Ceremony honors Whittaker Field anniversary, 1968 football team

La Conner Schools hosted a ceremony last week that was 50 years in the making.

Well, actually, more than that.

The impetus for developing Whittaker Field, named for the district's late legendary teacher-coach-administrator Jack Whittaker and formally dedicated during the 1972-73 school year, began with the undefeated 1968 Braves football team.

Thus, a dual celebration was there held May 3.

Those attending the 45-minute program observed the golden anniversary of Whittaker Field and honored the '68 team, whose success helped make possible the drive to install the lighted field.

Memories of Whittaker and the 1968 team's head coach, Jim Frey, were invoked by a series of speakers. Frey, who died in January, had often lamented that more fans didn't see the team play because home games were limited to afternoon kickoffs.

Like Whittaker, Frey wore numerous hats, serving variously as a teacher, coach, counselor and principal. He was credited last Wednesday for his relentless pursuit of the dream that became Whittaker Field.

Superintendent Will Nelson paid tribute to the district's rich history, noting how generations of students have pursued their hopes and dreams by having stepped foot on the half-century-old field and its running track.

"Many organizations and people," Nelson said, "have benefitted from the legacy of Jack Whittaker."

School board president and alum Susie Deyo, one of the day's main organizers, concurred.

"All of us," she said, "have such fond memories of what we've experienced here."

Gabrielle Valenti, a Whittaker granddaughter, made mention – especially for younger attendees – that her grandfather was one-armed.

"It wasn't missing," she insisted. "He didn't need it. He had no limitations. He coached, he taught woodshop and he could play golf. He always brought his golf clubs when he visited us in California. He was an amazing man."

That was confirmed by 1954 La Conner graduate David Alvord.

"He could hit a baseball with one arm farther than any of the kids," Alvord recalled. "Landy (James) could hit the ball a mile, but Mr. Whittaker could hit it farther."

Alvord said Whittaker often entrusted him with his car to pick up the school's mail.

"I just had to get back by 11:45," Alvord said, "so he could go home for lunch – a couple blocks away."

Retired teacher-counselor-principal Maureen Harlan lauded Whittaker and Frey, read aloud the roster of the 1968 team, including its quarterback, Tom Zimmerman and assistant coach, Vince Sellen, each of whom spoke and, with her husband, Mit Harlan, displayed a large banner celebrating what is believed to be the school's only undefeated football squad.

"I can't tell you how honored I am to be part of this event," said Zimmerman. "I love the history we have here at La Conner. My dad and my grandpa graduated here and now we have seven grandkids in school at La Conner."

Sellen, for whom a La Conner public service scholarship is named, recalled Dave Hedlin making a game-saving tackle that kept the Braves unbeaten and noted how he and Frey convinced Claude Wilbur, Jr. that it was okay to elude would-be tacklers instead of always running through them.

Also attending were members of the 1972 Braves' team that opened Whittaker Field, including starters John Agen, now a school board member, Tony Hernandez and Alvord's son, Doug, who was a freshman that season.

Agen pointed out that his and Hernandez's Class of 1974 never lost a game at Whittaker Field.

The district presented to the Whittaker and Frey families and other honored guests handsome commemorative coins to mark the occasion, which was followed by a reception in the high school library. There, alums perused yearbooks, admired the '68 team banner (which was created by Mortenson Signs) and joined together for a group photo.

"I thought everything went great," Maureen Harlan said afterward, a view that was universally shared.

Even the weather cooperated. Blue sky, warm sunshine and the sight of snow-capped Mount Baker assured that a peak experience was realized by all.