RE: The Big P

[Arietta, Ralph]

Thanks to all of you who wrote about the varsity letter issue. You all had great comments ,especially those of you who felt Manny was "old school". We all make mistakes and I would have to agree with those of you who felt that Manny  should have given out more letters to those who deserved to be  rewarded for their efforts. That said, I would strongly support any actions needed to  award varsity letters to those who should have gotten them in 1962. Pete Lounds, Mark Acheson, John Koch and Mike Montemora  were seniors who were part of a great basketball team.  Dave Hard ,and others mentioned, should also be acknowledged.  We ought to do  something special for John Bockstoce, who really  was a champion like  Wally and Dave. Great seeing all of you guys again!    Ralph

---

From: Woatkins, David [DWat...@distinguished.com]
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 3:24 PM an any moves toany
To: Wally Buschmann; 'Peter Lownds'; Howie Mallory; David Storrs; David Truslow; David F. Hard; Arietta, Ralph
Subject: RE: The Big PWally
   

No letter for me. Then or now. For sure.

 

DW

 

From: Wally Buschmann [mailto:w...@lawweeks.com]
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 3:22 PM
To: Watkins, David; 'Peter Lownds'; Howie Mallory; David Storrs; David Truslow; David F. Hard; Ralph J. Arietta
Subject: RE: The Big P

 

DW,

 

Love your creativity.  Did you become a starter your freshman year in college? 

 

And your thoughts on a letter?  As we make the request, should your name be included?

 

 

 Dave

WALDEMAR G. BUSCHMANN

WEEKS & HUTCHINS, LLC

P. O. Box 417

2 Park Place

Waterville, Maine 04903-0417

w...@lawweeks.com

Tel: 207 872-2783

Fax: 207 872-5749

 

The contents of this transmission may be privileged, confidential, and/or exempt from discovery or disclosure under applicable law. Unauthorized use or disclosure of this material by anyone but the intended recipient may lead to legal action against the unauthorized user. If you have received this transmission in error, please destroy it immediately and notify the sender of the error.

 

 

 

 

---

From: Watkins, David [mailto:DWat...@distinguished.com]
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 3:08 PM
To: Wally Buschmann; 'Peter Lownds'; Howie Mallory; David Storrs; David Truslow; David F. Hard; Ralph J. Arietta
Subject: RE: The Big P

I want to record for posterity that my sports skills were sorely lacking, but my efforts were acknowledged. I think it was Peter Richardson who decided that my soccer record  should not be ignored. In the whole season I suited up and went to every game, but spent the vast majority of my time on the bench. As a result, at the awards dinner I was called up and presented with the “Far End of the Bench Award”, It was made of a piece of wood cut from the wooden bench. Still have it. And claimed credit for the “1962 Special Soccer Award”  in all of my college applications.

 

DW

 

From: Wally Buschmann [mailto:w...@lawweeks.com]
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 2:40 PM
To: 'Peter Lownds'; Howie Mallory; David Storrs; David Truslow; David F. Hard; Watkins, David; Ralph J. Arietta
Subject: RE: The Big P

 

Looks as if we are on a roll.

 

I'm probably guilty of the vicarious thrill of watching my kids' exploits as well.  My son and I played a lot of basketball together.  (Believe it or not, I coached travel teams and even high school kids at summer basketball camp for several years - they learned all my wrestling skills in clearing out around the basket)  In his freshman year of high school he put me to shame with a smashing dunk over the top of me as I did my best to push him away from the baseline.  After that my days on the court were numbered.

 

Who else was overlooked in the 61/62 season?

 

Wally

 

WALDEMAR G. BUSCHMANN

WEEKS & HUTCHINS, LLC

P. O. Box 417

2 Park Place

Waterville, Maine 04903-0417

w...@lawweeks.com

Tel: 207 872-2783

Fax: 207 872-5749

 

The contents of this transmission may be privileged, confidential, and/or exempt from discovery or disclosure under applicable law. Unauthorized use or disclosure of this material by anyone but the intended recipient may lead to legal action against the unauthorized user. If you have received this transmission in error, please destroy it immediately and notify the sender of the error.

 

 

 

 

---

From: Peter Lownds [mailto:peter....@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 12:17 PM
To: Howie Mallory; Wally Buschmann; David Storrs; David Truslow; David F. Hard; david watkins; Ralph J. Arietta
Subject: The Big P

Dear justice-seeking brothers,
I played on three varsity teams my senior year: soccer, basketball and
baseball and only 'lettered' in soccer.  This disappointed me at the time
but didn't surprise me because Manny and I were 'on the outs.'  He felt he
had gone out of his way to recommend me for admission to his alma mater,
Bates College, and I had decided to bet on my waiting list position at
Yale.

 I spent the winter of 1965-66 sitting on the bench watching one of the
greatest basketball teams in Pomfret history go 14-1, but attended every
practice, and saw fourth quarter action in all but the tightest games. The
baseball team wasn't as successful but, as I remember, I started most games
either at third base or in the outfield despite having an awful season at
the plate.  Once again, Manny must have been the deciding factor in my not
getting a letter.  I had had no trouble with Len Hassler, the JV coach, the
previous season.

Ralph and I, upholding a revered NYC tradition, played a lot of stickball
in the gym.

Has this lack of recognition of my faithful if less than luminous athletic
prowess rankled over the last half century?  Not really.  I played both
soccer and basketball well into middle age and have an athletically gifted
son who excelled at both those sports and today coaches both athletics and
academics year-round in L.A. and Santa Monica and whose glorious early
exploits I followed perhaps too vicariously (he frequently chided me for
over-vociferous support at games).  But, I digress...

Would I enjoy a couple of felt *P*s fifty years later?  Hell yes!

 

Peter L.