Shirley Calvin (McCarthy) (1962)

Roy DeLand, glad you are recovering well from the hip replacement.  Loved your recall of that basketball game with SLHS.  I was at that game and it was so exciting.  We were all so young but we had heart.

Michael D Corbett (1962)

I was also at the game and your memory is very good. The only thing I can add is after this game Stan's nick name was Ice Water because he appeared so calm as he was shooting. A speedy recovery Mr. DeLand.

Wanda Petersen (Lanouette) (1964)

Roy, thank you so much for that memory.  I, too, was at that game; I was a sophomore.  I do remember those breathtaking moments.  I grew up next door to Stan. You're right, he was always very quiet.  My parents & his parents sat together at that game. When the team picked him up, his mom said, "Oh! Don't hurt him!"  I, also, think there was a movement for him to be elected the next student body president:))  Hope you heal quickly  

Roxanne J. Ferguson (Cline) (1970)

Roy - that game was before my time at Pacific, but your description was great, I remember so well the excitment of those high school games.  Thanks for bringing back such fun memories.  Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Steve Bennett (1970)

stRoy,

thanks for the memory-it serves as a cohesive force linking the continuum of spirit from one Viking generation to another.

As long as we are on the topic of epic games, let us not forget the epic of another epoch from the 1968 (?) varsity basketball game with San Leandro High. 

The final win point was scored by “Animal” Bob Knight by a miracle assist: the ball was passed to Bob and it bounced off of his hand and dropped into the hoop.  

My  faulty recollection was that the assist was done by then freshman Sam Martin who did the magic trajectory to Bob. However, my memory is failing me-was it Mike Denego? Does anyone remember who helped that miraculous play and the defense that set it up?

Stephen Bennett (1970)

Carole Bain Pisio (Pisio) (1962)

Speedy recovery Royal. All that I have known that have gone through a hip replacement have done extremely well so expect you to do the same.  What area of Arizona are you in?

Royal DeLand (DeLand) (1962)

Mike good call! I forgot about thr "Ice Water" nickname for Stan. I think it was used in the headline in the newspaper article about the game. 

Here's a little more early Viking sports history. Has there ever been a discussion about how the school colors became green and yellow?  IT was my understanding Coach Tom Gunneri picked them? Gunneri had a brief stint with the Green Bay Packers. Because football was the first sport of our first year Gunneri needed to order football uniforms and he chose GB colors! Anyone know?

FOOTBALL. Our first year (1961) we had no seniors and played other schools JV teams. Being such a small student body we were usually undermanned! I think we won 2 games. In 1962 we played the other ACAL schools and were really just cannon fodder for all those big schools. I think McClymonds beat us 80-0. They had a running back who went to Cal who scored the first 5 times he touched the ball. The game was at McC and they dressed about 100 players. By the 2nd half we were playing their 5th string.

30 minutes of GLORY. Encinal was the other Alameda H.S. they were undefeated and tied with Alameda HS for the league lead. We played them on their field on a Friday afternoon. First half they fumbled 3 times and didn't score. I was 2nd string quarterback and Coach Gunneri put me in after an injury. He told me he would send in each play. Well he only sent in 2 plays! Counter dive left and counter dive right. All I had to do was hand the ball to John Ezparza or Mitzu. We just kept running those same 2 plays AND Encinal couldn't stop us. 5-7 yds every time. We marched down the field twice and scored. The halftime gun went off and the scoreboard read Pacific 13 Encinal 0.  I was told by a family friend that when the score was announced at the Alameda HS game, a Hugh cheer went up! Well, they figured out 2 things at halftime! How to score and how to stop our counter dive play.Final score was 20-13 BUT for 30 minutes on a Friday afternoon in 1962 WE WERE VIKINGS!

Beverly Hart (1982)

Joseph Ferreira (1966)

Sorry for your loss.

Linda Munoz (Brooks) (1965)

My prayers for you and your family.

Linda Munoz Brooks

Kathy Almand (Wharton) (1969)

So sorry for the loss of your brother. My prayers with you and your family.

Christopher Young (1978)

So sorry to hear that Bev. We always liked Bill (Tuts). Condolences to You, John and rest of the family.

Marla Fry (Evans) (1974)

Bev, We always had fun Billy and I at all the events we would attend.  I would see him at random places and he would always give me a big hug.  He was so tall. Bonaire was always fun with him around.  My prays are with you and your family. Rest in Peace Billy.  No more suffering Billy!

Gerald Sheldon (1963)

So Sorry for your loss..

Manuel Bustos (1964)

In 1961,the baseball team was reported to have the best baseball record at Pacific! Was told that being there were no seniors on the team,it assumed that next year they could be contending for the championship!,

Beverly Hart (1982)

Beverly Hart (1982)

Linda Almand (Arnett) (1967)

For any of you who went to Garfield Grammar School and knew Mrs. Alma Reardon I wanted to share with you that  her daughter called me this morning to let me know this special woman just passed away.  She was sick for less than 24 hours and would have been 96 in October. She remained spunky and the delight of her family and everyone around her. Mrs. Reardon  taught at Garfield her whole teaching career and even substituted there after her retirement. I was blessed to have her for both 4th and 5th grade and I've cherished the  memories made those two years my entire life. She was the stricktest teacher I had , the one I learned the most from., and my favorite teacher of all time. Teaching was her passion and she never forgot any of her students. We remained in touch through the years and had several joyful phone conversations each year. There will not be a memorial service, but for any of you who would like to let her children, Mike and Patty , know what a special woman their Mom was to you, you can send a note to me and I will forward it to them. I am grateful to have had her a part of my childhood and will never forget her.                                                                                   Linda (Almand) Arnett  35162 Ravencrest Court, Yucaipa, CA. 92399

Charlotte Williams (1969)

Bill Statler (1969)

Linda - Thanks for sharing this information. Like Charlotte, I also had Mrs. Reardon for 5th grade at Garfield.. Yes, she was strict ... but she also (probably for that reason!) was an outstanding teacher. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

- Bill

Barbara Tarski (Oden) (1967)

Hi linda, thanks for posting such a wonderful recap on our amazing Mrs. Reardon!!  We were in her class together for both 4th& 5th grade.  Yes, she was the most strict teacher I ever had throughout all my school years.  In fact I was such a problem kid that my mom & her became good friends & even started exchanging food receipes!!  I remember one event in the 4th grade where she kept me after school to write an apology letter.  Of course I refused.  She made it clear I was not leaving until I did.  After an hour she again told me to start writing the letter.  I looked at her & said "u have to get home to feed ur family & I can stay later than u".  I had always assumed she kept me for the 5th grade cause I was such a challenge it took her 2 years to tone down my misbehaving!!  I had the highest respect & admiration for her.  In fact she was invited to my college graduation party where I graduated magna cum laude.  I believe she played a pivotal part in shaping my love for learning & school.  Again, Bless u for sharing ur experience with our beloved Mrs. Rearson & she will be missed.  Hugs, Barbara Oden (Tarski).   BTY, this is my 1st time to post, hope it works!!

Michael Wilske (1966)

I was in the Bay Area this last week and had cause to speak with Ed Urquides who is a retired principal from San Leandro High and brother of our Viking classmate Frank Urqiudes class of 66. He sadly informed me off Franks passing late on August 14 or early the 15th. He had broken a foot pretty badly and contracted an infection that he could not recover from. He retired as a teacher from the Tuscon, Arizona area and moved up to Pinetop, Arizona where he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He is survived by a son and daughter and his older brother Ed. Rest in peace my good friend.

Clifford Nannini (1967)

Barbara, thanks to your tribute to Mrs. Reardon and congratulations on your success in college.

Regarding the battle of wills-who won?  Did you write that letter of apology in time for Mrs. Reardon to get home to feed her family?

Ronald Cueba (1966)

Very sad to hear of Jody’s passing. He was a good teammate and friend. He was the quarterback on Pacific’s first winning varsity football season, and he played on Coach Brown’s basketball team that won 17 games in a row. He graduated from Cal-State Hayward and became a sherif in Alameda County. He later joined the San Leandro police force where he became the chief. When he was in Vietnam he took the time to look up my brother in DaNang  He was always a class act. My condolences to Sharon and his family

Linda Munoz (Brooks) (1965)

So very sorry, Joe was a very kind person. RIP Joe, Sharon and family, my condolences.

Linda Munoz Brooks