PLU at Linfield Softball/Catball 3/28/2018 (Game #1)

You know Michelbook. But, what do you know about its namesakes?

You play in the BWC Golf Tournament in McMinnville at Michelbook Country Club, located on Michelbook Lane.

You have an association with Linfield College in McMinnville. The college’s Admissions Office is located in the historic Michelbook House on campus in McMinnville.

You know Michelbook. But, what do you know about its namesakes?

(CAUTION: This is more than you want to know. It is not required reading. This information will not be on quiz or final exam.)

MICHELBOOK COUNTRY CLUB WEBSITE

In the early 1960's, Kelton Peery, Chuck Colvin and Willard Cushing “felt that it was time for (McMinnville) to have a private golf course. Then began their search for property …” They “soon were able to persuade Captain Francis Michelbook that this was a proper use for his land, a dairy farm and was later used for raising turkeys. Captain Michelbook did have some conditions in order to proceed and one was that it would perpetually bear the family name ‘Michelbook’ and with the swipe of a pen was the beginning of Michelbook Country Club.”

SKYGOLF WEBSITE

“This private course was named after Captain Francis Michelbook, whose dairy and turkey farm was redeveloped into a nine hole course. That layout opened in 1964 with nine holes designed by Sharon Stone, an employee of Western Turf Company. The second nine debuted on July 27, 1984.”

CITY OF McMINNVILLE WEBSITE

--City of McMinnville Historic Resources Survey says the Michelbook House (two-story Colonial style built about 1930), in which Francis Michelbook and his wife, Christine Michelbook lived, has “Historic Significance.”

McMINNVILLE N-R/NEWS-REGISTER

--Francis L. Michelbook, whose family farm eventually became the site of Michelbook County Club, once served as commander of McMinnville’s Company A, part of Oregon National Guard’s Third Infantry. During a Veterans Day 2016 exhibit at the Yamhill Valley Heritage Center in McMinnville a 1914 photo of Francis Michelbook posing with his saber were displayed. Also on display was his National Guard backpack. Info from a story in the Nov. 15, 2016, N-R edition by Starla Pointer.

--In a Elaine Rohse "Rohse Colored Glasses” columns : “We start with three late businessmen, Kelton Peery, Chuck Colvin and Willard Cushing, who decided it was time for McMinnville (population, 7,000) to have a private golf course. They spearheaded a mighty effort, backed by community support. On Feb. 2, 1962, they optioned to buy 114 acres in northwest McMinnville owned by Christie and Francis Michelbook, who long had a dairy farm there and later raised turkeys. Approximately $150,000 was realized from sale of stock. Michelbook’s dairy barn was to serve as a clubhouse. (When it later burned, a new clubhouse was built.) And on the momentous day of May 9, 1964, golfers took to the course for the first time. Nowadays, on long summer evenings, family groups, working couples and singles visit those 18 fairways for relaxation, camaraderie, perhaps a birdie or two — and hopefully to memorialize the efforts of those three.”

--Info at the McMinnville N-R website says in early 1990 the Michelbook House was for sale, “but the buyer must move it.” Later in 1990 Linfield decided to buy the house, move it to campus and use it as home of Linfield Admissions. In March 1991 the house was moved, and placed on a new foundation on campus on Linfield Avenue. After the move, the house had a “commercial remodel.”

OTHER ONLINE SOURCES, SOME IDENTIFIED

--Francis Lester Michelbook was born Jan. 24, 1886, and died March 29, 1965. He served as a captain in the Oregon National Guard and for Yamhill County as State Representative in the 28th (Jan. 11-20, 1915) Oregon legislative assembly. He was a graduate of Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University.)

Obituary: March 30, 1965 Oregon Statesman, Salem, with additional info added by poster on March 27, 2018:

Francis Michelbook

Francis Michelbook, 79, an early legislator from Yamhill County, died Monday at his home, 1200 Michelbook Lane, McMinnville. He was born in Salem, Marion County, Oregon. Michelbook served in the Legislature in 1913. For many years he operated Michelbook Farm, which now is Michelbook Country Club. He sold the farm in 1963 for development of the golf course.

Michelbook, a graduate of Oregon State University in 1909, served as an Army captain in World War I. He also saw action in the Mexican Border clash. He helped to organize Co. A of the Oregon National Guard here.

Surviving are the widow, Christie, McMinnville; brothers Herbert of Portland and Roy of Berkeley, Calif.; sisters Mrs. George Fick, Portland, and Mrs. Emma Martin, Woodland, Wash.

Mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. James Catholic Church in McMinnville with interment at Evergreen Memorial Park. Rosary will be 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Macy & Son chapel.

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--Christine Cleve Michelbook was born on April 27, 1886, and died on July 31, 1989. Information at the McMinnville N-R website provides a photo cutline dated May 16, 1975: “Christine ‘Christie’ Michelbook in her home on the staircase, & playing the piano. Also, copy of painting of her husband in military uniform.”

Obituary: McMinnville N-R/News-Register Aug. 2, 1989, with additional info added by poster on March 27, 2018:

CHRISTINE C. MICHEBOOK, 1986-1989

Services for former longtime McMinnville resident Christine C. “Kit” Michelbook of Portland will be held at 32 p.m. Friday in the Chapel of Macy & Son Funeral Directors, McMinnville.

Officiating will be the Rev. Randy Steele of the United Presbyterian Church.

Entombment will be in Evergreen Memorial Park mausoleum, McMinnville.

Mrs. Michelbook died July 31, 1989, in Crestview Convalescent Center, Portland. She was 103 years old.

She was born April 27, 1886, in Bismarck, N.D., daughter of Helga Berven Cleve. The family moved to Oregon, when she and her two sisters were orphaned. She was taken in and raised by a local doctor and his family.

Mrs. Michelbook was graduated from Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University.)She taught in a one-room schoolhouse for a time.

She and Francis L. “Cap” Michelbook were married Sept. 12, 1918, in Portland. Mr. Michelbook preceded his wife in death in 1965.

The Michelbooks moved to McMinnville, where they settled on a family farm purchased from the original settlers in the area. The Michelbook property was sold to local developers in 1963, but Mrs. Michelbook retained life rights to the family home.

The farm now is the location of Michelbook Estate and Country Club.

Mrs. Michelbook lived in Carousel Care Center in McMinnville for a short time. In 1983, she moved to Crestview Convalescent Center, Portland, to be closer to one of her trustees, former McMinnville resident Betty Jean McCoorry Yockey.

Friends and Mrs. Michelbook enjoyed discussing various topics, ranging from politics to sports. She liked to sew.

She loved children, friends said. She often gave neighborhood youngsters advice about having good qualities and high moral standards.

Survivors include a nephew, Irvin Rosvold of Edwardsville, Ill.

She also was preceded in death by two sisters, Emma Cleve and Anna Rosvold.

Photos of Michelbook House and Michelbook Country Club and Michelbook Lane signs by Wildcatville 3/27/2018

Coach Joe Beidler of Linfield ‘Hartford Pipeline” fame died in October 2016. His wife, Ruth, passed away in March 2018

Note: Joe’s connection to Linfield Athletics has been called both the “Hartford Pipeline” and the “Hartford Connection,” Wildcatville prefers “Hartford Pipeline.” Didn’t Paul Durham use “Hartford Pipeline” in his “Dodging With Durham” sports column?
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A Memorial Service for Ruth and Joe Beidler was held April 7th, 2017 at 2:30 pm in the Trinity College Chapel at 300 Summit St. in Hartford. Ruth Hall Beidler was born Nov 9 1920  and died March 3 2018.  Coach Joseph B. Beidler was born Nov 15 1918 and died Oct 31 2016. 

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 Based on info in Walla Walla U-B Nov 10, 2016

HARTFORD, Conn. — Joe Beidler, a former head baseball and football coach at Whitman College, died Oct. 31, 2016, at his Hartford, Conn., home at the age of 97.

Beidler took over as head baseball coach at Whitman in 1949, and was also an assistant football coach.

In 1951, he added head football coach to his baseball position, and coached both sports until June 1955, when he and his wife, Ruth, left Walla Walla and returned to Connecticut.

As Whitman football coach, Joe succeeded Archie Kodros. When Joe left Whitman, he was succeeded as football coach by Bob Thomsen.
………

Obituary, guest book comments and statements about Coach Joe Beidler of Linfield "Hartford Connection" fame:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hartfordcourant/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-b-beidler-coach&pid=182401932&fhid=4106

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From Coach Beidler's online guest book 

November 8, 2016

It seems like it was just yesterday when I was a senior at Bulkeley High School, and met and talked with Coach Beidler about Linfield College, in Oregon. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am that he made the effort to guide me at a time in my life when I had little or no direction. Over the years, I have told scores of people that Coach Beidler was the one who was responsible for changing my life. I have often thought that, if it weren't for him, I would not have attended Linfield, and have had the opportunity to play for an incredible football program. I would not have graduated and had a career in education, a job I truly loved and cherished for 32 years. And most important, I would have not met my incredible wife of 46 years, Cathy. Coach Beidler is responsible for so much that has happened in my life, and the lives of so many other individuals. 

My sincere condolences go to the Beidler family for their loss. Coach was a wonderful man who will be missed.

Bob Sullivan
Bulkeley High School Class of 1966
Bob Sullivan, Portland, OR 

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From Coach Beidler's online guest book 

November 8, 2016

Greetings:

I was Captain of his 1960 Nutmeg Bowl team played in New Britain, which ended in a 8-8 tie. He helped me and several other Hartford Area student athletes get a great start in life at Linfield College in Oregon. This was the only chance for college for most of us. He pioneered the "Storied Hartford Connection" at Linfield as a pipeline for athletes who could have been left behind. The Hartford student athletes prospered at Linfield and in their life endeavors because he went above and beyond the call of duty to help us. We are all eternally grateful for his efforts.

He was a great coach but he was an even better man. He will be missed by all those he helped.

Peter Dengenis, Seattle, WA 

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Sent to Beidler family March 20, 2018

Greetings to the Beidler Family:

Unfortunately, Mike Stelman and I cannot attend your parent’s service because of previous long-standing family commitments. I talked to some of the “Hartford Connection” athletes to inform them of the celebration of life for your parents. All of them said how grateful they were for your Dad’s help in getting accepted to Linfield with an athletic scholarship. Also, they also mentioned lifelong relationships established and positive experiences while they were students at Linfield.

I wrote this summary about your Dad and the “Hartford Connection” because Linfield folks still remember and on occasion stories are written in the Oregon newspapers about the Hartford athletes, especially when one is inducted into the Linfield Hall of Fame.

The family can file this as part of your parent’s memoirs. At your option, this can also be read at their celebration of life. Your Dad did a tremendous amount of good for many athletes during the long course of his teaching and coaching career.

With much gratitude and

On behalf of the “Hartford Connection,”

Pete Dengenis

San Diego, California
March, 2018
503.803.4229

A Tribute to Joe and Ruth Beidler

My name is Pete Dengenis, a 1960 graduate of Bulkeley High School. Coach Beidler was the head coach of the East squad in the Connecticut East West All-Star Nutmeg Bowl football game played in New Britain in August of 1960. I was one of the East squad game captains. The heavily favored West was loaded with first team all-state players destined for NCAA football powerhouses. The East team consisted of small college prospects. As a consequence of Beidler’s coaching and brilliant game strategy, the final score was an 8-8 tie game.

Coach Beidler was the pioneer of the storied “Hartford Connection” at Linfield College in Oregon. He and his wife, Ruth, became lifelong friends with Linfield coaches Paul Durham and Roy Helser and their families while he was a highly successful baseball and football coach from 1949-1955 at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Eventually he returned to Hartford to teach and coach at Weaver High School. He recommended many Greater Hartford athletes to the Linfield coaches. The local athletes, who were overlooked by the big time athletic schools, were awarded athletic scholarships and blossomed academically. His word was golden with his long time Linfield friends so the athletes were accepted solely based on his recommendation. The “Hartford Connection” was born and thrived from the late 1950’s to the 1970’s. 

Many stories were written and are still ongoing over the years in Pacific Northwest newspapers about the achievements of the “Hartford Connection” athletes. Several “Hartford Connection” athletes are in the Linfield Hall of Fame. John Lee, Pete Dengenis, Bob Sullivan, and Bob Raffalo have been inducted as athletes into the Linfield Hall of Fame. Coach Beidler and Ruth were present at the induction ceremony when “Hartford Connection athletes” Mike Stelman, Bernie Grant, and Pete Dengenis were inducted into the Linfield Hall of Fame in 2005 as members of the 1961 Camellia Bowl Team that played for the national championship in Sacramento, California. 

Curtis Manns, a Beidler coached Weaver football player, was the first recruit to attend Linfield from the Hartford pipeline. In November of 2017, Manns posthumously received the Gene Forman Inspirational Award at the annual Linfield Hall of Fame banquet for his outstanding courage when faced with adversity during his time at the college in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.

 Many of us owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to Coach Beidler for giving us a great start in our adult lives. Many thanks Joe and Ruthfor all your time and effort over the years on behalf of all of the “Hartford Connection” players whose accomplishments in life include successful businessmen (Mike Stelman, Bernie Grant, and Ron Rudo), college professors and administrators with doctoral degrees (Curtis Manns and Rick Turner), along with high school teachers, coaches, and administrators (Tony Ragazzi, Bob Raffalo, Bob Sullivan, John Lee, and Ed Griffin). His help was instrumental in changing the course of our lives in a positive direction. R.I.P. 

With much gratitude on behalf of the “Hartford Connection,”

Pete Dengenis

March 2018
San Diego, California

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Ruth Beidler

Hartford Courant, March 23, 2018

Ruth H. Beidler, 97, slipped off to Heaven on Saturday, March 3, 2018, from the quiet comfort of her daughter's home. She was predeceased by her adoring husband and "best boyfriend" Coach Joe Beidler. Her passing leaves an enormous void in the life and heart of her daughter, her friend, Nancee (Ray Torns) who cared for Ruth in her home for the last several years. She is also survived by her daughter JoAnn Schaaf, her son Robert Beidler, her only granddaughter, Brandy Caban, three grandsons Kalua, Kama and Kahoa McKeague and her special great-granddaughter Kiana Caban. Ruth was passionate about music, acting and being a good friend to all she met. Starting in high school Ruth relished her time on stage. She often talked about her many roles through the years and a special performance with the Trinity Jesters opposite the then unknown playwright Edward Albee. Singing was an integral part of her life. From high school to the days of the Schola Cantorum at Hartt School of Music and performances with the Hartford Symphony to the music of her retirement group The Notables. She gave 100% to the arts that filled her heart with gladness. At the end of her life she sang daily with her daughter, Nan and her caregiver Beata. "You are My Sunshine", "Amazing Grace" and "You've Got a Friend" are just a few of the tunes you could hear wafting through the house. Ruth was a great friend to all who came into her life through music, acting, work and church organizations. Her friends often spoke of her caring and concern for their life situations. Ruthie was a lover of chocolate, watermelon, and Michael Buble, whose videos she was always happy to watch on Youtube! During her life she was a Girl Scout Leader extraordinaire, a precise Medical Secretary at UCONN Health, adept at crewel work, an inspiring Devotions leader for her church life, a creative floral arranger at home and at church, an avid Bridge player, and a Mom who was the number one fan for her three children! Every football and baseball game for husband or son, every concert, every play, every Pops 'N Jazz show, Mom was there, cheering for us! Forever encouraging us to be our very best. She was in love with all that life had to offer and her "best boyfriend" Coach Joe Beidler, her husband of nearly 75 years. They meant everything to each other in this life and now they are together again for all eternity. Nancee wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to caregivers Beata, Maddy, Ewa and Francine, who gave Ruth exceptional care and love. A Memorial Service for Ruth and Coach Beidler will be held on Saturday, April 7th at 2:30pm in the Trinity College Chapel at 300 Summit St. in Hartford. Due to extremely limited parking on campus guests will use the rear parking lot at St. Lawrence O'Toole Church on 494 New Britain Ave. in Hartford. A shuttle will be provided to and from the Trinity Chapel. Please visit our guestbook at www.taylorandmodeen.com

Linfielder Jeff Basinski, Oregon Athletic Directors Association Hall of Famer; inducted posthumously in 2017

Linfielder Jeff Basinski was among five inducted into the 2017 Oregon Athletic Directors Association (OADA) Hall of Fame.

Honored posthumously, Basinski -- Linfield Class of 1968 and a former Linfield football player -- and the four others were praised by the OADA for making “significant contributions to their schools and communities in their role as a high school athletic director."

The induction of the five during the 9th annual OADA Hall of Fame banquet was held April 22 2017, at Sunriver in central Oregon.

During his career, Basinski was athletic director of St. Helens, Sunset of Beaverton and Forest Grove High Schools.

Hall of Fame citation for Basinski, who died at age of 65 in May 2011, reads:

“Jeff graduated in 1964 from Wilson HS in Portland where he competed in football, wrestling, and basketball. He attended Linfield College, graduating in 1968 with a BS in Business. A four year football letterman, whose 1965 team was NAIA National Championship runner-up team was later inducted into the Linfield Hall of Fame in 2010. 

"He completed his Master’s in education in 1970 at Linfield while serving as a graduate assistant to longtime coach Ad Rutschman. Jeff’s teaching and coaching career began at St. Helens HS in 1972. He moved to Sunset HS in 1972, and ultimately landed at Forest Grove HS in 1976 where he continued to coach, teach and serve as an assistant principal and director of athletics and activities until 2005. 

“He joined the Centennial HS football staff in 2005 until 2011, having the opportunity to coach with his son BJ. Some of Jeff’s professional honors include: 1981 State Football Coach of the Year, Shrine North team coach, Willamette Valley League Football coach of the year (1985), inducted into the Forest Grove HS Hall of Fame in 2011, and in 2013 the Basinski Center at Forest Grove HS was named in his honor. 

"Jeff had many community service projects he was involved with throughout his career at Forest Grove HS. These included membership in both the Kiwanis and Rotary International organizations, a charter member of the Forest Grove HS Booster Club and a member of the Forest Grove HS Hall of Fame Committee. Jeff was instrumental in helping raise over $500,000 to keep the athletic and activities programs at Forest Grove HS.”

A story in the March 31, 2017, Portland Tribune said, “Jeff Basinski played football and basketball and wrestled in the Wilson High (Portland) Class of 1964, and received a Bachelor’s of Science in business from Linfield College (McMinnville) in 1968.

“He, a four-year Linfield football letterman whose 1965 Wildcats were National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Championship runners-up and 2010 Linfield Hall-of-Famers, graduated with a Master’s in education as a graduate assistant to coach Ad Rutschman in 1970.

“His athletic directing career began at St. Helens High and Sunset High (Portland) in 1972, and he continued to Forest Grove High from 1976 to 2005.

“ 'Coach Bass' Basinski served on the Centennial High (Gresham) football staff from 2005 to 2011, and coached with his son, BJ.”

More about Jeff Basinski here:

http://wildcatville.blogspot.com/search?q=Jeff+Basinski

OADA supplied photo of Jeff Basinski in front of Forest Grove High School. Photo possibly taken by the Forest Grove News-Times.

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A legacy of success

By Jonathan Crowl, Forest Grove News-Times, Aug 16, 2011

Jeff Basinski dedicated his entire career as an educator and coach at Forest Grove High School (FGHS) to helping prepare his student-athletes for the realities of life after high school

In addition to teaching at FGHS, he was also its athletic director and had stints as head football and wrestling coach of the FGHS Vikings

Jeff Basinski is easily remembered for the big things he accomplished as a coach and athletic director at Forest Grove. His son remembers him more for what he did in private.

Basinski's door was always open to his students - as a teacher, coach and later the athletic director at Forest Grove High School, 'Coach Bass' was always on the clock.

'I can remember as a fairly young kid, players would come up to the house with a range of life problems,' recalled his son, B.J. Basinski. 'As a kid, seeing them come up to my dad and ask for advice countless times, that spoke to the selflessness of him as a person.'

Jeff Basinski's career at Forest Grove spanned four decades, two varsity sports, a spirited effort to save athletics from budget cuts and finally lengthy service as athletic director. In a tribute to his service to the school, Basinski will be inducted into the Forest Grove Athletic Hall of Fame next month.

Basinski's admission is particularly fitting since he was one of the loudest voices calling for the high school to establish a hall of fame.

'It was his idea when he was athletic director to have this athletic coliseum,' said current Forest Grove athletic director Doug Thompson. 'When I took over he said, 'Hey, one of my goals is I want this hall of fame to happen.'

'I said, 'We'll do it together.''

Thompson credits Basinski as the reason he has any job at Forest Grove, much less one as the athletic director. Basinski was the head football coach when Thompson attended FGHS as a student. When he applied for a teaching job at the school after college, Basinski lobbied for his hire.

'I know behind the scenes he was working pretty hard to get me hired,' Thompson said.

Basinski wore many hats at Forest Grove, and did so successfully. As a football coach he enjoyed seven winning seasons in 11 years, including a league championship in 1985. He also served as a wrestling coach, leading the team to a league championship in 1978 and coaching three individual state champions.

B.J. Basinski was able to play football under his father, who resigned as football coach after B.J. graduated in 1992. His son said he was good at managing his different roles as a dad and a coach, and at maintaining balance in other areas of his life as well.

'He had some very successful seasons (as head football coach) and some not-so-successful seasons, but he was able to separate it from his life,' B.J. said. 

'He found time to take (his kids) fishing and camping and help with homework.'

And when the athletic department needed extra effort to save its programs from closure, Basinski took on a leadership role in fundraising efforts to save sports at Forest Grove. Basinski worked with other local leaders to generate money for the school's athletic programs and founded the football team's booster club to generate revenue in future seasons.

Thompson said Basinski's financial savvy is a main reason the football team now enjoys an artificial turf field. It also made his personal finance class a hot commodity among students.

'There's probably hundreds of people he helped do their taxes in that class,' Thompson said. 'I think that's one of the reasons he did so well fundraising. He just understood finances, he knew where to look to make money.'

Jeff Basinski enjoyed his role as a coach and athletic director, but B.J. Basinski said his greatest pleasure - and most important role - was being there as a role model and supportive adult figure for his students. Not every child at Forest Grove High School came from stable home environments, but Coach Bass wanted his students to depend on him.

Basinski stuck with Forest Grove as long as he could. To help ease budget cuts made by the school district in the late 1990s he offered to retire from his position in exchange for being re-hired as a part-time athletic director. He served in that position until 2005 when the school district decided it wanted a full-time athletic director again.

When the school tabbed Thompson as his replacement, Coach Bass gave him his full support along with all the advice he needed.

Thompson took advantage.

'His wife, Connie Mumper Baskiski, Linfield Class of 1968, was probably laughing at me and cursing me that whole first year,' Thompson said. 'I would call him at 11:30 at night to ask him questions. I don't think there was a decision that was made without Bass that year.'

In his retirement Jeff Basinski decided to team up with his son, then an assistant football coach at Centennial High School in Gresham. Coach Bass would make the hour drive each day to volunteer coach with the team.

On May 27 this year he died at his home. He was 65.

Next month Coach Bass and the rest of the 2011 Hall of Fame class will be honored at halftime of the Sept. 16 home football game against McMinnville. A Hall of Fame dinner the next day will serve as his official induction into the hall he helped build.

Basinski's work at Forest Grove has left a visible mark on the high school, and the shoes of his service are hard to fill. Thompson said it's not only parents and faculty reminding him of the long shadow he works under.

Students also appreciated Basinski's contributions to the school. In the first school year after Thompson took over for Basinski, the new athletic director made a controversial ruling against students' liberties when cheering during basketball games. At the next game a number of students had scrawled 'WWBD' onto their shirts.

'I thought, 'All right, these are probably inappropriate,'' Thompson said. 'I got onto the kids about it and one kid came to me and admitted that they were upset and the shirts stood for, 'What Would Bass Have Done?''

'I couldn't even get mad about that because I thought they were probably right. Of course I called Bass immediately. He was laughing.'

Linfield E-Cat newsletters in 2018 are featuring people who impacted Linfield College’s first 160 years. (McMinnville College was founded in 1858.)

Linfield E-Cat March 2018

https://www.linfield.edu/alumni/linfield-160/linfield-160-march.html

One of them is Roy Helser, Class of 1936

"Roy Helser ‘36 served as athletic director, head baseball and basketball coach and P.E. instructor at Linfield College. He has been honored by a number of athletic organizations over the years – he is a member of the National Hall of Fame for coaches and was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Linfield College Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998. Helser was baseball coach at Linfield from 1949 to 1973. His baseball teams won 14 conference championships and in 1966 earned the college’s first national championship in any sport. Helser also coached the men’s basketball team to four conference championships. Helser passed away Oct. 25, 1994."

Others are Charles Walker, Lloydena Grimes, Tom Meicho '51, Phil Renshaw '31 and Horace Terrell.

Linfield E-Cat February 2018

https://www.linfield.edu/alumni/linfield-160/linfield-160-february.html

One of them is Leonard W. Riley, McMinnville College/Linfield College president, 1906-1931. He was president in 1906 when McMinnville College quit playing football and president in 1922 when he resumed playing football. In the summer of 1906 Linfield Board of Trustees discontinued football because it was deemed too dangerous. On a day in 1921 there were two announcements by the college: 1) McMinnville College would become Linfield College because of Mrs. Linfield's gift. 2) Football would resume starting fall 1922. Linfield's Riley Hall -- in a previous iteration it included Riley Gym where Wildcat basketball was played and the South Forty cheered -- is named for him.

Another is Ad Rutschman, Class of 1954

"As a student, Ad Rutschman ’54 lettered for four years in football, basketball and baseball. After graduating from Linfield, he coached at Hillsboro High School before succeeding his mentor, Paul Durham, as Linfield’s head football coach in 1968. When Roy Helser retired in 1971, Rutschman also assumed the duties of head baseball coach. Under his guidance, Linfield won a national championship in baseball in 1971 and three in football in 1982, 1984 and 1986. Rutschman led teams to an astonishing 15 conference championships in his 24 years as head coach, accruing a record of 183-48-3. He remains the only coach at any level to win national titles in both football and baseball, and in 1998 he was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. He also served as athletic director from 1973 to 1996. In 1995, the fieldhouse was named and dedicated in honor of Ad and his wife, Joan."

Others are Jereld Nicholson ’39, Julia (Blanchard) Smith '39, Harold Elkinton and Samuel and Mahala Cozine.

Linfield E-Cat January 2018

https://www.linfield.edu/alumni/linfield-160/linfield-160-january.html

One of them is Paul Durham, Class of 1936

"Paul H. Durham ‘36 was one of the founders of the modern Linfield College athletic program. Durham served as professor from 1948-1968, co-basketball coach from 1949-1952, head football coach from 1948-1969, director of athletics from 1949-1968 and always a friend to all. The Health, Human Performance and Athletics Building lobby and foyer were named in his honor. Durham was inducted to the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. Former teammates and players established the Paul Durham Endowed Fund for the Support of Athletics in his honor. Paul Durham passed away in June 2007."

Others are T.J. Day '71, Frances Ross Linfield, Roy “Hap” Mahaffey '28, Harry Dillin and William Newby.

Linfield Multicultural Center: Japanese-Americans paid homage in ‘Remember Us’ art display

"Remember Us," an art display March 1-2, 2018, in the Multicultural Center at Linfield College, paid homage to what happened during World War II in Portland to Japanese-American citizens and other Oregonians and southwest Washingtonians with Japanese ancestry.

On May 6, 1942, they were forced to abandon their homes businesses and most possessions and live in former animal stalls at the Pacific International Livestock and Exposition Center, now the Portland Expo Center. It was called the "Portland Assembly Center."

They were kept there under armed guard behind barbed wire, without due process and denied their civil rights due to hysteria, fear and racism following the entry of the U.S. into World War II in December 1941.

Linfield trustee Larry and JoAnn Sims made the display in the Linfield Multicultural Center possible. Husband and wife and Amity residents, the Sims are members of McMinnville First Baptist Church and part of the Interfaith Advocates of Peace and Justice of McMinnville and the Yamhill County Peacemakers. They are former directors of the World Friendship Center in Hiroshima, Japan.

The "Remember Us" art display is by artist, teacher and activist Chisao Hata of Portland. Sansei, third generation Japanese American, her grandparents lived in Hood River/Odell, Oregon. They were among about 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry, most of whom lived on the Pacific coast, forcibly relocated and later incarcerated in federal internment camps in the western U. S.

On the afternoon of May 6, 2017, "Return & Remembrance: A Pilgrimage to the Portland Assembly Center" program was held at the Expo Center.

During it Hata led a procession of people carrying her "Remember Us Tag Project." It features replicas of paper tags worn by Japanese American internment camp detainees.

Also during the program, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown issued an official apology for "failing to defend the civil and human rights of its citizens and legal residents in 1942" in a gubernatorial proclamation. It was first time the state officially apologized for Japanese American incarceration. The proclamation designated May 6, 2017, "Return and Remembrance Day."

(Sources for this story include Larry and JoAnn Sims and information at Oregonian newspaper and KBOO radio station websites.)

Wildcatville Q&A with Tom Rohlffs: Linfield Class of 1969, attended 1965-1969

Q. TELL WILDCATVILLE ABOUT YOUR LIFE GROWING UP

I was born in Portland. My parents are Gene and Dorothy Rohlffs. My Dad served in the U.S. Army for four years in the Pacific Theater during WWII. After the war, they settled into the St. Johns area by Pier Park in Portland. Later they moved to a new community in Cedar Mill alongside the Sunset Highway. My Dad was a printer and my Mom was a homemaker. They were leaders in our church, school, and community. They raised us —my younger brother Dan and me—in a new housing community and involved us in every activity offered. I played all the sports and that’s what we did in our youth. My Mom and Dad went to every game, no matter where it was, to offer the teams and me their loyal support. They were my best fans. I attended the only school around—Sunset Valley—and was student body treasurer, athlete of the year, and honor roll. Life was good. We watched a new school—Sunset High School—being built behind our grade school. My senior class was the first to attend all four years.

Q. YOUR NAME IS TOM, SHORT FOR THOMAS?

My first name is Timothy. Thomas is my middle name. In elementary school, I was bullied. I was the second smallest kid all through grade school. In the early 1950’s there was a cartoon Indian character called “Tim Tom”. I had a deformed back, glasses, and a speech impediment (stuttered). Kids mocked me with “Tim-Tom, Tim-Tom.” To this day, I hate my first name. 

Q. YOU DID ALL THE SPORTS?

We played football, basketball, and baseball from dawn to sunset. As a fourth grader, my P.E. teacher asked me if I would be interested in practicing with the sixth grade basketball team during Christmas break. That was the beginning. I was short and skinny but could shoot two-handed set shots and I practiced free throws in our home driveway until dark. If I missed a free throw, I’d run around the block. On a bus trip, my high school coach talked about the value of athletics and how they would help us in our adult life. It was reminiscent of Linfield Coach Ad Rutschman’s talks. Because of my stature, my school coach said I needed to practice getting my shot off quickly as it would be easy to check. He said if you are a good foul shooter you would be valuable at the end of games. 

As a freshman at Sunset, I was 4-foot-11 and 98-pounds dripping wet. The wrestling coach tried to get me out for the team. The freshmen basketball coach, Ed Ramsdell, would have none of that nonsense. That next summer I grew seven inches. Because of this quick growth, my back problems escalated until I had to quit football my sophomore year. I found out that I had a back deformity. The doctor said I’d never play sports and I would be confined to an office job in my adult life. I was urged to come out for cross-country my senior year. I loved it and low and behold I came in first in all seven Apollo races setting the 2-mile record at 9:42.

I was the leading basketball scorer for Sunset in my freshmen, JV, and varsity years. I was selected First Team All-Metro and second team All-State in one newspaper. I was the smallest player on the All-Metro team at 5-foot-9 and 139-pounds.

Q. WHY LINFIELD?

Ted Wilson, Linfield’s men’s basketball coach, talked to my parents my junior year. I wanted to be a professional baseball player and had no idea about college. I learned from my coaches that if you failed at that dream you could coach—but you had to go to college to become a teacher/coach. It was then that I realized colleges paid for college if you excelled in sports. That drove me to be the best I could be. Coach Wilson came to our house. Marion Pericin, at Portland State, recruited me. Willamette, Pacific, Pacific Lutheran, and Portland University showed interest. I loved to run and play up-tempo basketball. After visiting all prospects, I cut it down to Portland State and Linfield. I didn’t like Coach Pericin’s on court language. I had developed a quick shot and was “auto” at the line. I think I still hold the career free throw percentage record for the Metro League. (.849). I averaged 17 points per game and Coach Wilson wanted me to be a Wildcat. Needless to say, I was really excited. By the way, I also was a successful pitcher on Sunset’s varsity and American Legion teams at one time won 16 straight pitching decisions.

Q. COACHES WILSON AND HELSER?

My parents liked Coach Wilson’s values and straightforward approach. What he said, he meant. They also liked that Linfield was Baptist affiliated. Roy Helser, the Linfield baseball coach, was optimistic and said I could contribute if I hit the weight room. As I entered Linfield in 1965, I was welcomed by three roommates in a four-man room and a plethora of 22 outstanding basketball guards. In our first meeting, Coach Wilson said that many will not make the grade/make the team. He was right and I waited my turn and worked hard to make the grade. 

Q. WAS LINFIELD WHAT YOU EXPECTED?

Linfield was everything as advertised. I wanted to play basketball for this “bigger than life” coach and to get a diploma to teach and coach at the high level. A day goes not go by when I do not look back on memories of my days at Linfield. I got my degree in education and my M.Ed. two years later. I became an adjunct professor later on. The good or bad thing about small college is, if you do anything positive, everyone knows about it, and vice-versa. The small classroom sizes and friendly faculty were pluses. In my career I played for many excellent coaches: Ed Ramsdell, John Wyttenberg, Hal Smith, Ted Wilson, and Roy Helser. Not many can say they were members of four Northwest Conference championships. The Linfield tradition carries on and it reminds me of all the great memories of being a lifetime Wildcat. I do know that when it came time to get a teaching/coaching job, it meant a lot that I was from Linfield College. Most of what I remember about my higher education is I was always tired. I was an “athlete-student” not a “student-athlete. I participated in 12 sports in four years. I loved it there and the coaches were major contributors to shaping my future. I will always be indebted to the “Linfield way.”

Q. ONE OF THE TRIPS LINFIELD BASKETBALL MADE DURING YOUR PLAYING DAYS WAS THE ‘EASTERN SWING?’

It was a trip in a van from McMinnville to Walla Walla, Wash., about 290 miles. Then, there was a trip in the van from Walla Walla to Caldwell, Idaho, about 230 miles (and from Pacific to Mountain Time). Against Whitman, we played at the old gym in Walla Walla. Versus the College of Idaho in Caldwell we played at the Canyon County indoor rodeo arena which smelled of cattle. A floor was put over rodeo arena dirt. One time we were travelling through the Columbia River Gorge and our driver, Jiggs Burnett, lost control of the van on the ice. I woke up to us in the van spinning down Interstate 84. Luckily we didn’t hit anything. On another eastern Oregon trip, our driver, Terry Durham, didn’t like me changing the radio stations on the van radio so he kicked me out of the van—while we were moving! I survived with only a broken watchband. Terry and I had some wonderful feuds on and off the court. Those “Eastern Swing” trips were usually in a van from McMinnville’s Shakey’s Pizza Parlor. Del Coursey, a Linfield grad and assistant baseball coach on the 1966 Linfield NAIA national championship baseball team, and his wife, Dixie, owned/operated Shakey’s (it’s where Izzy’s is now on 99W). Some called him “Pizza Del.” Other times, for shorter trips, we sometimes used vans from Perry’s Basketball Camp in Vernonia. Coach Wilson and the Perry brothers owned that summer basketball camp. I spent part of three summers as a counselor at the camp.

Q. WEREN’T THERE CERTAIN PLACES THE TEAM ALWAYS ATE AND STAYED ON THE ROAD DURING THE ‘EASTERN SWING’ TRIPS?

We always stopped at the Recreation Café in The Dalles. One of Coach Wilson’s sisters owned/operated it. We also stopped at the Nomad Café in Boardman, where Coach grew up and went to school. Each player had a $7 stipend for food. We never spent a hotel night in Caldwell. We always stayed in Baker (now Baker City), about 100 miles from Caldwell. Staying at the historical Baker Hotel was epic. He had “bed checks” to make sure we players were in them.

COACH WILSON LOVED THE ‘HEARTS’ CARD GAME?
Yes! Although the $7 stipend was for food, we players used some of it for “hearts” card game debts. Luckily, I was a pretty good “hearts” card player. The “Eastern Swing” gave us quality time to play “hearts.” In the van, Coach Wilson would sit between the driver and front passenger seat facing to the back where the players sat and play hearts for endless miles.

COACH WILSON WANTED HIS PLAYERS TO EAT WELL?
He was a stickler for eating the right things. He was famous for checking your pockets to make sure you didn’t have any junk food or Snickers candy bars in your pockets. We weren't even allowed to use an umbrella. When I played on the Linfield baseball team, for Coach Helser, he would buy you a Snickers.

HE WAS A PERSON WITH INTEGRITY?

I have always said that the 1966-1967 “miracle” (won conference, won district, went to national tourney in Kansas City) men’s basketball team created after the two December 1966 games in Fairbanks, Alaska, should be in the Linfield Hall of Fame. I was on the team before, during and after its disastrous trip to Fairbanks. I have always wanted to write an article about what really happened. I remember the meeting, upon our return to campus from Fairbanks. Paul Durham (athletic director and football coach) passed out paper and pencil and instructed all of us players on the team to list the items shoplifted while in Fairbanks. Seven players had done so and were instantly dropped from the squad. Later I found out that Harry Dillin, Linfield president, asked Coach Wilson to reinstate the seven players. Coach said, “If I do that, I am done being the coach at Linfield College.” That’s integrity. Coach Wilson always said, “set the trend, don’t follow it.” One time Coach sent me downtown McMinnville to get a haircut (cost $1). Upon my return, he disapproved of it and sent me back. You didn’t disagree with Coach for fear of his two knuckles implanted in your chest.”

WHAT HAPPENED FOR YOU AFTER GRADUATING FROM LINIFELD? 

I earned my bachelor’s degree from Linfield in 1969. I found many ways to save money during my four college years. In the summers, I worked on the Portland waterfront and umpired in Portland Baseball Association. I even, drove a round-trip berry bus for Linfield fan/grad Billy Maxwell (son of J. O. Maxwell or whom Maxwell football field at Linfield is named) one summer from St. Johns in Portland to Canby. As a freshman on the baseball team, I roomed with Wayne Petersen. He worked at the McMinnville General Hospital for his meals. He had me apply, with Linfield grad Milt Robbins (hospital administrator), to take the custodial job at the hospital working for my lunch and dinner. I held that job, plus I was the head resident of Larsell Hall for two years. That paid for my room and board. I also officiated at many intramural volleyball and flag football games as I could. I even was an official for Linfield JV games. I drove my car to cross-country and track meets to make gas money. For the McMinnville School District, Larry Sapp and I collected noontime lunch money at the McMinnville Junior High. My last semester Linfield College paid me $186 as a credit. It IS possible to finance your own education if one takes advantage of opportunities.

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR FIRST TEACHING/COACHING JOB?

As a senior I interviewed on campus with school district representatives sent to seek prospective teachers. At one time I thought I was going to take a teacher and basketball job in Anchorage, Alaska. Ad Rutschman, Linfield football coach, suggested I go and see his old boss at Hillsboro High School (Hilhi). I became a Hilhi teacher and assistant basketball and baseball coach the next school year. So, I knew I was going to Hilhi. The next weekend I graduated. The weekend after that Bonnie Minton, the love of my life, and I got married. We met and worked at at McMinnville General Hospital. We moved to Hillsboro. The next month I got a call to take my military draft physical to go to Vietnam. I passed the first four tests, even the one for vision. I have 20-400 vision. I’m legally blind in six states. But, I failed the physical because my x-rays showed my deformed back and missing vertebrae. At Hilhi I coached 45 teams in 22 seasons. I coached 35 school and summer baseball teams. I was head basketball coach of the “Hilhi Hustlin’ Spartans” for 10 years. The teams played in seven state playoffs. I took my American Legion summer baseball teams to Australia, Hawaii and my basketball team to Alaska, where the same thing happened to us that happened to our Linfield team in 1966. History did, unfortunately, somewhat repeat itself.

Bonnie and I owned and operated our own commercial driving school for 38 years (Tom’s Driving Academy). We taught over 250 computer classes as Hillsboro School District trainers. Our son, Eric, was a First Team All-Metro baseball and basketball standout for Hilhi. He’s a 1997 Linfield grad and lettered all four years playing Linfield basketball and was MVP on the Wildcat basketball team his senior year.

After Bonnie and I sold our driving school, I developed a small business called Custom DVD Memories. That involved being a videographer for travel tours, class reunions, small weddings and parties. I have created over 100 DVD movies. I just retired this year after 13 years of running this business. I have written 10 historical books and currently am the OSAA/Oregon School Activities Association basketball historian. It keeps me busy. (The OSAA is a non-profit, board-governed organization that regulates high school athletics and competitive activities via athletic conferences.) 

Bonnie and I have travelled all over the world. I have been sick in 58 countries and have accomplished my “bucket list”.

Bonnie and I bought “Ten-Star Hoop Camp" from Marion Pericin in 1984. Ken Harris, Sunset High coach, and I ran the camp at Pacific University in Forest Grove for seven summers. And, we ran our own computer camps at Pacific and Linfield for several summers, too.

IN WHAT SPORTS DID YOU COMPETE FOR LINFIELD?

Before I enrolled at Linfield, I had seen in a Wildcat sports media guide, a list of Linfield athletes that had earned 10 or more varsity letters in athletics. That turned out to be one of my goals upon entering Linfield. I did achieve that goal by earning 11 varsity "L’s" in four sports.

Cross-country: My freshman year, Jack Case, a Linfield student, and I petitioned Hal Smith, head track & field coach, to include cross-country as a recognized Linfield letter sport. We developed our own running courses and competed in the Northwest Conference. I lettered all four years and at one time ran a 19:52 four-mile time that was a Linfield record at the time. I was the team captain for two of those years. I volunteered my 1964 Volkswagen “bug” to shuttle teammates to away meets. (4 letters) 

Basketball: I was a perfect fit for the fast breaking, high-scoring Wildcats for Coach Wilson. I played on three Northwest Conference Championship teams. As a freshman I was the leading scorer on the junior varsity team and also played in 10 varsity games. I was a valuable member of the 1966-1967 team that lost seven out of 10 top players, due to disciplinary reasons related to the team’s trip to play December 1966 games in Fairbanks, Alaska. It became known as the “Miracle Team.” Bob Lamb, John Puryear, and I were the only remaining players from team that made the 1966 trip to Fairbanks. Without those seven players it’s not surprisingly newspapers sports picked Linfield to finish last in the conference standings. But, JV players; Terry Durham, who hadn’t played basketball since his freshman year; Bob, John and I became a competitive unit in a short period of time. On the “Miracle Team’s” first road trip my 14 field goals, against Whitman in Walla Walla, helped build the confidence that was with us the entire season. We beat all conference challengers, won the NAIA District II trophy and played in the NAIA National Basketball Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri.

In Kansas City, Linfield, ranked 16th in the nation, faced #1 ranked and home team, St. Benedicts College of Kansas City. I scored 16 points in the upset bid.. Dan Beeson and Bob Lamb both fouled out. St. Benedicts made their end of game free throws and Linfield lost 80-75. St. Benedicts went on to win the national championship.

For the team I was the second leading league scorer (13.5) and top free throw shooter. For my Linfield playing career, I scored more than 800 points.

I was voted Best Defensive Player by my teammates. I earned Northwest Conference All-star mention. I was also chosen as Player of the Week. My name is mentioned 10 times in the Wildcat men’s basketball record book.

Oh, by the way, in Linfield basketball practice, that 1966-1967 season, I made 212 free throws in a row and broke a Guinness Book of World Records record by making 61 free throws in a row blindfolded! (3 letters)

Baseball: I played two years on the Linfield varsity baseball team for Roy Helser, a great leader and baseball legend. I was a relief pitcher on the 1966 National Championship team. I was used as a pinch runner and pitched the most relief innings from the bullpen. They didn't keep "saves" in those days but I had three, most notable a "save against the University of Oregon in Eugene. For the NAIA national World Series in St. Joseph, Missouri, 17 of us on the team travelled on three different commercial flights to get there. We were the eight seed out of eight teams. We won all four games and brought home Linfield's first national championship. In 1966-1967, our basketball season went deep into March so I joined the Linfield baseball team when its season was well under way.

In the summers, I pitched for the City Beavers semi-pro baseball team in Portland for eight seasons and played competitive City League basketball into my 50’s. (2 letters)

Track: After two years of varsity baseball, I decided to join the track team because Coach Smith mentioned it would be easier to get a coaching job if I was able to coach track and field events on my resume. Because baseball was into league play by the end of basketball, it was difficult to get into the baseball rotation. In track I competed in three events. I consistently earned points in the triple jump and long jump. I went over 41-feet consistently in the triple and had a personal best of 20-feet 11-inches in the long jump and 42-feet 11-inches in the triple. I also ran a leg on the short relay team. I was one of the first at Linfield to enter a decathlon as an unofficial event. (2 letters) 

DID YOUR BROTHER, DAN, ATTEND LINFIELD, TOO? 

Yes. Dan attended Linfield, hoping to play baseball. But, he transferred to Portland State and lettered one year playing baseball for Coach Roy Love.

MEMORIES?

Obviously, the National Championship baseball team and the National basketball tournament games stick out. Playing to packed crowds at Riley Gymnasium where we received standing ovations when the starting five were announced. The “South 40” basketball cheering section antics were unique. Eating late night dinner at the Rocket Café down the street from campus because we were too tired to eat after intense basketball practices. Scoring 100-point games against fatigued opponents and the thrill of racing down court and converting on a fast break. The thrill of beating opponents we weren't supposed to beat in the "miracle" season of 1966-67. The poem (*see Footnote) “The Game Is Never Over” about Ted Wilson that I wrote lives now in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. John Lee was the best athlete I have seen at Linfield and Don Hakala Sr. was the best basketball player I have witnessed and I practiced daily against them my freshman year. The lifelong connection of being a Wildcat...’

*FOOTNOTE to “The Game Is Never Over” poem about Ted Wilson by Tom Rohlffs:

Tom said the poem's significance relates to many things about Coach Ted Wilson including the fact the coach had four heart attacks. The first heart attack happened late in the 1965-1966 season. As a result Coach Wilson was not allowed to travel and missed the men's basketball team's game at the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City. Roy Helser, whom Wilson succeeded as head basketball coach, took the team to KC. Coach Wilson had another heart attack on a golf course. But, he refused to get medical help until he completed his round of golf. His last and fatal heart attack was on the Linfield handball court. He fell to the floor. His dying words to Wes Suan, against whom he was competing, was indicating he was leading "6 to 2. That's the kind of competitor Ted Wilson was. See poem below. Click on it to see it larger, easier to read.