JIM HUNSLEY: Memories to be shared at S.C. throwback event

Jim Jessup believes he can get into one of the arms of his old South Central letter jacket. Earl Cunningham believes he might fit into his, but he just cannot locate it.

Jessup and Cunningham will be on hand for the Satellites' throwback event as part of Saturday's boys basketball game with New Prairie. The 6 p.m. event honors the 50th anniversary of South Central basketball.

According to the flyer, a basketball memory book will be provided for all to peruse at the game, game film form the 1960s and 70s will play in the cafeteria, and all basketball alumni will be honored at halftime.

People are also encouraged to "dust off the old letter jackets" to honor the tradition of the program.

South Central athletic director Chad Haschel organized the event. Haschel said that both as an alum and ex-basketball player, this was a special event for him.

Haschel said Jessup, a member of the inaugural 1962-63 team, helped get in contact with many of original class.

"It's a little surreal," said Jessup, a junior on the first team. "I never thought of myself as being that old, but thinking about the 50th year makes you think like that. It's a little scary.

That's not stopping Jessup from attending.

"Just having a chance to remember some things is good," he said. "This was a great idea."

One of those original parties also in attendance will be Ron Clindaniel, the program's first basketball coach.

"It's nice to be remembered," said Clindaniel, 79. "I just feel blessed. We had some good kids."

Clindaniel, who was 38-27 in his three years as basketball coach, is overly modest. He was also the school's first baseball and track coach and the Satelites' first athletic director. He coached S.C.'s lone state champion Skip Wright, who won the high jump crown in 1965.

Cunningham wasn't on the initial varsity squad, but he made the team the next year. The former Michigan City Rogers boys basketball coach is also a big part of S.C. history, since he was the one who broke the ground for the school site. The current structure was finished in the fall of 1965. Cunningham, who graduated in the spring of 1965, was one of many students who attended the former Union Mills High School for the first three years of S.C.'s existence.

"I try to go to at least one game now," Cunningham said. "There's always a player I know their dad or grandfather.

"I'm looking forward to seeing some of the guys (Saturday). I'm going to have to fight back some tears."

Sadly, some of the influential members have died. Former superintendent John Dunk passed away on Jan. 10. As a 1984 alum, I can't help thinking it's a shame he won't be there to hear the applause.

"I just wish he was there with me," said Clindaniel, who followed Dunk from Rolling Prairie to South Central. "I wish he could enjoy it."

This column solely represents the writer's opinion. Reach him at jim.hunsley@nwi.com.