Fog no obstacle for Bucs
As noted in past columns, commercial flights were not uncommon for
junior college football squads during the 1940s and ‘50s, since they
helped promote interest and excitement in recruiting programs for
nonconference contests.
Orange Coast College, which started in 1948 under head coach Ray
Rosso, who had previously led Chaffey College to a Junior Rose Bowl
triumph over Cameron, Okla., wound up with a number of unexpected are
travel happenings.
One, he recalls sharply to this day, was the 1949 clash against
Marin College in Kentfield, across the bay from San Francisco.
The timing was off from the beginning as Rosso recalled the flight
out of Los Angeles was postponed due to fog. Hence, he said, they had
to stay in Los Angeles overnight.
“We left the next morning, definitely thinking we would make the 1
p.m. kickoff,” Rosso said. “But as we approached the Bay Area, we
could not land because of the fog. We circled about one-half hour and
we were then informed that we could land at an alternate airport at
Half Moon Bay, south of ‘Frisco.’ ”
The coach said, “Well, all on board, including Dr. Peterson, OCC
president, and all the coaches and wives were shocked because we knew
we could not make the scheduled time. Plus, we had a very early
breakfast and had planned for a pregame meal, which would not be
possible.
“So, we made arrangements for a bus to be ready and waiting at
Half Moon Bay. Then, we set up a plan for the players to get their
basic equipment on in the bus. Additionally, we had various quick
munchable energy bars made ready to be picked up. We advised Marin we
would be ready to play about one-half hour late.
“What ensued was a wild, crazy bus ride through San Francisco,
over the Golden Gate Bridge and right to the stadium. The players
completed their dressing on the bus and got on the field for their
warmup. The team was ready to play.
“So, without food and sleep, and with much anxiety, we nonetheless
played and won a very memorable game and returned in a very happy
atmosphere, to say the least.
“[This] somewhat proves or disproves all the carefully planned
pregame so traditional. What really mattered was the mental attitude
of playing the game. Mental attitude and desire were the prime
motivators, traditional preparation not withstanding.
*
Friends indicate a memorial is being planned in late May for Bill
Klussman, a 1948-49 Newport Harbor High student body president and a
school record-breaker in the 440-yard dash in 1949. He died of lung
cancer May 5.
Klussman, 71, who later became a business partner with Don Bren of
the Don Bren Co., was highly successful in Irvine real estate over
the years.
He also created a stylish horse-breeding farm in Woodland Hills
and fared well racing them. However, he recently sold the horses.
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