Moorpark Celebrates Return of Baseball and Men's Cross Country

September 4, 2014

Gala Event at Reagan Library is Smashing Success

The celebration fundraiser to welcome back baseball and men’s cross country to the Moorpark College Athletic program was a smashing success. More than 200 community members, elected officials, alumni, faculty, staff, administration, and even two celebrities attended the event at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Saturday, August 30th.

Fred Roggin, Southern California’s top sports anchor for more than 30 years, stole the show. Roggin gave a hilarious run down of his career from beginning to today. He also spoke of the immense value community colleges, and his experience at Phoenix Junior College.

“It’s easy to see how Fred Roggin has flourished in the ultra-competitive market of Los Angeles TV news for so long,” said MC President Dr. Bernard Luskin. “He is a pro’s pro.”

Roggin also served as the master of ceremonies, presenting awards to four individuals critical to the reinstatement of the two programs. Those were Dean Lisa Putnam, Executive Vice President Dr. Lori Bennett , President Dr. Bernard Luskin and Mel Bannon.

Bannon was recognized for his long time support of the baseball program, including being responsible for the first-class batting cage at Raider Field. Bannon coached for 12 years, and had two sons go through the program.

Former Dodger and Angel Jay Johnstone shared funny stories of his 21 year career in the major leagues. Johnstone also conducted the live auction.

Roggin also introduced two baseball and two cross country alums that addressed the crowd. Each spoke of how the respective MC athletic program enhanced their life during and after college.

Bruce Hellebrand and Ken Gerry spoke about crosss country. Both also mentioned the need to reinstatement men’s track and field as quickly as possible. Gerry who graduated in 1971 stills holds the 2-mile and 3-mile MC records. He also owns a large farm in the Santa Rosa Valley of Camarillo. Hellebrand was MC’s first state champion, winning the one mile.

Michael T. Bannon spoke of his baseball experience at MC, and how it propelled him to a successful legal career. Bannon is now a Senior Associate at Adams, Ferrone & Ferrone in Westlake Village. Gabe Kapler, studio announcer for Fox Sports, was working and unable to attend. A videotaped message was played where Kapler praised the MC baseball program and credited it with his major league career, and World Series ring.

Another high point of the evening was a five-minute video montage of MC cross country and baseball photos over the years accompanied by music. The baseball song was as appropriate as it could be with “Put Me in, Coach. I’m Ready to Play.” The video was compiled by MC Equipment Manager Tommy “Speilberg” Arellano.

While the accounting is not final, and will not be for several days, it appears a profit of more than $20,000 from the ticket sales, silent and live auction and donations was realized. In addition, the title sponsorship will run the total to more than $40,000. Academic Counselor for Student Athletes Traci Allen performed brilliantly in the coordination and execution of the silent auction. That success was a major driver of revenue for the event.

MC Athletics THANKS the following people for their tireless work to make the gala such a success: Diane Costabile, Tommy Arellano, Vance Manakas, Traci Allen, Cherisse Sherman, Lisa Putnam, Vern Vegso, Alisa German, Deena Friedlander, John Keever, John Burtzloff, Bruce Hellebrand, Janeene Nagaoka, Kerry Mehle, Gail Wirth Gurrola, Nickolas Gurrola and Sonti Allen.

http://www.moorparkcollegeathletics.com/gala-event-at-reagan-library-is-smashing-success/