Well, I swam for Glendora High School. and in college, and it has been a major, formative factor in my life. Many of the people who helped me are not recognized, and certainly not on the internet. I want to name them now, not only to thank them, but also so that they can be found by future people who search.
My freshman "big brother" was Thane Hinman. Thane, I looked dup to you as a God yet you treated me as an equal and taught me the ropes. Thank you.
The upperclassmen who tolerated me, taught me, and showed me the way included Dave Wiley, Tim Ferguson, Jim Merrick, Tim Riley, Bob South, Tony Otting, Dave Rybeck, Dave Doleman, Eric Heinman, Jim Voscov (whose father invented the poolside heater, loaned them to us, and I hope was rewarded for it =), Jack Davisson, and others whose names I have forgotten but whose help I will never forget.
And then there were my contemporaries: John Lambert, Tony Price, Ray Reeves, Dave Palusak, Rick Worden, Dan Ferrari, Craig Dietrich, Ray Crosno, and others (if you know who they --- or you! --- are, please add there names here!) This is an all-male list, a sign of the times. Olympian Sharron Stouder was a classmate, but we didn't have a girls team in those days (not that she would have had time to participate =) and there were others, stars with the Glendora Ducks, who in another era would have earned GHS Letters =)
Just for the record.
Mike
There were a lot of swim parents / volunteers who helped make swimming possible for me when my parents did not want me to join a team in high school. I didn't realize it at the time and I sure don't know who. I am not sure who was paying my fees and my folks weren't helping with meets (couldn't even get them to go), etc.
I also had a coach who worked free doing a lot of things years later. He said that he had his turn as an athlete and now it was time to throw something back to help the next generation of athletes.
Mike, I swam for GHS as well!!! Coach Waggoners' dedication and teaching still show in who I am today!
Maybe we should tell him that while he is still alive.
We all have people in our lives who have helped us along the way. Many who have helped me, have never been mentioned but they were there when I needed them. I would also like to thank them.
We all have people in our lives who have helped us along the way. Many who have helped me, have never been mentioned but they were there when I needed them. I would also like to thank them.
I know how you feel George, you don't have to thank me at all.
Maybe we should tell him that while he is still alive.
CIF Varsity Relay Champs, 1964.
top row mike ferrari, doug sanders, john lambert
next row asst coach ron balletorre, larry merrick, dave wiley, tony price, dave doleman, tim riley
next row ray crosno, bill currier, ed heinrich, randy greenfield, coach E. Kane Waggoner
After swimming my 1st day at World's in Montreal I was thinking about the mom/coach who got me started in summer league swimming back in the '60's. I posted a little ditty about Sally Holmes on FB thanking her for all she did for the kids of Columbia city, Indiana. Her daughter, Jane found my post and e-mailed me back. Sally now lives with her daughter in Florida and is doing very well. Jane showed her my comments and told me she was very pleased and honored that I remembered her and thanked her after all these years. I am lucky and honored to have had such a selfless lady help me learn to love swimming.
