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The long, proud tradition of Ponoka Composite High School sports - Reflections of Ponoka

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1958-59 Ponoka Composite High School Broncs back row: Heatherington

If you would care to take a stroll down the hallowed and ever-changing halls of the Ponoka Composite High School you would likely witness complete silence, followed by some sort of organized mayhem at the sound of the buzzer. This might include the usual frantic bustle from a sudden mass of young students rushing to classes, the gym or the cafeteria, to catch a ride home, maybe stopping along the way to chat with friends in front of their noisy lockers, greeting a teacher, popping into the office, or quickly checking the next item on their busy schedules.

As a visitor, please stop and browse through the many past graduation photos on the walls, while admiring the jam-packed cases full of trophies, plaques, and banners, as well as the ongoing mementos of the thousands of Ponoka and district students who have been lucky enough to enjoy the education rush. Along with all the first-class educational curriculum, venues, and leadership that our schools have offered, there has also been extra-curricular activities that allow students and teachers to put aside the books for a while, let loose, and have a little fun.

As far back as the early 1920s, the Ponoka High School was well known for its school band, but it was in the field of basketball that our school athletes enjoyed their greatest fame. Way back then, both the girls and boys’ squads would win their first central Alberta championship, and this would be the exciting beginning of our proud and longstanding Broncs and Aces sports team traditions. In the winter the students spent hours on the chilly outdoor rinks playing hockey in school leagues, with curling later making an appearance.

The town citizens were always keenly interested and noisy fans at these sports activities, but it was not until a gymnasium was built that the students were able to receive athletic instruction year round, and would soon prove their ability in exciting competitions with other schools. A growing list of school sports included baseball and football for the boys, as well as basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, curling, and track and field. Ongoing house leagues for all students, a cheer squad program, and chances for students and parents to volunteer in the sports programs were also organized to give each and everyone a chance to get involved in the action and catch the team spirit. Some of the early teachers who coached teams to victory over the years included: Bill Novak, Vincent Maloney, Bill Soprovich, Jim Day, Norman Smith, Vern Befus and Wayne Lloyd. There have been so many others who continue to encourage and expand these extremely successful programs right up to the present day.

Following is a memorable letter I received from Jim Day, a former physical education Instructor and coach at PCHS.

Dear Mike:

It’s almost impossible to write a ‘couple of paragraphs’ as you requested, to recall my five years from 1958 to 1963. I met, and was influenced by hundreds of students and staff and members of the community. Please let me tell you about my list of “Ten to Remember!”

Alphabetically, the first on my list is Cathy Galusha. What a girl! What a woman! In high school, Cathy excelled in basketball, track and field, badminton, and volleyball. She also played baseball and was a national champion in golf. She was a hard worker as a student and one of the most coachable athletes I have had the privilege to be close to.

Eileen Hailstone was my colleague on the teaching staff. She was very knowledgeable about all sports and an invaluable support in my years as a multi-sport coach. She and I still reminisce about the time she sneaked up and whispered advice in my ear when our boys’ volleyball team was having difficulty in the championship game. I took that advice and the team went on to win. Thanks again, Eileen.

Gordy Jones was my quarterback in the fall of 1962 when the Broncs were undefeated, scored 285 points, and allowed only 12 against. Gordy was not just superbly athletic and intelligent, he was the plan-ahead guy and a de facto assistant coach of the team. When I spent a majority of practice time with the linesmen, Gordy looked after the backs and made sure they were game ready.

Gary Johnson was an all-round performer, very bright, success-orientated, and very coachable. He was small and slow but a privilege to know and work with. He would have been a great physical educator and coach, but he disappointed me by becoming a medical doctor. In football, he was a backup QB and safetyman, in basketball a point guard, in volleyball a setter, in badminton just a winner.

Ron McDowell was at PHS for just one year. A natural athlete and superbly fast, he was a perfect fit for the Broncs football team. On offence he played tackle and on defence he played middle linebacker. He could play any position. He was never hurt, never seemed to be out of breath, and was a role model for all, including me. In the spring he won four gold medals in track and field with his blazing speed.

Larry Mickey was the all-star wide receiver of the Broncs team that won the championship in the fall of 1960. He was the best example in my experience as an athlete who out-played by far his natural talent. Larry was small and slow, but he made up for it by being smart and aggressive with an incredible will to win. One highlight of that season was the incredible ‘sleeper play’ that he and Howie Smith created and executed almost every game. They scored four touchdowns that way out of eight tries. Howie throwing the ball too far for Larry to catch up usually caused the misfires.

Richard Osokin was another athletic wonder who played football for the Broncs for just one season. But what a season! Richard scored 14 touchdowns, playing fullback. He usually ran around the tacklers but he was equally effective running right through or over them. He never stopped smiling (still the same today) and made us all feel pretty good.

Russell Petterson was my choice for MVP. That stands for Most Valuable Principal. In my school and university years I have worked with dozens of administrators, none measured up to Russell. A true team player, he knew what should be done and had a way of making it seem as if it were our idea. Thanks for three great years, Russell.

Howard Smith was the Cathy Galusha among the PHS boys. He excelled in football, basketball, volleyball, and track and field. He was a provincial champion in high jump and javelin. For two years I had him playing fullback, but one of my smartest moves was to make him our quarterback in Grade 12. As well as throwing those sleeper passes to Mickey, he threw to Gerry Patterson, Gerry Field, Garry Johnson, and others. He also did the punting and the kick-offs for the Broncs, and on one occasion he ran a QB sneak for 60, and would have gone all the way, but as the expression goes, he tripped on the 15- yard line!

Anne Walker is last on this alphabetic list, but first in my heart in so many ways. She ran the school’s office (don’t tell Russell) during my time there. She was just so capable at everything she undertook. Think up something that needed doing, Mrs. Walker got it done.

And Mike, I award you my MVR (Most Valuable Reporter).

Thanks for the memories.