Larry Lahey wraps up the Reunion – and more memories
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Reunion observations: The person who lost their eye glasses on Friday night may call Larry Lahey at 519-354-1833. There are still a few reunion books for sale. Again call Larry. The book has an omission. Luella (Pietras) Curry taught her whole teaching career at JMSS. My apologies. I was frequently asked if I would be happy when the reunion is over. I usually answered "no" because the organizing effort seldom "got to me". However, I AM happy now that it is over for a different reason. I am happy because everyone seemed to have a great time. Former students were very appreciative. I can't count the number of times that the organizing committee were thanked. I am often asked "what will be done with the profits?" Well this is the week that we pay our bills, IF there is a profit we have decided that it will go to student bursaries. There was some profit in 1982 from the 25th anniversary reunion. Every year since 1982 a bursary has been given to a deserving student at graduation. We hope we can continue the tradition. Larry
Memories of Rudy Rybansky (class of '74)
Being a very shy and self-conscious 14 year old, I nervously entered grade nine at John McGregor in the fall of 1969. I vividly recall my angst over the unknown and whether I would fit-in as I moved from grade school to high school. I was tall and lanky, already 6' 4" and not very sure of myself. High school at McGregor was a new world that was full of expectations. My first shock was discovering my home room class that consisted of 45 students, all male, designated as 9T1. As many teachers pointed out later and two who left the profession entirely after trying to deal with this class the "T" stood for terror. Many raucous classes and visits from principal Gord Quigley or "Kong" as he was referred to with great fear and respect were to follow.
I elected to attend John McGregor because I wanted to attend the school with the best basketball program. Little did I know at the time and in some ways many years after when my own children entered the school system that it was the very best with dedicated coaches in midget – coach Bill Robinson, junior – coach Frank Henry and senior – coach Larry Lahey. I look back with very fond memories of my time spent toiling on the courts. Not only was the coaching excellent but my team mates were also very dedicated and we all simply loved to play the game. Although the memories of all those practices and games have blurred considerably and the realization that those days are over has long since settled in the lessons learned through dedication and hard work will last a lifetime. Some of my personal highlights as a player include the first ever SWOSSA victory over a Windsor school in Junior, five of six tournament victories in Grade 12, the camaraderie with team mates and opponents. Wherever I go today with my son's basketball teams the name and sports reputation of John McGregor is well known. Running into old team mates and opponents and people associated with the game is always a treat.
One of my earliest basketball memories was at the midget tryout. Prospective players were shooting around before things got under way. Everyone tried to look their best when the senior coach Larry Lahey walked-in. He asked who the tall kid was as he watched me shoot. We were introduced and he rebounded the ball as I shot. As I continued sinking consecutive baskets and the scene was repeated with Henry Koscielski I observed that Lahey grin for the first time perhaps recognizing some good things to come.
Other early basketball memories include that awesome 6 point comeback with about 30 seconds left by the senior boy's team. As I looked on as a spectator behind the team's bench in a jam-packed gym with everyone screaming I was hooked from that point on and knew that I had arrived at the right place for basketball.
I remember Brett McEwen sinking a 35 footer just before half against a tough Essex Red Raider team; Ken Colebrookí's lightning quick hands on defence, Brian Cooper's amazing leaping ability; Peter Keen coming-up huge when I was out with an injury; Henry Koscielski shooting the lights out and picking-up all that trash around the basket; Ted Gruszka and Karie Hanemaayer dominating on the boards; Calvin Antaya's relentless running and all my other team mates.
To this day and probably all of my days a part of me will always be a John McGregor Panther. I look forward to seeing you guys at the reunion.
John McGregor had many other things to offer as well. I remember the big school plays like South Pacific; the Christmas Assemblies especially the skit with Santa Claus from the South Pole; the Senior Boys Whistling Choir; the Ha-Ha Ha Band; the countless hours preparing for the Red Feather; the Friday night dances at most high schools especially after football or basketball games; roller skating at the Kinsmen or listening to bands at the Rondeau Pavillion and the Kinsmen Auditorium. They were all great times and great memories.
After high school I attended the University of Toronto and obtained a geological engineering degree in 1978. During my four years there I continued to play basketball in the inter college league which had many of Ontario's best players participating. After graduation I worked for several exploration companies and travelled and worked across Canada including northern Saskatchewan, the Arctic and the east coast. Working in the bush soon became tiresome and I longed for a more stable lifestyle. In 1981 I took a job in London with the provincial government switching to the oil and gas sector. I became a petroleum engineer and had plans to move to Alberta in a couple of years but then fate intervened, the National Energy Program hit and the oil business sank. I got married, had a family and have been with the Ministry of Natural Resources ever since and currently work there as chief engineer in the oil and gas department. I continued to play basketball in London until about 1987 when injuries and healing times told me it was time to quit, however, I never lost my love for the game and when I watch my sons play I could just die to get on the court. I got married in 1984 and have three great boys – one in university, one in high school and one in grade school.
As I scan my old yearbooks leading up to the reunion I remember the places and times with clarity and nostalgia and wonder where all the time went and what everyone has been up to. I hope that I can find out during this 50th reunion. I want to thank Coach, Larry Lahey, for all the memories then and again for this reunion weekend.
Rudy Rybansky
