Millennium: Sid Davidson

Don Cantrell

Many will long remember illustrious names in basketball that have

emerged from Newport Harbor High School over the years -- names like

Yardley, Neumann and Fitzpatrick -- but who can recall one of the

earliest influences out of basketball and sports?

How about the late Sidney H. Davidson, the school’s

superintendent/principal from 1929-1958, who made certain sports would

become a major feature from the first day of hiring his staff. His first

faculty member would be an athletic director named Ralph King Reed.

In time, Reed would become just the basketball coach and track and

field mentor.

Davidson, a native of Minnesota, enjoyed sports. He understood the

sacrifices, the trials and the triumphs for both players and coaches,

since he, too, had been a one-time coach. In fact, one of his Live Oak

High School (Morgan Hill, California) basketball teams won a

championship. Odds were strong he could have earned another, but he was

compelled to suspend his star player for an infraction of the rules.

A resident of Claremont for many years after his retirement, Davidson

always had a favorite spot on the sidelines to view Harbor football. And,

if there was a chill in the night air, he would have his familiar gray

blanket draped over his shoulders.

Few people know that he’s the one who, noting the lack of funds to

develop a football field in 1930, organized a math project for his

students. He became the surveyor while the students carried chains and

helped mark off the field.

“And, that’s how it became known as Davidson Field,” said the late

Judd Sutherland, a noted 1931-34 tackle.

Although he was in a care center in October 1989, during the silver

anniversary Harbor High football reunion, Davidson took the time to

deliver a welcoming message for those who had planned to attend.

In his message he said, “Since its inception in 1930, Harbor High has

produced athletic teams that were exceptional in stamina and carried high

ideals of sportsmanship. I have observed their endeavors with pride and

affection.

I feel confident Harbor High athletes will continue to exemplify high

standards of scholarship, sportsmanship and citizenship into the future.

We hope you feel justified in the long trips many of you have made for

the purpose of seeing each other again.”

After the reunion booklet came off the press to celebrate the

occasion, a party delivered one to Davidson. One observed him rolling

around in his wheelchair and showing others.

Davidson told one person, “See, this is my school.”

Indeed, it was.

Sidney Davidson, a member of the Daily Pilot’s Sports Hall of Fame,

celebrating the millennium.