Wayne Clark's Journey

In 2016 Coach Braden sent me the game ball (see above) he received after our memorable win at California Lutheran in 1969. After much thought about what to do with the ball, I decided to meet with all the teammates and coach(es) I can locate and invite them to autograph the ball. Dennis volunteered to create this web page so I can share my progress to meet that goal. Over the last several months, I’ve met with over twenty people, all of whom you can see by scrolling to the bottom of this page and clicking on a name.  

This effort to meet former teammates has been an absolutely delightful experience! I’ve had wonderful visits with EVERYBODY!  It’s been a great pleasure to share memories of our CWU/USIU experiences and find out about the lives each has had since. I will try to contact and meet with everybody on the 1969 team that I can find no matter where they live. As I did with each of you, I do not share the purpose of my visit until actually meeting, so if you contact anyone who I hope to see later, please tell them I want to meet with them but do not reveal why. 

I know Coach Lew Erber, Billy Miller, Les Hitchcock, and (just a few weeks ago) Corky DeLaurentis have passed away. I’ve been told John Perez suffered a debilitating stroke and is alive but incapacitated. I have contact info for Dante Scarnecchia, Allen Fields, Bill Nugent, and Brett Olinger and hope to meet them soon. I am still seeking contact information for the following teammates and coaches and would appreciate any help you can provide: John Conlon, Bill Kane, Gary Beets (Grad Asst), Mike Bielman, Charlie Limbrick, Stephen Vance, Jack Tate, Charles Brazell, Dale Curtis, Jerry Lybarger (Grad Asst), George Rowan, Bill Noble, Mike Hoover, Ken Yamamoto, Carl Bettis, Charles Kaska, Randy Madaren (Grad Asst), Kirk Mund, Bob MacCubbin, Daryl Lasater, John Radovich, Don Bohannon, Jon Wald, Jeff Stevens, Karl Schenke, Walt Hawkins, Paul Dunn, John Patterson, Jim Center, Gary Potter, Harry Basore, Fraser Heaton, Bill Porter.  

Gary Dalton shared some memorabilia he has saved including various programs for some games during the 1966-69 seasons, the 1969 Football & Cross Country Press Guide, Coach Erber’s scouting report for the Cal Lu game, news articles, etc. I’ve scanned them and have forwarded them to Dennis to post on this website and I invite you to look at these. If you’re like me, you might find some of the information conflicts with your memories of those times. For instance, regarding the Cal Lu game, I remembered the name Brian Jeter and was sure he was a DB I ran over on a play. But Coach Erber’s scouting report states that Jeter was an “Offensive standout,” so maybe I ran into their safety, #84. You may recall that Coach Braden periodically sent letters to our families and other football team supporters and I found the letter he sent after the Cal Lu game. If you have memories of the Cal Lu game or of that season you’d like to share, please send a note to Dennis and he can post it on this page.

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful visits and please stay in touch.

Wayne

1969 Game


1969 USIU Press Guide (Click Here)

KINGSMEN SEEK DISTRICT TITLE

California Lutheran College and United States International University (Cal Western) square off Today in what has to be the Southern California small college game of the year.

At stake is the NAIA District III title, and a shot at the NAIA Champion Bowl playoffs. Undefeated Cal Lutheran, 6-0 on the year and winner of 14 consecutive games, faces a Cal Western team which is 5-2 this campaign, including four straight. Last year, Cal Lutheran won 39-34 en route to a 9-1 season and the number 9 position in the nation (NAIA).

Coach Bob Shoup feels that this may be the biggest game in the short history of CLC football. “It all comes down to this weekend,” he said. “Cal Western has a fine record and a fine football team. We will have to be ready . . . this game means a lot to us.” The Kingsmen, who are 52-18 since Shoup started things in 1962, are the number 18 team in the NAIA ratings.

On paper, today’s game looks like an even match as both teams have defeated Whittier, La Verne and Simon Fraser. Cal Lutheran defeated Redlands 13-3, while Cal Western lost a close one to the Bulldogs 14-7. The Kingsmen have shutout three opponents and the Westerners two . . . including La Verne 20-O nd Washington University (St. Louis) 41-0 in their last two ball games.

Shoup was particularly pleased with his offense after last week’s 60-13 win over Occidental. “We will need another good offensive performance this week,” he said. “Cal Western is averaging 30 points a game.” The Kingsmen offense exploded for 31 points in the second quarter against Oxy to set a new record for points scored in a game.

Quarterback Al Iones hit tight end Chris Elkins with a 75-yard scoring pass early in the second period and the rout was on. Versatile John Bossard lead the scoring with a touchdown, a field goal, and seven extra points for 16 points. Cal Western is also capable of offensive fireworks. All-District and honorable mention All-American quarterback Wayne Clark has completed 58 of 135 passes for 840 yards and 6 touchdowns. The 6-2, 195-pound signal-caller has also scored 4 touchdowns to
lead a powerful offense. One-armed placekicker Dale Curtis has 21 extra points and seven field goals for 42 points.

But Cal Western will face a rugged Kingsmen defense which is ranked 11th in the nation. Captain Rick Andrade, who returned an interception 77 yards for a touchdown against Occidental, leads a defensive a unit which has allowed just 22 points in six games. Oxy quarterback Fred Tippett, averaging 210 yards a game to rate as the NAIA’s number seven passer, found out how tough the Kingsmen defense could be. He completed only 3 passes for 44 yards under tremendous pressure. The CLC defense is still tough against the run too . . . giving up only 56.4 yards a game on the ground.

So, today’s game stacks up as a close one between two well-balanced teams. Cal Western rates the edge on offense and Cal Lutheran on defense.

Coach Erber's Game Plan (click here) It worked !!!
Coach Braden's Letter to Our Families (click here)

Coaches Accolades

I was extremely blessed to have a mother who taught me unconditional love and a father who taught me work ethic, integrity and to never quit, skills to use in life. It was my football coaches, Bill Cooper (High School), Ken Swearingen (Junior College), Don Coryell (SDSU) and Marv Braden & Lew Erber (USIU) that gave me the platform to utilize those skills as well as enhance them. These quality men also afforded me the opportunity to forge lifetime friendships as we coalesced around a single goal and learned to put others in front of ourselves. I will always be indebted to these men and was fortunate to be able to pass these lessons on to my children. Thank you is never enough but a gigantic thank you to them all. - Skip Harry Oct 16, 2017

I think I was blessed with several men in my life who played a major roll in helping me become the man I have been.  High School, Birt Dlater and Jack Manotti.  Helped me through high school and got me on the road to college when others told me to forget it.  Tough time in my life.  Father was critically ill and did not expect to live to his next day.  Burt and Jack were there for me at all times.  Junior college, Harry West.  Made sure I completed college by helping me become a college student and to find that needed direction to complete my degree.   Marv Braden and Lew Erber. Helped build trust in myself, develop moral character and commitment to life's required responsibilities.  All taught me toughness which shielded me from the hard knocks in life.  Dedication to the team spirit as well as understanding that nothing in life is easy or free.  Coach Braden has also taught me what unconditional love is.  For family, for God, and for fellow teammates through life.  As I reflect back on the many stages of life that I have evolved through I know that I could not have been successful as a husband, father or a man without the lessons taught me by all of these great men!  May God Bless them all! – Mike George Oct 16, 2017

Coach;
If I had to choose just one individual that had the most positive impact on me, It's a "no brainer" - Coach Marv Braden. God bless you!!! – Marv Bethea Oct 16, 2017

Coach: Don't ever underestimate the number of young men you've coached in your career that have taken your guidance, knowledge and wisdom and used that to better themselves, their families and those around them. If you ever needed a reason to live long and savor the moment, this is one. Doug Omer sent this to me. I asked him if he shared his thoughts with you. He said no. If you ever needed a reason to question whether your life's work meant anything, here's the answer. As you know, Doug had some "growing" issues when  playing at Cal Western. Today, Doug uses what you gave him to help countless others in his community to improve their lives. I guess you can say Doug is paying it forward. Hats off to both of you. - John Faires Oct 16, 2017

I met with Wayne Clark yesterday and found the conversation and visit to be wonderful.  We renew our friendship and talked about the college days at Cal Western Univ. I shared how grateful I am that I had a head coach that knew more about me and my personality and desires than I did and he continued to support and guide me to become the best person I could possibly be, knowing that football was the spring board to keep me on the best path for success; kept me in school, discipline me to stay on the team and maintained hope that I could be more than I was at that point in my life. I am and will always be full of gratitude to the coaching staff and specifically Coach Braden. – Doug Omer Oct 16, 2017

Players Pictures