Reunion Photos & Other Notes

Note from Kathy Donner post Plaque Ceremony

Dear Bulldog Family,

Yesterday was a day that dreams were made of for Mom and me. To reunite at what seemed-like-to-us a world class aquatics facility with a new coach on deck Dad would have handpicked himself with all of you “boys” to honor our beloved father and husband is something one can not put a price tag on nor offer an adequate expression of gratitude. Rick, this would not have happened without we and for you and everyone involved in Dad’s life and this marvelous legacy, we offer eternal thanks. If you’re passing through Ashland, Oregon, there’s an empty spot for you at our dinner table. Thank you so much, Kathy

Thanks to everyone who made it to the plaque ceremony yesterday. We really appreciated the support of Coach Silva but what was really important was for Coach’s family to be present. Kathy’s speech pointing out that this ceremony could be repeated for Coach Silva in 2075 gave me pause, it’s been 50 years since I played for CSM, and it’s interesting to think of the long term impact Coach Donner had on many of us. We all were also able to catch up with old friends and meet some other swimmers and players from other eras.

Pride Poise Desire

It looks like we have swimmers, divers, water polo players, and former students represented here today, and others who wanted to come but were unable to make it. Thanks to everyone for joining us today. 62 years ago Rich Donner began his career as a coach at the high school level before transitioning to CSM. Coach built successful CSM Aquatics program here with a Swimming record of 90 wins and 12 losses, a Water Polo record of 285 wins and 97 losses. Additional awards included Golden Gate Conference Championships, All American Honors for many divers, swimmers, and players, especially goalies. One definition of athletics is “a process which achievable milestones and goals are identified and realized”. We all did that in the classroom, in the weight room, in the pool, and in competition while at CSM. Some of the recurring words and phrases we used when describing our experience with coach include: teamwork, accountability, discipline, intensity, standards of excellence, commitment, and wicked sense of humor. The man did not suffer fools lightly. What is remarkable is the impact the CSM experience under Coach Donner had on the rest of our lives. That experience and it’s affect played out for many of us later in life as athletes, coaches, educators, business owners, mentors, parents, in most cases role models. For that we as a community we honored Coach Rich Donner with plaques commemorating his years as a coach, teacher, mentor, mensch, and friend.

Swapping lies on the deck

Looks like a bunch of 71-73 dudes, they were scarier back then

Team working as a single unit to look at the right camera

1974 – remember that time we laughed?

1967 Swimmers, Bakersfield

1968 @ Disney

1968 Nugent and Cort @ Disney

1970 Polo @ Cerritos

1970 Swimmers @ Disney

1975 Chuck Dimmick and Steve Sampson (RIP Steve)

CSM Courtyard

JR and Coach with Bulldogs

1965 Swimmers

Narratives, all CSM both Swimming and Water Polo Coach Donner

CSM Swimming

1964 Swimming

This is the only picture that I have, but it is a very good representation for the entire team.
The memories are great of our very first CSM swimming team. If anyone has photos please let me know?
Do you remember that we were late going to the Nor-Cal Relays at American River so I had somebody run off of the bus and jump in the pool to delay the meet until we got our relay team to the blocks? We WON the meet but must admit that Foothill was not there.
Who could forget Bill Dillon who constantly encouraged the team bus driver to stop so he could look at a road kill?
CSM made its way into community college swimming by placing 11th in the prestigious State Championships.
Where is strong armed Joe Dillon, who restrained Jim Malley so he could get his “state meet” haircut.?
Steve Hancock was the first JC diver to take a first place against Foothill.

1965 Swimming

The first thing that comes to mind is the State Championships at Orange Coast in Los Angeles and the great Bulldog swims. CSM moved from 11th the previous year to 4th in 1965.
The presence of the late Greg Buckingham was instrumental in putting the College of San Mateo on the aquatic map. The class of this man was demonstrated when upon returning from the East Coast where he set an American Record for the 400 yard Individual Medley, he asked…”how is Lance’s shoulder?”. He also hurried his return to CSM in order to swim in a meet to help contribute the necessary points for us to take third in the league. The day in itself was memorable as the wind blew so hard, and the rain came down so hard, that we could hardly open the doors to the small gym where we were gathered to avoid the elements until it was absolutely necessary to go out and compete.
Vivid memories of Jim Malley’s perceived arrogance, only to be backed up by his performance. Visions of diver, Denis Spanek doing sit ups at every practice before taking to the boards so he can not only be an All American but look like one.
The great assembly of different personalities made this team a very special, and one that served as an inspiration for us to keep trying to do better.

1966 Swimming

1967 Swimming

Do you remember the 6,000 yard Easter week workouts capped off by the first annual “fin swim”?
The trip to the state championships in Bakersfield is a highlight. Remember the Basque restaurant we visited the night before the meet began? We placed 10th but had 38 lifetime best swims out of 48 entries and the time drops were the talk of the meet.
The introduction of a new dive… the Charles Avery’s “double bounce” take off. Who coached that kid?
Dick Thomas’s nickname due to his patented whining finishes.
Jim Menconi’s goofy eggbeater kick made me a famous backstroke coach for at least one year.

1968 Swimming

It was an ugly beginning as I contracted MUMPS so during the second week of practice so they became voluntary.
We had frequent exposure to Bill Daul and his Tiny Tim impressions.
We participated in the State meet, once again with fantastic time drops.
Oops…Brian Winter missed the plane ride home from Orange County

1969 Swimming

The season started with an overnight to COS in Visalia.
Like it was yesterday, our meet with Foothill was at CSM…I walked into the locker room during the diving and asked the relay team if they were ready to go. Nort told me that we could beat his relay team because he did not have his four fastest freestylers left to use in the meet. So….I told our guys DO NOT JUMP! They didn’t, and we made history by beating the previously unbeaten contingent from Foothill who had not lost a dual meet in 7 years. I still feel good about this win
The win over DVC with our medley relay caper may be the most satisfying win I ever enjoyed at CSM. I can still picture Ken Clement pretending to take off his sweats, having DVC coach Flanagan see him, then putting our official entry, with Bill Archbold leading off, in the water. There is still a huge brown spot on the deck right under where Flanagan was sitting. Do you remember that great 200 breaststroke win by Fred Meyers who passed “Frenchie” in the final 50 yards?

1970 Swimming

The first two weeks, because of a pool mechanical failure, we worked out at the Highlands Rec. Center.
The toughest coaching season of my career. I was torn between a great group of guys in the CSM pool, and the intensive care unit at Sequoia Hospital where my mother was fighting for her life. In retrospect your consideration to my personal problems, and the lack of pressure you put on me, is appreciated so much more now as I reflect on the past.
We were declared the winners of the GGC because Foothill had used an ineligible swimmer. We had actually finished second by beating DVC by .1 of a second due to Les Hamann’s come from behind leg in the free relay.
Wasn’t this the year that we hauled the lane lines to Marin in order to help John Prosser qualify for the state meet? I am sure it was…then we had to pull John away from Snow White once we got to Disneyland.

1971 Swimming

This season started with a snowball fight on Hwy 17 on the way to the Nor-Cal relays at Cabrillo.
I don’t remember why, but Rich Kuntze took the team and beat Monterey Peninsula College.
Another memory that was brought to my attention by Howard Lum was that back in the day, I referred to him as “Cherry Blossom” —- only lovingly of course.
One might call this group eclectic as there were 13 swimmers and divers and at least 15 different personalities.

1972 Swimming

Do you remember our trip to Stockton where the excitement was generated from the flippin dice game that we played on the bus and watching Bob Quist as he was turned loose in the all you can eat Chinese smorgy?
Other than the victory over Foothill and a couple of wins over DVC, the meet with Monterey Peninsula College was one of the most competitive meets that we won.
The great State meet by Bruce Oliver, Tom Vance hunting for golf balls outside of the motel, Bob Quist stopping after 150 on his leg of a 200 freestyle, our two divers– Tom Vance and Tom Trapp. This was the last swim team that I coached at CSM, and with fond and vivid memories I appreciate Rich Kuntze who took care of our meals, lodging, transportation, as well as the end of the year statistics book.
Finally, DVC took it in the shorts one more time as CSM won the canoe race around Disneyland’s Tom Sawyer Island.

CSM Water Polo

1963 Water Polo

There are many fond memories of our first CSM team. We started with no heat in the pool so Bulldog tradition was born… Get it done! I think that George White’s body turned a color nefer bgefore seen on a human being..
The CSM pools were not ready and there were no goals so we went to the Terrace Club and shot at BBQ tables.
Does anyone remember that we left John Curran in Oakland at the Athens Club, thinking that he was sleeping on the seat of the bus? He called me at home about 2 AM, and that is when I discovered that he was NOT on the bus? Nice going Donner, great start to jaycee coaching.
How about Jim Moblad’s accidental elbow to the nose of the player from San Jose City. We had a chance to use our brand new first aid kit at our first home game.
Frank Hassell our manager was so big that we sent him off of the bus first with the intent to intimidate.

1964 Water Polo

Memories remain of our most rabid fan, Gordy Gray, who was also my boss.
The very fond memory of the likeable personality of Vince Sutton is all that remains since Vince’s passing away from cancer in 1998. May he rest in peace.
Do you remember those Saturday morning workouts with the weekly visit to the north east corner of the swimming pool by Dennis Landes renamed “Landes Corner”?
CSM made its first appearance in a State Water Polo Tournament where the Bulldogs were put on the community college water polo map.

1965 Water Polo

The first CSM overnight took place during the Cabrillo Tournament went we went to the St. George Hotel where 2 of the rooms actually had toilets.
We played Cerritos in our pool where over 100 fouls were called so they had to play their manager and we played our cameraman.
How can anybody forget the great job of scouting we did on the Long Beach Team during the State Tournament, when we ordered Don Gray to win the sprint and Wayne Lear lobbed the ball over the goalie’s head from mid pool? Goal number one to the Bulldogs!
The flight home had a lot of turbulence, it was a good thing that some of the guys wore their dark pants.

1966 Water Polo

Did we do well with a bunch of inexperienced, enthusiastic guys or what? Remember the inception of the “Ready Go” yell in the enclosed pool at Sacramento City College? It was the beginning of a tradition that was repeated many more times with CSM water polo teams.
Although the most inexperienced team ever fielded by the College of San Mateo, this group had as much heart and desire as any other.
Bryan Pughe has reminded me of the time during practice when I was observing a shooting drill from the end of the 3 mtr. diving board and challenged him to name anybody he wanted to get in the goal…he picked me, and fully clothed I went off the board into the pool and went into the goal and to my best recollection, still blocked his shot.
Jim Menconi’s vision was so poor that during an indoor game at Sac. City he went into the water and asked “where is our goal”. The guy he asked said “I am on the Chabot team”.

1967 Water Polo

My pants are still wet from laughing so hard when the goal at the College of Marin fell over on the head of Dave Abramson and he gave out with a “Congorilla kill” yell.
What does Thunder Log mean to you guys now?
The tradition of Bulldog hypnosis started this year.
Bary Woodruff, really a baseball pitcher, fired in the winning goal the first time a CSM team had beaten one from Foothill.

1968 Water Polo

Craig Basanez spent the first half of the time allocated for stretching to telling me that he could not do sit-ups because he had spondololothesis….sure Baz!
This team tied for the GGC Championship with Foothill and placed 3rd in the State.

1969 Water Polo

This was the first year of national student unrest and rebellions at homes and many campuses. We worked hard so as not to be adversely influenced by the daily news reports and disruptive campus activities.
Do you remember being kidnapped by the CSM cheerleaders?
The strongest memory of this team that comes to my mind is the State Playoff game against Long Beach when they took 26 shots and made 3 while we took 6 shots and made 4. We advanced and they did not. After the game, while the team dressed and sat on the bus, I was obligated to attend a coaches meeting. It was with great pleasure that I sat and smiled at U.S. Olympic Coach Nitzkowski, who was also the coach at Long Beach City College. Great win for us, ugly loss for them. Unfortunately, we lost the championship game to Fullerton 6 to 4 for the closest ever CSM finish to a state championship.

1970 Water Polo

This was the most experienced team that CSM had put in the water. We started by winning the Cabrillo Tournament, then won the GGC Championship for the second consecutive year while extending their winning streak to 27 games before losing to DeAnza in the Nor. Cals. We got revenge by beating DeAnza in overtime in the State Tournament 11 to 10 right after having gone 4 overtimes to beat Cerritos 10 to 9. We ended up second in the State for the second year in a row. This was a very unselfish team but still had a lot of characters.

1971 Water Polo

‘N/A ‘This was not included’ If if someone wants to write up a narrative for this, I’d be happy to add it.

1972 Water Polo

For some reason I had a lot of visits to my office. My guess is that it was more than coincidental that Marilyn was working as the division secretary.

Steve Bennett sends along the memory of his recommending a “play” during one of our time outs and my less than receptive attitude—telling him that he could run “his” play when he had his own team.
Do you remember the great win over Foothill in the GGC Championship Game when Bennett won the sprint that we had to have. Foothill subsequently fouled and the ever reliable Bob Quist pumped in the penalty shot for the win?
In retrospect some of the coaching comments then would definitely be regarded as politically incorrect today. Like when Steve Bennett pumped faked at 4 meters, dropping the ball then picking it up and shooting one out of his…ear. “Nice fake, I thought you were going to shoot it the first time”, was said sarcastically with a touch of humor that made being a Bulldog special.

This was the team that beat Diablo Valley twice in Los Angeles at the State Championships. Once was in the pool and the other was at Disneyland where we splashed and destroyed them in a canoe race.

1973 Water Polo

This team has been referred to as the “cracker jack” team for there was a surprise in every practice.
Legend has it that this was an easy one to coach. I cannot concur that the coaching help offered periodically by Pecar, Quist and Deal made it all that easy.
Do you remember playing the preliminary game to the Stanford-UCLA varsity game?
I guess I should not bring it up but I made a huge error in lecturing the team in the locker room before the San Jose City game about the pitfalls of overlooking an opponent, and warning them that upsets can happen to anybody. I should have kept my mouth shut because we became victim to an upset. This was the year that Voit manufactured new water polo balls and all schools did not play with the same size ball. Not an excuse, but a fact.

1974 Water Polo

This season started with us losing 5 out of our first 8 games. We had 8 injuries during the first 4 weeks that required medical attention. We won the next 16 out of 19 games and finished 3rd in the State Tournament.
In the first tournament of the season we experienced the ugliest injury— those were the 26 stitches it took to close a laceration on Jim Purcell’s throwing hand. Because of the injury to our main legitimate offensive threat, the improvement made by this team was probably the most significant of all the Bulldog water polo teams. Every player had to pick up the slack and everyone did!
Does anyone else remember that I gave Mel Bauer some ice to put on his cut eye and he put it in the pool when he went to get his towel?
During the State Championships, Rich Kuntze, our team manager, was so efficient that he gave the hotel management personnel our itinerary. Hello…..so when we came back after dinner, our rooms had been burglarized… welcome to Los Angeles.
All in all, it was a pretty happy group who flew home in spite of the Airline Captain welcoming the CSM Hockey Team.
{Should have mentioned the line judge sleeping during the Nor-Cal championship game against De Anza when Jeff Citron scored the winning goal. The goalie threw it to the referee who disallowed the point. Ended up with a L. Oh yeah, Jim Purcell’s 6? lob shot goals against San Jose City College}

1975 Water Polo

This was my 13th y ear coaching at CSM. Prior to this season I had not been superstitious, but many instances occurred to which I dould only attribute superstition.
One player likened our practices to “sitting on a keg of dynamite”.
Jamey thought he would not be considered late as long as he ran…NOT.
Do you remember cramming into the training room to share dialog prior to taking team votes? Yeah Democracy. Most votes ended in a tie so I broke the ties.
I don’t know about you, but I will never forget our 9-8 loss to DeAnza in our pool when one of our players decided he would go right instead of left on our timeout play. Some have recounted that I gave the appearance of being less than happy at the conclusion of the game. Ya theenk?
As I read over the names and reflect back on the myriad of personalities of this team , I am thinking that winning 19 games might qualify for placement in some special category in the Water Polo Hall of Fame. Was this the year that I told Rick Cohen to go into the game so many times that I finally pushed him into the pool? –only to find out that we were penalized for having too many men in the water — sorry Rick.
I know that we always let 6′ 6″, 220 pound Steve Sampson off the bus first and listened to the other team make comments on what a big team we had that year.
The principles of punctuality, grooming, and respect for others were challenged but not compromised.
A truly interesting and rewarding year.

1976 Water Polo

On more than one occasion we were made to realize that the action of one reflects on ALL of the others.
Do you remember Perry Martinez, full of enthusiasm at our night game with Santa Rosa saying, “lets go Bearcats”?
How about when I scolded John Rahm for always saying “I know”. I told him to quit saying that because it was driving me nuts and he said … “I know”.
We could always count on the pool maintenance man, Stan, from Poland, who, with his heavy accent, would give guest lectures…and he seemed to be understood better than I was.
You may not have known it then, but the whole world can know it now. One of most treasured keepsakes ever given to me by any team is the plaque, currently hanging on my family room wall, presented to me at the awards banquet by captain, Jamey Wright, that reads:
MR. DONNER
You taught us how to shoot the ball
And how to drive ball-side.
But the most important thing you did
Was to teach us Bulldog pride.

If I ever wanted to help people learn anything, it is to work hard and take pride in what you have accomplished.
The first and only CSM Water Polo “Coach’s Award” was awarded to Jamey Wright for his dedication and inspiration. It was accompanied with appreciation for his father’s unique ability to keep referees off of my back.

1977 Water Polo

In retrospect, the reality that our program was on the decline due to “open” recruiting and the absence of administrative support was more painful than what I had realized.
To this day I am embarrassed about my inappropriate behavior during the Marin game. Yes, I did apologize to the team members, but this memory is the low point of my entire coaching career.
Some consolation may be that over the years I have been in contact with some of the players who were on this team and this blemish has not interfered with our friendship.
I did have some difficulty with names as Jeffrey was Val, William was Rusty and Herman was Kent. In addition I was forced to memorize who went with what nickname such as: Yosh, Whale, Jahv, Teed, Animal, Spike and Cupcake. Then of course there were the 2 ninis—Arman… and Gian…
Does anyone remember at dinner, Armanini squirted mustard all over his shirt?
This was the year that I told the joke about the Hooker’s Ball in San Francisco and got called into the college president’s office for telling such a horrible off-color joke.
In spite of difficulties, I was proud to reiterate and represent that which defines a Bulldog: one that has a muscular build and great courage…one that is tenacious and stubborn.
During a time of need, this team was extremely cooperative and helpful.

1978 Water Polo

This was the last Bulldog Men’s Water Polo Team to represent
the College of San Mateo. Do to less than adequate administrative
support, it was no longer possible to provide the experience
that was associated with the well run competitive aquatic programs
of the past. Hats are off to those who completed the season with the
same dedication and commitment as those who preceded
them.