Boosters receive treat

The down economy affects mostly everyone. It can cause challenges for high school football fundraising, even in Newport Beach.

But Newport Harbor football boosters were provided a special treat for their continued support Monday at Newport Beach Country Club.

After golfing with Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley, the Sailors supporters listened to short speeches from former Tars’ head man Mike Giddings and University of Texas baseball coach Augie Garrido.

Giddings, the founder of ProScout Inc. who has coached on every level, delivered a heartfelt message mixed in with jokes. He was also a part of the foursome that had the lowest score of the day. But that’s not what he wanted everyone to know or remember.

Giddings, who coached the Sailors, 1982-85, has a strong love for football and told the boosters that he especially has an undying passion for high school football.

“Football is a special fraternity,” Giddings said. “I’ve been in two special fraternities. The Marine Corp. was the other one. This is what it’s all about.”

Giddings told a few stories of his day and merely mentioned that he presented Dave Wilcox when the 49ers linebacker was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2000. Giddings is a former 49ers assistant coach. In 1977, he started his pro scouting business that the NFL continues to use.

When Giddings recently attended the NFL owner meetings at the St. Regis Hotel in Monarch Beach. While there, he noticed something interesting that he shared with the boosters.

When he started work with the NFL in 1968 as a coach, the only ones he recognized at the meetings from that era were Raiders owner Al Davis, Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr. and Titans owner Bud Adams Jr.

After Giddings spoke, Brinkley thanked his predecessor and introduced Garrido.

What’s the Longhorns coach’s connection to Brinkley?

After playing football and baseball at Cerritos College, Brinkley was recruited to do the same at Cal State Fullerton. With the Titans, Brinkley concentrated on baseball, which was then coached by Garrido.

Brinkley called it the best decision he made, because he was able to learn from such a great coach.

This past college baseball season, Garrido guided the Longhorns to a runner-up finish in the College World Series.

The Longhorns came together as a team and played as one, Garrido stressed to the boosters.

Texas expects championship teams, but the 2009 team still was able to gain acceptance and respect because the Longhorns played so hard, he said.

Brinkley wants the same from his Sailors. He expressed that after Garrido spoke.

It’s another important season for Newport Harbor, it’s fourth in the top division of the CIF Southern Section. Brinkley said Harbor is the second smallest school with regard to enrollment in the CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division behind Compton.

The Sailors are trying to bounce back from missing the playoffs by a complicated finish in the Sunset League last year. After five teams tied for a share of the Sunset League title, Newport Harbor was eliminated from playoff contention because it finished last in a drawing process that included a wooden bucket.

But now Harbor’s biggest test appears to be relegated to the field this fall. Brinkley reminded the boosters the hype surrounding Edison, which is a favorite to win the Sunset League with the buzz the Chargers have created during the summer.

The Sailors open the season on Sept. 11 at Aliso Niguel. Week 2 will be a battle for sure, Brinkley said. The Sailors play host to Loyola of Los Angeles. Brinkley relayed that Loyola now has a transfer, receiver Nat Bellamy, a standout from Portland, Ore.

The Cubs also have Anthony Barr, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound tailback who is one of the top running backs in the nation.

The boosters remain excited for the season. One reason: Brinkley, entering his 24th season with the Sailors, is four wins from reaching 200 with the Tars.