Greetings and thank you for visiting your website presenting your “1967 – 1971” William & Mary Basketball Reunion ! See you January
15th, 2010 in Williamsburg !
Hey guys, go ahead sit back & relax. Take a little time and take a trip down the lane of maybe the most significant “season” of our lives It’s okay, we’ve paid our
dues, we deserve it! Please plan to attend. Enjoy.
Get ready for 48 hours of Fun, Memories, Friends, Basketball Nostalgia, and “Tall
Tales”, while cruising the Duke of Gloucester, Campus, and of course, Blow
Gym!
January 15th-17th , 2010
Friday the 15th• 7 PM: “Get Together & Cocktails” in Hotel
Bar.
Saturday the 16th• 4:30-5:00: Pre-Game Cocktails & Sandwiches• 7 PM: W&M versus Hofstra• “?” PM: Post-Game Cocktails
Sunday the 17th• “Goodbyes” & Departure
This presentation is offered with a sincere and genuine effort to recognize each of us as an
important part our Team. The word “Team” includes coaches, manager/trainers, administrators and
players.
It is with hope it will rekindle fond memories of the Friends,… the Prestige of attending The College of William & Mary,… and the Honor of being a part of NCAA Division 1 Basketball competition during one
of the most significant periods of our lives.Please know, any individual omissions were not intended, but due to inability to make contact or
limited access to pictures and information. Please enjoy.
A “No-Way NBA” Film Production
NW
The re-known 1967-1971 William & Mary Basketball
Teams….Proudly Present….
© Copyright-2009, (Everyone has the right to copy.)
“Only a select few individuals possess the privilege to proudly profess attending The
College of William & Mary. “
“To have these qualities forever emblazoned in their hearts and minds will forever be their
Blessing.”
Honor
IntegrityTruth
KnowledgeWisdom
Faith
Prestige
However……Each and Everyone of
us should be equally humbled to be among
this privileged fraternity.
Beyond these achievements, and within this special group, are
uniquely chosen individuals who excelled and endured the
commitment to represent William & Mary in the vast athletic arena of NCAA Basketball competition.
We were a “TEAM”
Each of us had equally significant roles to play:
Some of us got a lot of playing time, some of us didn’t.
Some of us loaded the hoops with a bunch of points, some of us didn’t.
Some of us hit the boards hard, some of us didn’t.
Some of us were floor Generals, some of us weren’t.
Some of us were great defensively, some of us weren’t.
Some of us kept the locker room Sane, some of us didn’t.
Some of us kept the locker room Loose & Crazy, some of us didn't.
Some of us were important Team Members behind the scenes, some of us weren’t.
Each of us were part of the “some did” , and each of us were part of
the “some didn’t”…….
balanced the demanding schedules of Athletics & Academics.
endured the daily grueling practices.
dreaded the deadly end of practice “SUICIDES”.
And a Part of all of Us, still remains on the W&M
Court !
on occasion, “whined” and “complained…but pushed on.
played through the sweat, blood, injuries & pain.
But each of Us:
Each of Us,Made All of
Us,BETTER!
And, at the end of each tiring day…
Graduation Day came ….. and we all took individual paths toward our life’s
objectives.We went out into the world well-
equipped with our unique & prestigious William & Mary
experiences.Now ….. Looking back ….. each of us, in our individual way …..
Have become ….
CHAMPIONSof
LIFE
Probably the first thing we recall of our team years is
our…..
Notorious and Famous All-Time, All-American
“SIXTH MAN”….He struck fear in the
hearts of our opponents by the mere mention of his
Name! ……
“ BLOW GYM ” How could we ever forget
it’s “state of the art” athletic facilities? From
it’s luxurious locker room, to the “polished level
court”, and comfortable
bleachers ! Blow Gymnasium, now known as Blow Memorial Hall, began construction in 1923 and was completed early in 1925. It was our Basketball home from 1923-1970. The last basketball game was
played on February 19, 1970 against East Carolina
It now houses the graduate school of business, registrar, bursar, and other university offices.
Our Fearless Leaders…
1967-71 REUNION
For 4 years they were our Parents, and we were their Family……..
Ass’t Coach, Hubie Brown
Ass’t Coach, Carl Sloan
Ass’t Coach, Sonny Smith
Ass’t Coach, Ben Pomeroy
Head Coach, Warren Mitchell
Throwback Pictures Not Available:
Charlie Woolum
John Harvey
George Balanis
Jimmye Laycock
George Spack
And while we are on this subject,
We would like to recognize, and thank Barry Fratkin, our Publicity Director. His bubbly
personality, positive energy & Team support made those tough “road trips” more tolerable.
…and where would we be without….
One of the most important cogs of the Team, who
behind the scenes, and all too often taken for
granted.
They kept us organized, eased the pain, and provided what was
needed, even before anyone knew it was
needed….
They kept us “Taped” together in
more ways than one.
Our Team Managers/Trainers
Dan Bonner Gary Williams
CENTER COURT
1969
And now it’s time for…
Honoring the “soldiers” who
forever emblazoned their sweat, blood, and heart on the
hallowed hardwood of William & Mary…
1967-68 Team
Wow…what a group of “good-looking” guys!...we could of made a fortune
marketing a “Team Calendar” !
“ Golly-Ding Guys, quiet down or I’m giving all of
you 4 Suicides after these pictures are taken!”
Stop whining boys…when you
grow up we’ll show you how it’s done!
Why don’t we have Cheerleaders in our
Picture?
Yeh, the old farts get all the perks!
1970-71 Team
Ben Pomeroy–’66-67
Ron Panneton–’67-68
Steve Dodge & Tom Jasper–’70-71
Dave Daugherty–’68-69
“Captain, my Captain”
Mike Schemering & Bob Sherwood–’69-70
“Hear Ye, Hear Ye !”
Ron Panneton
Class of ‘68
Ladies & Gentlemen…Let’s get ready to “RUMBLE”…..
Class of ‘68
Jim Rama
Class of ‘68
Billy Taylor
Class of ‘68
Mike Johnson
Jack Downing
Class of ‘69
Dave Daugherty
Class of ‘69
Eddie Derringe
Class of ‘69
…….Carpe Diem……
Class of ‘70
Bob Sherwood
Class of ‘70
Scott McLennan
Harry Kent
Class of ‘70
Tom Finton
Class of ‘70
Jerry Hemmelgarn
Class of ‘70
Team Mgrs/Trainers
Class of ‘70
Dan Bonner & Gary Williams-Team Mgrs &
trainers
Class 68 & 71Class of ‘70
Dave Stout
Leap, and the Net shall appear…..
Class of ‘72
Jerry Fisher
…Semper Fidelis…
Class of ‘71
Steve Dodge
Class of ‘71
Tom Jasper
Class of ‘71
Paul King
Class of ‘71
Neil Gewirtzman
Class of ‘72
Randy Walter
Class of ‘71
Ray Anderson
Class of ‘72
Herbert Moss Class of ‘72
Jeff Steckroth
Class of ‘72
Bud Chess
Class of ‘72
Sanford Boisseau
Class of ‘72
Mike Stakias
Class of ‘72
Jim Warns
“Thinking of You”
All of us regret that Scott cannot make the trip from
California to attend our Reunion, due to a chronic
back ailment that currently has him
confined to a wheelchair.
We all recall Scott’s outstanding leaping ability, tremendous
athleticism and his quiet yet happy go lucky
personality.
In unison, we all say:
“Hello, wish you were here, and we pray for
your comfort and recovery.”
Your Teammates
Scott McLennan
Fellow Teammate Bruce McLennan, and Scott’s
brother will be attending the reunion representing
both himself and his brother. Bruce will
update all of us on Scott’s condition.
Bruce McLennan
Losses on the Court are quickly forgotten. Losses of Life are forever
remembered.During the past decades, we grieved the loss of 3 of our friends, who joined the
Ultimate Team in Heaven.
You are remembered in our Prayers.
“Read all about it !”
If only you guys could shoot as
well as you throw snowballs !
“Gotta get the Ink”
“_________
_________ ! ” “_________
_________ ! ” “_________
_________ ! ”
Fill in the
Blanks...
Today is a “Gift”.That’s why it’s called the
“Present”We’ve all been
Blessed.
An “Icon” in W&M Athletic History as well as the Present; Ben currently resides in Midlothian, VA and their “summer home” in New Hampshire with Debbie, his lovely bride of 42 years
As a fellow Player, our Captain, our Coach and WM Hall of Famer, Ben currently is involved part-time with Colonial Life while juggling WM Hall of Fame Selection Committee and part-time Coaching & Counseling at Blessed Sacrament HS responsibilities.
Ben is the former Chairman of the W&M Tribe Club, & received his Master’s from ODU. He previously coached & taught at Atlantic Christian College and Menchville HS.
Debbie and Ben are the proud parents of 3 children and have the blessing of spoiling 7 grandchildren.
Ben enjoys his spare time with grandchildren, golf, tennis, fishing, and W&M Basketball and Football Games.
Ben PomeroyI hope no one finds out how much I
enjoyed calling out the names of you guys who missed touching the
suicide lines, when I was coaching!
It still puts a smile on my face !
To be honest, over these many years I have been privileged and honored with so many W&M memories & anecdotes with all you guys it would be impossible to single out just one……so, I ‘m just
going to say: “I can’t wait for our Reunion so I can really tell some
stories.”
Jim currently lives in Odenton, MD. with his lovely wife Denise.
Jim used his W&M basketball aggressiveness, finesse, & “ownership” of
the “boards” to establish and become President of RamaCo Int’l. RamaCo is an engineering & consulting firm specializing
in infrastructure, condition, threat and vulnerability assessments; including facility
design, and security development.
Prior to RamaCo, Jim was Vice-President of Special Programs with Halliburton Corp
in Houston, and held numerous mgmt positions at Newport News Shipbuilding.
Jim and Denise have 3 wonderful children and one spoiled grandchild.
Through the years, Jim has found his loving family to be his main hobby, with Golf finishing a nice & relaxing second
place.
I hope none of the guys remember the Evansville Holiday Tournament , and our visit to the downtown
Men’s Store.
It could ruin my impeccably high status in the national
business community!
Jim RamaThere is only one unforgettable anecdote in W&M B-
Ball history that still lives on from Team to Team, and Year to Year, and I am honored to have actually
witnessed it!
The Legendary & Erudite Bill Chambers was in his final year as Head Coach. His re-known reputation
as a strict disciplinarian & absolute “stickler” on defense was only superseded by the respect & fear
his players felt in his presence.
Ron Panneton and I were sophomores, and even at that green age Ron had that aura of, shall we say,
“confidence”.
Anyway, it was half-time during one particularly important and close away game. After reviewing the first half stats, Coach Chambers entered the
locker room.
The room fell silent.
After “dressing down” everyone equally, it was Ron’s turn. Coach Chambers began to speak…and suddenly in a “non-judicious” moment, Ron said “
But Coach, …..”!
It has been said the Earth suddenly stopped rotating on its axis!
Coach Chambers slowly turned around, his face “blood-black”, and calmly said; “Ron, I just don’t
know about you son. I don’t think you will ever “get it”.
Let me make it simple; You play Defense like Old People F___! ……..And Ron, that isn’t good!”
Ron’s eyes glazed and his jaw dropped so hard to the locker room concrete floor I think it shook the
coliseum.
Fortunately for me, I had a towel to place firmly down my throat to choke back the laughter!!!!
Ron PannetonRon currently resides in historical
Manassas, VA with his loving wife of 32 years, Becky.
After leaving a storied and successful athletic career at W&M behind, Ron used his natural all-around talents to become a
leading and extremely successful lobbyist/attorney in the DC area. Ron is Senior Counsel with NAIFA, representing Financial Counselors & Insurance Agents.
Apparently Ron was kept busy by his career as he and Becky did not have their
first child until he was 40! They now have 2 sons and he looks forward to being a
grandpa before he gets too old.
Ron enjoys riding his Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Motorcycle whenever he
gets the chance.
Even after all these years my feelings still hurt as being
remembered as a “Gunner”.
I only kept shooting because I was the only one who could get an “open” shot, even with 5 guys
hanging all over me.
Let me put to rest the false rap of having no defense. I always had it, and still do. In fact,
Lebron had better look out!
(…I will admit shooting was more fun.)
Dan Bonner
Anyone need some new
Converse “Blue Tip” Shoes ?
Looking back, I don’t know how I found time to go to
class and find time to study.
It seems all my time was devoted to keeping you guys in supplies, clean
uniforms and tending to your injuries and other “boo-
boos”.
Dan and his wife Lucinda (Cindy) currently happily enjoy life in
Woodbridge, Virginia.
Dan has continued his W&M “service expertise” in Residential
Real Estate, where he is an active and successful Virginia Licensed
Broker; Appraiser; and Notary.
Dan & Cindy are the proud parents of 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
He enjoys gardening, and touring historical sites in his spare time.
Ed, our flagship “townie”, now lives in Evansville, Indiana with his lovely bride of 20 years, Gayle.
After W&M, Ed drove truck for a short time, then relocated to Chicago to set up driver training programs for both Greyhound and Bekins Van Lines.
In 1972, Ed relocated to Evansville and started his own transportation and business record storage company, which is currently strong and successful. He is involved in numerous civics clubs, and is President of the Evansville Boys & Girls Club.
Gayle and Ed have no children, but spend a lot of time with their nieces and nephews.
In their spare time, Gayle & Ed travel to their cottage in Kentucky, where they do a lot of boating and Ed can catch his much needed “Bennies”.
Ed DerringeI agree with Jimmy Rama, I don’t
want to talk about the Evansville Men’s Store episode either.
I still have to buy my clothes out of town because of that episode!
I can never forget the ’66-’67 Evansville Holiday Tournament , where we were
greeted at the airport by a group of guys wearing Cowboy hats and String Ties, called “ The West Side Nut Club”. They were assigned to drive us around town during the tourney. We laughed and
thought they were crazy!
Would you believe, since moving to Evansville, I am now a 33 year member
of this “club” and a past President!
Jack retired in ’06 and lives with his wonderful & patient wife, Sandy in Dublin, Ohio.
He is enjoying his “retirement season” after living an “appetizing” & “full-filling“ career directing & operating Food & Beverage exclusivity contracts in numerous major airports across the country; including the food, bars, gift shops & in-flight catering for Delaware North Companies (Sportservice)
Jack also was Nat’l Sales Acc’t Sales Mgr for Wasserstrom Inc., providing custom design eqm’t, furniture, supplies, etc. for new building KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, & LJS.
Sandy & Jack spend a lot of their time taking care of Jack’s 91 year-old father, who is still going strong.
He enjoys playing guitar; writing & recording contemporary Christian music; landscaping & yard work; art; design; computers; & relaxing in the Hot-Tub.
Jack & Sandy have 6 children & 12 Grandchildren.
My hourly reminder of our “era” is the permanent “Wedgie” Coach Brown gave me from jerking me around the court by my shorts everyday during
practice!
The first time I met my proctologist, he smiled and said, “I see you must have
had Hubie Brown as a coach somewhere along the line….at least
you’ll never have to worry about hemorrhoids !”
Jack DowningI can’t help but think that Ron
Panneton became a Lobbyist/Attorney because the
Bar Association said he couldn’t qualify as a “Defense” Attorney!
Bob SherwoodBob lives in beautiful Destin, Florida with
Mary, his lovely bride of 41 Years!
After engraving his legacy on the W&M record books, Bob continued his passion for athletics as H.S Head Coach in Birmingham, MI; Pres. Of Michigan H.S. Basketball Coaches Assn.;
mfg rep for Keds & Pony Sports; key acc’t mgr for Reebok; co-owner of sports mfg rep
agency; Nat’l Sales Mgr Umbro Soccer; and for the past 12 yrs as Director of Eastern USA
Sales for Asics America Corp.
Bob relaxes as an avid fan of Florida State Football, while enjoying Tennis, Golf (until injury), non-fiction reading, beach & body
surfing, and travel.
Mary & Bob have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
Okay guys…be honest… do all of you still make sure to touch all
the lines when running your daily “suicides”?
At least George Spack knows I never coasted during stadium
step sprints when Coach turned his back; like he says Tom,
Steve, Ray and Neil always did.
…Start practicing your “humming” guys! I hope you can still remember the “Fight
Song”
Steve Dodge
Steve, currently lives in Leland, NC, with Wilmington’s Golf & Beach oasis conveniently
located close by, and is looking forward to announcing the wedding date to his fiancé Cindy
Scully.
After a stellar W&M Basketball career, Steve continued his athletic avocation……..
Today, Steve is Executive Vice-President of Yale Sportswear based in Maryland. Previously he
played 3 yrs Pro-B-Ball in Europe, was ass’t B-Ball Coach at Old Dominion and spent 17 yrs. with
Converse Inc.
As hobbies, he enjoys golf, tennis and surf fishing.
Steve is the proud father of 3 very successful & talented children from his previous Marriage …
whom he says have not given him any grandchildren….Yet !!
“ I was very honored to have my jersey number
‘Retired’… until I saw John Lowenhaupt was the one
wearing it instead !!
I could’ve been the one in the retired jersey picture, if Sherwood & Jasper hadn’t hoisted over 900 shots during
‘69-’70 season.
I kept yelling ‘I’m open! I’m over here! I’m open! ….PASS ME THE
ROCK xxxxx !!!
Tom JasperMarried to his college sweetheart Freda
Hutchinson for 37 years, Tom & Freda reside in Hunts Valley, MD., while frequently
escaping to their Condo on Kiawah Island, SC.
After finishing a brilliant collegiate B-ball career, Tom worked part-time (1971-88 ) for
the Baltimore Orioles as Fan Relations Director & Player/Coach for their B-Ball
Fundraising Team.
During this 17 yr period with the O’s, Tom became involved and developed an interest in Commercial Printing, which evolved into a
successful career; culminating as Vice-President of Cavanaugh Press. He looks
forward to retirement in a few years.
Tom & Freda have 2 sons, and devotes all his leisure time to Golf & more Golf.
The best business decision I ever made was appointing Mike
Schemering as my “Sports Agent”. His shrewd business acumen
quickly negotiated a full-scholarship to W&M with Coach Mitchell; not
only for me, but for himself as well!
Mike is not given enough historical credit for innovating the political “riding the coat-
tails” election effect.
Neil Gewirtzman
Neil and his wife Marsha have the “good life” spending 3 weeks a month living in
their home in Parsippany, NJ and 1 week a month in their 2nd home in Kiawah
Island, NC.
Neil is Executive Vice-President of Sheldon Gross Realty, Inc, and has been
involved in Commercial/Industrial Real Estate for 30 years, including Brokerage,
Property Management, Consulting & Graduate Teaching.
Marsha and Neil are the proud parents of one son, who just graduated from NYU
Law School.
Golf, Golf and more Golf are Neil’s hobbies. He scored 2 hole-in-one’s within 6 weeks on 2 separate CC
courses!
I have not flown in a chartered plane during the
winter, since trying to fly out of Morgantown, West Virginia in a snow storm after playing
WVU.
……What’s this about “humming” the W&M Fight Song! !!!?....not me… George Spack must be wrong. I never “coasted” the
stadium steps!…Also ….Tom, I can’t wait to hear Mike’s side of
who rode who's coat-tails!
Ray AndersonRay is enjoying retirement with his wife
Sylvia on Amelia Island, near Jacksonville, Fl.
He returned to W&M to get his MBA, and “careered” with DuPont for 35 years spending most of the time in Brazil,
Korea, and Canada. He retired from DuPont as VP of Refinish Coatings of the Americas, where he became an avid fan of NASCAR Racing (including “Driving”) with honorary trips to Victory Lane with
Jeff Gordon.
Ray & Sylvia are the proud parents of 3 children & 3 grandschildren.
He is an avid golfer, and is getting into fishing…(still working on the catching
part).
“I have many memories to share, but I will never forget guarding
Artis Gilmore of #6 Jacksonville with my face firmly planted in his
arm pit !”
I still wash my face with “Right Guard”!
… What I really want to tell everyone is that even though my stats may not have been that great, … my
daughter Julia was a First-Team All-American hoopster at John Hopkins and holds its all time rebs & scoring
records.
Herb and his wife Maurine have been happily married for 26+ years. In 1992 they returned to reside in Williamsburg, Queen’s Lake .
Herb has been successfully involved in the Commercial Property and Casualty Insurance industry since graduating in ‘72, and for the past 11 years works with Thomas Rutherford Inc. operating one of their 8 Mid-Atlantic offices in Virginia Beach. Previously Herb worked with Marsh Inc. in Norfolk.
Maureen and Herb have 4 children ages 16 through 33, and 1 grandchild living to far away in Canton, MI.
Herb enjoys fishing and an occasional round of golf in his leisure time.
Herb MossI hope none of the guys find out
that one of my sons is a Jr. at Virginia Tech, and after a difficult
transition, I have become a passionate member of the “Hokie
Nation”!
As a green Freshman I remember being introduced to the unique Sherwood
“block out” technique—”a bony elbow to the throat!”
I must admit it was very effective, but I can’t remember if he smiled or winked
after each time he did it.
After his playing days ended, George remained at W&M; Coaching & earning his Master’s
Degree (’75-’78).
Spending the next 3 yrs with Pro-Keds and attending Seminary School, George then
returned to his hometown of Salem, Ohio to teach and coach.
For the past 28 years, George has been blessed with a fulfilling and rewarding life at Salem H.S;
teaching government, world religions, and contemporary issues, while also assisting the
boys’ and girls’ hoop teams.
George remains single, and proudly states: “I can still get up and down the court reasonably well.”
He enjoys reading, theology, history, current events, and traveling.
George SpackSince I may be the youngest former
player planning to attend, and having not met many of you old-timers; I am
wondering which of you will be the first to proclaim that you would have been an All-American had the 3-point line
been around.
I wanted to inform everyone at the reunion of the 4 names of the individuals who coasted
during “Stadium Step Sprints” when the coach turned his
back……they will be required to “hum” the W&M Fight
Song!...but Sherwood let the cat out of the bag!
Special AcknowledgementsSincere apologies to the Team Members whose Current Bio’s
were not included in this presentation due to unavailability.
They include the following, who have either committed to attending or are attempting to make schedule arrangements to
attend.
Dave Daugherty
Mike Schemering
Bruce McLennan
Jim Warns
Jerry Hemmelgarn
Steve Moore
Warren Mitchell
Barry Fratkin
Carl Sloan
Hubie Brown
John Harvey
Sonny Smith
George Balanis
Charlie Woolum
That’s okay, we’ll be able to “Catch Up” in January!
And you know what, … there isn’t anyone in the world
who could ever find a better group of guys with whom to
share “This Important Season” of their Life !
See you at the Reunion !
The Final Buzzer
Executive Producer - Anna Gesic Balham
Producer - “Stinky” Tennyson
Director - Jack Stroppe
Best Boy - Paul D. Groyn
Casting - Sue I. Cides
Key Grip - Zor Bohdie
Wardrobe - Betty Schutes
Catering - Ben Schwarmer
Music - Jim Nasium
Bartender – Ron Lappes