Frank Kaspar '47 forwarded an email from Richard Gabriel '46, who shared thoughts on SAINTS early GREATS!
Bob Gillette just emailed me the Alumni News and Views. It's a good source of information and whoever is contributing deserves a lot of credit. I'm glad you are still supporting the Alma Mater.
One thing I noticed about the Hall of Fame and the Sports Hall of Fame is that there are few members of these august groups from the classes prior to 1947. I would like to suggest that someone review the achievements of students who attended in the earlier days.
I know the basketball team in 1942 won the Catholic Team Tournament against Loyola, Cathedral, and Mount Carmel--high school powerhouses in those days. Gene Long and Jack Gabriel were the stars of that team. I think that was the first significant achievement by a St. Anthony's athletic team. I think Jack made All Tournament in every tournament the team entered.
If my memory serves me well, in my class, 1946, Jim Naughton and Buddy Apperson both were honored with All Catholic League honors in either football or basketball; the first athletes from St. Anthony so honored. Plus, we all deserve credit for training members of the teams of the next three years such as Cheatham, Berberet, Olszewski, et al.
The Army interrupted their college years, but Jack Gabriel got a basketball scholarship to Loyola U. and played a lot as a Freshman until he entered service (he served as a fighter pilot in Europe and, after his discharge, restarted college but got called back into the Air F0rce during Korea and by the time he got back from Japan had four kids and stayed in the service.)
Gene Long went to Notre Dame but couldn't play because of a heart condition; after graduating from college he became an attorney and eventually a judge. Buddy Apperson got a football scholarship to USC until the draft interrupted; when he returned he went to Cal State LA where he played for several years. Jim Naughton went to College of Emporia and played football and led the nation in yards gained by a back until injured in his senior year.
There may be others worthy of being honored, and the above is based on my 81-year old memory so needs to be checked. The primary purpose of my note is to get some school historian to review the early years to see if there aren't some attendees who are worthy of being honored. Most, if not all, are probably gone on to their heavenly rewards now so they probably don't care, but historical accuracy (and their families) should be served.
I now live in San Juan Capistrano and don't get to Long Beach very often but remember fondly the 55 or so years we lived there, especially, the years at St. Anthony's.
All my best to you and yours, St. Anthony's and say hello for me if you run into anyone I know.
Dick Gabriel, '46
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Received from SAHS Classmate David Vessey '51:
That was a great blog. Congratulations. I would like to mention 2 things.
1. My very good friend, George Hainley, went on to Cal Berkeley, on scholarship, with the others. George has been credited with being extremely instrumental in the winning of the CIF Championship game against Santa Barbara after he went into the game for John O. after John's injury in the first play of the game.
George passed away several years ago and his memory and legacy should be honored. (Incidentally, Rudy Gonzales and I worked for George's dad at his gas station on PCH and Clark when we were in college.) Fantastic family.
1. In the list of the deceased Saints, which I realize is extremely difficult to compile, the name of one of my very dearest friends, Connie Bisnar, was omitted.
Cheeeeeeeers, David
