Message from Ed Kehe
11-29-00
When
I learned from Phil Karpinsky
that the Yonkers Meet would
fold after the 1967 event,
I approached the AD Henry
McWhinnie with the idea
of taking over the date
(between the Section One
Relays and the C& O
Meet) for a first class
meet to be held at WPHS
in memory of Glenn Loucks.
He supported the concept
as did others in administration
up the line, and we subsequently
received financial backing
from the Board of Education.
We
gathered representatives
from Sections 1, 8, 9,
and 11, as well as PSAL
and CHSAA, to brainstorm
the type of meet that would
be supported. What evolved
was a regional competition
with entry standards in
a broad range of events
set in a quasi Olympic
setting.
Our
first idea for the trophies
was to replicate the ancient
statuary depicting the
discus thrower, but the
fabricator, Museum Pieces,
felt it would be too difficult
to reinforce the appendages.
M.P. (Museum Pieces) arranged
for us to meet with the
sculptor Lumen Martin Winter,
who produced an original
clay based on the theme
of the meet, which we accepted.
Eighty-one
schools and eight hundred
athletes participated in
the 1968 inaugural meet.
Our original cinder track
was nicely groomed, with
bright colored markings,
string flags delineated
areas on the infield. It
was an impressive sight.
Following
opening ceremonies, the
torch was lit and competition
began. Despite a stiff
breeze and a steady afternoon
rain, all events except
the triple jump were completed,
many with exceptional performances.
It
was a good start, despite
the weather. Most coaches
expressed satisfaction
and vowed to return. While
the first meet had a distinctly
male flavor, it would not
be long before a complete
program of girls events
was added.
It
is said that those things
of quality do endure. Such
is an appropriate statement
to apply to the Loucks
Memorial Games as the event
enters its thirty-fourth
year. Credit all the people
behind and on the scene
who have provided a very
special experience over
the years for participants.
Cordially
yours,
Ed
Kehe
