Have you seen “March of the Troopers,” the film about Eastwood High School’s 1976 state basketball championship team? I have. It’s captivating. And it keeps getting viewers at Premiere Cinema in Bassett Center.
My wife and I were there on a Thursday and were surprised that even on a weekday afternoon there were several other people in attendance.
To say that re-living that wonderful season 37 years later by watching and listening to the key members and other participants of the team was a thrill would be an understatement. It even brought tears to my wife, Helen. “To see how these beautiful young men performed touched my heart,” she said.
I must admit I got a little choked up myself.
CHARLIE MINN, the nationally renowned documentarian who also did a similar film about the Socorro High School Bulldogs winning the state baseball championship in 2009, puts great effort into his projects. Gathering film of years gone by and interviewing so many participants is no easy task.
He had to have some good local help, of course. One who not only worked behind the scenes but was prominent in the film was Steve Yellen, who does UTEP basketball games on radio with Jon Teicher. Yellen talks so well and is so easy on the eyes that he keeps you spellbound.
The Troopers’ march to the championship that year, as the film reveals, was all about teamwork. Coach Bobby Lesley talks about each of the players and the role they played. You’ll also get to see what all the players looked like then and look like now. And you’ll love what they have to say. I highly recommend it.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Which team won the very first World Series in 1903 and whom did it beat? Answer at end.
DID YOU KNOW? Department: Steve Yellen, a wealth advisor with the investment firm of Morgan Stanley, is an outstanding contributor to the community. He’s served on several boards, including Kids Excel El Paso, and helps local non-profit organizations around the world. Steve is also director of the Price’s Mini-Dribbler Basketball program and “Basketball in the Barrio” camp. He and his wife, Tracy, have two children.
SOME FOLKS are wondering why a documentary film hasn’t been made about the Bowie High School Bears who won the state baseball championship in 1949. I put the question to Charlie Minn. His answer: “That was so long ago there’s no film of the games.”
HERE ARE some recollections and more information about Cathedral High School swimming by someone who was there in the old days, Rene Vela, class of 1955: “The old building that housed Cathedral High was actually the old Catholic Community Center and, yes, it did have an indoor swimming pool in the basement. … At that time there was no swim team although some opted to take swimming as part of P.E. exercises. I also swam there before I entered CHS. The swimming pool no longer exists as it was filled in and now is a storeroom. It seems that the pool was on its last leg and would cost too much for repair and maintenance….”
JACK WELCH, El Paso golf guru/musician, is a popular guy. He’s had some serious hip problems the past year and people keep asking me how he’s doing. I’m happy to report he’s back in action, giving golf lessons out of his Honors Golf Academy during the day and entertaining folks with his keyboard, saxophone and singing at night. He’s currently performing his exceptional musical talents on Thursday nights at The El Paso Roadhouse, 5500 Doniphan.
ANSWER TO trivia question: The Boston Pilgrims of the American League defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League, five games to three.