Search
The Downtown Coaches Club
Recently in one of his blog comments, Skip Zatonski, now wintering in Myrtle Beach, mentioned the Downtown Coaches Club. I grinned when I read that, because I knew it was the topic of my next blog.
I recall only a few things about the club, which I believe started in the 1960s, so we may have to rely on the memories of some of the bloggers older than I to fill out the history. The Downtown Coaches Club would bring prominent athletes to Plattsburgh and then sell tickets for a dinner and speech. Somewhere in my collection is a picture of me with Bobby Thomson, who broke the hearts of Brooklyn Dodgers fans in 1951 with his home run to send the much-despised New York Giants to the World Series instead of the Bums.
I think the dinner was at the Elks Club and, judging from the photo, it was around 1967. I remember that Plattsburgh State coach Ernie Rangazas played a key role in the club, and, just guessing, Joe Bornstein may have been the master of ceremonies.
During my high school years I also remember Alex Webster, New York Giants' running back, appearing at Plattsburgh High School, the old PHS auditorium, now the site of Stafford Middle School. And, I think Jim Brown came to Plattsburgh during that time period.
I'm not sure how long the club was in existance, but perhaps it was less than ten years. I sure would like to know more about the Downtown Coaches Club.
Comments
Blaine Applegate is a substitute anchor at WPHL-17 in his home town of Philadelphia.
Posted by: Jim Haug | April 14, 2007 3:04 PM
YOU'RE RIGHT FOXY JIM BR0WN WAS THERE. I SHOOK HIS HAND.
Posted by: WICK CADIEUX | February 1, 2007 5:25 PM
Foxy, I remember the downtown coaches club in the early 60's. As an athlete at St. John's, it seems we had a professional athlete in attendance at an award's banquet. I don't recall the person, but do the event. Barry Branon had arranged the guest and assume it was through the downtown coaches club.
Posted by: lanny lavalley | January 29, 2007 3:33 PM
Is that the same Skip Zatonski who is without a doubt the greatest bowling coach in PHS history? He changed me from someone who threw the ball as fast as possible with limited success into a bowler who rolled 300 in back to back games. Add in Skip's personal friendship with that famous Chinese inventer Bo Ling, and his classic award night speeches and gifts (I once got a steering wheel) and you get a guy who made things fun. Good to hear he is still going strong.
Posted by: Rick K | January 23, 2007 7:25 PM
Hi Foxy,
I've been a lurker since you started your blog and have enjoyed every one of them, although some more than others. You and the other bloggers have brought back many long forgotten memories. I have been joining in at the Starchat room and chatting a little more about the people, places, and things, of the North Country, and would like to echo the invitation for your readers to come join us.
Below you will find a link that will get you there simply by clicking on it. After doing so, you will first get the usual "disclaimer" popup , Don't worry about it. the server is perfectly safe. Next you will be given the opportunity to connect (toward bottom of little blue screen).. Click on it... TWICE. That
will bring you into the room itself. Unless you erase "Guest" and type in a preferred nick (ie: Carver, Old-Timer, Lenny.. whatever) you will come in as a guest but -- that's easy enough to change once you are there if you choose not to do it while entering.
It's all FREE and there are no troublesome advertisements to deal with. If you try a couple times and there is no one else there, not to worry. Try a little later or stick around and wait. It should not be long before others appear.
The link is: http://www.starchat.net/chat/index.php?chan=Clinton-County-NY
Bookmark it with your favorites and you'll continue to have easy access. Hope to see some new chatters soon.
Posted by: adkretrieverluvr | January 23, 2007 4:43 PM
My uncle, Max Larios, took my brother and I to several Downtown Coaches Club events held at the Saranac Dining Hall. I remember well, and have photographs of us taken of us with Jim Brown, Johnny Unitas and Pete Gogolak. I'm sure there were others also. I agree that Ernie Rangazas played a key role in the club and I do recall Joe Bornstein. I also remember listening to Alex Webster at the PHS auditorium and have his autograph as well as Brown's, Unitas' and Gogolak. For a 15 year old kid from Plattsburgh it was a thrill to see and hear these great athletes in person.
Posted by: George Niforos | January 23, 2007 8:28 AM