Former players pay tribute to Rollie Robbins page 2
A look back at the 1965 homecoming team page 3
Life lessons outside the classroom page 4
The Seattle Prep Panther October 16, 2015
seapreppanther.org
Volume 71 No. 3
Seattle, WA 98102
Seattle Prep Homecoming Pays Tribute to Football Coach Rollie Robbins
Rollie Robbins coaching the team ball boy while INSERT NAME looks on
GARRETT COOK DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS
Rollie Robbins was a teacher, coach, mentor and most importantly friend to the students of Seattle Prep. Seattle Prep was privileged to have Rollie Robbins on staff as a math and computer teacher, and football coach from 1990 to 2000. As his nephew, Jeff Pietz, so eloquently stated “It is rare to find someone who lived his or her personal and professional life with as much integrity, sensitivity, compassion, and strength as Rollie Robbins. It is perhaps even rarer to come across an individual who has so inspired and fostered these characteristics in others. Rollie accomplished this with a remarkably giving spirit and a phenomenal sense of humility.” Rollie is remembered not just
for the tremendous impact he has had on the Prep community during his time as a teacher and coach, but for the way he continued to embody the Ignatian ideals in his own life. The Rollie Robbins Memorial Endowment was established in 2007 shortly after Rollie’s unexpected death, and supports tuition assistance for a Prep student who exhibits leadership potential, is involved in school athletics and has overcome some obstacle or challenge in his or her life: attributes that Rollie himself had modeled in his life time. In 2015 Coach Robbins was inducted into the Washington State Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Rollie was a 4-year letterman at Whitworth College where he received his
Robbins Endowment Honors Leadership Potential, Achievement in Athletics, Overcoming Obstacles
The Rollie Robbins Endowment is a tribute to a man who made a positive impact on the Prep community, always modeling what he spent his life teaching. This endowment was established through a foundation grant following Rollie’s death in 2007 to honor him as a teacher, coach, mentor, and most importantly, friend to the students of Seattle Prep. Rollie was awarded Seattle Prep’s Magis Award in 2004 for always striving for “the more” personally,
professionally and most importantly, in service to others – his students. Rollie’s wife, Kay, and son, Mitch, worked together to select the criteria that would be used to help choose the recipients. They both wanted Rollie’s endowment to assist a Prep student who exhibits leadership potential, is involved in school athletics and who has overcome some obstacle or challenge in his or her life. These are all attributes Rollie embodied.
Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1957 and his Master of Education in 1961. It was at Whitworth College that he developed his passion for coaching and teaching. Rollie received a college education due to a football scholarship. It was his experience being a student athlete at Whitworth that instilled the values that he kept throughout his career. The Whitworth coaches lived what they taught on the field. They believed humility, hard work, caring for one another, and helping one another would provide the greatest opportunities in life. He coached at Montesano (1957-58), Sumner (1959-60), Bellevue (1961-63), Newport (1964-67), Whitworth College (1968-69), Interlake (1973-1988), and at Seattle Preparatory School (19891999).
He finished with an overall high school record of 206 wins, 115 losses, and 3 ties. At Interlake (1973-1988) he received the greatest distinction by winning the King Co Conference Division nine times and making it to the quarter finals in State four times. Throughout his career he coached 40 kids who would become division I players, 8 of whom would go on to professional football careers. In 1989 he was the head coach for the West All State Football team. In 2007 he was honored with the Tony Gasparovich Award. Throughout his career, Rollie consistently reached out to people who needed help and urged students to attend college. He encouraged his players to be more than an athlete and to apply the work ethic they learned from sports to the classroom and their personal lives as well.
Robbins celebrates with players after a win
Legacy
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The Seattle Prep Panther
Some Notable Players of Coach Robbins
Editors in Chief Alex Martin ‘16 Meghan McLaughlin ‘16
At Seattle Prep:
Photo Editor Tessa Winkelhake ‘16 Prep Life Editor Meghan Kearney ‘16 Entertainment Editor Kate Delaney ‘16 Sports Editor Sarah Buchanan ‘16 Digital Editors Mikaela Frigillana ‘17 Jeffrey Pelayo ‘17 Writing Staff Jacob Bailet ‘16 Jessica Cary ‘16 Emma Kelly ‘16 Jesse Lewis ‘16 Alexis Losse ‘16 Nathanial Post ‘16 Leeds Rising ‘16 Mimi Jurion ‘17 George Kent ‘17 Maggie Kerner ‘17 Aslan Mccurdy ‘17 Gianna Patchen ‘17 Mariella Saludares ‘17 Olivia Smith ‘17 Paul Winebrenner ‘17 Annika Bjornson ‘18 Emma Cooney ‘18 Fiona Scanlan ‘18 Gabi Jeakle ‘19 Allison Kearney ‘19 Mimi Parent ‘19 Isabella Yuson ‘19 Moderator Micah Richardson
Mission Statement
The Panther is a student created, student-run journalism program which provides the Seattle Prep community with accurate, informative articles and media while practicing the components of a professional newspaper. The staff aims to create an informative newspaper and website which focus on issues important to our high school community.
Editorial Policy
The Seattle Prep Panther is a forum for student work and the editorial board makes final decisions regarding publication. The editorial board’s responsibility is not only to present one viewpoint, but to reveal multiple perspectives. The views represented in the Panther or in online publications do not necessarily represent the views of the entire staff, the school, or the administration as a whole.
Find us online at: www.SeaPrepPanther.org Twitter: @SeaPrepPanther
seapreppanther.org October 16, 2015 Editor: Paul Winebrenner ‘17
Robbins discusses a call with a referee
Dave Raney ‘95 Salutes Robbins
To Rollie,
I was, along with many other young men and women, immediately drawn to you my freshman year at Prep. Your genuine care and friendly demeanor were obvious even to a young teenager entering the new world of high school. To be clear, the latter applied to the hallways and classrooms of Prep as well as in the weight room and on the football field. As is often the case, I didn’t realize until later in life how lasting and life forming all that time with you on the gridiron, all those lessons learned, would mean to me to this day. I started to realize that football was only a small part of your plan the day you walked me into my future college coach’s office. I’ll never forget Frosty telling me “coaching football is the best platform I’ve found to teach young men how to be better people.” You just gave me one of your trademarked sideways smiles and a wink, as if to say “you get it now?” I later learned that without football you wouldn’t
have had a chance at a college or even a high school education. You used your love of the game to your advantage – football provided you a reason to take care of your grades, and later in life you paid it forward using football as your platform, the place where you could shape young lives and influence the hearts and minds of thousands of young people. I think of when we first met, the summer before my freshman year at Prep, I think of making eye contact with you at my graduation, at my first collegiate game, at my wedding, and I am thankful and humbled. I believe your plaque in the Prep gym sums it up perfectly: “Rollie will always be remembered by those he taught and coached as a mentor reminding them to do their best – in school, on the field, and in life.” Thank you for everything Coach, Dave Raney ‘95
Former Players and Colleagues Remember Robbins Fondly
“With my many years as head coach at Lakeside I had several games against Coach Robbins’ Panthers and I was always impressed with the discipline his boys had and the respect and love of the game they played with. You could count on a well-coached and well-played game when you played Seattle Prep.” -Bill McMahon- Head Football Coach Lakeside High School and Seattle Prep “My favorite memory - Rollie ran into the street to pick up somebody’s empty potato chip bag only to be hit by an unmanned van that had its emergency break slip. He was at practice the next day with three broken ribs. That was the only time he ever complained about the team crowding around and bumping into him. He was small and old but he acted bigger and more energetic than the kids he coached. “That’s bull roar” he used to tease kids who would give him excuses. Mostly importantly though he cared about his team trying hard and acting with character more than just winning ball games.” -Josh Posthuma ‘97 “What I took away from my 3 years playing for Rollie was a knowledge that with hard work, preparation and trust
in yourself and teammates you can accomplish anything. Rollie took a group of kids that weren’t the biggest, strongest or fastest and through his ability to teach and motivate led to us to the playoffs 2 years in a row. But more important than our success on the field was the way in which Rollie helped bring us together and create friendships that have lasted over 25 years. Rollie was more than just a great coach he was a great person and his lessons are still being passed on today in many ways by his former players.”
Zach McMechan ’90- Offensive Line Navy Joe Lombardi ’90- Offensive Coordinator Detroit Lions Erik Feider ‘ 92- Quarterback, University of Washington Bryan Weathers ’92- Tight End Boise State Ted Plumis ’92- Seattle Prep Alumni Board Member Kevin McNamee ’92- All Metro Running Back, All State Running Back and league MVP, University of Washington Dave Raney ’95- Defensive End, Pacific Lutheran University, Seattle Prep Board of Trustees Bryce Fisher ’95- Defensive End Air Force, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans Cam Smith ’96- Running Back/Fullback, Villanova Darren Lenz ‘96- Defensive End, Villanova Alex Murray ’96- Tight End Navy Josh Posthuma ‘97- Carleton College, Former Seattle Prep Line Backer Coach At other schools: Jim Mora Jr – Defensive Back- University of Washington. Head Coach, U.C.L.A. and Seattle Seahawks Tom Flick – Quarterback – University of Washington, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, New York Jets Steve Pelluer- Quarterback- University of Washington, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs Chris O’Connor- Defensive Back- University of Washington Mike Lustyk– Offensive Line- University of Washington Jon Bostick- Wide Receiver – University of Nebraska
-Ted Plumis ‘92 “I never faced Coach Robbins in a game but I admired him from afar. He was his own man who could be counted on to do the right thing regardless of how popular it might be. “ -Bob Bourgette- Hall of Fame Head Coach Kennedy Catholic High School “One of the most admirable characteristics about Rollie was the way he responded to hardship and challenge. He saw his difficult upbringing as an opportunity to connect with students he taught or coached who faced similar hardships.” -Liz Brennan-Seattle Prep Director of Development
Robbins is remembered as a teacher on and off the field
seapreppanther.org October 16, 2015 Editor: Emma Cooney ‘18 Annika Bjornson ‘18
Homecoming 1965
Prep to Welcome New Golden Panthers, Salute Class of 1966 at Alumni Weekend
On July 24, 2016 Seattle Prep will welcome its newest class of Golden Panthers at the Alumni Weekend celebration. All Alums, family and friends are welcome to the Friday social with special honors going to the classes of 1936, 1941, 1946, 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006. The biggest celebration will be reserved for the class of 1966. This class is celebrating 50 years since graduation from Seattle Prep.
Along with the Friday social, the class of ’66 will host a class event and on Sunday, July 24th will be welcomed into the Golden Panther ranks with a Mass and a brunch for all Golden Panthers. Below is the starting lineup and capsule of the 1965 football team who wore the blue and white fifty years ago to the day. Much has changed in the game of football since then, but the passion, dedication and commitment to each other is a tradition that continues.
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1965 Team Scouting Report
Coach: John Goodwin
Markov, Kippen and Levias. Highlight wins included Bellevue, O’Dea, Bellingham and Everett before a showdown with perennial state power Wenatchee in which the Panthers were victorious 14-13. The Everett game was a milestone for Coach Goodwin, earning him his 100th victory. The Wenatchee win set up a showdown with rival Blanchet. The text below is a recap of that game and the season from the 1966 Echo yearbook:
Total Varsity Players: 49 Offense: Single Wing Defense: 6-4 Final Record: 10-0 The 1965 Panther football team led by the 1966 seniors was another proud edition of Seattle Prep football. The team was led by Hall of Fame Coach John Goodwin in his final season stalking the sideline for the Panthers of Capitol Hill. The team was led by WESCO League All Stars Ashby, Whittle, Scalzo, Cyra, Gores, Johnson, Wilds,
“With the 41-6 victory over Blanchet, the Panthers climaxed a perfect season: ten victories, Western Conference and City Catholic titles and number one ranking in the state. Coach John Goodwin was exuberantly hoisted onto the team’s shoulders. This was the year of the Panther.”
The 1965 Panther Football team boasted nine WESCO League All-Stars and racked up 10 victories on their way to a number one ranking in the state. The team also brought Head Coach John Goodwin his 100th victory.
Starting Panther Offense: 1965 Kippen
Johnson
Starting Panther Defense: 1965 Santi
Gores
Garland
Heinen
B
Whittle
Skube
Monary
Scalzo
Crya
Harkins
Skube
Line: Bill Ashby, Greg Whittle, Pat Skube, Rocco Monary, Steve Scalzo, Chuck Cyra and Dan Harkins Backs: John Garland, Dennis Kippen, Ron Johnson and Tom Gores
Starting Panther Offense: 2015 Stricklin
Bowers
Schalk
Bladow Gamroth
B
B
B
T
T
Cyra
Flajole
T
T
T
Markov
Wilds Ashby
Bowers
Lydon
FS
Woodward
Brown
SS
Fletcher
Hill
Blair
E
Starting Panther Defense: 2015
Schalk B
T
McCune
Woodward
Rheaume
B
C
Frigon
Levias
Line: Pat Skube, Chuck Cyra, Rich Flajole, Gary Markov, Mike Wilds and Bill Ashby Backers: John Santi, Gary Heinen, Dennis Kippen, Dan Harkins and Ray Levias
Ostrander
Hill
Harkins
B E
Ashby
Kippen
C
B
N
Nelson
T
Faerber
B Rheaume
Homecoming
4
seapreppanther.org October 16, 2015 Editor: Emma Cooney ‘18 Annika Bjornson ‘18
Life Lessons Outside the Classroom JORDAN ALCANTARA ‘10
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Jordan Alcantara ‘10 (center) remembers her athletic experiences at Prep instilling in her the values of empathy and teamwork
“Athlete” was one of the first terms I learned to use to describe myself. In my early formative years, I took pride in being a student athlete. Excelling in the classroom and on the field made me feel strong, capable, and balanced in life. I was encouraged by teachers and coaches who wanted me to grow in intellect and skill, but were also committed to forming my character and attitude. At Prep, I played basketball and lacrosse, and also served as the manager of the varsity football team during my senior year. I took different lessons from each of these experiences. Team sports taught me the important values of empathy and teamwork. Whether in sports or in life, it has remained important for me to remember to
support the people around me and reach out for help when I need to, because the team as a whole can grow and thrive much more positively when everyone is mindful of the common goal. Athletics has reminded me that even though it may not be possible for me to like or get along with everyone I meet, it is important to remain respectful and compassionate. Sports taught me selflessness—to encourage my teammates when it was their turn to shine, even when I wanted it to be mine. I learned to push myself and never be complacent. I’m thankful for the opportunities I had to be an athlete and all of the coaches and teammates over the years who have encouraged and challenged me. The values I learned from athletics will stay with me for life.
Rollie Robbins By The Numbers
Coa
ched
at
High Schools
8
Professional Players Coached
“If you work hard enough and never give up, you can make great things happen.” -Rollie Robbins
43 Years as Coach
40 Pac-10 Players
Kay and Rollie
206-115-3 record as coach 54/5
No. of Years Married/No. of Children