Ralph Davis: The officials' official at the 1984 Olympics by Cliff loh;son The efforts of Ralph Davis -Iong·time PSU track coach and Health and Physical Education (acuIty member----eould spell the difference between smooth operation and potential chaos during the hotly-contested track and field competitions al August's Summer Olympic Games in los Angeles. Characteristically modest about his pivotal role, he joked recently, "It's just a glorified track meet, so we should be able to handle it." Selected as this year's "Supervisor of the Reserve Officials Pool," Davis has been placed in charge of the official comings and goings of 200 of the world's best track and field event personnel during the Games. For nine days of world-class track and field competition, he'll be pacing the center of Los Angeles Coliseum and using his walkie-talkie to make sure officials are where they need to be, whether working the events or taking necessary breaks. With daily temperatures-on the Coliseum floor expected to top 100 degrees, just calculating the timing of events and the proper support personnel needed, along with their rest and work patterns, all becomes vitally important work. lane markers, teleprinter operators, judges, results indicator operators, starters, equipment handlers and their varied duttes somehow must be coordinated and dispatched smoothly. "I have to be aware of and know these people, and be able to substitute them" from event to event, he noted. Davis began preparing for his task during this past year by traveling extensively as one of only ten observers in the U.S. charged with ~~c~r:~~nf1~~ :x~~i~~::~I~f be screened for final selection. Surprisingly, Davis' participation in helping to narrow the field down to 200 "cream of the crop" officials turned out to be a manageable and Sports Shorts Baseball season opens in Hawaii Coach Jack Dunn's baseball team is busily preparing for the start of the 1984 season, which includes an opening week of games in Hawaii, Feb. 24 - March 1. After a month of non-league games, PSU's third season in the PAC-10 conference begins March 31. The baseball team is helping raise money to cover the Hawaii trip with many "Dunn Enterprises" projects. such as the annual 100 inning marathon game, the annual Sing-Along, game ball Known on campus for teaching physical education classes and 'Coaching Irilck and field. Ralph Davis is also known in "official" circles as the man who will coordinate track and field officials at the 1984 Olympics. enjoyable task, Davis reflected. Perhaps that conclusion could be expected, coming from a man who certified all track officials serving at the Olympic trials held at Eugene, Ore. in 1980. As things now stand, about half the officials for this year's Games haiJ from the Southern California host region. Ten additional professionals come from the Pacific Northwest. Starting with the 100-meter hurdles on day one (Friday, Aug. 3), Davis will be watching over all 200 of them right through to the final marathon event on Sunday, Aug. 12, except for a day of rest on Tuesday. "I really like my assignment," he beamed. "I'll be right there in the center, and have a view of the whole thins·" Davis' Olympic duties will coincide nicely with his phased retirement sponsorships, a clinic. and--new this year-a Gourmet Club book which provides two-for-one dinner coupons at twenty of the area's better ~~~~~~~I~bt:k ~:e;~:~d~att~e travel package to Hawaii should contact the baseball office at 229-4000. Spikers second in nationals Marlene Piper should be in the running for coach of the year honors for the state of Oregon. Her PSU women's volleyball team placed second in the nation at the NCAA Division II national tournament at lakeland, Florida Dec. 9-10. That beginning in mid-June. A PSU faculty member since 1955, he plans to teach track and field courses for three months out of the year, instead of the usual nine. Reminiscing about his many years with PSU, Davis said he especially treasures the return visits of athletes he has coached. "Many feel like I'm still coach to them," he said. "I really appreciate that closeness with my athletes. I always have. " Any wonder that 1984 shapes up as a banner year for Ralph Dav.is? (Friends and former students of Ralph Davis are invited to his retirement dinner, to be held May 31 at the Multnomah Athletic Club. Call Margaret Heyden at 229-4401 for information about tickets.) makes three straight years that the Vikings have placed in the top three nationally. Van Loo out, but team takes Ciusti fifth PSU's women's basketball team lost its All-American candidate, 5'11" senior forward 5heri Van loo, to a knee injury in the season's sixth ~;~i~~~~h~~~~:t~l:i:~~afo~a to fifth place finish in the Fifth Annual Giusti Tournament of Champions Dec. 18-20 at Memorial Coliseum. Coach Jim Sollars is looking forward to having Van loo back for another year because of the early season disability. SPRING GARDENING PETER CHAN RAISED-BED i .J GARDENING Saturday I , April 14 i,l;; 8,30.' PM Master gardener Peter Chan, featured In national magazines and author of Better Vegetable Gardens the Chinese Way, teaches you how to grow more and benet vegetables in less space. The Chinese raised-bed methods of gardening help you: • Increase ha.rvest .. Save time .. Accomplish more .. Make compost .. Preserve food .. Improve soil .. Make your garden look better with less work Anend the Saturday slide leclure, 53 Cramer Hall, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tour the award·winning Chan garden on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. $19.95 per person. Call PSU Alumni, 229-4948, for reseNations. HOME LANDSCAPE CARE CLASSES April 3 and 17 May 1 and 15 Reserve your place today for the complete series (or even one class, if you prefer) in this special offer on landscaping your home. You'll benefit (rom the sessions whether you're a beginner or experienced landscaper. An expert in urban and home horticulture will teach the informative classes ... covNing landscaping design, techniques and maintenance. He will also answer your questions about individual landscaping problems. Call PSU Alumni, 229-4948, for complete details. PSU ALUMNI , (' I" ~ ) 1 '1d \ \ 1[.'( '':' , \ - I -! 1-11
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