October 15, 2007

Billingsley truly has look of a champion
Louis Brewster, Sports Editor

Random thoughts for a Tuesday morning, wondering whatever happened to Dave Jackson, a two-time CIF-SS Division III cross country champion in 1996-97.

Coaching on any level is more than just wins and losses. It's often about life's lessons and how that knowledge can be applied.

Kyle Billingsley, head baseball coach at Chino Hills High School, is a case in point. He's been nominated as the Sporting News Hometown Champion for October for his actions off the field in June.

Billingsley stepped in when one of his junior varsity players was given a hard time by others in school because of his haircut. Cory Davis shaved his head as a show of support for his father Danny, whose hair fell out after chemo and radiation treatments for cancer.

The next day, Billingsley showed up with a shaved head, as did his 4-year-old son Ryker. Other members of the Chino Hills baseball teams followed suit, all in support of their teammate.

"I am not sure if Coach Billingsley knows how much that meant to my family and especially my son," Michelle Davis wrote in nominating Billingsley for the award. "He has a dedication to all his players all the way through the JV and freshman level. It takes a very caring man to sacrifice his own looks and to have people rally around someone in need. He will forever be in our hearts for that.

"He is a champion to us and he deserves some recognition for his love and support for his players."

There's a campaign in Chino Hills to register and vote for Billingsley. He's a bit embarrassed by all the attention and noted it's just something coaches do for their players, a lesson in life. ...

Richard Brehaut, the junior quarterback at Los Osos High School, is about half a world away from his grandparents, who live on the Mediterranean island of Malta.

The grandparents, however, are able to keep up with Brehaut via the Internet and podcast on SportsnetUSA.net. Steve Hassler, a broadcast professor at Cal State Fullerton, calls the play-by-play for the Grizzles and reported he has listeners throughout the country.

Los Osos and Upland are the two area schools with Internet podcasts of their football games. ...

It was non-stop clipping Sunday at Dawn's Barber Shop in Fontana for the Lester Waleszonia fund-raiser. Waleszonia, a long-time coach on the youth and high school level, is suffering from bile duct cancer.

More than $1,000 was raised at the five-hour event, but the most important part of it all was the outpouring of affection for Waleszonia. From long-time family friends to the children of those he played with and/or coached, they dropped by as friends do in times of crisis.

Special thanks to Dawn Lewis, Dana Welch and Chris Garrison for their efforts in making the day so special. ...

Department of Corrections: Jodi Rudy of La Verne met her goal of finishing in the top 10 in her age group over the weekend at the famed Hawaiian Ironman World Championship in Kona.

Rudy - and we apologize for getting her name wrong last week - finished ninth in a time of 11:32.20, the third American in the 45-49 age group. She completed the 2.4-mile swim in 1:20.43 and emerged from the water in 30th place.

She was 12th following a hot and windy 112-mile bike ride (6:10.35). She ran down three competitors in the marathon (3:53.56) to break into the top 10, 61 minutes behind winner Julianna Nievergelt.

The best part of it all? She and Dave got to spend their wedding anniversary in Hawaii. ...

Los Osos, part 2: It pays to buy a football program at Los Osos home games. Thanks to a very active booster club, there are plenty of prizes to be won if you buy a program with Tom Martinez's signature somewhere in the book.

Among the best prizes last week were a $50 charge card and $350 worth of dental bleaching. The club also gave away some Dodgers tickets for the 2008 season, which were won by an Angels season-ticket holder.

From the e-mail bag: "While you mentioned what was in Jerry Miles' book on Coach John Scolinos, what was your take? Do you recommend it?" - Mike, Yucca Valley.

Most definitely. Miles goes a great job in defining the John Scolinos philosophy, which everyone who ever played for him never forgot or strayed from. Considering the number of players who later became coaches, it's a philosophy with a long shelf life.

Miles will have a book signing at Stamp Your Heart Out in Claremont (141 Harvard) on Nov. 2 beginning at 5:30 p.m. He's also taking mail orders for the $20 book at Scolinos Book, P.O. Box 8545, La Verne 911750. ...

California Speedway president Gillian Zucker continues to be recognized for her efforts. She was recently selected as a board member of the California Chamber of Commerce.

It's not just an honorary position. Zucker's in with some of the state's heavy hitters, including former Gov. Pete Wilson; Thomas McKernan, Automobile Club of Southern California head honcho; Andrew Benton, president of Pepperdine University and Southern California Edison CEO Alan Fohrer.

"What a tremendous honor and a great way for California Speedway to remain a voice in the California community," Zucker said. "This is another way for California Speedway to represent the County of San Bernardino on a statewide level." ...

Ben Hines, former head baseball coach at La Verne and an assistant with the Dodgers, is being honored Friday night Alumnus of the Year at the La Verne homecoming dinner. Additionally, the 1972 baseball team, the NAIA World Series champion, also will be saluted.

The event will take place at Sheraton Suites Fairplex in Pomona, with a special reception at 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited and reservations are required by calling (909) 593-3511, ext. 4665.

While at La Verne, Hines took his baseball teams to the postseason from 1968 through 1980. After joining the SCIAC in 1971, Hines was 137-25 in conference play and won eight SCIAC titles.

Of his 63 players who signed pro contracts, the late Dan Quisenberry (a reliever with Kansas City, St. Louis and San Francisco) perhaps was the best-known. Other major-league players included Steve Barber (Twins), Jim Lentine (Cardinals & Tigers), John Verhoeven (Angels, White Sox & Twins), Dan Graham (Twins & Orioles), Dave Rucker (Tigers, Cardinals, Phillies & Pirates), George Hinshaw (Padres) and Willie Norwood (Twins).

Nick Leyva, the first all-SCIAC four-year first-team player, was a member of the 1972 team. The Chaffey High School graduate managed Philadelphia from 1989-91 and currently is a member of the Milwaukee coaching staff. ...

Los Osos also is a destination for NCAA Division I head basketball coaches, thanks to a pair of underclassmen who have bright futures.

Sophomore Kendall Williams and junior Cierra Warren are being pressed by various schools to sign early, as if that means anything. Early signees still are bombarded with calls, although not nearly as many as when they are deciding.

Williams, a 6-foot-2 point guard, has attracted the attention of national champion Florida, Arizona and UCLA, just to name a few. Warren, a 6-4 post player, has LSU and Baylor, among others, on her list of suitors.