The Dinner

I had to teach a class in Livermore that day, so I had to wake up early. I actually woke up earlier than neccessary for two reasons:

1. I wanted to look at comet Hale-Bopp, which was putting on a spectacular display in the pre-dawn skies.
   
   
2. Cathy Gellis, whose offers on gobears to babysit for an ASU ticket failed to generate a response, wanted to get in line for tickets, on the chance that there were any returns. Since I was going to be up anyway, she wanted a wake-up call and a ride to Harmon (no problem)

Andy and I made arrangements to meet at about 5pm. My students in Livermore were happy because I let them go a little early. ;) I arrived a little late because I had to find parking.

The evening began with some socializing. We slowly worked our way from the entrance of the RSF to the practice gym at the other end. On our way over we talked with friends, had a few drinks and eventually entered the gym. As we entered the gym, we saw the displays which Sara Ferejohn and a few other people had put together. On our right were displays featuring the athletes and teams who had played inside Harmon...included was a repetive video tape showing highlights of the men's game which ended the streak and the women's upset of Stanfurd. On our left were displays on the history of Harmon from its construction to the present day. It was fun to look at the photos (some new and others old). In addition to photos, there were other artifacts, such as a program from one of the San Francisco Symphony's performances, blue prints of Harmon, Wendy Dittimore's cheerleading outfit, and a pair of Blue and Gold Nike shoes worn by Oski in the mid-to-late 1980s. One last display was directly in front of us--a model of the Haas Pavillion...unfortunately there were too many people around it to get a good view.

It was getting near time to start, so we found a table near one of the large video screens. At each seat was our picnic dinner box, a commemorative program, and a copy of the Harmon's Last Stand video tape. The dinner itself was just what was advertised--a picnic dinner consisting of some cold chicken, rice, vegetables, and cookies (the cookies were the best part and went well with the coffee). While we were eating, they showed a 15 minute video presentation made up of excerpts from the Harmon's Last Stand video.

During the presentation, my pager went off. Since I had my cell phone with me, I checked the message--it was another friend (and Cal Band alumna), Laura Ackley, telling me that she had managed to get a ticket and asking if I wanted to have dinner with her and the person who got the ticket for her. I know it was rude to the other people at my table, but I called her and explained why I couldn't join her for dinner. She said "Of course you'd be at the Harmon's Last Stand dinner! See you at the game."

After the video presentation came speeches, speeches and more speeches. There were three speakers who I enjoyed listening to:

• Bill Glass, who talked about his memories of being a kid watching games in Harmon and wishing that one day he could be like announcer Bud Foster.
  
  
• Earl Robinson, who talked about the great stall and got the crowd to do a yell.
  
  
• Gooch Foster, who remembered one evening in which she was in the gym, heard some strange noises, followed them to one of the stairwells that leads to nowhere, and spotted a couple. "You never saw clothes fly so fast."
  
  One other story she recounted involved the heating system. During the Winter break, the steam plant would usually shut off the heat to Harmon. Several hours prior to a game against USC, she called the steam plant and told them that they should turn on the heat because there was a game that evening...nothing happened. After waiting an hour or so, she called again, this time saying "How do you think the Chancelor will feel if he's freezing?" Five minutes later, a man dressed in a large coat, hat, and gloves showed up. He said "It doesn't seem that cold to me." Gooch pointed to the players and then said to the man, "Would you like to strip down to your shorts and then see how cold it is?" He understood the point and turned the heat on...too high. When the Trojans arrived, they complained about the heat. Gooch went to the guy from the steam plant and said "No matter what you hear from the USC people, do *not* turn off the heat." According to Gooch, Cal won the game. ;)

Finally, Pete Newell finished reminiscing and we all made our way to Harmon by walking alongside the Evans Diamond outfield fence. It was the first time either of us had entered Harmon from the west doors. We were in store for more surprises--instead of tearing our tickets, the ticket takers just marked the back, so that we could keep them. Next, I found that Cathy and Joel (who had managed to sneak in) had saved us some seats (thanks) in the student section. I had feared that I would actually have to sit in my real seat; which is something I had *never* done in the seven years I've had season tickets in Harmon.

The Game

There were a few other surprises during the game...

• Pete Newell brought the game ball to the officials.
  
  
• During the breaks, several of the great players who had graced the court at Harmon were introduced and walked out. (At the final women's game all of the great players were introduced at the half)

Another big surprise was that the Rally Committee had dug out the lightboard from the storeroom, and somehow managed to get it to work! They hung the light board from the railing in front of the wheelchair seating area above the student section. As if it was on queue, when I pointed it out to other people around me, it spelled CALIFOTNIA instead of CALIFORNIA. (Actually, this wasn't a surprise to me, as they had also brought it out at the final women's game)

Oh yeah, there was a game too, but don't ask me for any details about it. I can't even remember who the band picked for "Tuna".

Afterwards

Other highlights of the post-game.

• A long line of Rally Comm members did the Time Warp along with the band.
  
  
• Lots of people took photos next to the scoreboard.
  
  
• Some other Rally Comm alumni gathered for a photo underneath the Lightboard.

To close things out, I've adapted a quote, which those of you who are baseball historians might recognize. It seems fitting for this too:

    That, ladies and gentlemen is Harmon Gymnasium,
    Historic in basketball memory,
    Where the California Golden Bears played for 64 years;
    So many friends and so many fans.
    Yes ladies and gentlemen, that is Harmon Gymnasium.
    The tumult and the shouting may die,
    The Captains and the Kings may depart,
    Lest we forget, lest we forget.