Then and now

Starting in the early 1930s -- it was a gift of the Linfield Class of 1931 -- and for many years, there was a wood "Linfield College" sign hanging on a metal holder affixed to a brick pillar on the edge of campus. The sign is long gone, but the holder and pillar remain, next to Highway 99W, across the street from Walgreen's (used to be site of McMinnville Community Hospital) and near an empty lot (used to be site of a former Columbus Elementary School). Current photos taken 6/24/2013 by Wildcatville. Historic photos from Linfield Oak Leaves yearbooks.

Should Linfield be called 'The Farm,' too?

According to one source, Stanford University's "The Farm" nickname is "derived from the days when horses rather than students roamed in what previously was the farm of university founders Leland and Jane Stanford." 

Wildcatville does not know if horses roamed what is now the Linfield campus. But, it does know this photo -- taken by Wildcatville on 6/24/2013 on the newer part (Keck campus) of Linfield's campus – appears it could have been taken on a farm. Wildcatville still photos taken 7/11/2013 appear in a video slide show.

Linfielder John Sadowski saluted for 41 years as an educator in Hawaii

More than 100 people attend the May 31 retirement celebration in Wahiawa, Hawaii, of educator John Sadowski. That’s one indication of Sadowski’s positive impact during a 41-year career.

Sadowski graduated from Linfield in 1970 with a bachelor of science degree. In 1971, he earned a master of education degree. As a student, he was member of the Linfield football and track & field teams.

He started teaching in 1971 at Leilehua High School in Wahiawa, initially as a physical education/ health teacher and head junior varsity football coach. Later, Sadowski joined the varsity football staff as an assistant to head coach Hugh Yoshida (Linfield Class of 1962).

During his time at Leilehua his duties included being boys’/girls’ track & field co-head coach and JV and later varsity boys head basketball coach. He also was head coach of boys’/girls’ golf and served as acting athletic director. He also served as a career guidance counselor and head of physical education/health.

He left Leilehua and for three years was in the Hawai’i Department of Education central office in teacher development working with new kindergarten through 12^th grade teachers. Returning to Leilehua, he served as a teacher mentor, initially for new teachers and then all teachers.

Looking back on his career, Sadowski says, “I was blessed to have great coaches in high school and college. Being mentored by Hugh during my tenure at Leilehua was special.  Linfield was a big part of my life. I was grateful to share what I've learned from my Linfield coaches, Paul Durham, Ted Wilson, Roy Helser, Hal Smith; Ad Rutschman, Ted Henry and John Knight and student coaches Tony Ah Yat and Pete Dengenis.  Professors Wilson, Helser, Durham, John Boling, Ray Befus and Roy Mahaffey and many others positively impacted my growth and development, too.”

His hard work as a mentor, teacher and coach were acknowledged in April when he was given the high school’s first “Leilehua Way Award” honoring his leadership, humility and service.

As busy as he was at Leilehua, he has made and continues to make a positive impact in Ewa Beach, where he lives with his wife, Sharan, and mother, Wilda.

In retirement, he'll continue helping fight a flood of litter on Ewa Beach. Sadowski created Save Our Surf and Seals which holds monthly cleanups of the Ewa Beach and channel. For his efforts, he has been honored with:

• a 2009 Laulima Award -- presented to him in the state capitol in Honolulu -- for helping keep Hawaii beautiful.
• a 2012 "Good Neighbor Award" for making significant contributions to the City and County of Honolulu’s Storm Water Quality programs.

And, in retirement he will continue surfing and stand-up paddle boarding. (See photo.) "John's," a surf site off the west end of Ewa's beach park, is named for him.

Pencil pouch examples

Turning O'Riley's into a Starbucks

Photos in slide show posted above taken by Wildcatville morning of 6/14/2013.

Linfield Sodexo delays Starbucks construction

Feb 27, 2013 - Linfield Review with slight editing by Wildcatville

Despite plans to introduce a full-service Starbucks in O’Riley’s coffee shop space in time for the spring semester, Linfield Sodexo is pushing back the construction process to June 3.

The decision to postpone the project, which was slated to take place during January Term, came after Bill Masullo, general manager of Linfield Sodexo, and Allison Horn, director of auxiliary services, re-evaluated the construction schedule.

Moving the Starbucks project to coincide with the renovation of Dillin Hall this summer proved to be more cost effective. 

Additionally, it eases the burden on the incoming contractors who otherwise would have had to make numerous trips, Masullo explained.

Although Starbucks is on hold for now, plans to remodel the Fred Meyer Lounge were in full swing during January, leaving the space ready for use in time for the new semester.

The Fred Meyer Lounge received a new paint job and furniture. 

The floors were refinished, and the Wildcat logo was added, Masullo said.

The Office of Academic Affairs funded the media portion of the space, which includes a flat screen TV, Horn added. There is also a built-in sound system.

In addition, the old wood-burning fireplace was converted to gas. Dan Fergueson, director of college activities, is safekeeping the controls, Horn said.

Originally, there were plans to open up the space to the coffee shop. However, the entrances had to remain the same because of structural issues, Masullo said.

Even so, the Starbucks space will be arranged differently than the current café. The tables will be made from Linfield’s famous Old Oak. And, historical photos will adorn the walls.

Students will have the opportunity to see the floor plans after spring break. Masullo and Horn said they plan to post them up outside of the space.

“It was disappointing for everyone when the project was pushed back. But, [the Starbucks] is still coming, and it will be an improvement when everyone gets back to campus,” Horn said.

Signs of a Champion

How you fixed for strings?

As a Linfield student, there's no doubt McMinnville provided everything you needed. Well, consider this. If you are a current Linfield student in McMinnville, you have access (off campus outside a McMinnville guitar shop) to a 24-hour vending machine from which you may buy guitar strings and accessories. See photos taken 6/3/2013. Did you have such luxury during your Linfield student days?

Golden Grad Ad

Ad Rutschman (Class of 1954) was among Golden Grads taking part in Linfield College 2013 Commencement on June 2 in the college's campus Oak Grove in McMinnville. During the ceremony, he hugged graduating granddaughter Alyssa Nichols (Class of 2013) as she walked by in her cap and gown. This photo by Erika Nichols, Alyssa's sister, another grandchild of Ad and Joan (honorary Class of 1954) Rutschman. Also, see "Recruit a Wildcat" graphic from Fall 2009 Linfield Magazine here.

AD RUTSCHMAN Annual Reunion. Year 2013 edition at Golden Valley, McMinnville, 6/1/2013

Travel in Wildcat football time machine

If you could travel in the Wildcat time machine and attend, play in or coach in any past Linfield football game, which game and why? 

Respond to wildcatville@gmail.com. 

Responses -- which may be edited for clarity and accuracy and etc. -- might be posted at Wildcatville. 

If you have a photo related to your response, please include as a JPG attachment to your email. 

Thanks, Go, Wildcats!