In September, 1951, I enrolled at the College of the Sequoias (COS), Visalia, CA … what one would call a “junior college.” At 5’7”, 135 lbs. I was determined to continue to play sports just as I had in high school. I was naive enough to think I could compete, so I never had a thought that I wouldn’t be able to do so.

My first love was basketball and COS had the best coach and the best program in the San Joaquin Valley. Paul “Polly” Wilhelmsen’s teams had won their league’s championship every year since 1939 and did so until 1957(I think). Alan Hancock College, Santa Maria, CA de-throned them that year. They were coached by Bill Bertka, well known in So. Cal. as the perennial Los Angeles Laker assistant.

I didn’t play much my freshman year. Played baseball, too, with the same results. Then, I grew five inches in five months. With all the time I spent in the gym paying off, I ended up being a starter on a team that won a California Community College State Championship. COS had given me a chance to live my dreams. By the way, I didn’t stop growing until I reached 6’4”.

The California system is a brilliant design that has allowed millions of people to do the same. Great teachers who love to do just that, teach. Course content that allowed students to transfer to the best four year institutions. The foundation for being successful at a small percentage of the cost of those first two years at a four year institution.

Great athletes and coaches were able to use their community college experience as a springboard. The great Jackie Robinson began his career at Pasadena City College playing football, basketball, baseball and oh, by the way was the State record holder in the long jump. Reynaldo Brown, Compton College, first man to clear 7’ in the high jump. Tom Seaver & Jim Maloney, Hall of Fame Pitchers, got their start at Fresno City College.

There were 80 community colleges in California when no other state had 20. There are well over 100 community colleges in California now. Even today, one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers played in community college before transferring to Cal, Berkeley. Bottom line, it was a first class experience in every aspect of college.

By the way, this 5’7” waif ultimately played pro basketball, was drafted in pro baseball, coached in the NBA (first coach of the Portland Trail Blazers) and coached coaches for 30 years. I owe it all to you COS.

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