I wasn’t
planning on doing this, but I received a personal call from Stu (never seems to
change) Shapiro. He called and asked me to jot down some of my memories at
Central High School. Since I only attended Madison Central for my senior year,
I was a bit surprised that I was asked, but what a great year it was. It has
been 50 years, but I do have some memories that have stayed with me through all
this time. Of course, these impressions are totally subjective, but here goes…
- I
remember my first day in the homeroom. Jerry Norsman coming over to me to
introduce himself and said, “I hear
you’re new here and you play baseball,” let me introduce you around.
- I recall
attending my first football game at Breese Stevens Field where I saw a group of
girls from Central all sitting together; Jerry told me they were from a high
school sorority, who would have pot luck dinners and then come to the games
together. I had no idea that high schools had sororities.
- Trying
out for choir and being chosen by Miss McCormack (my favorite teacher) to be
part of men’s double quartette. What fun it was!!!
- Meeting
a classmate who lived right behind me, Ray Kelliher, who not only became a
fellow teammate in basketball, but most importantly a life-long friend. I will
always remember basketball season and Boomer Harris, an experience like no
other.
- Going
out for the cross-country team to try and get in shape for the basketball
season. Tossing up my “cookies” after
running about a half-a-mile at our first practice. Lesson number one, try not
to eat a big lunch before going out for practice. Lesson learned!! Gee, it sure
looked a lot easier than it was.
- Becoming
part of a group of guys called the “Cheerful Charlies.” I have many wonderful
memories of that crew (Bruce Gibson, John Streiff, Ernie Storm, Jim Voss, Bill
Frederick, Chuck Leroux, etc.), and none that I can talk about!
- I will
never forget playing first base and being part of bringing home a Big Eight
championship to Madison Central. Getting a hit with the bases loaded against
Madison east pitcher Pat Richter, in the championship game. Yes, that is one
memory I will never forget.
- Finally, I will always remember coming to a school as a senior, not knowing anyone and how difficult I thought it would be. However, the warmth and friendliness of all the kids at Madison Central made me feel welcome and made my senior year so wonderfully memorable. Thank you, classmates.
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