Talk Story |
By Gail Sharp
March Photo
After reading Tiffany Yoshikawa’s history of the multipurpose gymnasium, you know the significance of the March Talk Story photos, when they were taken and what the people in the photos are doing. But, who are all of these people? That is the puzzle!
January Photo
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“1st row: Tameharu Nagao, Mits Nakagiri, unknown lady, Toru Ino, Sus Ioki, Jin Asakura, Keiji Yotsuya. 2nd row: unknown, George Yoneyama, Hiroshi Nagaoka, Hiroshi Sato, fisherman, unknown, Mits Omote, Tad Izuhara, Chikashi Morimoto, Ken Onishi, Shig Gamachi, Andy Yamamoto. That is my best shot to identify the "big shots" of the 1960s. They were definitely the leaders of that era.” Dr. Jack Fujimoto |
I heard through the grapevine (Sue Yoneyama to my mother to me) that George Yoneyama could supply some names. In addition to confirming what was known so far, he identified fisherman Sadao Tanaka, standing fifth from left in the second row.
One of the most meaningful activities that I have participated in at the VJCC is the youth basketball league. After playing in it for several years, and loving the game of basketball, I took the natural step into coaching with the Venice Lakers IV.
Having been an assistant coach on the Venice Lakers IV, I can say that the actual “coaching” aspect of the title is almost an afterthought. It is more of a crash course in what it is like to be an older sibling. After six years, the dynamics of my relationship with the kids is much more personal than professional.
Over the years, I have become more worked up over the outcomes of their games than they have. As I’ve gotten to know the boys better, I have become more and more invested in them, and want them to succeed.
The most remarkable part of working with a group of children from such a young age is watching them grow up, as basketball players and as people. I became the “youth assistant coach” for the Lakers when I was in 9th grade, and the boys only five years old. Now, at age eleven, they have gone from rambunctious kindergarteners to rambunctious middle schoolers.
By Steven Sharp