Erickson Speaks at Baseball Dinner

November 19, 2008

Sue Pascoe , Staff Writer

The first Palisades Charter High School traditions dinner honored the American Legion last Friday not only for its support of baseball, but also for contributing money to the swimming pool and supporting the high school.

Local businessman Dick Traweek acted as emcee for the event at the American Legion Hall, which included ex-NBA star/broadcaster Keith Erickson, singer/songwriter Jerry Fuller, a silent auction and a chance to honor Palisades' high school team, winner of five consecutive Western League titles.

"This is exactly what it takes to make our public schools great," PaliHi Executive Director Amy Held said. "This is the next level for us to get more professional about fundraising. This is the edge the private schools have held over us."

Those interested in the baseball program hoped to raise enough money to upgrade the dugouts and the fencing as well as planning long term for a possible turf field.

Traweek introduced varsity baseball coach Mike Voelkel as "a coach who has taught the players to be a team. He teaches the game with grace and dignity and teaches them how to play hard."

Voelkel recognized the five players who made All-League last year: shortstop Julian Barzilli (batted .320 in league), left-handed pitcher Buck Traweek (6-2, with a 1.04 ERA in league), second baseman David Skolnik (batted .380), outfielder Brett Whalen (.520) and ace pitcher Jon Moscot, who was voted the league's Most Valuable Player after posting a 9-2 record with a 1.19 ERA and a .410 batting average.

American Legion Commissioner Bob Ryan, who oversaw the summer program and has been involved with the PaliHi team since 1992, was honored for his hard work.

Erickson was a member of John Wooden's 1964 and 1965 NCAA championship basketball teams at UCLA, played on the 1964 USA Olympic Volleyball team and was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers' 1972 championship team that won an NBA-record 33 straight games. He told stories about legendary Lakers' play-by-play announcer Chick Hearn, his broadcast partner for eight years.

"Doing color commentary with Chick was a challenge," Erickson said. "I could barely get a word or two in edgewise before he moved on."

Erickson recalled one of the two times he saw Hearn rendered speechless. Hearn was interviewing Hall of Fame forward Elgin Baylor after a game and presented Baylor with a gift certificate to a clothing store from a new sponsor. Baylor, still in uniform with a towel around his neck, looked at Hearn who was dressed in a suit and tie and said, "You keep it, you need it worse than I do."

In addition to Baylor, Erickson also played with legendary center Wilt Chamberlain. "He was seven feet, one inch tall, 275 pounds, a Size 14 shoe and all muscle," Erickson said of Chamberlain. "He was notorious for his strength. He went bowling, palmed the ball and bowled the entire game like that."

Erickson then spoke about how his coach at El Segundo Community College recommended him to UCLA coaches, who offered him half scholarships for basketball and baseball, not wanting to grant a full scholarship to an "unknown."

"When I came out of high school I didn't have a scholarship, I didn't have a dream," he said. "Don't ever think you can't do something because you never know what's going to happen."

Next, the audience was entertained by Fuller, winner of 28 platinum and gold records. Fuller played guitar and sang songs he wrote like "Travelin' Man" (made famous by Ricky Nelson) and "I've Been There" sung by O.C. Smith.

Fuller said that when he was a record producer for Columbia, he discovered Gary Puckett and the Union Gap in a San Diego bowling alley lounge. He wrote many of their most famous hits, including "Young Girl."

The silent auction, which was organized by Palisadian Karen Jeffers, brought in more than $14,000 for the baseball program; the money will be used for tournament entry fees, field upkeep and insurance.