Ron Garland
SPECIAL NOTE: This Story, from Ron Garland, is a departure from the usual Stories we have received from our Cavalier classmates. His Story, below, is taken from a letter that Ron wrote recently to GCHS Basketball Coach Stan Oken, who is alive and well and living in Fresno, California. It's an incredible story and shows just how much some of our teachers meant to us as we remembered the lessons in life they taught us.
Dear Coach:
I was thrilled to hear from Dave Rounds that you are doing well and living in the Fresno area, and that I have the opportunity to reconnect with you after all these years – fifty to be exact!
You may not remember me, Coach, but I will never forget you. I’d like to tell you why…
In 1963, between my freshman and sophomore year in high school, our family moved to Northridge and I began my sophomore year at Grover Cleveland High School. I knew nobody and wasn’t involved in any sports at that time. One day, in PE class, we were told that Coach Oken was coming by to watch everyone play basketball as a tryout for the “B” and “C” teams. You ran us through lay-up drills and asked a handful of players to stay and play 3-on-3. You didn’t pick me, but in line behind me was Luis Olivas. He said, “Ron, you’re the best player in class. Get over there with those guys!” It was the first time in my life I did anything like that, but I risked getting in trouble, took Luis’ advice, and joined the 3-on-3 group. You apparently didn’t notice what I had done, and after the 3-on-3 session, you walked over to me, looked at me, smiled, and said, “Where have you been?”
That moment changed my life. Basketball became the most important thing to me and an escape from a very dysfunctional and abusive home life. I spent every free moment practicing, and was the first guy in the gym on weekends and the last guy out. It consumed me. I wanted to be like you and John Wooden.
You may not recall that I was on your 1963/64 and 1964/65 championship “B” teams. I was a “Storm Trooper” that first year but a starter in 64/65. We went 29-1 overall, and 15-0 in 64/65. I was the team’s 2nd leading scorer, Most Valuable Defensive Player, and made 1st team all-conference. I still have the trophy on my bookshelf, along with my letter, the championship bars and one of the gold basketballs (see attached photo). The moment you called my name at the banquet as the Most Valuable Defensive Player is still fresh in my memory. It was one of the greatest moments in my life.
My basketball career continued where I played a year for Ventura College and then went to Humboldt State where I made all-conference my senior year and was the team’s leading scorer. I graduated with a degree in Physical Education and had dreams of becoming the next John Wooden. After graduating, I moved to the Portland, Oregon area and taught for a couple of years but couldn’t make enough money to fund my new passion, competitive golf, so I got into sales where I’ve been ever since. I continued to play competitive basketball until age 42 and played on three AAU state championship teams in my late twenties alongside former University of Oregon and Oregon State players. Lots of fun. We were the preliminary game to several U of O and OSU versus UCLA games, and played in front of full houses on each occasion.
I was thrilled to hear from Dave Rounds that you are doing well and living in the Fresno area, and that I have the opportunity to reconnect with you after all these years – fifty to be exact!
You may not remember me, Coach, but I will never forget you. I’d like to tell you why…
In 1963, between my freshman and sophomore year in high school, our family moved to Northridge and I began my sophomore year at Grover Cleveland High School. I knew nobody and wasn’t involved in any sports at that time. One day, in PE class, we were told that Coach Oken was coming by to watch everyone play basketball as a tryout for the “B” and “C” teams. You ran us through lay-up drills and asked a handful of players to stay and play 3-on-3. You didn’t pick me, but in line behind me was Luis Olivas. He said, “Ron, you’re the best player in class. Get over there with those guys!” It was the first time in my life I did anything like that, but I risked getting in trouble, took Luis’ advice, and joined the 3-on-3 group. You apparently didn’t notice what I had done, and after the 3-on-3 session, you walked over to me, looked at me, smiled, and said, “Where have you been?”
That moment changed my life. Basketball became the most important thing to me and an escape from a very dysfunctional and abusive home life. I spent every free moment practicing, and was the first guy in the gym on weekends and the last guy out. It consumed me. I wanted to be like you and John Wooden.
You may not recall that I was on your 1963/64 and 1964/65 championship “B” teams. I was a “Storm Trooper” that first year but a starter in 64/65. We went 29-1 overall, and 15-0 in 64/65. I was the team’s 2nd leading scorer, Most Valuable Defensive Player, and made 1st team all-conference. I still have the trophy on my bookshelf, along with my letter, the championship bars and one of the gold basketballs (see attached photo). The moment you called my name at the banquet as the Most Valuable Defensive Player is still fresh in my memory. It was one of the greatest moments in my life.
My basketball career continued where I played a year for Ventura College and then went to Humboldt State where I made all-conference my senior year and was the team’s leading scorer. I graduated with a degree in Physical Education and had dreams of becoming the next John Wooden. After graduating, I moved to the Portland, Oregon area and taught for a couple of years but couldn’t make enough money to fund my new passion, competitive golf, so I got into sales where I’ve been ever since. I continued to play competitive basketball until age 42 and played on three AAU state championship teams in my late twenties alongside former University of Oregon and Oregon State players. Lots of fun. We were the preliminary game to several U of O and OSU versus UCLA games, and played in front of full houses on each occasion.
As for competitive golf, it became an obsession. It took me a few years to get the hang of the game but I have compiled a pretty good record over the years, winning the ’86 Oregon Amateur, three Montana Senior Amateurs and playing in three USGA national championships over the years. I also founded the Golf Nut Society many years ago and sold it a few years back, after which it faded away. So I replaced it with the Honourable Society of Golf Fanatics (http://golffanatics.org; www.facebook.com/honourablesocietyofgolffanatics; Twitter: @golffanatics1. I still play competitively and carry a +1 handicap at age 66. It keeps me young.
Some of the things that have stuck with me over the years are these…
- One of the things you told us on the first day of practice: “Don’t be concerned if I yell at you sometimes. You should be more worried when I stop yelling at you because that would mean that I have lost interest in you.”
- The “3-Second, Full Court, Passing Game”. That drill taught me more about basketball than any other.
- Your lecture to the team when you heard that some of us were out drinking. I never touched a drink in high school out of respect for you.
- Your dedication to us despite also being a coach at another school.
- The two great team parties at your home.
- Every time I watch a college or professional game, I notice how they execute a pick & roll and remember the level of detail you took us through on that move, especially the guy setting the pick. None of them do it as well as you taught us to execute the pick & roll.
I’m still working as a high tech salesman, mainly because I got wiped out financially when the dot com bubble popped. I’m making very good money and slowly rebuilding my financial portfolio and should be able to retire in a couple of years. I’ve been married to the same woman – Judy Garland - for over 40 years and have two children; a son and a daughter. Our life changed dramatically when, a little over 20 years ago, our daughter, Kristin, contracted Juvenile Diabetes at age eleven. It devastated us and we have dedicated ourselves to her needs ever since. Wherever she lives, we will live, because the disease requires a lot of maintenance. She works full-time but it’s very difficult for her and we support her in a number of ways. But if there’s one thing athletics has taught me it is mental toughness, so we will continue to care for her and pray for a cure.
Well, Coach, that’s a brief summary of my life, and I do owe it all to you. The turning point was when you looked into my eyes, smiled, and said, “Where have you been?”
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for literally saving my life. Why do I say that? Because basketball kept me from ending up just like my two brothers, both of whom spent time in prison for drug trafficking.
All the best to you,
Ron Garland
Bozeman, Montana
Some of the things that have stuck with me over the years are these…
- One of the things you told us on the first day of practice: “Don’t be concerned if I yell at you sometimes. You should be more worried when I stop yelling at you because that would mean that I have lost interest in you.”
- The “3-Second, Full Court, Passing Game”. That drill taught me more about basketball than any other.
- Your lecture to the team when you heard that some of us were out drinking. I never touched a drink in high school out of respect for you.
- Your dedication to us despite also being a coach at another school.
- The two great team parties at your home.
- Every time I watch a college or professional game, I notice how they execute a pick & roll and remember the level of detail you took us through on that move, especially the guy setting the pick. None of them do it as well as you taught us to execute the pick & roll.
I’m still working as a high tech salesman, mainly because I got wiped out financially when the dot com bubble popped. I’m making very good money and slowly rebuilding my financial portfolio and should be able to retire in a couple of years. I’ve been married to the same woman – Judy Garland - for over 40 years and have two children; a son and a daughter. Our life changed dramatically when, a little over 20 years ago, our daughter, Kristin, contracted Juvenile Diabetes at age eleven. It devastated us and we have dedicated ourselves to her needs ever since. Wherever she lives, we will live, because the disease requires a lot of maintenance. She works full-time but it’s very difficult for her and we support her in a number of ways. But if there’s one thing athletics has taught me it is mental toughness, so we will continue to care for her and pray for a cure.
Well, Coach, that’s a brief summary of my life, and I do owe it all to you. The turning point was when you looked into my eyes, smiled, and said, “Where have you been?”
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for literally saving my life. Why do I say that? Because basketball kept me from ending up just like my two brothers, both of whom spent time in prison for drug trafficking.
All the best to you,
Ron Garland
Bozeman, Montana
This is a shot of the Bee Basketball Team of which Ron Garland wrote, in his letter (above) to Coach Stan Oken. Ron is #11. Coach Oken is in the top row, on the far right.
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My trophy and Letter for participation on that epic basketball team while at GCHS.
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At my computer workplace (2007)
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On the golf course (2002)
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Family Christmas 1985; My wife Judy, daughter Kristin and son Ryan.
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Oregon AM, 1986
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Comments
Ron~ Your beautiful tribute moved me on so many levels. What a wonderful message not only for the coach but for those of us who still work with children. young adults even grandchildren. The words are remembered, the encouragement can make a life. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute. Looking forward to seeing you again. Your classmate...
Gloria Dorcy
Gloria Dorcy
Great and epic letter/Story, Ron. I didn't know you at GCHS but got to know you (and Coach Oken) a lot better through your communications. Looking forward to seeing you at the 2015 event.
Pete Senoff
Pete Senoff