Well, if you like classic cars, you'll LOVE this 30 min video! Got the link from Ron Franzen via Pam & Jon Kirkwood's monthly Looper email in which Ron wrote: "Also, for those of you who live out-of-state, but would like to take a little trip down "NOSTALGIA LANE" and visit Bob's Toluca...from Ron Franzen '66"
source
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
More Ceralbus Photos
'67 CLASS FAVORITES
Most popular seniors Dave LeSueur and Joyce Miller
Most talkative Joanne Yoffee and Gene Hernandez
Shyest Joan Haugh and Michael Masters
Shortest Joyce Miller and Pres Ball
Class flirts Mary Ogle and Dave Nash
Most likely to succeed Kim Smith and Greg Van Der Werff
Tallest Jana Bissell and Ron Davidson
Best looking Al Thoutte and Bev Bullock
Most school spirit Vern Olsen and Jeanne Barron
Best physique Ken Powers and best figure Bev Bullock
Best personality Linda Peterson and Jim Shaw
Prettiest eyes Pres Ball and Wendy Richard
Best smile Neal Hershenson and Kathy Bryan
Favorite teachers Mr. William Hill and Mrs. Toni Cannon
Most talented Jim Thompson and Marilyn Williams
Friendliest Sally Edwards and Dave Hourigan
Class clowns Mary Brown and Dave MacCaughtry
Most athletic Nancy Winner and Mike Acosta
Most intelligent Vince Goddard and Joyce Westfall
Prettiest hair Shari Gessinger and Bob & Tom Holst
Class sweethearts Nancy Bridgestock and John Rocke
Best dressed Sue Williams and Mike MacCaskey
Most Courteous Bob Saia and Marilyn Miller
MISC PICS
'67 Homecoming court: Sophomore princess Brook Vedder, Junior princess Sue Meyers, Queen Joyce Miller and Senior princess Sue Williams.
Ron Davidson leaping for a shot!
'67 Drill Team Leaders
Z Club
The BHS parking lot
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Remember Tim Morgon?
I remember Tim from the Ice House and he also sang at BHS. Thanks Chris Peterson for the link!
http://www.timmorgon.com/
I bet there are classmates and friends that remember this performer of "our time".
Enjoy.
Chris
Found a website where you can listen to a couple of short clips here and here and here and here and here and here!
"Tim Morgon walked into an empty coffee house in Balboa, California in the fall of 1959 and started singing. He was asked to come back and sing for pay the next weekend. He was there for almost 6 years playing for packed houses, three sets a night on weekends and throughout the summer. He recorded 4 albums from 1963 to 65, and they all sold very well. Because of poor management, Tim never received any compensation for the record sales, and his career was stifled. He was able to keep singing, headlining at the Ice House, Pasadena and Glendale, and clubs throughout the Southern California area with an occasional gig in the midwest. He sang voice-overs for TV and movies, and commercials and performed on stage for the last time July 31, 1981. Although he hasn't performed for over 20 years, his name is still remembered by his followers from the 60s and 70s. Now his fans can step back in time and once again enjoy the music that was a big part of their lives when they were growing up in Southern California. You can contact Tim at tmorgon@aol.com, he would love to hear from you."
AND here is a photo of Tim from our yearbook when he sang at the Father-Daughter banquet.
JULY 22, 2008 UPDATE
Below is the email exchange between Chris (Jay) Peterson and Tim Morgon. And if you have something you'd like to share with Tim, please drop him an email!
From: Jay Peterson
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 2:40 PM
To: tmorgon@aol.com
Subject: where ya been?
Greetings Mr. Morgon,
With the creation of the internet I guess anyone can be found! I submitted your website information to one of my classmates at Burbank High School that has created a beautiful blog for our class. http://www.bhsclass67.blogspot.com/ You will find yourself as the most recent entry to date and one that I take pride in submitting. I had seen you at the Glendale Ice House in the late 1960's and was inspired to learn to play guitar and also am experiencing some arthritic pain in my hands and wrists. Some day my 1969 Martin D-35 will hopefully go to a deserving relative, friend or aspiring musician. It is my privilege to thank you for making your choice of career music and presenting that art form to so many that have truly enjoyed your talent. I hope all is with you and your family and hope that soon one day you perform at some kind of out-of-retirement concert! I would love to attend would gladly shout any lyrics you need help with.
Cheers,
Jay Christopher Peterson
BHS class of '67
-------
From: TMorgon@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 8:47 AM
Subject: Re: where ya been?
Jay,
Thank you so much for the kind words and taking the time to write. And also for putting the article and link on your BHS blog. I just recently got an email from one of your fellow students, Dona Porcaro-Bruckner. It is truly a wonderful feeling to be remembered in such a positive way. I still have my old Martin 00028C and a few other guitars. I think my grandson may be interested. He is only 4, but shows a very good musical ability. I hope I can pass my guitars on to him or someone that will enjoy them as I have. One thing I might say about the blog. I don't want to sound unappreciative, but the in heading "Remember Tim Morgon ?", my name is misspelled using an 'a' instead of an 'o', but it is correct below that on the link. No big deal, but I thought you might want to know. Again thank you and I really can't see a "reunion concert" in the near future, but if there is one, you will surely be notified. Tim
--- end ---
And now that I have the correct spelling of Tim's last name, I found a few youtube video clips of him!
Dirty Feet Part 1 of 3
"This 1965 folk/surf-genre film was shot on location at The Prison of Socrates in Balboa, California. It was restored on DVD in 2004."
source
Part 2 of 3
source
Part 3
source
http://www.timmorgon.com/
I bet there are classmates and friends that remember this performer of "our time".
Enjoy.
Chris
Found a website where you can listen to a couple of short clips here and here and here and here and here and here!
"Tim Morgon walked into an empty coffee house in Balboa, California in the fall of 1959 and started singing. He was asked to come back and sing for pay the next weekend. He was there for almost 6 years playing for packed houses, three sets a night on weekends and throughout the summer. He recorded 4 albums from 1963 to 65, and they all sold very well. Because of poor management, Tim never received any compensation for the record sales, and his career was stifled. He was able to keep singing, headlining at the Ice House, Pasadena and Glendale, and clubs throughout the Southern California area with an occasional gig in the midwest. He sang voice-overs for TV and movies, and commercials and performed on stage for the last time July 31, 1981. Although he hasn't performed for over 20 years, his name is still remembered by his followers from the 60s and 70s. Now his fans can step back in time and once again enjoy the music that was a big part of their lives when they were growing up in Southern California. You can contact Tim at tmorgon@aol.com, he would love to hear from you."
AND here is a photo of Tim from our yearbook when he sang at the Father-Daughter banquet.
JULY 22, 2008 UPDATE
Below is the email exchange between Chris (Jay) Peterson and Tim Morgon. And if you have something you'd like to share with Tim, please drop him an email!
From: Jay Peterson
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 2:40 PM
To: tmorgon@aol.com
Subject: where ya been?
Greetings Mr. Morgon,
With the creation of the internet I guess anyone can be found! I submitted your website information to one of my classmates at Burbank High School that has created a beautiful blog for our class. http://www.bhsclass67.blogspot.com/ You will find yourself as the most recent entry to date and one that I take pride in submitting. I had seen you at the Glendale Ice House in the late 1960's and was inspired to learn to play guitar and also am experiencing some arthritic pain in my hands and wrists. Some day my 1969 Martin D-35 will hopefully go to a deserving relative, friend or aspiring musician. It is my privilege to thank you for making your choice of career music and presenting that art form to so many that have truly enjoyed your talent. I hope all is with you and your family and hope that soon one day you perform at some kind of out-of-retirement concert! I would love to attend would gladly shout any lyrics you need help with.
Cheers,
Jay Christopher Peterson
BHS class of '67
-------
From: TMorgon@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 8:47 AM
Subject: Re: where ya been?
Jay,
Thank you so much for the kind words and taking the time to write. And also for putting the article and link on your BHS blog. I just recently got an email from one of your fellow students, Dona Porcaro-Bruckner. It is truly a wonderful feeling to be remembered in such a positive way. I still have my old Martin 00028C and a few other guitars. I think my grandson may be interested. He is only 4, but shows a very good musical ability. I hope I can pass my guitars on to him or someone that will enjoy them as I have. One thing I might say about the blog. I don't want to sound unappreciative, but the in heading "Remember Tim Morgon ?", my name is misspelled using an 'a' instead of an 'o', but it is correct below that on the link. No big deal, but I thought you might want to know. Again thank you and I really can't see a "reunion concert" in the near future, but if there is one, you will surely be notified. Tim
--- end ---
And now that I have the correct spelling of Tim's last name, I found a few youtube video clips of him!
Dirty Feet Part 1 of 3
"This 1965 folk/surf-genre film was shot on location at The Prison of Socrates in Balboa, California. It was restored on DVD in 2004."
source
Part 2 of 3
source
Part 3
source
Friday, July 18, 2008
Cool Pics of Toluca Lake Bob's
From flickr
July 18, 2008 UPDATE
Received more Bob's pics from Carol Nicholls Lebrecht tonight - THANKS CAROL - C Y in Sept!!
Hi Cathy,
Just saw your pictures of Big Boy Bob's. Here are the pictures I just took when I was down for Memorial Day.
July 18, 2008 UPDATE
Received more Bob's pics from Carol Nicholls Lebrecht tonight - THANKS CAROL - C Y in Sept!!
Hi Cathy,
Just saw your pictures of Big Boy Bob's. Here are the pictures I just took when I was down for Memorial Day.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Appreciation towards a successful book
Received this email today... Looking forward to meeting you girls in Sept!
Dear Alumni,
Gina and I appreciate all your stories and overall willingness to help us with our research. Not only did it benefit our project, but your stories are what filled the pages of our beautiful memory book. As Mr. Thomson stated, stay tuned for our Centennial celebration in September!
Thanks again,
Elvira Derhovsepian ('09) and Gina Park ('09)
Dear Alumni,
Gina and I appreciate all your stories and overall willingness to help us with our research. Not only did it benefit our project, but your stories are what filled the pages of our beautiful memory book. As Mr. Thomson stated, stay tuned for our Centennial celebration in September!
Thanks again,
Elvira Derhovsepian ('09) and Gina Park ('09)
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Update on the Centennial Book
EMAIL TO THE CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE FROM DAVE - KUDOS TO ALL WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE!
Hello All,
I want to give you an update on the Centennial book. The book was finished and shipped out to the publisher on Tuesday (7/8). It is a beautiful book that tells the history of the school and ended up at 152 full color pages. It is hard bound with a dust jacket and will sell for $40. The book will arrive at BHS the week before the Centennial celebration in September. It would not have been possible without incoming seniors Gina Park (‘09) and Elvira Derhovsepian (‘09) and BHS teachers Fred Cook, Bob Smallenburg (‘72), Carolyn Grogan (‘63), and Paul McNiff (‘90) and his wife, Angelique. We have literally lived at BHS for the past fifteen days straight putting in 12-18 hour days. They represent the very best of BHS, and all should be proud of this incredible project and tribute to the school.
I am heading out for vacation and there will be no one to monitor the website for the next few weeks, so I posted a note. I also revised the events timeline to account for the removal of the Gala from the schedule of events. All other events are good to go as scheduled.
The next meeting will be Wednesday night, July 30 at 6:00 pm in the Library. Kelsey has been doing a great job with publicity and getting out the word. The focus now turns to recruiting the army of volunteers needed to ready the campus and to put on all the events. Please come with names.
See you on the 30th,
Dave
--
David Thomson
BHS Social Science
Centennial Chair
Key Club Advisor
818-558-4700 x51162
davethomson@burbankusd.org
Sunday, July 6, 2008
BHS Hall of Fame Announced
First Burbank Hall of Fame class set
Ten former Bulldogs athletes will be among a group honored by the school in September.
source
By Jeff Tully
BURBANK HIGH — After months of hard work, countless hours of research and probably some spirited debate, the list has finally been completed.
The list of the first-ever class for the Burbank High Athletic Hall of Fame was announced Thursday.
And what a list it is.
The first group of 10 inductees includes athletes who have played in the major leagues, set national records, won NCAA championships and captured Olympic gold.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be part of the Burbank High centennial taking place in September. Under the theme of “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Impacting the Future,” the centennial committee will oversee more than 30 events and projects to bring together current and former students.
The Hall of Fame group will be honored at a special evening ceremony on Sept. 12 in the Burbank gymnasium. In addition to the ceremony, inductees will be commemorated in a display case located in the foyer of the main gym.
The display case will also pay tribute to coaches, administrators and others who have contributed to the success of the athletic programs at Burbank for the past 100 years. Additional honorees will be inducted every two years.
This year’s inductees include:
1. FRANK SULLIVAN
Sullivan, class of 1948, earned All-CIF Southern Section accolades in baseball and basketball.
He went on to play for the Boston Red Sox and was a two-time All-Star. This year he will be inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.
2. PAUL CAMERON
Cameron, class of 1950, was an All-American back in football for the Bulldogs.
He went on to a record-breaking career at UCLA, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1953. His number (34) was retired by the Bruins.
He also played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1954 and starred on the Canadian Football League.
3. CATHY FERGUSON
Ferguson, class of 1966, won two gold metals and broke two world records in swimming at the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
In her swimming career, she broke five world records, 10 American records and had 13 national titles. In 1978, she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
4. THE 1967 BOYS’ SWIM TEAM
The team of John Ferguson, Ken Powers, Tim Thomas, and Pat Fligg captured a CIF Southern Section championship in 1967.
All four members were All-Americans and they all had top-20 national times in their events that year. One of the team’s relay teams also set a CIF record.
5. JOHN MUSICH
Musich, class of 1974, won a title in the boys’ 880-yard race at the 1974 CIF-California Track and Field Championships.
In addition to winning a Foothill League title in cross-country, he still holds school records in the 880 and the mile.
6. JEFF NELSON
Nelson, class of 1979, set a record for high school runners in the two-mile race that lasted nearly 30 years.
In addition, he won a 3A championship in cross-country in 1978 and captured back-to-back state two-mile titles in 1978 and 1979.
7. GREG COAUETTE
Coauette, class of 1982, was the CIF Southern Section 3A champion in the pole vault in 1981 and the 3A long jump champion in 1982. Also a standout football player, he went on to play at USC (46) and was drafted in the NFL by the L.A. Rams. He played in the World Football League.
Greg honored at BHS 2008 Centenial Celebration
Frank Kallem, Greg Coauette and Dave Kemp
(Thanks Tim Tolnay BHS '69 for pics LINK)
8. TODD WATKINS
(no photo)
Watkins, class of 1984, was a three-time CIF Southern Section 3A diving champion and was the first diver in the 73-year history of the CIF to win three straight titles — doing so in 1982, ’83, ’84.
He went on to become a two-time Pacific 10 Conference diving champion at UCLA.
9. DEBBY DAY
Day, class of 1987, was a three-time all-CIF Southern Section pick in softball as a pitcher for the Bulldogs. She is still ranked among the top 10 in CIF in most consecutive perfect games and with four perfect games in a season.
She went on to success at the University of Arizona, leading the Wildcats to an NCAA championship in 1991.
10. FREDDY SANCHEZ
Sanchez, class of 1996, was a three-time All-Foothill League selection in baseball. He earned All-CIF Southern Section and league player of the year honors his senior season with the Bulldogs.
Currently a second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Sanchez is a two-time All-Star who won the 2006 National League batting championship.
Although this year’s group of inductees is already set, the public can nominate deserving individuals for the next group by logging on www.burbankhigh100.com.
A complete list of events and project details can be found at the school’s 100th anniversary website, https://www.burbankhigh100.com/page_loader.php?p_id=1.
7/14/08 UPDATE
Stumbled upon this interesting column written July 1, 2008 by the Burbank Leader Sports Editor, Jeff Tully:
TULLY TALK: My candidates for induction
By JEFF TULLY
source
In just two months, Burbank High will begin a celebration 100 years in the making.
The 2008-09 campaign will be highlighted by centennial-year festivities and will include a variety of events, honors, retrospectives and a host of celebrations to mark the school’s 100-year anniversary.
Burbank High has grown into an award-winning school since its humble beginnings. Before 1908, residents in the city had to attend high school in Glendale. However, a bond measure was passed that year that enabled the Burbank Union High School District to construct a new school on the north side of San Fernando Boulevard.
While the new facility was under construction, the first class of 34 students took their seats on Sept. 14 in three unoccupied rooms on the second floor of the Burbank Grammar School on San Fernando and Magnolia Boulevard.
Running the school were just Principal Henry Kerr and teacher Jessie L. Hart. The new $34,000 school finally opened it doors in September 1909. Much of the campus was still unfinished and there wasn’t much sports going on at Burbank High. However, there were two outdoor basketball courts on campus. Although it took a little time for the athletic programs to get going at the school, Burbank became a school with its share of outstanding athletes.
In conjunction with the centennial celebration, the school will induct its first group into the Burbank Athletics Hall of Fame. The selection committee had a large group of former Bulldogs athletes to choose from that spanned 100 years.
If I were in charge of picking the individuals for induction, there would be my top picks:
PAUL CAMERON
He was probably the finest football player to come from the school. Behind Cameron, the Bulldogs defeated cross-town rival Burroughs, 12-7, in the first Big Game rivalry contest in 1949.
After starring at Burbank, Cameron went on to stardom at UCLA, earning All-American honors. In 1953, he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting and legendary Bruins Coach Red Sanders called him “the best back I’ve ever coached.”
His No. 34 was retired by UCLA.
Cameron played one season in the NFL in 1954 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a defensive back, he had seven interceptions, recovered three fumbles and was fourth in the league in interception return yardage with 118.
He went on to a record-breaking career in the Canadian Football League.
CATHY FERGUSON
Although she didn’t compete in swimming at Burbank, she enjoyed Olympic greatness while still a junior at the school in 1964.
At the Summer Games in Tokyo, Ferguson, a 1966 graduate, won two gold medals, one in the women’s 100-meter backstroke (1 minute, 7.7) seconds and one as a member of the 4x100 medley relay team (4:33.9). She helped set world records in both races.
Her exceptional swimming career included five world records, 10 American records and 13 national titles.
Among her numerous awards, she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1978.
FREDDY SANCHEZ
Sanchez began his success as a baseball player at Burbank High. Although he played on a last-place team, he earned Foothill League Player of the Year Honors in 1996.
His senior season he batted .419 with 18 runs batted in.
Despite being drafted by the Atlanta Braves, he chose to attend Glendale Community College and played for two other colleges before being drafted by the Red Sox in the 11th round in 2000.
He helped lead the Vaqueros to a share of the Western State Conference title and was named WSC Southern Division Player of the Year in 1998, batting .407 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI.
He has enjoyed a fine Major League Baseball career and is currently a second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He is a two-time All-Star who accomplished his biggest feat in 2006. He ended the season with a .345 average, winning the National League batting championship. Sanchez had 200 hits on the year and led the National League with 53 doubles. He hit more two-baggers in a season than any player in Pittsburgh’s history.
FRANK SULLIVAN
A 1948 graduate, he was the first athlete from the city to play in the major leagues.
He enjoyed a career as a pitcher, playing from 1953-1963 — eight years with the Boston Red Sox and parts of two seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Minnesota Twins.
He was named to the All-Star team in 1955 and 1956 and led the American League in 1955 with 18 wins and 260 innings pitched.
He was such an accomplished player, the 6-foot-6 Sullivan also served as a practice player for the Boston Celtics in 1956.
CLYDE RICHARDS
He helped build a boys’ tennis dynasty for the Bulldogs during the 1980s and ’90s. The program was one of the top in Southern California during his 15-year tenure.
During his career with the program, Burbank won 13 straight Foothill League championships and advanced to the CIF Southern Section quarterfinals 12 of 13 years.
In 1993, Richards guided the Bulldogs to a Division III championship. The school hasn’t won a title since — in any sport.
DEBBY DAY
She is one of the finest all-around athletes in the history of the school.
As a sophomore, she began her string of four career perfect games — including two consecutively as a senior in 1987.
Day, who earned All-CIF honors all three years, didn’t limit her skills to the softball field, as she was a standout girls’ basketball and volleyball.
However, the diamond was where she shined, and she did so at the University of Arizona.
Her best season came in 1992 when Day was a senior for the Wildcats. She made a remarkable comeback from back surgery in December 1991 to have one of the best seasons in the nation.
Along with being a first-team All-American, she was also an All-College World Series at-large pick, a first-team All-Pacific Region and first-team All-Pac 10 selection. Along with a 32-5 record and a 0.38 earned-run average, Day had 22 shutouts, 36 starts and 36 complete games. She also hit two home runs and drove in 21 runs.
She led the Wildcats to the NCAA title in 1991.
There it is, my starter list, and not a bad one if I say so myself. If not this year, all the above athletes should make it into the Burbank Athletics Fall of Fame sooner or later.
• JEFF TULLY is the sports editor of the Burbank Leader. He can be reached at (818) 637-3245, or by e-mail at jeff.tully@latimes.com.
Ten former Bulldogs athletes will be among a group honored by the school in September.
source
By Jeff Tully
BURBANK HIGH — After months of hard work, countless hours of research and probably some spirited debate, the list has finally been completed.
The list of the first-ever class for the Burbank High Athletic Hall of Fame was announced Thursday.
And what a list it is.
The first group of 10 inductees includes athletes who have played in the major leagues, set national records, won NCAA championships and captured Olympic gold.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be part of the Burbank High centennial taking place in September. Under the theme of “Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Impacting the Future,” the centennial committee will oversee more than 30 events and projects to bring together current and former students.
The Hall of Fame group will be honored at a special evening ceremony on Sept. 12 in the Burbank gymnasium. In addition to the ceremony, inductees will be commemorated in a display case located in the foyer of the main gym.
The display case will also pay tribute to coaches, administrators and others who have contributed to the success of the athletic programs at Burbank for the past 100 years. Additional honorees will be inducted every two years.
This year’s inductees include:
1. FRANK SULLIVAN
Sullivan, class of 1948, earned All-CIF Southern Section accolades in baseball and basketball.
He went on to play for the Boston Red Sox and was a two-time All-Star. This year he will be inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame.
2. PAUL CAMERON
Cameron, class of 1950, was an All-American back in football for the Bulldogs.
He went on to a record-breaking career at UCLA, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1953. His number (34) was retired by the Bruins.
He also played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1954 and starred on the Canadian Football League.
3. CATHY FERGUSON
Ferguson, class of 1966, won two gold metals and broke two world records in swimming at the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
In her swimming career, she broke five world records, 10 American records and had 13 national titles. In 1978, she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
4. THE 1967 BOYS’ SWIM TEAM
The team of John Ferguson, Ken Powers, Tim Thomas, and Pat Fligg captured a CIF Southern Section championship in 1967.
All four members were All-Americans and they all had top-20 national times in their events that year. One of the team’s relay teams also set a CIF record.
5. JOHN MUSICH
Musich, class of 1974, won a title in the boys’ 880-yard race at the 1974 CIF-California Track and Field Championships.
In addition to winning a Foothill League title in cross-country, he still holds school records in the 880 and the mile.
6. JEFF NELSON
Nelson, class of 1979, set a record for high school runners in the two-mile race that lasted nearly 30 years.
In addition, he won a 3A championship in cross-country in 1978 and captured back-to-back state two-mile titles in 1978 and 1979.
7. GREG COAUETTE
Coauette, class of 1982, was the CIF Southern Section 3A champion in the pole vault in 1981 and the 3A long jump champion in 1982. Also a standout football player, he went on to play at USC (46) and was drafted in the NFL by the L.A. Rams. He played in the World Football League.
Greg honored at BHS 2008 Centenial Celebration
Frank Kallem, Greg Coauette and Dave Kemp
(Thanks Tim Tolnay BHS '69 for pics LINK)
8. TODD WATKINS
(no photo)
Watkins, class of 1984, was a three-time CIF Southern Section 3A diving champion and was the first diver in the 73-year history of the CIF to win three straight titles — doing so in 1982, ’83, ’84.
He went on to become a two-time Pacific 10 Conference diving champion at UCLA.
9. DEBBY DAY
Day, class of 1987, was a three-time all-CIF Southern Section pick in softball as a pitcher for the Bulldogs. She is still ranked among the top 10 in CIF in most consecutive perfect games and with four perfect games in a season.
She went on to success at the University of Arizona, leading the Wildcats to an NCAA championship in 1991.
10. FREDDY SANCHEZ
Sanchez, class of 1996, was a three-time All-Foothill League selection in baseball. He earned All-CIF Southern Section and league player of the year honors his senior season with the Bulldogs.
Currently a second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Sanchez is a two-time All-Star who won the 2006 National League batting championship.
Although this year’s group of inductees is already set, the public can nominate deserving individuals for the next group by logging on www.burbankhigh100.com.
A complete list of events and project details can be found at the school’s 100th anniversary website, https://www.burbankhigh100.com/page_loader.php?p_id=1.
7/14/08 UPDATE
Stumbled upon this interesting column written July 1, 2008 by the Burbank Leader Sports Editor, Jeff Tully:
TULLY TALK: My candidates for induction
By JEFF TULLY
source
In just two months, Burbank High will begin a celebration 100 years in the making.
The 2008-09 campaign will be highlighted by centennial-year festivities and will include a variety of events, honors, retrospectives and a host of celebrations to mark the school’s 100-year anniversary.
Burbank High has grown into an award-winning school since its humble beginnings. Before 1908, residents in the city had to attend high school in Glendale. However, a bond measure was passed that year that enabled the Burbank Union High School District to construct a new school on the north side of San Fernando Boulevard.
While the new facility was under construction, the first class of 34 students took their seats on Sept. 14 in three unoccupied rooms on the second floor of the Burbank Grammar School on San Fernando and Magnolia Boulevard.
Running the school were just Principal Henry Kerr and teacher Jessie L. Hart. The new $34,000 school finally opened it doors in September 1909. Much of the campus was still unfinished and there wasn’t much sports going on at Burbank High. However, there were two outdoor basketball courts on campus. Although it took a little time for the athletic programs to get going at the school, Burbank became a school with its share of outstanding athletes.
In conjunction with the centennial celebration, the school will induct its first group into the Burbank Athletics Hall of Fame. The selection committee had a large group of former Bulldogs athletes to choose from that spanned 100 years.
If I were in charge of picking the individuals for induction, there would be my top picks:
PAUL CAMERON
He was probably the finest football player to come from the school. Behind Cameron, the Bulldogs defeated cross-town rival Burroughs, 12-7, in the first Big Game rivalry contest in 1949.
After starring at Burbank, Cameron went on to stardom at UCLA, earning All-American honors. In 1953, he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting and legendary Bruins Coach Red Sanders called him “the best back I’ve ever coached.”
His No. 34 was retired by UCLA.
Cameron played one season in the NFL in 1954 for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a defensive back, he had seven interceptions, recovered three fumbles and was fourth in the league in interception return yardage with 118.
He went on to a record-breaking career in the Canadian Football League.
CATHY FERGUSON
Although she didn’t compete in swimming at Burbank, she enjoyed Olympic greatness while still a junior at the school in 1964.
At the Summer Games in Tokyo, Ferguson, a 1966 graduate, won two gold medals, one in the women’s 100-meter backstroke (1 minute, 7.7) seconds and one as a member of the 4x100 medley relay team (4:33.9). She helped set world records in both races.
Her exceptional swimming career included five world records, 10 American records and 13 national titles.
Among her numerous awards, she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1978.
FREDDY SANCHEZ
Sanchez began his success as a baseball player at Burbank High. Although he played on a last-place team, he earned Foothill League Player of the Year Honors in 1996.
His senior season he batted .419 with 18 runs batted in.
Despite being drafted by the Atlanta Braves, he chose to attend Glendale Community College and played for two other colleges before being drafted by the Red Sox in the 11th round in 2000.
He helped lead the Vaqueros to a share of the Western State Conference title and was named WSC Southern Division Player of the Year in 1998, batting .407 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI.
He has enjoyed a fine Major League Baseball career and is currently a second baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He is a two-time All-Star who accomplished his biggest feat in 2006. He ended the season with a .345 average, winning the National League batting championship. Sanchez had 200 hits on the year and led the National League with 53 doubles. He hit more two-baggers in a season than any player in Pittsburgh’s history.
FRANK SULLIVAN
A 1948 graduate, he was the first athlete from the city to play in the major leagues.
He enjoyed a career as a pitcher, playing from 1953-1963 — eight years with the Boston Red Sox and parts of two seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Minnesota Twins.
He was named to the All-Star team in 1955 and 1956 and led the American League in 1955 with 18 wins and 260 innings pitched.
He was such an accomplished player, the 6-foot-6 Sullivan also served as a practice player for the Boston Celtics in 1956.
CLYDE RICHARDS
He helped build a boys’ tennis dynasty for the Bulldogs during the 1980s and ’90s. The program was one of the top in Southern California during his 15-year tenure.
During his career with the program, Burbank won 13 straight Foothill League championships and advanced to the CIF Southern Section quarterfinals 12 of 13 years.
In 1993, Richards guided the Bulldogs to a Division III championship. The school hasn’t won a title since — in any sport.
DEBBY DAY
She is one of the finest all-around athletes in the history of the school.
As a sophomore, she began her string of four career perfect games — including two consecutively as a senior in 1987.
Day, who earned All-CIF honors all three years, didn’t limit her skills to the softball field, as she was a standout girls’ basketball and volleyball.
However, the diamond was where she shined, and she did so at the University of Arizona.
Her best season came in 1992 when Day was a senior for the Wildcats. She made a remarkable comeback from back surgery in December 1991 to have one of the best seasons in the nation.
Along with being a first-team All-American, she was also an All-College World Series at-large pick, a first-team All-Pacific Region and first-team All-Pac 10 selection. Along with a 32-5 record and a 0.38 earned-run average, Day had 22 shutouts, 36 starts and 36 complete games. She also hit two home runs and drove in 21 runs.
She led the Wildcats to the NCAA title in 1991.
There it is, my starter list, and not a bad one if I say so myself. If not this year, all the above athletes should make it into the Burbank Athletics Fall of Fame sooner or later.
• JEFF TULLY is the sports editor of the Burbank Leader. He can be reached at (818) 637-3245, or by e-mail at jeff.tully@latimes.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
