From: Harlan Lau Date: Sat Apr 13, 2002 3:18 pm Subject: Alumni challenge (recap) ENCINA ALUMNI, I ran out of adjectives to describe the alumni challenge game last night! I'll leave this to co-organizers Bob and Steve... This game had everything. We had a great turnout and managed to fill the stands with drop-ins. I want to thank everyone who came and watched the game. I think you will agree it was a memorable evening. And to those who couldn't make it, you missed the most exciting game I have ever witnessed, live or on tv. It was that good ! I'm sending this out Saturday afternoon because we have a good chance that the Alumni challenge game will get some coverage on channel 3 or channel 10 Saturday or Sunday evenings. Tune in and watch and keep your fingers crossed. Read on and see why... RECAP Steve Palmer '74 wrote: Fellow Encina Alumni, What a night! Our Second Annual Alumni Challenge beat expectations in every way! We broke more backboards (wait till you see the tape!), raised more money (approaching $40,000 in pledges), and made more noise than anyone could have imagined. Our evening included a great prime rib and turkey dinner and campus tours. But nothing could approach the energy at the game. With 7:03 left on the clock in the second quarter, and the Alumni team leading 26 to 25, a Varsity slam dunk took down the basket in an explosion of glass! To our disappointment, we thought the game was over! Much to the credit of the coaches, players and officials the game resumed with increased momentum in the small (formerly "Girl's") gym. The noise and fun just increased all the way to a 4th quarter score of 80 to 80! It was only after DOUBLE overtime and some incredible nail-biting plays that the score book was closed with and Alumni win at 97 to 96! Encina Alumni spirit and support for the school can leave no doubt about who we are and what we believe. To be a part of 40 years of alumni giving back was awesome! We will mail a tape to everyone who donated to this great evening. My sincere thanks to all who came, cheered, screamed, laughed and gave. You are all the best! Steve Palmer '74 And from captain Bob Goosmann '74: Some people thought the varsity went easy on us last year; anyone who saw the game last night knows that they were out for blood this time. When the backboard was shattered, I assumed the event was over--kudos to Encina staff for getting things shifted to the small gym. However, a 45-minute layoff (and losing our 7-footer, Chris Dahlberg, who was injured by the shattered glass) left us in a precarious position. The energy and excitement in the gym was amazing, and I think that's the only thing that kept us old guys going through two overtimes. As I write this from my hospital bed (kidding, but barely), I just want to say thanks to my tremendous teammates, the incredible fans, and of course the many who pledged. When Steve and I came up with the idea for the Alumni Challenge last year, our original goal was to raise a few thousand dollars. Needless to say, it has exceeded our wildest expectations. We already have several ideas for next year that will make things even better, and with the help of our magical webmaster (Mr. Harlan), we will continue to build on the success of the past two years. Thanks again, and Go Apaches! Bob Goosmann ALUMNI CHALLENGE TEAM The alumni challenge team were: Todd Brownell '73 Bob Goosmann '74 Chris Dahlberg '80 Rafael Enriquez '84 Adam Guzman '84 Mark LaCoste '85 James Jones '87 Ryan Norris '89 We love you guys! When you see the tape, you will not believe how good these guys are. Both teams played hard and played to win. They edged us out last year. We managed to hold on and win this year. My kudos to the team for the supreme effort they gave last night against the varsity team. We had speed, we had rebounding, we had terrific ball handling, sharp passing, deadly outside shooting, tenacious defense, steals, blocks and you could see in their eyes, our guys wanted it. They wanted to win. To the magnificent eight! We salute you. You are all invited to ride on the homecoming float again this year! VIDEO Steve made arrangements to have the game professional videotaped and they will be making up a tape for those of you who pledged. We'll also try and put some highlights up on the website. It was funny because I thought the videographer was Encina's. But principal Myrtle Berry said it wasn't. So I went over and talked to the videographer and he pointed to Steve. The small gym we finished the game in did not have a scoreboard on the wall. Encina had a portable scoreboard which you could only see from one side of the gym. The gym was small and the audience completely filled up the sidelines on both sides. Whenever there was a timeout or break in the action, the scorekeeper would hold up the scoreboard so the audience and videotaper could see the score. Both gyms were warm (okay, they were really really hot) and the noise was deafening. It seems strange that the gym is one of the few places in Encina which is not air conditioned. The alumni team had three practices and even had a scrimmage with the varsity team, which the varsity won by something like 24-22. So the teams were somewhat familar with each other. This should be a great video. A collector's edition! If you have not pledged yet and want a copy of the video, it's not too late... TV Many thanks to Kerry Shearer '72 for driving the videotape down to KCRA after the backboard was smashed in the second quarter. Kerry has some amazing footage of Encina star Richard Nelson going up and doing a 360 in the air before dunking the ball and shattering the tempered glass backboard. Unfortunately, Chris Dahlberg '80 was directly under the backboard and the hoop and glass fell directly on him, literally knocking him out of the game. Fortunately, Chris was not seriously injured. He suffered many cuts and abrasions and showed me a chunk of glass he fished out of his sneaker. Today is Chris' birthday and his brothers Jon and Dave report that he will be okay. With Chris out of the game, the alumni squad was down to seven and you can imagine how tired they were after two overtime periods against a squad of about 12-13 varsity players. Forget gatorade, we're talking transfusion. Not bad for a bunch of old guys. Kerry missed the rest of the game trying to get the tape on the air Friday night. Unfortunately KCRA's sports segment was filled but we HOPE they will run it Saturday (tonight) or Sunday. I just talked with Kerry and he edited the tape Saturday afternoon and is going down to drop it off at channels 3 and 10 shortly. CHRISTINE KOJIMA Christine Kojima sent me this note to pass along: That was the game of all games! A broken backboard, and two overtimes had us screaming from our seats. Kojima's kids (as I fondly refer to them), Brownell, LaCoste, Jones and Dahlberg were fantastic. My question is, how are you guys feeling this morning? Thank you for encouraging me to attend the game, I was so excited to see quite a few former students. Somehow I always picture students as they were in my class "back in the day," so when I now see them as young adults, I certainly feel OLD!. It was wonderful to see the following: You, Harlan. You did a marvelous job, the Encina Booster Club is lucky! We, the Encina Alumni, are lucky! Your website has done so much for our lives. Mike Totaro-Thanks for accompanying me. I am looking forward to meeting your son. John Nuņez-Thank you for the lovely boquet of flowers, it made me feel very special. Katie Grebitus-In spite of your anemia, thanks for making it a point to attend the game with us. I hope you had as enjoyable a time as I did "Bo" Grebitus-for seeking me out and giving me a big hug. I needed that! Dan and Mary Bui-Such a long time. Mary, your son is delightful and Dan, congratulations on finally finding the right girl Bill Murphy-So sorry they filled the Encina pool. Remember to take time out for music Mike Martis-Even though you didn't graduate from Encina, I am glad that you had such fond memories there that you came back for the Alumni game. I am waiting for your email Sharon Patten and Cathy Bordisso-I always knew you would be in "education" You two haven't changed at all. Today's students are lucky to have you two Leslie Cameron Silva-I still can't believe that you attended the school that I was teaching at and then we both wound up at Del Campo. Kelly Lane-Ok, ok, so we all look alike. Now that you know I am Mrs. Kojima and NOT Ms. Takeuchi...close though. It was great talking to you and I will make it a point to get up to Chico to see Alan. Hi to Lori for me. And I will stop by the capitol... Tom Dugally-when are we meeting Byron for lunch? Dale Patton-I always knew things would turn out for the best for you. You look so happy and I am happy for you Keith Scheeler-I am glad you are at home, your children will thank you later Debbie Bush-I hoped you would "model" some point in your career. And now, you can be a "model" for your students. I am delighted that you went into education. Carlo Santos-How could you think that I wouldn't remember you? Charlene DeVere Greenly-Even though you were never my student, I am glad that I had the opportunity to teach your son!! I remember you being one of the best cheerleaders. You haven't changed a bit, you are still as lovely as you were when you were in high school. Terri Jurich-Do I have more stories to tell your daughter!!!!!!! Steve Palmer-I didn't have you at Encina, but I am certainly glad I met you at one point in my life. Make sure you brother comes to the reunion. Bert Lau-It is always good to see you. When are you and Harlan going to bring your sister to one of the Encina functions? Margie Hyland-When are you going to email me again? Glad you finally got to the game. Mark LaCoste-great meeting your entire family Chris Dahlberg-Yes, in my 33 years of teaching, you were the tallest student I ever had Todd Brownell-Your brother still hasn't responded . James Jones-You haven't lost your touch in basketball. Hope I didn't forget anyone. And if I did, feel free to email me and let me know. Thanks Encina alumni for leaving this retired lady with such fond memories. Christine Kojima 1969-1988 JACK CAREY / MADRIGALS Jack Carey was also in attendance at the game. I had a note in the last update which many of you probably missed about Jack losing his address book. I have created a mailing list for former Encina Madrigals, many of whom were students of Jack Carey. Those of you who were not Madrigals but were chorus students may also be interested in joining. This group could be used to arrange reunions or whatever. You can join the Madrigals mailing list by sending a blank message to: encinamadrigals-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Kathy Cooper 66 wrote: I see Jack Carey, long-time choral music teacher from Encina, every Sunday at our church. He recently lost his address book - and corresponding information about the many, many students with whom he has stayed in touch during all these years. He is asking that folks let him know their current address and phone number so he can reconstruct his address book. Jack does not have a PC or email. If you are interested in being in Jack's address book, please write me at harlan@rambus.com and I will collect the information and get it to Jack Carey. PLEDGES To those of you who pledged per alumni point like I did, last night was an expensive proposition. Encina's team was very good this year so I assumed the alumni wouldn't score as many points as last year. Wrong!!! The score at the end of regulation was 80-80, slightly higher than the last year's final score of 78-74. But after two overtimes the final score was 97-96 in favor of the alumni team. Both teams had a chance to win in the waning seconds of each period. It could have easily gone either way. The game started with the varsity jumping out to a 7-2 lead. Uh oh. But the alumni roared back and led by 10 points at the end of the first quarter. The varsity had closed the gap to 1 before the backboard was shattered. After resuming in the small gym, the alumni again pulled head by 5-10 points but the varsity managed to tie the score at the end of regulation. What a nail biter. So your pledge is $97 per alumni point! Feel free to round up to $100 if it makes the math easier . We did not get the scoresheet last night so the individual player pledges will not be know until Monday when we find out how many points each of the magnificent eight scored. Those of you who made pledges, please make your checks out to Encina High School Booster Club and send your check to: Encina High School Attention: Heddy Crowder 1400 Bell Street Sacramento,CA 95825 We greatly appreciate all your pledges and we hope that you will send in your check promptly! BACKBOARD Encina needs a new tempered glass backboard for the main gym. If you know anyone in the glass business who can help and give Encina a good deal, please write. I'm having computer problems at home again. I'm not sure when I'll be able to update the website again. Watch the news tonight! Harlan Lau '73 Encina alumni webmaster www.encinahighschool.com