Linfield College 1969 Commencement inside Riley Gym not a disappointing venue for graduates who played Linfield men’s basketball
It’s always a backup plan for Linfield Commencement. It’ll be held outside in the Oak Grove unless rain requires moving it inside.
For Commencement on Sunday, May 18, 1969, it did rain. The ceremony was moved into Riley Gym.
Were members of the Class of 1969 disappointed about the venue? Probably.
But, those who played Linfield men’s basketball (there was not a women’s intercollegiate team at the time) likely were smiling about it.
Linfield basketball players who graduated during the ceremony included Loren Bruner, Dale Carpenter, Mike Conklin, Don Huld, Tom Leatherwood, John Puryear, Tom Rohlffs and Larry Sapp.
Riley Gym was where, led by Coach Ted Wilson, they played and won home basketball games before packed crowds. “It was our Boston Garden,” said Tom.
While it was not a game, Commencement was an event in Riley Gym in which they once again soaked up the applause and good feelings for a job well done.
DON'T
FORGET THE 'L'
Think
back to Riley Gym in 1969 (and other years). During home basketball games, one
end was home of the famous “South Forty,” cheering on Linfield teams and
chanting (and other things) versus Linfield opponents.
Facing the north end of the gym you see two double-door exists. Take the doors on the far right and look above you. Do you recall what you’d see? A giant purple painted “L” with an American flag blowing in the breeze created by an electric fan.
Thanks to these two
photos by Tom your memory can be refreshed. You see:
- all of the "L" in the upper right hand of the photo taken by Tom as he sat in chairs on the Riley Gym floor with classmates.
- part of the "L" in the other photo. After the ceremony Tom took this photo of classmate/teammate John Puryear with (most likely) his mother and a sister.
.jpg)
#
