I have a number of story projects in the works at present, just working out scheduling to get interviews done, photos ready, and other assorted details. But plenty of other, smaller sports items pop up on my radar—and that is what this writing is about. All of the pieces here are worthy of publicity, but have been covered better by others. Still, they are worthy of mention, if for no other reason than I can add some personal spin to them.
Item one: Russ Blunck. If you don’t know Russ, then you are missing out. Although I haven’t seen his charming smile in person for a few years, he is always surfacing on social media because the man is… busy. Well, at least he was busy. Russ just recently retired to the Oregon Coast after a long career in college sports information, a job not for the chronically lazy. For his trouble, Russ is being honored by fellow SIDs for his lifetime of achievements—see the link here.
Russ was the Sports Information Director at Western Oregon University for decades—and the place I first met him. As I recall, I was filling in at Western, doing a few football games until the new guy (Russ) arrived and took over. A somewhat quiet, but far from shy individual, Russ is the sort of person you feel like you have known for years—even if you just met him.
Russ is well traveled. His 29 years in sports information involves the placing of plenty of push pins on the map: Pacific University in Forest Grove, Western Oregon (twice), Point Loma Nazarene University of San Diego, and his final stop—University of Hawaii at Hilo. On top of all that, he has served as an assistant athletic director at WOU, and did media work with the Portland Breakers of the original United States Football League. In his most recent work, Russ had a great deal of help from his lovely bride, Shelly—who took many of the sports action photos at Hawaii-Hilo. Did I mention that Russ not only wrote all of the sports stories for the Vulcans, but also broadcast many events? I get tired just thinking of his extensive labors.
There are a few Russ Blunck stories I could tell, but my favorite involved his efforts to drum up publicity for the appearance of former Western Oregon football star Kevin Boss. Boss is most famously known for his huge 45 yard reception for the New York Giants in their Super Bowl upset of then-unbeaten New England in 2008. Russ convinced Kevin to come to a WOU basketball game shortly after that Super Bowl win, and he was honored by the entire school. By the way, Kevin had originally gone to Western (via Philomath High School) to play basketball, with football as an option. Boss showed up at a Western football game later on where I was honored to interview him during the broadcast. Can’t recall all that we talked about, but it was a cool deal. All because of Russ. By the way, Russ also worked in a deal for Western fans to buy autographed Kevin Boss jerseys. That’s Russ.
Item two: Evina Westbrook. I have been fortunate enough to broadcast several basketball games involving new Seattle Storm draftee Evina Westbrook. The former UConn standout had a stellar career at South Salem High School, winning a pair of state 6A championships and nabbing the Gatorade National Player of the Year award in 2017. Evina went on to play two seasons for Tennessee, leaving the Volunteers program for Connecticut after UT’s coach stepped down. She then played two more years at UConn. Westbrook was the third of three UConn players drafted in the second round of the WNBA draft.
Evina did several interviews with me over the three years she helped guide South to the state playoffs. Nothing particularly remarkable was said during those boilerplate courtside Q and As, but I was impressed with the remarkable maturity Westbook displayed when it came her turn to speak. Always calm, never at a loss for words, while exhibiting in her voice a genuine enthusiasm for the game.
Evina’s leadership in that regard was also on display during UConn’s run in the NCAA Championships. In the semi-finals vs. defending national champion Stanford, Westbrook hit three crucial three pointers in the first half to help the Huskies stay on top in the narrow 63-58 victory. Even in the title game loss to South Carolina, she was the glue on the floor that kept the Huskies in the game until late.
Moving to the WNBA, Evina will have plenty of former Huskies to lean on in Seattle. She joins Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and Gabby Williams as UConn alums on Seattle's roster.
Do I want to interview Evina Westbrook? Yes. Am I in a long line waiting to hear from her? Yes-and I am having to use a go-between to make contact. But I am ok with that. Good luck, Evina—from a Salem area broadcaster and writer.
ITEM THREE: Spring High School Sports-Baseball and Softball. As a broadcaster, I find that spring sports are always given lesser attention than the fall and winter sports like football and basketball. The heavy showers and frequent rainouts tend to dampen enthusiasm for the early weeks of the season. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth covering. Here is what I can report about these sports locally after a quick examination of records, power rankings and similar background information.
Baseball: Sprague is the top Salem area school on the list. The Olys are 11-2 as of this writing, and ranked tenth in the OSAA power ratings. A coach I consulted (who shall remain unnamed) says that Summit (#8) and Mountain View of Bend (#7) are both top teams, calling Summit “legit” and Mountain View “really good.” Plenty of baseball still left to play between now and June.
Softball: Bend High School sports a 13-0 record in softball, and is ranked #5 in the state power rankings. Sprague, a softball program that had struggled in recent years, is playing well, too-with an 11-2 record, including 2-0 in league play. The Lady Olys are ranked 14th. This could be an interesting season-long battle between the two schools.
ITEM LAST: The Salem-Keizer Beacons. The Salem-Keizer High School Sports Booster Club's primary goal is to help offset participation fees required of Salem-Keizer athletes. The group (aka the Beacons) is dedicated to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to participate because Salem-Keizer high school athletics focuses on excellence in academics, leadership, character development, and competition as vital components in student achievement. The Beacons also like to salute athletes and those who are long-time supporters of those local athletes.
After a couple of interruptions due to the COVID pandemic, the Beacons are back with a lavish awards ceremony—this year taking place at Salem’s downtown Elsinore Theatre on June 18th at 7:00 pm. It is an event not to be missed. Tickets for the ceremony (at a price) can be obtained at this link.
Please come and honor athletes and adults who have contributed so much to our local sports community. You will be supporting a cause that attempts to make sure all athletes can participate.
That’s it. I am all tapped out for now. Look for a new story coming soon.