jacquelyn, who also attended
Cal.
Leland H.
Faust (Swimming, Water Polo, '68) is being inducted into the Southern
California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame this June. Well done! Congratulations from
your fellow Big C alums!
Nina
Liahjell (Track, Cross Country, '91) has been married for 12 years to David
Flemming. They live in Santa Ana, CA and have one son, Brayden (age 2). At the
time she wrote, they were expecting a daughter on or about May 25th. Nina has
worked for Berlex Laboratories for 8 years. She's a District Manager. Says she's
given up competitive running in lieu of soccer and ice hockey. Doesn't
say whether she's playing, watching, coaching, rooting or
reffing.
Jim
Gierlich (Football, Wrestling, '46) continues the Cal tradition: two of his
daughters have already graduated from Berkeley and another is currently a Junior
here. Jim presently serves on the Board of Directors for the SoCal Berkeley
Engineering Alumni Society. He also serves on the Foundation Board for Cal State
University - Dominguez Hills. Since all this doesn't keep him busy enough, he
golfs 2 - 3 times each week, attends jazz festivals throughout California and
the West, and sings with some jazz bands as a hobby. Says he's enjoying good
health, good friends, a loving family and good golf. What more could a guy ask
for?
Steve
Grealish (Football, Rugby, '73) owns and operates Shanghai Kelly's Saloon
and The North Star Café in San Francisco. He has hosted several fundraising
events for Cal sports including 'Cocktails With Coach Tedford' and 'Cocktails
with Coach Braun'. He never misses an opportunity to promote Cal sports and
social events at both establishments.
Vern Green
(Swimming, Water Polo Senior Manager, '44) continues his passion as an amateur
historian (or, as he prefers to call himself, 'a compiler'). The last issue of
Team Mates listed five albums he compiled over the years. A new album, 'Memories
of the 1950's' was published in 2003. Vern is now hard at work at his newest
effort, 'Growing Up In The 1920's and '30's.
Bob
Griffin (Water Polo '44) recently moved from Salinas to Carmel
Valley.
Joe
Griffin (Track, '58) won 'Closest-To-The-Hole' honors in a recent gathering
of Big C'ers at The Claremont Country Club in Oakland. Mysteriously, the actual
distance from the hole was never mentioned. For his awesome display of skill,
Joe received a new putter and observed that it wasn't the first time he'd gotten
the shaft from this group.
Hall of Fame
News Ð 8 of our best will be inducted into The Cal Athletic Hall of Fame on
Friday, February 29th this year (the night before Cal hosts Arizona State at
Memorial Stadium). As were last year's, induction ceremonies will be held at the
Greek Orthodox Church conference center in Oakland. Inductees this year include
Sarah Anderson (Women's Swimming, 1988-91), Kirk Everist (Men's
Water Polo, 1985-88), John Fiscalini (Baseball, 1946-48), Bob
Milano (Baseball Coach,
1978-99), Hardy Nickerson (Football, 1983-86), Harvey Salem
(Football, 1979-82), Frank 'Bud' Van Deren (Football, 1947-48), and Arleigh
Williams
(Football/Baseball, 1932-35).
Wayne
Hooper (Baseball, Basketball, '47) was the honored guest at 'Wayne Hooper'
day when Cal met Arizona State on Edwards Diamond in May. A packed house was on
hand to pay tribute to this one-of-a-kind Cal legend. The event was sponsored by
The Bullpen Club, through which Wayne has raised more than three-quarters of a
million dollars for Cal Baseball over the past 5 years. Contrary to his usual
nature, Hoop did not offer coaching advice during the game. After the game we're
not so certain.
Duke
Leffler (Rugby, '79) checked in to let us know that his daughter, Libby
Zagaris Leffler, has been elected president of the Tri Delt house at Cal. She's
also been accepted to the Haas School of Business. Another daughter, Hilary, and
son Duke are both in the IB program at Modesto High School. Hilary wants to
attend Cal when she graduates.
Ed
Lippstreu (Basketball, '53) and his wife, Sue, recently celebrated their
50th Wedding Anniversary. Their wedding at St. Clements Episcopal Church in
Berkeley on February 28, 1954 was followed by a reception at the Claremont
Hotel. In October of last year, they returned to the Claremont to celebrate Ed's
50th Class Reunion. He is a 45-year member of the Fairfield Kiwanis Club (having
served as President and Director along the way), and, after 45 years, retired
from the Real Estate business at the beginning of 2002. He now manages their
farm in Suisun Valley (growing Prunes and walnuts). Ed and Sue took a Bear Treks
trip to Naples, Sorrento and Capri in May of 2003 and another Bear Treks trip to
Milan, Lake Como and Lake Majorre later that year. They have four children (one
of whom currently serves as a Director of The Big C Society) and five
grandchildren (the newest of which, Palmer Lippstreu Green, was born November
8th of last year). A friendly warning from your Team Mates Editor: Do not
play 'Horse' with this guy. He can still consistently shoot the eyes out of a
gnat from 20 - 25 feet. (Perhaps the advisory should be expanded to include
golf, as well. Ed won Low Net honors in the recent Big C golf outing at
Claremont CC.)
Jim
Marinos (Football, '51) is in his 47th year of practicing law, having tried
hundreds of cases. Says he's still working diligently to complete the ÒpracticeÓ
and actually learn how to do it. He also spends lots of time hunting, fishing
and golfing. Doesn't say whether he's learned to do any of those 'right.'
Jim and his wife have raised nine children and have eighteen grandchildren. He
looks forward to Pappy Boys' reunions every September and fondly recalls his days
on Cal's '49, '50, and '51 Rose Bowl teams. Jim says time marches on and he's
pleased to report that he is still marching.
Andrea
McDermott (Crew, '03) is traveling to Australia in June. She starts Graduate
School in the Fall working toward a Master's Degree in Special
Education.
Richard
Miles (Football Manager, '55) writes to let fellow Big C friends know that
he has remarried - Lucille Vulcan Miles, class of '73.
Dick Mutti
(Soccer, '39) has been retired from his job as the Deputy Regional Director of
the Defense Contract Audit Agency for almost 23 years. Since his 'region'
stretched South to Santa Barbara, North to Alaska, East to St. Louis, and West
to Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and Korea, you might say he racked up a few
frequent flyer miles along the way. Dick has been married to his wife, Margaret,
a graduate of Wisconsin who later did post graduate work at Berkeley, for 57
years. They have five children, all of whom graduated from various University of
California campuses and all of whom have advanced degrees!
Hal Olson
(Track '50) is living in Martinez, CA. He and wife Marie Phillips (Cal, '55)
recently celebrated their 47th Wedding Anniversary. Caring for grandchildren and
repairing rental properties keep them busy and, when time permits, they love to
travel.
Hal Oxsen
(Baseball, '50) lives in Santa Rosa. He wrote in to report that his son, Doug,
is the Athletic Director at Oregon State University, where he played on the
Beaver's basketball team as an undergraduate. Hal asks all Big C members who
visit Corvallis to say hello to Doug . . . and also to 'root a Big C for Hal and
Gene Oxsen'.
John Pappa
(Football, '52) retired from UC Davis in 1992 and moved to McCloud, CA (near Mt.
Shasta). He calls it God's Country, where the quietness and beauty of the
mountains is underscored by a blissful absence of traffic. They have raised four
sons. Hmmmm . . . I guess that would make John's wife Mama Pappa. (sorry,
couldn't resist). When their sons, their wives and the grandkids aren't visiting
(which, he's happy to say, is often), John and his wife spend time fishing,
cutting wood for their stoves and taking drives in the back country. He also
plays golf with the SIRS and at the McCloud Golf Course where he is a member.
Heather
Petri (Water Polo, Ô??) is on the USA National Water Polo team that last
summer in Spain became the first USA women's team ever to win the Women's World
Water Polo Championship. Soon after, at a tournament in The Dominican Republic,
the team qualified for the 2004 Athens Olympics. Heather is now training for the
Olympics in Los Alamitos, CA.
Jim Phillips (Football, '65) has
adjusted well to retired life in Gig Harbor, Washington. That's in the heart of
ÒHuskie (Husky ???) country, but he says he's still a Bear at heart. He wears
his Cal cap proudly and notes that Cal's recent successes on the athletic fields
makes wearing that cap a whole lot easier. He reports that golf has become his
new sport of interest, but feels that the game was obviously not designed for an
ex-linebacker. (Relax, Jim. There are those who feel that the game wasn't
designed for anybody .
. . except maybe sadists.) Two of Jim's children live in Oregon (Jodie in
Portland and Tod in Bend). The other (Jason) lives in Newport Beach. The
Phillips have three lovely granddaughters, Senna, Lucy and
Carne.
John
Ralston (Football, '51) has spent his entire life in and around football. At
age 11 he dreamed of being a football coach and subsequently converted that
dream to reality with amazing success. He says he has enjoyed his work so much
it didn't seem like work (and wouldn't we all like to be able to say that). John
presently works full time at San Jose State University and says he would enjoy
mentoring any Cal student-athletes who are considering a lifetime of involvement
in athletics, whether on the collegiate or professional level. If you know of
such an individual, John's work phone number is (408)
924-1445.
Les
Richter (Football, '53) was presented with the fifth annual Eagle One-Shav
Glick award, a symbol of distinguished achievement in motor racing by a
Californian. The ceremony took place at California Speedway before the Auto Club
500.
'He, more than anyone but Bill France, Sr., was responsible for the
expansion of NASCAR' said Glick, longtime motorsports writer for the Los Angeles
Times. 'He absolutely is a legend, and is very modest about everything he
accomplished in his life', said Bill Miller, California Speedway president. 'If
you want to meet people in the industry, stand in the garage next to Les. You
don't need to walk around, you don't need to move. They come to him.' Under
Richter's stewardship, Riverside became a national and international racing
institution. His efforts in behalf of NASCAR are legendary in the industry. In
receiving the Eagle One-Shav Glick award, Richter joined previous honorees Dan
Gurney, Wally Parks, Parnelli Jones and Rick Mears.
Tom Rodger
(Football, Rugby, '58) married UCLA graduate Rosemary Logan on December 14, 2003
at 'The Lodge' in La Jolla, California. Rosemary used to manage a shopping
center and teach high school English. The mother of two grown children and two
grandchildren, Rosemary currently works an agent with Prudential California
Realty in La Jolla.
Brock
Settlemier (Rugby, '56) retired as President of Bigge Crane and Rigging
Company in 2003 to assume the position of Chairman at the same company. He's
relying on his general engineering contractor background to build an addition to
the vacation home he and wife, Marlene's own at Lake Tahoe. He's also building a
pier there, as well. Not sure whether the pier got added after he read the plans
for the house wrong or whether that was part of the original deal all along.
Brock and Marlene play golf, ski and enjoy their nine
grandchildren.
Monte
Upshaw (Track, '58) is popping buttons left and right watching daughter
Grace Upshaw
(Track/Cross Country '96) rack up accomplishments on the International Track
& Field scene. She's currently ranked 5th in the world in the Long Jump
event, and will be one of the favorites when the Olympic Trials roll around in
Sacramento this July. Chances seem good that you'll see her on the U. S. Team
competing at the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens come August. Chances are also good
that you'll see Monte sweating bullets in the stands watching her compete. What
better way to spend the 50th anniversary of his 25'-4.25' jump in 1954 which
broke Jesse Owens' national high school long jump record? One last note about
Monte - he grabbed Low Gross honors at the recent Big C golf outing . . . which
is a lot better than his usual 18-hole performances which he (and more than a
few of his playing partners) simply refer to as gross.
Jeff Warren (Rugby, '70) was a smash hit as MC of the
recent Big C Seniors Recognition Banquet held at The I House on campus in April.
Aside from giving former Half-Mile World Record Holder Lon
Spurrier credit for former Miler Don Bowden's achievement of
being the first American to break the four-minute-mile barrier, Jeff was at the
top of his scrum. (or is it better to be at the bottom of a scrum?) Anyway, he
did great. And on the subject of ruggers, special kudos to the Jack Clark
and the current rugby team. Not only did they win the National
Championship (again), all their seniors showed up in force for the Big C Banquet
in Zebras and ties . . . looking every bit as sharp as their coach demands both
on the field and off. These guys absolutely reek of the pride, respect and
dedication of which champions are made.
Steven
Washburn (Baseball, '79) moved from the Bay Area seven years ago and is now
living in the rural east-central region town of Show Low, Arizona. He has
founded a surgical center and Open MRI facility in the area, and says small town
life is good for raising a family. Steve is involved with local schools doing
orthopaedics and sports medicine. His twin sons (age 11) are terrific
competitive skiers Ð they had a great downhill ski season with one making
the Junior Olympics team and the other winning the Arizona State Championship!
Steve sends special 'hi-fives' to all Cal athletes from the '70's.
(what
. . . the rest of
us are chopped liver??)
Kent
Weaver (Track, '35) lives in Shasta, California and is President of The
Hughes Plywood Company in Redding. He has six great-grandchildren and 'more to
come.' Kent spends his summers at Trinity Center, CA and is Ôalways riding his 3
horser to the lakes and streams in Trinity County.'
Cheryl Westberg (Softball, '77) and
husband, Paul (also Cal '77), celebrated their 30th Anniversary in August of
last year. The Westbergs live in Oakdale, CA, and send congratulations to all
Cal's teams who have recently celebrated championship seasons and/or achieved
(or surpassed) team goals they set for themselves.
Bob Witter
(Rugby, '51) retired from the stock brokerage profession (Dean Witter & Co.)
in 2003. Immediately after graduation from Cal, he was 'called up' to serve as a
forward observer with the 7th Infantry in Korea. He fought at Pork Chop Hill and
was awarded the Bronze Star. Bob and wife Marilyn live in Sacramento. Both sons
Ð Bob, Jr. and Richard Ð went to Cal. Bob is a tried and true supporter of Cal
Rugby. He sends congratulations and best wishes to Jack Clark, Jerry Figone, the
players and all supporters and admirers of Cal's extraordinary rugby program.
David
Yengoyan (Baseball, '99) recently became engaged to Dominique Lupercio, a
graduate of Pepperdine University. Dominique teaches Kindergarten. While is in
his 3rd year of Law School at San Joaquin College of Law in Clovis, CA, David is
working at Quinlan, Kershaw & Fanucchi in Fresno. David and his family took
Dominique to her first Big Game this past November and thinks he won't have any
difficulty convincing Dominique that she'll want to be a Cal parent some
day.
The Big C Society
recently held a Golf Gathering at the Claremont Country Club in Oakland.
In addition to members mentioned earlier in this issue, those who played but
didn't win prizes and claimed either (a) they shot less than 200 for the day
or (b) consumed less
than 2 quarts of Tequila at the reception (which, incidentally, was catered by
Compadres) included Dick Erickson (Football, '49), Paul
Larson (Football, '54),
Ed Bartlett (Football,
'52), Gregg Thornton,
(Track, '83), Dick Heggie (Track, '44), Wayne Hooper (Baseball,
Basketball, '47), Andy Wolfe (Basketball, '49), Jim Smith,
(Basketball, '47), George Walker (Basketball, '49), Dan
Lufkin (Basketball, '64),
Bill MacLaughlin
(Swimming, Water Polo, '53), Ed Lippstreu (Basketball, '53), Art
Johnson (Baseball, '53), Sheldon Onstead (Swimming, '55), Bob
Milano (Baseball Coach,
1978-99), Paul 'Boomer' Andrew (Football, '52), Gordon Cuneo
(Basketball, '48), Jack Vohs (Honorary '50), A. Kent Tichenor
(Honorary '53), Bud Van Deren (Football, '48), and Bill Bailey
(Honorary, 51 and current Big C President).
Here are a few
pictures from the reception. Would you drive home with any of these
guys?
In the background, Joe
Griffin tells Boomer Andrew about an old world
record he almost had
while George Walker, Wayne Hooper and Ed
Bartlett
pay the proper amount of
respect to Joe's tale.
Gordon Cuneo tells Jim Smith
how close his drive came to the
Fairway, while Andy Wolfe tries (successfully) to keep from laughing.
Ed Lippstreu (far left, back
to camera)) makes a point to Art Johnson and
Dale Baumler while Bill
MacLaughlin holds up the outdoor heater with his
feet.
The identify of the sport
shirt wearer hidden behind Ed is being withheld
to protect his
reputation.
Gregg Thornton and Jack Vohs
try desperately to focus.
With limited
success.
Joe Griffin (right) has just
told Rupe Ricksen that he'd pay for the drinks. Dick
Heggie
stands in the background
trying to remember when Joe had ever made such an offer
before.
Dan Lufkin (right) has just
made the mistake of asking Wayne Hooper for some
coaching advice. George
Walker (foreground) has heard it all before.
Monte Upshaw (left) listens
to Paul Larson describe how much more effective
today's
Bob Milano shows Dick
Erickson some of the coaching signals he used to flash
from
the dugout. Dick is trying very hard to look like he understands. Nice try, Dick
Kent Tichenor explains to
Gregg Thornton why cocktails taste better when
wearing
a coat and tie. Background
characters include John Ricksen, Paul Larson (with
his
back to the camera), Wayne
Hooper and Andy Wolfe. Shown halfway between
the
foreground and background is
Ed Bartlett . . . as well as Boomer Andrew's
nose,
stomach and hand. We're
trying to find a more competent photographer for
the