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Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022

Reports from the Arizona Fall League Hello Friends, We are just back from Phoenix where we went to check out the Arizona Fall League. Most of this newsletter will be filled with information on that trip. I just posted an in-depth feature about Masyn Winn on STLSportsPage.com today. To read it CLICK HERE. On Tuesday the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards came out and two Cardinals won. Nolan Arenado won for third base and Brendan Donovan won for the recently added utility player. He is the first player to win a Gold Glove in his rookie year in Cardinals history. Despite the fact that Tommy Edman was nominated in two categories he did not walk away with any gold this year. To read my article CLICK HERE. I have a feature on Tink Hence who was selected by the Cardinals with the 63rd overall pick in 2020. He is a rising star so find out about him. CLICK HERE One of the really fun things I got to do while we were in Phoenix was attend a Grand Canyon University exhibition basketball game. Years ago when Homer Drew was head coach at Valparaiso and his son Bryce Drew had just hit "the shot" and was headed for the NBA he asked me to help him with a book. We've been friends ever since and he invited us to sit with him at the game where Bryce is the head coach. If you ever get a chance to go to a GCU game it was over the top in enthusiasm. A really fun night and especially fun to get to  watch Bryce Drew in action as coach (shown right) and celebrate it with Homer, his wife Janet and daughter Dana. As college basketball fans know, the Drews are royalty. Scott Drew is the Baylor basketball coach and now a couple of the Drew grandkids are playing. We got to see Dana's son Isaiah Shaw ("My grandson!" as Homer said) playing on the GCU team for his Uncle Bryce. Great family and Homer grew up in Webster Groves, Missouri and still has a sister living in the area. We are compiling a Sports Fans Gift Giving Guide and will send it out in one of these future Sports Blasts. It will be a one-time catalog for the benefit of those wanting to buy sports themed gifts. As Game Five of the World Series gets underway tonight, the Phillies-- who might not even be in the Fall Classic this year if not for the expanded Wild Card-- are tied with the Astros 2-2.  Have a great week and thanks for reading. Forward this to a friend who you think might enjoy it. Rob

To All:  Wayne Blann/ etal have created a Proposal and would like our Class to send thoughts, suggestions, opinions regarding same to him: (fwayneblann@gmail.com)

PROPOSAL TO WEBSTER GROVES ALUMNI RELATIONS & WGHS CLASS OF 1962

Dear Webster Groves Alumni Relations & WGHS Class of 1962:

                                                    Wall of Fame Criteria

A few ’62 Alumni have been discussing the WGHS Wall of Fame process. We’ve been pondering the meaning of “fame,” its application to all WGHS graduates, and its ability to capture the importance of the contributions of all WGHS Alumni.

We also are aware of difficult, divisive issues confronting all of us right now in our country. We want to encourage a more sensitive, inclusive, collaborative and timely atmosphere in which to consider and honor our colleagues.

We note that typical public honors, acknowledgements, and awards are much less likely now for ’62 Alumni, as significant numbers in our Class have retired from our professional lives.

We consider as well, that when we grew up and went off to work, workplaces were far less welcoming of many folks. So, fewer opportunities for employment, advancement, equality, notable achievement and recognition have existed for many in our ’62 Class. Quite possibly, too, persistent attitudes from the past might have prevented selection of qualified, deserving classmates as Wall of Famers.

According to the Alumni Relations News, Summer 2021Vol. 20, candidates for Webster Groves High School’s annual Wall of Fame will primarily “Be evaluated on the significant contributions they have made to their respective field(s) and/or their significant contributions in the area of volunteerism.”

We encourage the Wall of Fame Selection Committee to take the opportunity now to consider anew its criteria for candidate evaluation and the kinds of individual accomplishments worthy of recognition.

We suggest these criteria, for those being considered for the Wall of Fame:

• Recognition of those individuals confronting critical societal needs (e.g., inequality, poverty, education, health, climate), to help foster a more just, decent, and caring society.

• Recognition of those individuals, in their current stage in life, making positive differences in the lives of others.

The Selection Committee could actively encourage WGHS Alumni to nominate, for example, volunteers with nonprofit organizations; those working in artistic, athletic, literary, musical, scientific or unique endeavors; or those providing mental and physical support for others in need, whether family, friends, or larger community.

• Consideration and selection with greater awareness of individuals who reflect and represent all of our Class."

                                                       Conclusion

We hope the Selection Committee will seriously consider our suggestions. Deliberate focus is critical to expand the criteria for fame. Deliberate focus is also critical to expand the pool of ’62 classmates from which Wall of Famers are drawn. The Committee can further define what to look for, and also invite Alumni to help develop guidelines and definitions to achieve these results. We Alumni can do our part by nominating classmates we believe deserve recognition under these criteria.

Committee:  Wayne Blann, Homer Drew, Patricia Durham, Kathie Procopio Goodman,, Rae Stith (MaryBeth Barnett)