Athletic letters

[Wally Buschmann]

Melissa,

 

This is a follow up on the question of awarding athletic letters to individuals who were, in my opinion, overlooked 50 years ago.  Ralph Arietta first raised the question last winter.  He was focused on those seniors (VIth Formers), who played a vital role in the silver season that the basketball team had - the 14 win and 1 loss record was referenced with pride many times during reunion.  There were at least three seniors who did not letter because of limited playing time.  There were also other seniors participating at the varsity level in other sports during their senior year, who were not awarded a varsity letter.  In the weeks since reunion, two members of our class have mentioned that they would be proud to be awarded a varsity letter. 

 

Peter Lounds was a member of the 1961-62 basketball team, as is the case with any team, if they didn't have players to push the starters in practice, those starters would not have been prepared for the games.  (Something that Ralph really came to appreciate as a hall of fame college coach) The fact that Peter did not have the "minutes" of playing time to qualify for a letter did not detract from the valuable asset he, along with the other bench riders, were to that team.

 

David Hard earned a letter as the manager of that team.  However, he was not awarded a letter for his contibutions to Crew in the spring of 1962.  He rowed in the undefeated 4th boat, which not only went undefeated during the regular meets, but also crossed the finish line first in Worcester.  I do not know why he didn't earn a letter for that accomplishment.

 

As the former Captain (Commodore) of the crew team in 1962, I am honored to request on David's behalf that he be awarded a much over due athletic letter for his performance.

 

As a former member of the Athletic council and as a classmate of Peter Lounds, I am similarly honored to request on Peter's behalf that he be awarded a letter for his role on the 14 - 1 basketball team.

 

While some members of the class are not in favor of "changing" history, I know that Ralph joins me in these requests.  I don't consider these requests to be "changing" history, but in awarding long over due athletic letters to two deserving individuals, who have indicated, 50 years later, that the award would mean a great deal to them.

 

As you may know, Pomfret awarded a well earned athletic letter to John Bockstoce several years after he graduated.  John, David, and Peter all made serious committments to their teams.  All of them were on winning, varsity programs, it is my recommendation that Pomfret award a varsity letter in Basketball to Peter and a varsity letter in Crew to David. 

 

I invite other members of the class to join me in this recommendation.

 

Respectfully,

 

Wally Buschmann

WALDEMAR G. BUSCHMANN

WEEKS & HUTCHINS, LLC

P. O. Box 417

2 Park Place

Waterville, Maine 04903-0417

w...@lawweeks.com

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Fax: 207 872-5749

 

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[Melissa Perkins]

Hi Wally,

I thank you for your thoughtful email on behalf of your classmates.  This is something which is outside my sphere of influence, but I would be happy to point you in the right direction. 

 

A formal request should be made directly to Bruce Paro, Director of Athletics and I would copy Tim Richards on your request with an explanation of the situation.  You can reach Bruce by email at bp...@pomfretschool.org.  His office number is 860-963-6135.  Tim’s email is tric...@pomfretschool.org and his office number is 860-963-6111.  I will give you fair warning that Bruce is technically away for the summer so I’m not sure how quick he will be to respond.  Additionally, Tim is away with Joe and Anne in Asia until the end of the month, so he may be a bit delayed to confer with Bruce as well.

 

I hope this is helpful to you.  Please let me know if you need any additional information.

Best,

Melissa

 

Melissa L. Perkins

Advancement Office

Pomfret School

398 Pomfret Street

Pomfret, CT  06258

Office:  (860) 963-5957

Cell:  (860) 933-8627

Fax:  (860) 928-1034

www.pomfretschool.org

 

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