AUG. 17, 2018
7
T he R ancho S anta F e News
Sports
Laver and Duensing shine for sporting youngsters sports talk jay paris
R
od Laver is being saluted at the Taste at the Cove gala but maybe it should be the other way around. “I am honored to help people in the community,” said Laver, the Australian tennis icon and a longtime Carlsbad resident. Laver’s amazing career including winning the four majors — Australian, French, U.S. Opens and Wimbledon — in the same year to collect the Grand Slam. He was the first man to do it in 1962, and man, he did it again in 1969. All these years later, no man has done it since. But all those successful match points came with a cost. Laver, 80, later had two hips and a knee replaced, which if understanding Aussie humor, means he’s another operation shy of his third Grand Slam. It’s no joke what the San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation does, the benefactor of the Taste at the
EAGLE SCOUT CONTINUED FROM 1
community and their church for their service and could retire flags every year. On Aug. 26, Andrew is leading a flag dedication ceremony at The Village Church at noon for all community members. “We will be retiring the flags that were brought in by the community,” he said, adding his fellow Scouts brainstormed some ceremony ideas. Andrew said the ceremony will be a full program. A total of 13 Scouts, representing the 13 stripes on the American flag, will say a few words about each stripe. “We will be retiring one giant flag which represents all of the smaller flags,” he said. The ashes of this flag
SDUSHD
CONTINUED FROM 1
my finances and I would think it would be prudent for the District to do the same.” The chief financial officer operates under the general direction of the associate superintendent of business services and assists the associate superintendent “in the overall development, planning, oversight and implementation of the District’s fiscal operations,” according to a district job description. Job candidates can demonstrate work experience in lieu of holding a college degree.
TENNIS GREAT ROD LAVER will be among the honoreees at the Taste of the Cove gala in La Jolla on Aug. 29, benefiting the San Diego Sports Medicine Foundation. Courtesy photo
Cove held in La Jolla on Aug. 29. While SDSMF doctors have healed countless professional athletes, it’s what it does for the area’s youth that piqued Laver’s interest. The SDSMF was founded in 2002 and has graciously performed more than 100 surgeries, costing more than $2 million, for
youngsters whose finances are tight. It has conducted north of 10,000 free physicals for prep players. It has placed 13 athletic trainers in high schools. When Laver heard all that, he grinned. When Laver learned he was sharing the marquee with another sports star, his grin widened.
will go into a commemorative and then be placed in the Prayer Garden at The Village Church. Andrew envisioned that the collection boxes would mirror a parcel drop box. The collection boxes, which are about 3 feet tall, are constructed from plywood. Andrew admitted he went through five revisions until he developed the final product. He also said he is thankful for the support he received at the church, including the $500 donation that went to this Eagle Scout project. To date, Andrew has retrieved more than 30 American flags from the collection boxes, which he’s thrilled about since he can help retire these flags with both respect and dignity. Neal Presa explained
how his son’s project made sense for a variety of reasons. While they had many family members who served in the military, Presa said The Village Church is very committed to supporting military veterans. “We launched a veterans’ initiative to address homelessness among the veteran community here in North County,” he said. “We love our country, we are supportive of our country, and so it made sense for Andrew to do something like this.” Presa went on to say the Scout program enables youth members to make a powerful contribution to both their community and nation. “Here’s an example how one project from one young man will impact the country for many, many years,” he said.
On EDJOIN, a popular education job-posting site, position descriptions in California for a chief financial officer typically either required a master’s degree or stated that one was preferred. For example, in June, Sweetwater Union High School District posted a job opening that required a master’s and “six years of progressively responsible senior management fiscal experience” for its chief financial officer. The salary range was given as $187,452 to $213,160. A similar position at Total Education Solutions – L.A. required a bachelor’s, preferred a master’s
and offered up to $150,000. The one posting that, similarly to San Dieguito, did not require a bachelor’s degree paid significantly less money. The salary range for Di Giorgio School District in Arvin, a small city in Kern County, offered to compensate its chief business officer between $39,708 to $60,948 annually, depending on experience. San Dieguito Union High School District projects deficit spending across the next three school years, with a combined reserve whittling down to the danger zone and state-mandated minimum of 3 percent by 2020-2021.
Larry Duensing, who recently retired as Carlsbad High’s athletic trainer, will also draw the Taste at the Cove spotlight. The humble Laver is the event’s Community Legend, an award that is bestowed on a Hall of Fame caliber player and person. “He’s the Michael Jordan of his sport,” said Dr.
David Chao, the grand master behind the 17th annual shindig. “And he always looks to contribute to the community.” Duensing, who also worked with the Padres, spent 20 years making sure the Carlsbad Lancers were looked after. He’s taking a bow as the Medical Champion honoree. “Athletic training is not as much a job as it is a calling,” Duensing said. “Working with youth and high school athletes has been especially rewarding because you are helping kids learn how to take care of their bodies so they can continue to play sports.” Laver knows about being banged-up and if he can help someone get right, the lefty is at-the-ready. “Unfortunately playing sports can cause some injuries and to some families those injuries can cause a burden on them,” Laver said. “Thanks to SDSMF, the kids are getting the necessary medical attention that they need before and during sports without having to put a burden financially on their family.” But that top-shelf care comes with a cost and that’s where the Taste at the Cove comes in. Dinner, drinks, entertainment and a silent and live auction are on the
schedule and good luck finding a more beautiful setting than the La Jolla Cove. All the best, too, in finding two more deserving men than Laver and Duensing. They assist our youth fill all those idle hours through athletics by helping getting them fit. “Playing sports is associated with positive outcomes for youth, and a serious injury can put that opportunity in jeopardy,” Duensing said. “Receiving appropriate care not only aids in rehabilitation but also the return to play.” If you’re boomeranging to the Taste at the Cove, you know the fun to be had. If you’re making your debut, get ready to swap tales with Laver and Duensing, while paying forward in helping youngsters long on athletic dreams but short on cash. Laver is busy preparing for next month’s Laver Cup in Chicago but he made time for youngsters keen on athletics. “I believe that kids being involved in sports helps them to keep a healthy body, a healthy mind,” Laver said. “It can help them on a good path for the rest of their life.” Contact Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com. Follow him @jparis_sports.