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UHEF & Uni News

10

Apr, 2017

Remembering another great Uni coach: Jim Pursell

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We’ve written a lot about the late Uni coach Dick Kampmann, who passed away earlier this year at age 92. But Kampmann always talked about the man he followed at Uni – Jim Pursell – as the inspiration for his great success. A marvelous comment about Pursell was received on the UHEF.org Web site from Ray Sanchez ‘58: “Jim Pursell was our track coach, but he was so much more. Mr. Pursell was a ‘life’ coach. He touched my life very deeply. One of my friends, John Giba, matched Mel […]

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15

Oct, 2016

Kampmann-Patton-Cavanaugh Plaques Now Mounted on the South Gym

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[Posted October 15, 2016] The massive plaques saluting Coach Dick Kampmann, Uni sprinter (and double Olympic gold medalist) Mel Patton ‘43 and the school’s first principal, Angus Cavanaugh, are now mounted outside the north side of the South Gym. The plaques, made possible by donors – those who gave $100 or more are listed on a separate plaque, also now mounted – commemorate the naming of Uni’s new athletic facilities as “Kampmann Stadium,” “Patton Track” and “Cavanaugh Field.” If you would like to see the plaques, please note that Uni […]

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5

Apr, 2016

It’s back: Uni’s All-Classes Picnic and Car Show coming May 15!

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[Posted April 5, 2016] Back by popular demand: the Uni All-Classes Picnic and Car Show, back on campus after a three-year absence on May 15. In addition to the vintage autos, there will be campus tours, a short State of the School address from Principal Eric Davidson and a special luncheon to commemorate the naming of the new athletics facilities as “Kampmann Stadium” and “Patton Track.” The event is free except for the luncheon, for which there is a separate charge. Stay tuned for more information!  

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25

Oct, 2015

Uni field and track dedication ceremony: Transcript

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[Posted October 25, 2015] For the record, here’s a transcript of the remarks given at the October 22 dedication of the new Uni field and track, with many additional photographs courtesy of UHEF Co-President Ivan Finkle: Steve Zimmer President, LAUSD Board of Education Good afternoon, everybody. I’ve got my Wildcat hat and I do so much appreciate being here, getting the chance to emcee this dedication. I want to add to what Lorena said: Thank you to our amazing students, Color Guard, Cheer, Band. Thank you so much for being […]

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23

Oct, 2015

Happy crowd cheers dedication of Kampmann Stadium and Patton Track

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[Posted October 22, 2015] In the presence of politicians, school officials and one of Uni’s two Olympic medal winners, the school’s new football field and all-weather track were dedicated on Thursday afternoon. Pictured above: The official ribbon-cutting ceremony, with (from left) LAUSD Board President Steve Zimmer, Coach Dick Kampmann and Uni Principal Eric Davidson (Photo courtesy Ivan Finkle/UHEF) The facilities were named for two Uni legends and will henceforth be known as “Richard Kampmann Stadium” after the legendary Uni cross-country and track & field coach, and “Mel Patton Track,” after […]

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1

May, 2015

“Worlds Fastest Humans” salutes Uni great Mel Patton

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[Posted May 1, 2015] Congratulations to Larry Booth, author of the just-released book, Worlds Fastest Humans, a look at three great Los Angeles-area sprint stars of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s: Charlie Paddock, Frank Wykoff and Uni’s own Mel Patton. The 72-page paperback traces the careers of these three students of USC coach Dean Cromwell, all of whom set or equaled the world record in the 100-yard dash between 1921 and 1948. The work is lavishly replete with news clippings of the day that give an authentic, “you were there” […]

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17

Aug, 2014

Remembering Mel Patton, Uni’s greatest athlete

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[Posted August 17, 2014]  In the 90-plus years of University High School, there has been one athlete who accomplishments stand above all others: Mel Patton. The two-time track & field gold medalist from the 1948 Olympic Games in London died at age 89 on May 9 in Fallbrook, California, south of San Clemente. Pictured above: Patton winning the 200 meters at the 1948 Olympic Games in London, just ahead of American teammate Barney Ewell. Patton attended Uni, then a three-year high school, in 1941-42-43 before entering the U.S. Navy to […]

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