Big, Big Iron bridge work, McMinnville, Oregon 3/27/2023

At FBC, McMinnville, Ore., on March 19, 2023, belated St, Patrick's celebration.

 At FBC, McMinnville, Ore., on March 19, 2023, belated St, Patrick's celebration.

'Father' of NCAA basketball 'Final Four’ deserves his Oregon Sports Hall of Fame enshrinement, says Linfielder Larry Hermo

 

This story was posted At Wildcatville on Aug. 21, 2020. The McMinnville N-R/News-Register photo shows LARRY Hermo wearing a mask. Added IS a photo taken MARCH 25, 2023, showing LARRY with0ut a mask.

 

'Father' of NCAA basketball 'Final Four’ deserves his Oregon Sports Hall of Fame enshrinement, says Linfielder Larry Hermo

Y-C’s ‘Father of the Final Four’ deserves Oregon Hall

= Tom Jernstedt died Sept 6, 2020.

= Story from McMinnville N-R/News-Register extensively quotes and provides information about Larry Hermo, Linfield Class of 1959 and earned Master of Arts degree in 1966.

=Cutline for N-R photo: Larry Hermo, former Yamhill-Carlton head baseball coach, holds up a magazine article highlighting his former ace pitcher, Tom Jernstedt. Jernstedt, who proved instrumental in the creation and format of the current NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament, is being inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.

Read more about Larry here:

http://wildcatville.blogspot.com/2012/11/larry-hermo-linfield-class-of-1959-was.html

= Text for N-R story which appears in 8/21/2020 McMinnville N-R/News-Register print edition:

For the past three years, former Yamhill-Carlton baseball coach Larry Hermo fought tirelessly for his ex-player Tom Jernstedt’s inclusion in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. Jernstedt, one of the state’s grandest sports personalities, failed to receive enough votes in 2018 and 2019.

His prospects took an upturn this year, however, thanks to his coach’s efforts.

While the in-person Hall of Fame banquet remains in jeopardy due to COVID-19, a virtual presentation of this year’s inductees will finally include “Mr. Final Four.”

A televised event in September will give Oregonians a glimpse into the life and career of the Carlton native who played a pivotal role in the growth of the NCAA’s men’s basketball tournament known as March Madness.

“I’m very, very honored to be enshrined in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame,” said Jernstedt.

Larry Hermo first met 17-year old Tom Jernstedt shortly after accepting the head baseball position at Yamhill-Carlton High School in 1962.

“When I arrived in Yamhill, I was told the team had a star pitcher who threw four no-hitters the previous year,” recalled Hermo.

That pitcher, Jernstedt, instilled fear into opposing batters with his fiery fastball and a mythical curveball. Under Hermo’s tutelage, Jernstedt tossed three more no-no’s in his junior campaign.

A year later, Jernstedt’s meteoric rise as a three-sport athlete – football, basketball and baseball – led the News-Register to write, “Everything he does is great!”

Hermo added, “He was a heck of an athlete.”

Jernstedt was selected as KOIN’s Oregon High School Athlete of the Year in 1963. That same year, he earned Y-C’s Inspirational Athlete award and capped his career with first team all-state honors in all three sports.

Hermo and Jernstedt teamed up to lead the Tigers to a league title – the school’s second of four consecutive conference championships – and a state semifinal appearance in 1963.

Y-C’s postseason run ended with a controversial 3-1 loss to Bandon, in which a home-friendly umpiring crew clouded Hermo’s recollection of the playoff.

“The home plate ump was the (Bandon) catcher’s dad, and the field crew was also from the area. I felt like the OSAA should’ve done a better job organizing, and they admitted they should’ve hired a crew from Coos Bay,” said Hermo.

A weather-aided error late in the contest ultimately handed Bandon the victory and a trip to the state finals in Portland.

Jernstedt regretted missing competing for a state title, but his baseball tenure in Y-C remains one of the greatest in the school’s history.

Hermo’s arrival in Yamhill was especially fortuitous, Jernstedt said. The Clatskanie graduate served in the Army shortly after the Korean War, and played baseball in Seoul.

“I played against some pro baseball players who were drafted into the Army,” remembered Hermo.

In early 1962, Hermo’s military service ended and he quickly received an opportunity to teach and coach at Y-C in February of the same year. The team’s previous coach, George Ing, left Yamhill to purchase property on the Columbia River, Jernstedt noted.

The pairing of the electric arm of Jernstedt and the inspirational coaching of Hermo resulted in unprecedented success at Y-C.

In ’62, the Tigers qualified for the A-2 quarterfinals, but fell to North Catholic, 4-2. The following season, Jernstedt’s senior campaign, Y-C knocked off Seaside 3-2 in the A-2 quarterfinals, but fell just short in the windy loss to Bandon.

Nevertheless, Jernstedt still holds Hermo’s direction in high esteem, saying, “Larry was a very good coach – an excellent coach.”

Hermo’s tenure with the Tigers lasted six years, in which the team lost only three league games in a four-year span, racked up four league titles and four state playoff appearances.

He next coached at Rex Putnam in Milwaukie, where he also taught history and led the Kingsmen for 24 years. In his career, Hermo notched 427 wins and was inducted into the Oregon Coaches Hall of Fame in 1998.

In the 1980s, Hermo coached a young Scott Brosius – of New York Yankee fame.

“Not too many coaches can say they’ve coached two of the grandest Oregon sports personalities in history,” noted Hermo.

Brosius’ turn as a World Series hero was witnessed by his former coach, who gave Hermo tickets on multiple occasions.

While the fame of Jernstedt and Brosius, plus a connection to Hermo drew comparisons between the two, Hermo said what he always noticed was their similar work ethics.

“Both Tom and Scott were wonderful people and great leaders. They both earned their ways in life – nothing was given to them,” said Hermo.

While Jernstedt’s prowess on the playing field and on the basketball court demanded attention, his leadership skills made him truly special, Hermo said.

Named student-body president, Jernstedt proved a capable and willing leader. An ability to listen before engaging with teammates and friends eventually translated perfectly to his future role in the NCAA.

When participating in Beaver Boys State, Jernstedt’s people skills eventually landed him the role of governor in the simulated political exercise.

Jernstedt parlayed his on- and off-field successes into a football scholarship to the University of Oregon.

As a member of the Ducks, he redshirted his freshman year, and was beaten out for the starting quarterback role as a sophomore. Though still interested in playing baseball, his football scholarship denied him the opportunity to play his favorite sport.

Jernstedt’s elevated personal expectations led to a conversation with then-Oregon athletic director Len Casanova.

“I went in to talk to Cas, and I told him how sorry I was for my performance. I didn’t think I was playing up to my standards. I asked him if there was anything else I could do to help the football team,” recalled Jernstedt.

“It was difficult to give up playing sports,” he added.

Casanova offered Jernstedt a recruiting position. After graduating, he worked with McCormick Spices as a salesman. “I didn’t know anything about spices, but they paid me $14,000 and gave me a company car,” laughed Jernstedt.

After only 10 months in the sales industry, Casanova called Jernstedt to offer him a new position back at his alma mater.

“Cas offered me $7,000 to return to Oregon and I couldn’t wait to get back there,” he noted.

The Carlton native served as assistant athletic director from 1968-1972, mostly coordinating events. At age 29, he was in prime position to succeed Casanova as the Ducks’ athletic director, but a criticism of his inexperience led to the school passing him over.

The denial proved a massive boon for Jernstedt’s career.

Jernstedt began working for the NCAA in 1972.

He initially assisted with the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field. The occasion delivered a lesson in management for Jernstedt, who recounted one of the most stressful moments of his career.

The experience involved legendary Oregon track and field coach Bill Bowerman and NCAA track and field chairman DeLoss Dodds.

“We were hosting the NCAA Track and Field Championships, and the night before the meet I met with the committee at Clark Dormitory. We took a walk around the track and DeLoss informed me the relay intervals were wrong – the hand-off areas were incorrect,” said Jernstedt.

“DeLoss said he wanted to talk to Coach Bowerman. I informed Bowerman, and he was obviously ruffled by the questions. I was stuck in the middle and I was intimidated by both sides. It was the highest intensity situation of my career.

“It didn’t help that I didn’t know what the hell I was doing,” he added.

Late in 1972, Jernstedt’s official title at the NCAA was Director of Events. He wielded a variety of roles within the governing body, but left his greatest impact on the Division I men’s basketball tournament.

He grew interested in expanding the spectacle of what would become the Final Four. He was instrumental in marketing deals, TV negotiations, selection committees and venues.

Jernstedt’s accomplishments with the men’s basketball program eventually landed him an induction into the NCAA Hall of Fame and National Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

He was awarded the John Bunn Award in 2001, served as president of the Board of Directors for USA Basketball, and eventually earned the role of Executive Vice President for the NCAA – the number-two position in the organization.

“I was very fortunate to enjoy the opportunities to help the NCAA D-I men’s basketball championships grow into what they are today. I feel very, very lucky to receive those opportunities,” said Jernstedt.

A chance to become the top dog at the NCAA was rebuffed by Jernstedt, citing his desire to continue work with the men’s basketball tournament.

“I’m very pleased to have turned down more money and that job. I was too happy watching the tournament grow into what it is now,” he explained.

Jernstedt’s importance in athletics drew him and, by extension, Hermo, into the world of sports celebrities.

A close friend of Boston Celtics legend John Havlicek, Jernstedt regularly golfed with “Hondo” and other NBA personalities.

Hermo, while attending a college basketball game courtesy of Jernstedt, met Los Angeles Dodgers ace pitcher Sandy Koufax. He’s also met Tiger Woods, Sam Jones, Arnold Palmer and Mickey Mantle during his tour through the wide world of sports.

Their experiences in athletics comprise a sports fan’s dream, and the two Oregonians remain thankful.

Jernstedt, finally earning recognition in his home state for his contribution to athletics, is simply ready to return to the Willamette Valley after living in Jupiter, Florida during his retirement.

“I’ve been away for a number of years, and I’m ready to return,” he said.

After his grandson, Cole, graduates from high school, Jernstedt feels compelled to move to Eugene and “follow the Ducks more closely.”

Hermo, his old coach, friend and most faithful supporter, appears excited to witness Jernstedt’s induction next month.

“Tom is one of the top personality individuals I’ve come across. He has always distinguished himself with honor. There’s a reason he’s called, ‘Mr. Final Four,’” he concluded.

#

 

Tom Jernstedt, father of the Final Four

For nearly four decades, Jernstedt protected and promoted the NCAA tournament

By Michael Smith, Sports Business Journal, March 23, 2015

https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2015/03/23/Champions/Jernstedt.aspx

 

http://wildcatville.blogspot.com/2020/08/father-of-ncaa-basketball-final-four.html

TRACKING PLAQUES ON LINFIELD CAMPUS: SLEUTHING & STORIES

 TRACKING PLAQUES ON LINFIELD CAMPUS: SLEUTHING & STORIES

If you enjoy the history of Linfield, you will enjoy the presentation by McMinnville’s Gretchen Freeman, a library technology consultant, 2 p.m. April 18, 2023, for the Hillside retirement community “Adventures in Learning.”

Her talk will take place in the Hillside Manor ‘Activity Room,” on the ground floor of the Manor apar4tment building on the north end of the Hillside campus, 900 NW Hill Road, McMinnville.

For those who are not Hillside residents, cost to attend is $5 per person payable at the door.

The write-up in an “Adventures in Learning” brochure says during COVID days in 2020, Gretchen and her husband, Mike, Freeman “set out on walks to locate and document the outdoor plaques found on trees and gardens to honor historic notables. Who were they? This first-ever listing, now archived at Linfield, contains photos and stories about the honorees. Learn about some of the discoveries and how to find them on the Linfield campus.”

:::::::::

MORE INFO

Guide to the Linfield University Outdoor Plaques Collection

‘Linfield University Outdoor Plaques Inventory’ is the wonderful work/creation of McMinnville residents Gretchen L. & Michael J. Freeman. It was done during the Summer of 2020. It is a finding aid representing a collection of outdoor plaques, stone/bench engravings, plaques, and other memorials found throughout the Linfield University campus in McMinnville. Prior to this there had been no such inventory.

https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/lca_findingaids/42

In October 2021, Gretchen Freeman said the 2020 Linfield plaque inventory project "grew from our countless walks on campus during the first year of COVID restrictions when there were no students around. It led to about 60 hours of research to compile the documentation of 34 plaques. We also did narrated walking tours for groups of friends. All very interesting discoveries."

BIG IRON McMinnville Three Mile Lane Bridge 3/24/2023

 

McMinnville's new Three Mile Lane Bridge built of BIG IRON

BIG IRON -- With apologies to the late, great western singer Marty Robbins, here’s a ‘Mac News’ slow-motion video from 3/24/2023 morning. It shows one of the trusses used in constructing McMinnville’s new Three Mile Lane Bridge. The current “old” bridge was built in 1951. "Big Iron, "a country ballad, was written/performed by him. It was originally released as an album track in September 1959, then as a single in February 1960.

'MAC' FAMOUS FOR ...

'MAC' FAMOUS FOR:

 >--UFO seen/photographed May 11, 1950. The June 8, 1950, McMinnville T-R/Telephone- Register now the McMinnville N-R/News-Register, got international attention for the photos. A UFO festival is held in May in McMinnville.

 >--'Spruce Goose' of Evergreen Aviation Museum. 

>--Linfield College (became Linfield U on July 1, 2020) -- the campus of which is home of the annual summer International Pinot Noir/IPNC Celebration.

>--Linfield Wildcats football team's "The Streak."

 >--"Mac Plaid" blankets made by Norwest Fabrics, Inc., of McMinnville. (Out of business.)

 >--Summer’s Turkey Rama (started in 1960), which featured “World's Largest Turkey BBQ,” 1961-2017. McMinnville Chamber of Commerce "plans to end McMinnville’s longtime summer festival, Turkey Rama, which had taken place in July since the 1960s." - McMinnville N-R 3/21/2023. Turkey Rama, "apparently laid to rest after a once-glorious but increasingly diminished 61-year reign as McMinnville’s signature festival." - McMinnville N-R 3/25/2023

>--Twila's English Toffee, founded in McMinnville in 1992, includes toffee with hazelnuts/filberts. (Moved to Lyle, Wash., 2017.)

>--Filbert Street in McMinnville recognizes the past and current importance of filberts (a.k.a. hazelnuts) to McMinnville. They are said to be the best in the world.

>--"Walnut City" is one of McMinnville identities. The McMinnville N-R said, "Once touted ... as the future of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, walnuts enjoyed an abundant season for some decades in the first half of the 20th century." But, the 1962 Columbus Day storm blew down entire orchards. In 1972, a hard freeze killed still more. Many filbert trees were also lost due to the storm and the freeze. Walnut City (bowling) Lanes, Walnut City WineWorks, the Walnut City Music Festival, and the Walnut City Kiwanis Club.

>--Huberd's Shoe Grease Co., founded 1921. Its pine tar, beeswax and paraffin formula grease kept loggers' boots dry. Sold, it moved to Snowflake, Ariz., 2004. But, the new owner died in 2015 and the firm, with a newer owner, was saved from extinction and moved to Bennett, Colorado, in 2017.

>--Dr. Lucy Skin Care Products, founded in 2009. Dr. Lucy Pure Natural Skin Care of McMinnville, CEO is Rebecca Siegfried LMT/Licensed Massage Therapist of McMinnville. 

>--Log trucks motoring on 99W.

LONG LIVE T-R of McMINNVILLE

-T-R/Telephone-Register newspaper of McMinnville. It's now the N-R/News-Register of McMinnville.

-T-R/Turkey Rama for 61 years was McMinnville's summer festival. It started in 1960. Ended in 2021. In its heyday, Turkey Rama was a boffo event.

-T-R/Theodore Roosevelt Wilson -- Ted Wilson was a long-time successful Linfield men's head basketball coach.

Women business owners chime in on McMinnville Magic

 Women business owners chime in on McMinnville Magic

By Emily Grosvenor, CRUSH, Visit McMinnville, March 2023

If there were a phrase about McMinnville's famous historic boulevard, it would be this: "Women hold up half of Third Street." Here are a handful of McMinnville's women business owners taking the pulse of what's new, what's fun, and what their customers love. Whether they are right on the main drag or in the emerging hotspots, ladies love local!

 

Sylla McClellan, Third Street Books

Years in business: 19

Why she does it: "I love books. It's easy to sell something that you genuinely care about. And I love that we have customers from all ages and aspects of the community.

McMinnville: "There's a little bit of magic in this town. I attribute it to the love people have for it. People want to be a part of that."

What customers love: "At the moment, cozy novels and metaphysical books are hot."

 

Tayler Brisbin, Mes Amies

Years in business: New owner (5 as manager)

Why she does it: "It's so rewarding to see people's faces light up when they come into the shop. I love the human connections, and also the storytelling aspect of retail."

I moved here 20 years ago, and the moment I stepped out of the car I was like 'oh yeah, this is definitely home.' Third Street is a big part of that. It is such a supportive business community."

What customers love: "We have an amazing selection of jewelry at the moment, which is great because it always fits! I've been able to bring back a few of my favorite clothing lines like Prairie Underground, Curator, and Elk the Label."

 

Linda Hays, Hopscotch Toys

Years in business: 19

Why she does it: "What motivates me is actually the local economy. Getting kids' hearts connected to their community through commerce, letting them realize in some small way that we are here for them, and that we get to keep being here because of the choices our community members make to spend their money with us. It's big stuff."

McMinnville: "Deep roots. I have five siblings that grew up here - three of us are still here. I am so attached to McMinnville as a place that it feels a little sickly obsessive sometimes. I love drawing lines between people and understanding more strands in the web of community."

What customers love: "As far as products go, unique really soft plush is big this year, so is candy. But, what people are craving is relationship. To be on the inside of things."

Haley Queen, Sustainable Rituals
Years in business: 3

Why she does it: "I've always had a passion to care for our environment, I started living with less plastic in my own home and wanted a way to help others do the same. For me taking care of the Earth is so important, it gives us) food, water, and so much more. If we 1 want to live healthy lives, we need the 3 Earth to be healthy as well."

McMinnville: "We moved here seven years ago and have been in love ever since, we love the community and support from this amazing town. It's just got this magic to it!"

What customers love: "We offer a bulk refill bar for people to fill up on household items like dish soap and laundry soap, customers love bringing in their own containers and filling up

Kathleen Stoler, La Rambla

Years in business: 21

Why she does it: "I thought I could simplify my life by opening a restaurant and living above it... not sure what I was thinking! But it has been such a pleasure to meet customers from all over the world and the great local residents and winemakers."

McMinnville: "The Yamhill Valley has been a wonderful place to grow my business with the outstanding support from customers and fellow businesses. I treasure my fabulous staff and consider them family."

What customers love: "Guests love the NW-inspired Spanish Cuisine, craft cocktails, local beer and our large wine list focusing on Oregon and Spanish wines."

Emily Grosvenor is author of Find Yourself at Home: A Conscious Approach to Shaping Your Space and Your Life (available for pre-order).