Alumni Honored at AHS Athletes Reunion

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ANGELYNE CHU
VINCENT LIN
Sports Editors
The prestige of local, collegiate and professional success may seem to be the chief reward to famed athletes; but when the time comes around, the best way to commemorate their histories is to share them amongst old high school friends and family. Moors, past and present, demonstrated their extraordinary sense of community and pride on Sunday Oct. 3 at the 2010 Alhambra High School Athletes Hall of Fame Induction at Almansor Court.
The biennial reunion ceremony featured speaker Darrall Imhoff, an AHS class of 1955 alumnus who played Olympic basketball and reached a 12-year NBA career. Very active in public speaking, Imhoff was glad to return to Alhambra, the start of his athletic career, to share old high school locker room stories, as well as memories of playing for the Los Angeles Lakers and more.
Eleven former coaches and players were inducted, most of whom moved on to succeed in coaching or other athletic careers. Eddie Keenan, class of ’57, who was inducted for playing baseball, later became a multi-league winning coach at Bellflower High School.
“I love being a coach because I love the feeling among students, like we’re a big family,” said Keenan.
Kristen Welsh, class of ’96, was inducted for playing basketball, and was the only female inductee this year. According to Welsh, her time at Alhambra had a huge impact on her because it opened her to many opportunities, including her current career in physical therapy and sports medicine.
“I’m shocked and extremely honored that I was able to attend this event. I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent the women’s athletic program today,” said Welsh.
Joe Petralia, AHS basketball coach from 1996-2009, was the most recent coach to be inducted. Winning four Almont League championships in his time, Petralia shared a number of laughs on stage among the many faces he reacquainted with that day.
“Ninety percent of the people I know that are important to me are from coaching [at Alhambra]. It’s especially gratifying that a lot of our former players were here. It was great to see them,” said Petralia.
According to AHS varsity baseball head coach and Hall of Fame Committee member Steve Gewecke, the special pride and joy conveyed by this event are what separates our school from the rest. The organization, the 200-plus people turnout and the sheer spirit of reunion are what make Alhambra an unbreakable community for the past, present and future.