A message from Ronald H. Stubbs, Assistant Principal and Alumnus, Class of 1993:
Wichita West High School is beginning an Alumni Association. The purpose is to link the past with the present. West High School has a rich tradition of alumni with outstanding accomplishments in the community and in their lives. It is important for current West students to see the successes that await them once they graduate from West High.
The funds generated from memberships will go toward improvements to the school, such as the school grounds, and to support community events, student activities, and other opportunities.
As an alumni member, you will be recognized for your donation in athletics programs published in both the Fall and Winter, as well as on the school's website. Trailblazer club members will also be recognized on a plaque that will be displayed near the main office at West High.
You can make a one-time donation of any amount. Or, a year donation of any amount. Instead of a monetary donation, consider becoming a volunteer, assisting with a variety of alumni and school-related events.
Donations:
$25 Maroon Club
$50 Gold Club
$100 Pioneer Club
$250 Trailblazer Club
For more information, please contact Mr. Stubbs at rstubbs@usd259.org
820 S. Osage
Wichita, KS 67213
Wichita West High School website: Click on Alumni link.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Reflections on reunion
I wasn't sure what to expect for this rapidly-put-together reunion of athletes from 3 or more decades back, assembled together to relive old times, swap tales of high school glory, and pay a bit of tribute to a terrific coach, Ray Graham, who helped mold us into good men. I knew that several of the guys from my era (69-72) would be there, including the boys from our state championship XC and track squads. Ol' Skinny Dean Young ('72), who nearly single-handedly put this reunion together, guessed that anywhere from 30 to 150 guys would show up. As it turned out, it was closer to the lower end, as about 45 or so signed the guest book that Dean had laid out on the table. Several of us brought our wives, who've heard all of our tales of glory and now simply roll their eyes wearily when we get melancholy about our long-ago athletic feats. Bob Aitken ('72) even brought along his mom! When she greeted me, I gave her a hug and said, "Hello, Mrs. Aitken." She said, "Cecil, you are an adult now. You can call me Betty." I may be an adult, but somehow calling Mrs. Aitken by her first name didn't seem right. I recall well how she and Mr. Aitken always had a welcoming home for the cross-country guys. We spent more than a few hours in their basement rec room shooting pool and listening to music.
I think that we had guys from the class of '68 and most classes were represented up to 1978. The '71-72 team was the largest group, but we also likely had the closest bond--and certainly the most enduring--among our group of track athletes. Tom Honer, Bob Aitken, Dean Young, Bill Tucker, Skip Withrow, Robert Ohmie, John McAllister, Kent Love, and I have managed to stay in touch with one another over the the past 35 years, although there have been long stretches where we have fallen out of contact, as several of us have relocated to other places far and wide. Nonetheless, the bond of friendship endures.
As people began to arrive at the school cafeteria--it looks so much different from the place I remember--I found myself looking around and I actually wondered, "Who are all these old guys?" Those would be my cohort and a few from the late 1960s. Guys came in whom I had not seen since graduation. I recognized Steve Maloney right away. Solidly built like an M-1 tank, Steve looks like he could still churn out a solid 200 m. dash (it was, of course, 220 yards back then). I didn't recognize Bob Alderson, but remembered him as a very fine sprinter who, along with Steve, set some impressive 440 and mile relay times. We certainly would not have won that state championship long ago had the sprint team not done their part. Sadly, the other two fine sprinters on that team are no longer with us. Steve's brother, Preston, was killed in a car accident a couple of years after graduation. Henry Figures passed away about five years ago from complications resulting from a stroke. I tell you, those guys were brilliant fast.
And who could forget the field events guys? Stan Putnam, the shot putter, who didn't look older than 35 and who probably still heaves the metal ball around in his back yard. There was Joe Bickel, who yet holds the school record for the javelin throw. A long-time Wichita firefighter, Joe remains the same good and irreverent guy that I first met in 7th grade. And Hal Brandenburg, the long, tall high jumper who brought his dad, Coach Harold Brandenburg, along as well. Coach Brandenburg had tremendous success in the late 60s with the powerhouse West football team (I believe they won a state championship in '68), but then the talent went bad, the team fell on hard and winless times during my years, and Coach Brandenburg shifted over to coaching the jumpers such as his son.
Speaking of coaches, Jerry Goodman, the sprinters' coach, also made it to the reunion. Coach Graham recollected how he and Coach Goodman had, during a particularly bad time in the early 70s, as Wichita schools were acclimating to the forced busing of African-American students in previously white schools, prevented a school riot. Ray blocked a group of white thugs at one end of the building and Jerry blocked a group of black troublemakers at another end, preventing what would have been sheer chaos and much destruction. It seems silly now to think that kids would fight over such things, but it is easy to look around and see that such problems and tensions remain in our society.
A few guys from that great '72 track team didn't show up. I have no idea what has become of them. Val Dunn, our marvelous triple jumper. Mike Greenlee, the pole vaulter, who qualified for the state meet and promptly broke his ankle (right in front of me) during practice, following an aborted jump. And, of course, XC and distance man Terry "Bull" Newfer who has only infrequently responded to entreaties to join our sporadic reunions. He was last heard from in the Denver area.
There were others from my era who were in attendance, however, including Jim Slaughter. I think back to Jim, who probably never missed a practice in three years of cross-country and track (West was a 3-year HS back then), yet who never made the varsity. He never complained. He worked as hard as anyone, he had a great attitude, and he was (and remains) a good guy. I think Jim might be the person I admire the most from that time. There was Mike Smith ('71), whose mom, Wilma, was a mother hen to many of us. And although she sometimes drove us crazy, I think we loved her for it because she cared about us. And, hey, Mike was a pretty darned good runner in his day. The great distance runner, Frank Hukle ('70), was also in attendance. Frank still holds the 2 and 3-mile school records nearly 40 years later! I didn't recognize him at first, but when he introduced himself, I accused him of having given me a red-belly in the pool when I was a lowly sophomore. He denied it vigorously, claimed that he never engaged in such behavior, and suggested that, more likely, it was teammate Tom Braderick ('70). Upon reflection, I'm sure that Frank was correct.
Lonnie Achey ('74) flew in from southern California with his lovely wife, Karen. I remember Lonnie as a very small kid then. Perhaps it was his dimunitive size and his willingness to work really hard that made him a favorite among we upper classmen. Lonnie told my wife, Ellin, how the XC guys had taken him in and treated him as one of us, never hazed him, not even a red-belly. Don't know how we missed that! Rob Beatty ('74) was also there. Rob's had an interesting and varied career. He was a nurse, having worked in a local hospital with one of my younger sisters. Then, he turned to lawyering. Now, he's a writer, having published a book about a notorious local serial killer. When the nutbag was finally captured after nearly 30 years, Rob became a TV celebrity of sorts as the story played out on national TV. Dave Roberts ('74) was there. He revealed to me how Coach Graham had pushed him really hard to follow in the footsteps (literally!) of our state XC and track champion, Tom Honer. But, Dave never really got over his love of baseball and may not have worked as hard as Coach Graham would have liked!
My son, Kevin, now a high school cross-country runner, finally got to meet the legendary Coach Graham, whom he has heard so much about over the years. Kevin is hoping to walk on to a Division I college XC team, so Ray gave him some good counsel and encouragement. My wife thanked Ray, too, for all that he had done for me back then. Like several of my teammates, I came from some rough circumstances. Cross-country and track gave me a focus and direction. I've always said that the lessons I learned as a runner back then I carry with me and use every day of my life--in ways both big and small.
Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough time to meet everyone--in particular, the guys who came before and after me. One person in particular I would have liked to have chatted with--Rodger Shurtz--('78) broke Bob Aitken's ('72) school record in the mile and anchored some pretty fast relay teams. He was on the last team that Ray coached before he left coaching to pursue business opportunities.
The very kind young assistant principal, Ronald H. Stubbs, Jr. ('93), took all of us on a tour of the building. Due to additions, West High School is nearly twice its original size now. Ironically, there are now only 1300 students--far less than the 2,000+ that attended West in the early 70s. Looking back, it did not seem overcrowded back then, but it was certainly a busy place. It was fun to see the boys' locker room, which struck me as more dungeon-like that I had remembered it to be. The sports team locker room was completely unchanged. I recalled having checked out football equipment during my sophomore year in a misguided effort to compete for a spot on the team. A few bell-ringings to my head soon convinced me that football was not my sport. Cross-country was a safer alternative!
After four hours, our time was up. I had a great time, enjoyed being back at West High again after 35 years away (and having never attended a class reunion). It was great to see my old buddies and to renew old friendships and acquaintances. But, I really never thought I'd see the day that Coach Graham's hair would be longer than mine.
Cecil Smith (class of '72)
I think that we had guys from the class of '68 and most classes were represented up to 1978. The '71-72 team was the largest group, but we also likely had the closest bond--and certainly the most enduring--among our group of track athletes. Tom Honer, Bob Aitken, Dean Young, Bill Tucker, Skip Withrow, Robert Ohmie, John McAllister, Kent Love, and I have managed to stay in touch with one another over the the past 35 years, although there have been long stretches where we have fallen out of contact, as several of us have relocated to other places far and wide. Nonetheless, the bond of friendship endures.
As people began to arrive at the school cafeteria--it looks so much different from the place I remember--I found myself looking around and I actually wondered, "Who are all these old guys?" Those would be my cohort and a few from the late 1960s. Guys came in whom I had not seen since graduation. I recognized Steve Maloney right away. Solidly built like an M-1 tank, Steve looks like he could still churn out a solid 200 m. dash (it was, of course, 220 yards back then). I didn't recognize Bob Alderson, but remembered him as a very fine sprinter who, along with Steve, set some impressive 440 and mile relay times. We certainly would not have won that state championship long ago had the sprint team not done their part. Sadly, the other two fine sprinters on that team are no longer with us. Steve's brother, Preston, was killed in a car accident a couple of years after graduation. Henry Figures passed away about five years ago from complications resulting from a stroke. I tell you, those guys were brilliant fast.
And who could forget the field events guys? Stan Putnam, the shot putter, who didn't look older than 35 and who probably still heaves the metal ball around in his back yard. There was Joe Bickel, who yet holds the school record for the javelin throw. A long-time Wichita firefighter, Joe remains the same good and irreverent guy that I first met in 7th grade. And Hal Brandenburg, the long, tall high jumper who brought his dad, Coach Harold Brandenburg, along as well. Coach Brandenburg had tremendous success in the late 60s with the powerhouse West football team (I believe they won a state championship in '68), but then the talent went bad, the team fell on hard and winless times during my years, and Coach Brandenburg shifted over to coaching the jumpers such as his son.
Speaking of coaches, Jerry Goodman, the sprinters' coach, also made it to the reunion. Coach Graham recollected how he and Coach Goodman had, during a particularly bad time in the early 70s, as Wichita schools were acclimating to the forced busing of African-American students in previously white schools, prevented a school riot. Ray blocked a group of white thugs at one end of the building and Jerry blocked a group of black troublemakers at another end, preventing what would have been sheer chaos and much destruction. It seems silly now to think that kids would fight over such things, but it is easy to look around and see that such problems and tensions remain in our society.
A few guys from that great '72 track team didn't show up. I have no idea what has become of them. Val Dunn, our marvelous triple jumper. Mike Greenlee, the pole vaulter, who qualified for the state meet and promptly broke his ankle (right in front of me) during practice, following an aborted jump. And, of course, XC and distance man Terry "Bull" Newfer who has only infrequently responded to entreaties to join our sporadic reunions. He was last heard from in the Denver area.
There were others from my era who were in attendance, however, including Jim Slaughter. I think back to Jim, who probably never missed a practice in three years of cross-country and track (West was a 3-year HS back then), yet who never made the varsity. He never complained. He worked as hard as anyone, he had a great attitude, and he was (and remains) a good guy. I think Jim might be the person I admire the most from that time. There was Mike Smith ('71), whose mom, Wilma, was a mother hen to many of us. And although she sometimes drove us crazy, I think we loved her for it because she cared about us. And, hey, Mike was a pretty darned good runner in his day. The great distance runner, Frank Hukle ('70), was also in attendance. Frank still holds the 2 and 3-mile school records nearly 40 years later! I didn't recognize him at first, but when he introduced himself, I accused him of having given me a red-belly in the pool when I was a lowly sophomore. He denied it vigorously, claimed that he never engaged in such behavior, and suggested that, more likely, it was teammate Tom Braderick ('70). Upon reflection, I'm sure that Frank was correct.
Lonnie Achey ('74) flew in from southern California with his lovely wife, Karen. I remember Lonnie as a very small kid then. Perhaps it was his dimunitive size and his willingness to work really hard that made him a favorite among we upper classmen. Lonnie told my wife, Ellin, how the XC guys had taken him in and treated him as one of us, never hazed him, not even a red-belly. Don't know how we missed that! Rob Beatty ('74) was also there. Rob's had an interesting and varied career. He was a nurse, having worked in a local hospital with one of my younger sisters. Then, he turned to lawyering. Now, he's a writer, having published a book about a notorious local serial killer. When the nutbag was finally captured after nearly 30 years, Rob became a TV celebrity of sorts as the story played out on national TV. Dave Roberts ('74) was there. He revealed to me how Coach Graham had pushed him really hard to follow in the footsteps (literally!) of our state XC and track champion, Tom Honer. But, Dave never really got over his love of baseball and may not have worked as hard as Coach Graham would have liked!
My son, Kevin, now a high school cross-country runner, finally got to meet the legendary Coach Graham, whom he has heard so much about over the years. Kevin is hoping to walk on to a Division I college XC team, so Ray gave him some good counsel and encouragement. My wife thanked Ray, too, for all that he had done for me back then. Like several of my teammates, I came from some rough circumstances. Cross-country and track gave me a focus and direction. I've always said that the lessons I learned as a runner back then I carry with me and use every day of my life--in ways both big and small.
Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough time to meet everyone--in particular, the guys who came before and after me. One person in particular I would have liked to have chatted with--Rodger Shurtz--('78) broke Bob Aitken's ('72) school record in the mile and anchored some pretty fast relay teams. He was on the last team that Ray coached before he left coaching to pursue business opportunities.
The very kind young assistant principal, Ronald H. Stubbs, Jr. ('93), took all of us on a tour of the building. Due to additions, West High School is nearly twice its original size now. Ironically, there are now only 1300 students--far less than the 2,000+ that attended West in the early 70s. Looking back, it did not seem overcrowded back then, but it was certainly a busy place. It was fun to see the boys' locker room, which struck me as more dungeon-like that I had remembered it to be. The sports team locker room was completely unchanged. I recalled having checked out football equipment during my sophomore year in a misguided effort to compete for a spot on the team. A few bell-ringings to my head soon convinced me that football was not my sport. Cross-country was a safer alternative!
After four hours, our time was up. I had a great time, enjoyed being back at West High again after 35 years away (and having never attended a class reunion). It was great to see my old buddies and to renew old friendships and acquaintances. But, I really never thought I'd see the day that Coach Graham's hair would be longer than mine.
Cecil Smith (class of '72)
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Reunion photos
Reunion of the 1965-1978 West High Track and Cross-Country teams, coached by Ray Graham.
Robert Ohmie ('72), Dean Young ('72), Mike Smith ('71), and Lonnie Achey ('74), Bill Tucker ('72).
Is your name on the record board?
The eternally boyish grin of '73 XC star Kent Love.
West High Pioneer track stars of yesteryear explore the hallways of the old school.
Chatting in the hallways--just like back in the day.
Back in the old cafeteria again.
Mike Smith ('71) and Joe Bickel ('72) swap tall tales.
Wives who consented to be seen with aged track stars.
Members of mid-70s era team catch up on the latest news.
Jim Slaughter ('72) contemplates the many happy hours spent splashin' 'round the bath-tub sized swimming pool at West High.
Coach Graham with members of late-60s era team.
Says it all.
Rob Beatty ('74), Jim Slaughter ('72), Dean Young ('72), and Robert Ohmie ('72) lead a group touring the ol' halls of West High.
Coach Ray Graham
<-- The '71 State XC champs: Kent Love ('73), Bill Tucker ('72), Cecil Smith ('72), Skip Withrow ('72), Tom Honer ('72), Robert Ohmie ('72), Bob Aitken ('72), Mike Smith ('71), Dean Young ('72), Coach Ray Graham, and John McAllister ('72).
Bill Tucker ('72), John McAllister ('72), Mike Smith ('71), and Tom Honer catch up -->
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Wichita Eagle News Story (Sunday, April 29, 2007)
WEST COACH EAGERLY AWAITS REUNION
DUANE FRAZIER, The Wichita Eagle
Ray Graham is ready to re-live a little history with his former West High runners.
And the reunion should generate some awfully interesting stories. Graham, West's boys cross country and track coach from 1965 to 1978, never was much of a conventional coach.
He liked to take chances, and he liked his athletes to have some fun. They biked. They went to the mountains.
"We did a lot of crazy things," Graham admits. "I guess I was a bit of a maverick."
Graham is reuniting his athletes May 5. The reunion is an opportunity to share some stories, but it also will allow Graham to give something back.
Graham, who now lives in Edmond, Okla., said he has a large collection of photographs and slides he would like to give to former runners.
"It's pictures of them, so I'd like them have all of them," he said. "And it's a way to see some kids I haven't seen in years."
The stories should be especially interesting. West won City League cross country titles in 1968, 1971, 1972 and 1973 along with a track title in 1972. The Pioneers won a state cross country title in 1971 and a state track title in 1972.
The interesting part, however, is how the team trained.
"We would ride bikes all over the country," Graham said. "We would do anything to be a little different."
One year, the West runners even ran a 24-hour relay.
"It was a real popular thing with Runner's World magazine back then," Graham said. "My AD (athletic director) and principal said it was OK. The KSHSAA didn't like the idea, though. It wasn't against the rules, they just said don't do it."
Graham decided to do it anyway.
"We set a national record," he said. "We had six or seven runners, and we ran something like 244 miles. And we didn't tell anybody about it."
Graham got out of coaching in 1978, but he looks forward to his return to West.
The runners will meet in the school's cafeteria on May 5 at 1 p.m. The event will include a potluck lunch and a lot of memorable tales.
DUANE FRAZIER, The Wichita Eagle
Ray Graham is ready to re-live a little history with his former West High runners.
And the reunion should generate some awfully interesting stories. Graham, West's boys cross country and track coach from 1965 to 1978, never was much of a conventional coach.
He liked to take chances, and he liked his athletes to have some fun. They biked. They went to the mountains.
"We did a lot of crazy things," Graham admits. "I guess I was a bit of a maverick."
Graham is reuniting his athletes May 5. The reunion is an opportunity to share some stories, but it also will allow Graham to give something back.
Graham, who now lives in Edmond, Okla., said he has a large collection of photographs and slides he would like to give to former runners.
"It's pictures of them, so I'd like them have all of them," he said. "And it's a way to see some kids I haven't seen in years."
The stories should be especially interesting. West won City League cross country titles in 1968, 1971, 1972 and 1973 along with a track title in 1972. The Pioneers won a state cross country title in 1971 and a state track title in 1972.
The interesting part, however, is how the team trained.
"We would ride bikes all over the country," Graham said. "We would do anything to be a little different."
One year, the West runners even ran a 24-hour relay.
"It was a real popular thing with Runner's World magazine back then," Graham said. "My AD (athletic director) and principal said it was OK. The KSHSAA didn't like the idea, though. It wasn't against the rules, they just said don't do it."
Graham decided to do it anyway.
"We set a national record," he said. "We had six or seven runners, and we ran something like 244 miles. And we didn't tell anybody about it."
Graham got out of coaching in 1978, but he looks forward to his return to West.
The runners will meet in the school's cafeteria on May 5 at 1 p.m. The event will include a potluck lunch and a lot of memorable tales.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Pioneer runners: Don't miss this!
Ray Graham would like to distribute his large collection of slides and photos to his former athletes as we share stories and, perhaps, reinvent history. Under Coach Graham's stewardship, West High competed successfull--and intensely--while winning City League, regional, and state championships in both sports. He organized cross-country bicycle trips, promoted marathon and road racing, and supported numerous young men in their quest to compete and grow.
We are scheduled to gather at West High School, in the cafeteria, on Saturday, May 5, 2007, beginning at 1:00 p.m. We are planning a carry-in potluck, so you are invited to bring a covered dish, snacks, or soft drinks.
See you there!
Contact Dean A. Young (‘72)S. Lorraine Wichita , KS 67211
We are scheduled to gather at West High School, in the cafeteria, on Saturday, May 5, 2007, beginning at 1:00 p.m. We are planning a carry-in potluck, so you are invited to bring a covered dish, snacks, or soft drinks.
See you there!
Contact Dean A. Young (‘72)
An invitation from Coach Graham
From: Coach Graham, "The Big Sophomore"
To: Anyone who knew me during my time at West High School
(Fall of '65 through Spring of '78)
Welcome one and all to our West Track and XC Reunion. I am really
looking forward to sharing old times with all of you that can be there.
Bring your whole family if possible. I hope some of your parents can
be there also.
I have a lot of really special memories of our time together. I have a
lot of pictures and old slides I want to pass on to you all.
Please Be There!
Your old Coach,
Ray Graham
To: Anyone who knew me during my time at West High School
(Fall of '65 through Spring of '78)
Welcome one and all to our West Track and XC Reunion. I am really
looking forward to sharing old times with all of you that can be there.
Bring your whole family if possible. I hope some of your parents can
be there also.
I have a lot of really special memories of our time together. I have a
lot of pictures and old slides I want to pass on to you all.
Please Be There!
Your old Coach,
Ray Graham
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Coach Ray Graham, October 1970
Here's a photo of coach Graham in his "prime." This was taken at the Hutchinson Invitational Cross-Country meet in October 1970.Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Welcome, West High XC and Track Alumni 1965-1978
This blog is directed to Wichita West High alumni who were members of the cross-country and track teams coached by Ray Graham during the years from 1965-1978.
At Coach Graham's request, we are organizing a reunion on Saturday, May 5, 2007. The event will be held in the cafeteria at West High School from 1 - 5 p.m.
Further details are forthcoming. Food and drink (possibly a pot-luck) are possible. Coach Graham has photographs and slides that he wishes to distribute to those who would like to have some memorabilia of their glory days wearing the maroon-and-gold racing singlets of the Pioneers.
If you participated in track and field or ran as a member of the cross-country team during the Ray Graham era, please plan to attend this event. If you did not, but know someone who did--please spread the word!
At Coach Graham's request, we are organizing a reunion on Saturday, May 5, 2007. The event will be held in the cafeteria at West High School from 1 - 5 p.m.
Further details are forthcoming. Food and drink (possibly a pot-luck) are possible. Coach Graham has photographs and slides that he wishes to distribute to those who would like to have some memorabilia of their glory days wearing the maroon-and-gold racing singlets of the Pioneers.
If you participated in track and field or ran as a member of the cross-country team during the Ray Graham era, please plan to attend this event. If you did not, but know someone who did--please spread the word!
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