Uni Hi Education Foundation- August 2011 Update
It’s exciting times at University High School. There’s so much going on it’s hard to know where to begin. Let’s start with the new gym being built to replace the existing West gym. It will be ready for use in the beginning of September of this year. The really BIG news is that the YMCA will break ground on their new 62,000 square foot facility in June of 2012. This will replace their current 38,000 square foot facility on Sawtelle Blvd. in West Los Angeles . It will include a pool and practice gym and three story parking structure. All three buildings will take up most of the Ohio parking lot. Next project is the new track and football field. The good news is that LAUSD is providing most of the funding. The bad news is that we are about $1 million short. We are starting a fundraising effort with the UHEF pledging $25,000. Please consider a donation to this cause. You can read more about this in the article on page 14.
Some of the board members went to Uni to watch the production of “Grease” on May 21. What a wonderful display of talent and enthusiasm. The kids and faculty did truly give a great performance and made all of us proud.
On the finance side, The Foundation gave over $4,100 to the school, paid for the printing and mailing of the Newsletter and subsidized the Picnic/Car Show. For more detailed information please see “What Your Dollars Did”. We are counting on you for your continued support in the coming year. We realize that not everybody is able to contribute financially during these uncertain economic times but maybe you can contribute your time. We have a lot on our plate and could certainly use some more Foundation members. You can participate in our monthly meetings, help plan the campaign for the track renovation, help out with the Newsletter, or you could just help us out with our Picnic/Car Show. We would love to have you join in.
This year the Uni Hi Showcase, Picnic and Car Show will be held Sunday September 25th from 12-4 on the upper field. We are expanding the scope of this event to include Uni’s feeder schools as well as some community organizations. Bring your friends and make new ones as well. Last year we had some absolutely amazing cars and this years’ event looks to be even better.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday September 25.As always, I welcome all your questions, comments and correspondence. Contact me: (310) 442-1399 and MC@MikeCockinos.com.
A NEW TRACK AND FIELD IN THE WORKS!
When the Uni campus was completed in 1925, student Gerald Bastian wrote a poem entitled “A Vignette” for the yearbook then called La Estrella.
There is a hill in California,
Green fields and a school I know,
Where the balls fly fast in summer
And the drooping olives grow;
A big hill, a steep hill,
With the playing fields below. (p. 15)
Maybe the olives aren’t there, but “the big hill,” “the steep hill” is certainly part of everyone’s image of Uni. In the part of that same yearbook devoted to sports, the article about Track and Field opened with the following paragraph.
“Harding started out in track with a good bunch of material, under Coach Hinrichs. Although the track was in poor condition, the boys showed good spirit and got out and practiced every day.” (p. 65)
Here we are, in 2011, boys and girls still show good spirit, but that same original track is still at Uni. Track coach Kelly Aguda said that although there has been some curb repair and the track was re-marked to meters from yards, “it is in pretty bad condition.” She added, “about seven years ago the track was condemned, and “although we are allowed to practice we are not allowed to hold an official track meet” at Uni, so Uni has been holding all home meets away. This year the LAUSD decided that the time had come to fix the problems. As Principal Davidson’s letter explained, the track and football field (aka boy’s field) will be replaced with artificial turf and an artificial regulation eight lane track surface by the LAUSD. The project is underfunded and the school has to come up with $1 million for completion.
When Principal Davidson brought the plan to the UHEF board he reiterated that the track program is a required component of the State fitness standards. A part of the discussion focused on naming the new facility. Everyone at the meeting agreed that this would be an excellent opportunity to recognize the outstanding coaches and athletes who are part of Uni’s history. Some names mentioned include Coaches Kampmann (26 years at Uni) and Pursell (35 years at Uni) as well as athletes Craig Dixon S‘44 ’48 Olympics Bronze 110 meters hurdles, Mel Patton S’43 ’48 Olympics Gold 200 meters & men’s 4 x 100 men’s relay. Your input will help with the choice(s).
Although the fund-raising campaign is still in the planning stages the UHEF Board has decided to kick off the campaign with a pledge of $25,000. Let’s see how quickly we can reach the finish line. Please consider donating generously to the Uni High Track and Field fund. Please contact us to join in this community-wide effort. E-mail Principal Davidson eric.davidson@lausd.net if you want to help.
