Date:  Mon May 14, 2001  5:35 pm
Subject:  Alumni Challenge (game/steve and bob/comments/per point/cheerleaders/halftime/band/rsvps/pledges)

 
 

ENCINA ALUMNI,

I've been deluged by requests as to how the alumni challenge
turned out so I'm sending out this "brief" report instead
of waiting until the normal end of the week Encina Update.


THE GAME

You would have been PROUD of the old guys!

The old guys played a FANTASTIC game!

The old guys ALMOST won!

The old guys led MOST OF THE GAME before succumbing to the
young guys in the fourth quarter.

The final score was 78 to 74 !

Can you dig it!

And this was for four eight minute quarters, a regulation
high school game.

I have to admit I didn't think the old guys would be able to
stay with the varsity team. But from the opening tipoff, this was
a hard fought game filled with aggressive defense, tenacious
rebounding, flying elbows, blocked shots and gritty determination.
The alumni led the varsity for much of the game, at one point by
almost ten points. But the varsity kept clawing back and the
alumni couldn't hang onto their lead in the fourth quarter.
With only eight on the alumni team versus 10-11 on the varsity team,
the depth of the varsity bench may have become a factor towards
the end...

To those of you who came out and supported the team and Encina
in person, who pledged, who donated, I salute you.

To those of you who could have come but didn't, you missed a
most memorable, entertaining evening. Don't miss next year!

And special kudos to Bob Goosmann 74 and Steve Palmer 74, who
originated and organzied the Alumni Challenge, with lots of
help from many folks at Encina!

I've summarized the results of the pledges and amounts owed
in the last PLEDGE section. If you pledged, please check and
find your name and send in your check. Thanks!


STEVE AND BOB

Co-organizer Steve Palmer 74 wrote:

"WOW, what a great evening at Encina!!

The First Annual Challenge was a huge success!! We had about 200 alumni
and family at Encina for a fun, student-lead tour of campus, delicious
catered meal and INCREDIBLE basketball game! The alumni team kept the
young Varsity team running hard throughout the close game. NOBODY WAS
GOING TO GIVE UP A BASKET OR MISS A POINT IF THEY COULD HELP IT!!

People started arriving at 4:15 with tours of the campus and a tri-tip
and BBQ chicken dinner in the Encina cafeteria. Becky Hurley, Encina's
activity director, had students pull trivia from 30+ years of yearbooks
and publish it in the evening program. It was great fun remembering
trivia such as the Drama Club's production for 1976 or the editor of the
Tomahawk for 1967 and much more!

The Encina staff had created nice centerpieces and flags for each table
by class year or years to help people meet up. Two Encina students mixed
a great tape of songs from the 60' to 80's which played all night.

At about 7:15 the crowd moved to the gym. It was a warm Sacto evening
and the gym is without A/C. The game started off with the alum team
taking the first 5 points. It was a VERY competitive game with some
GREAT moves by both teams. It was impressive to see the alumni team and
the way they played. It really looked like they had been practicing for
months as a team! The score was nearly tied at halftime and all the way
to the end. Our alumni band played fight songs and rallied the team and
crowd with the help of our cheerleaders (IN UNIFORM!). The final score
was 78 for the current varsity team and 74 for the alum. It really could
have gone either way -- it was that close!

After the game we returned to the cafeteria for coffee, soda, and dessert
(and A/C!).

In all we probably raised over $20,000 after expenses! We had hoped that
the alum would show support for the school, but this was unbelievable. I
spoke with several alumni after the game who expressed their enthusiasm
and interest in additional ways to help the school and kids. Encina
alumni ARE the BEST. You all shined Friday night!

OH WHAT A NIGHT!

Thanks to ALL the generous donors, players, band members, and everyone
for a great event and for helping the school!"


Co-organizer and team player/coach Bob Goosmann 74 wrote:
"Regarding the game, suffice it to say that both teams took it very
seriously--both wanted to win. I think the kids initially assumed they
would walk all over us, then by about mid-way through the second half
realized they were in some trouble. Fatigue ultimately got to us in the
end, but of course we were still able to finish with 74 points, in honor of
the Class of '74. And the alumni section was fantastic as far as
cheering--they put the Bulldog side to shame.

My body may be recovered just enough a year from now to do it again..."


COMMENTS

Here are some comments I've received from attendees...

Pete Simon 77 wrote:
"I must tip my hat to you, that was a great event.It was really neat to
see some old time faces. Not a bad game also. It just shows you that those
old guys still have some of that magic left in them."


Cheerleader Terri Jurich 74 wrote:
"To all who made the Alumni Challenge the best!!!
It was awesome!
Course, my thighs, calves, and hands aren't of good use today,
but what the hell?
it was for a very fun and GOOD CAUSE!!"


Tammy Johnson Baker 78 wrote:
"I just wanted to thank everyone involved in planning the Alumni
Challenge. We had such a fun time. It was great to see the school
and see old friends. Again, thank you very much!"


Tricia Obermuller Ford 77 wrote:
"It was a great evening, Harlan, thanks to you and Steve. We had a blast;
even my kids thought the game was fun (though I think they were enjoying a
slightly different aspect in the form of the younger team's members!).
Hope everyone comes through with their pledges.

Have an idea that I can't organize and therefore shouldn't even have the
nerve to suggest: it would be nice to have a "float" (convertable? truck?)
featuring "The Fantastic Encina Alumni Basketball Team of 2001 that helped
to
raise $20,000", or some such thing. That band sure was a winner - ditto for
them."


PER POINT PLEDGES

And the damage is...

74 alumni points == $18,500 !!!

I want to thank all the alumni for their per alumni point pledges.
For some of you who may not have thought the alumni would score
so many points, let me assure you that no one ran up the score in
this game. Anyone who was there can assure you that both sides
played good defense. I would estimate that there were 3 attempts
for each basket that was made, so the score could have been much,
much higher. Everyone of these points were earned!

Per Total
Point Pledge
Pledge

$100.00 = $7400.00 : Paul Bonderson 70
50.00 = 3700.00 : Ronald Morgan 70
1.71 = 126.54 : Scott Plotkin 71
1.00 = 74.00 : Harlan Lau 73
1.00 = 74.00 : Linda Barber-Zollinger Hammock 74
1.00 = 74.00 : Steve Palmer 74
1.00 = 74.00 : Denni Schwartz Mador 74
1.00 = 74.00 : Steve Walter 74/75
75.00 = 5550.00 : Gerry Coppock 78
1.00 = 74.00 : Tom Dugally 78
2.00 = 148.00 : Lynne Gile Tracy 78
1.00 = 74.00 : Carol Markell Keller 78
1.00 = 74.00 : Dan Mayes 78
1.00 = 74.00 : Marvin Gee 79
1.00 = 74.00 : Joe Niederberger 79
1.00 = 74.00 : Christy Cooper 80
1.00 = 74.00 : Kevin Boehl 81
1.85 = 136.90 : Lance Ballance 85
1.87 = 138.38 : Steve Knowlton 87
4.57 = 338.18 : Nancy Reid Decker 89
1.00 = 74.00 : James Bui 90
---------
$250.00 = 18,500.00

We would appreciate it if those who pledged could send their
checks to:

Encina High School Booster Club
Attention: Becky Hurley
Encina High School
1400 Bell Street
Sacramento, CA 95825


ALUMNI CHEERLEADERS

Terri Jurich 74 and Kathy Webber Gill 82 both led cheers during
the game. Bob Bjorklund 80 and Kim Bettencourt Bjorklund 81's
daughter dressed as an Apache mascot.

Bill Farley 77 owes $50 for a 74-77 cheerleader
Keith DeLuca Paulsen 81 owes $50 for an 81-83 cheerleader
Carol Markell 78 owes $5 for a mascot

We could have made a lot more money if David Robinson 79 would
have worn a cheerleader outfit while playing in the band. But
Dave claims he had to go to LA at the last minute so we'll never
know <g>.


HALF TIME

Unfortunately for Gerry Coppock 78, one of the participants
sank a half court shot during halftime contest so Gerry owes
him a $250 Macy's gift certificate!

We raised about $100 more for Encina with this halftime contest.


ALUMNI BAND

The band was great. A lot of folks showed up who hadn't rsvped.
If you played in the band and aren't on the list, please write
and tell me your name, year and instrument for posterity.

The following were signed up for the alumni band:

Kurt Pearsall 74 on trumpet
Emmett O'Sullivan 69 on ?
Mike Pittsley 71 on trombone
Ralph Davies 76 on trombone
Bill Bua 81 on saxophone
Yon Gomez 81 on drums
John Knurr on tuba or trombone
David Robinson 79 on electric bass (couldn't make it)

Thanks to all those who participated. Thanks to John Knurr for
coming all the way from Wisconsin and organizing the alumni band.
The band sounded great and it added a lot to the festivities!


ALUMNI CHALLENGE RSVPS

See the Alumni Challenge page for the rsvp list:
http://www.encinahighschool.com/homecoming/challenge01.htm

If you weren't able to make it, please let me know.

Conversely, if you were there but didn't rsvp, also let me know
for posterity. So when your grandkids ask, you can say you were
at the very first Alumni Challenge!


ALUMNI CHALLENGE PLEDGES/DONATIONS

If you pledged, pledge find your name and note the amount you owe.

I've updated the Alumni Challenge page with the scoring per
player so the pledges can be calculated. There is a copy of the
official scorekeeper stat sheet:
http://www.encinahighschool.com/homecoming/challenge01.htm

Here's a scoring summary:
Bob Goosmann 74: 11 points
Chuck Armstrong 77: 6 points
Joe Niederberger 79: 3 points
Chris Dahlberg 80: 7 points
Henry Meier 80: 3 points
Scott Simon 80: 15 points
Geoff Shumway 89: 19 points
Jason Talanian 90: 10 points

There were also 14 shots blocked by the alumni.

Unfortunately, the scoring stats do not reflect the defensive
skills displayed, nor the great rebounding by the alumni team.
And the stat keepers didn't keep track of shots attempted,
or knockdowns, although I guess we could review the videotapes.

I've attempted to summarize the pledges below. Please check my
arithmetic. When in doubt, round up I say!

Staff
Christine Kojima ($1/per scored by Dahlberg,Niederberg,Armstrong,
Tierney or Shumway= $35)
Cornelia Whitaker (donation)

Parents
Faris & Fred Kasline (donation)

1962
Alice Braio Bogert ($25 donation)
Barbara Rea Fuller ($25 donation)

1965
Tom Phillips (donation)

1967
Tim Zeka ($20)

1968
Irene Birchfield Campbell (donation)

1970
James Barbeau ($50)
Paul Bonderson ($100/alumni pt = $7400)
Cathy Buchanan Ball ($50 donation)
Linda Behr ($40 donation)
Cheryl La Cornu Smith ($60)
Ronald Morgan ($50/alumni pt = $3700)
Mary Reddick ($25 donation)
Paul Whatley ($150)

1971
Eric Mandell ($50)
Nancy Patton $25)

1973
Kathleen Ketcherside Arceo ($25)
Harlan Lau ($1/alumni pt = $74)
Debbie Lopes Grutzmacher ($25)
Elliott Mandell (donation)
Debbie Skalisky ($25)

1974
Linda (Barber-Zollinger) Hammock ($1/alumni pt = $74)
Terri Jurich Howard (will cheerlead)
Steve Palmer ($5/pt scored by Goosmann + $1/alumni pt = $129)
Denni Schwartz Mador ($1/alumni pt = $74)

1975
Steve Walter ($1/alumni pt = $74)

1976
Pamela Rizzo (2,donation)

1977
Bill Farley ($5/pt scored by Armstrong, $50 for 74-77 cheerleader = $80)
Tricia Obermuller Ford ($5/pt scored by Chuck Armstrong = $30)
Mike Martis ($5/pt scored by Chuck Armstrong = $30)
Kevin Meechan ($5/pt scored by Chuck Armstrong = $30)
Herb "Rocky Niederberger ($5/pt scored by Chuck Armstrong,
$5/pt by Joe Niederberger 79 = $45)
Norrie Palmer 77 ($40)
Jeff Slater ($5/pt scored by Chuck Armstrong = $30)
Doug Sweet ($5/pt scored by Chuck Armstrong = $30)

1978
Gerry Coppock ($75/alumni pt = $5550)
Gerry Coppock ($5 for every 4 points Goosmann scores = $13.75)
Gerry Coppock ($100 if Terri Durham Fuentes 79 cheerleads, $50 if Max
Fuentes 78 cheerleads)
Gerry Coppock ($250 Macy's gift certificate for halfcourt shot = $250)
Tom Dugally ($1/alumni pt = $74)
Lynne Gile Tracy ($2/alumni pt = $148)
Tracy Harper ($1/pt scored by Kim Tierney)
Carol Markell Keller ($1/alumni pt,$5/child mascots = $79)
Dan Mayes ($1/alumni pt = $74)

1979
Marvin Gee ($1/alumni pt = $74)
Joe Niederberger ($1/alumni pt = $74)
Erik Olson ($1/pt by Chris Dahlberg 80, Scott Simon 80, Chuck Armstrong 77,
$5/blocked shot, $1/knockdowns = $28 + 14x5 = $98)
David Robinson ($10 for 79 cheerleader,$100 donation = $100)
Chuck Stream ($2/pt attempted by Joe Niederberger 79)

1980
Christine Cooper ($1/alumni pt = $74)
Georgianna Marie ($3/pt by 80 alumni,$5/pt by Henry Meier,
$50 if David Robinson 79 plays in band wearing cheerleader outfit = $81)
L Rose ($2/pt scored by 80 alumni,
$50 if David Robinson 79 plays in band wearing cheerleader outfit = $50)
Kirt Shearer ($50 if Dave Robinson cheerleads)
Jennifer Smith Tierney ($50 for 78-80 cheerleader)

1981
Kevin Boehl ($1/alumni pt, $3/pt by Henry Meier 80 = $83)
Keith DeLuca Paulsen ($2 for every blocked shot by either team = $28 for
alumni blocked shots)
Keith DeLuca Paulsen ($1 for each rsvp by 5/2, $2 for each 81 rsvp)
Jo Tierney (donation)

1982
Mike Cramer (donation,$5/pt if Joe Niederberger 79 plays = $15)
Kathy Webber Gill (will cheerlead)

1983
Janna Snedden Curtis (daughter will cheerlead)

1985
Lance Ballance ($1.85/alumni pt = $136.90)
Nabil Zumout (donation)

1987
Steve Knowlton ($1.87/alumni pt = $138.38)
Rick Lewis ($50)
Pamela Waterbury Myers ($20)

1988
Kelly Horine Hoffman ($2 per 88 attendee)

1989
Shannon Bice (donation)
Nancy Reid Decker ($4.57/alumni pt = $338.18)

1990
James Bui ($1/alumni pt = $74)
Chris Young (donation)

1993
Laura Bui (donation)
Jacqui Palmer (donation)

Please send in your donation or pledge as soon as possible!

Make your check payable to Encina High School Booster Club,
attention Becky Hurley. Send your check to:
Encina High School
1400 Bell Street
Sacramento, CA 95825

Thank you for your support!


Homecoming 2001 is October 5th! Be there!

Harlan Lau '73
Encina webmaster
www.encinahighschool.com
harlan@rambus.com