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VOLUME LXVIII ISSUE ii
ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL
SERVING RIORDAN SINCE 1949
Winter 2017-2018 THE NEWSPAPER OF CRUSADER COUNTRY
Will Clark thrills Crusaders at Downtown Luncheon By Roman Peregrino ’18 If one was to ask Riordan alumni from the 1980s and 90s who their favorite baseball player was as a kid, there would be a couple standard answers. Kevin Mitchell, one might say. Matt Williams might be another choice. So would Robby Thompson or Jose Uribe. However, more than likely, you would get one answer: Will Clark. A generation of Riordan students grew up copying his swing in the mirror, sneering in the on deck circle during games, and wishing they could meet their hero. On Dec. 8, Riordan graduates from over the years were given the chance to do just that when Clark attended and spoke at the Archbishop Riordan Downtown Luncheon.
next. And it would not disappoint. After lunch ended, Clark ascended the stage, as a video highlighting his career as a Giant played on two projectors. The biggest reactions came from his famed home runs off Nolan Ryan and Greg Maddux, and his fight against the St. Louis Cardinals. Excitement was in the air, and Clark quickly provided on his “hope to to entertain people” by regaling the crowd with legendary tales from his playing days. Afterwards, all the guests agreed, Clark’s speech was a hit. Photo by Roman Peregrino ’18 “[Clark] was an excellent speaker. I’m not a baseball Kevin Holl ’75, Giants great Will Clark, President Andrew Currier, and Alumni fan, but he’s good,” said Pat Director Paul Cronin ’93 display Clark’s honorary Riordan baseball jersey. Quinn ’70.
A record 350 guests attended the 18th annual Downtown Luncheon, with 240 of those being alumni, at the Hilton San Francisco for the chance to reminisce with their old friends, eat some good food, and listen to the great Will Clark speak. The combination of Clark and the draw of reconnecting with the school proved to be the impetus for this great event. Paul Cronin ’93, in his first year as Riordan Alumni Director, said in regards to the high attendance, “One [reason] is obviously Will Clark. He was a big draw for SF natives and has impacted all of our lives but also alumni and the community are starting to notice what we are doing at Riordan. We are experiencing incredible momentum and people are talking. We will continue to spread the word and promote
Riordan, along with putting on top notch events.” It was Riordan’s good luck and connections that were able to bring Clark to the Luncheon. “I was making an appearance in Reno for a [corporate event],” Clark said. “The emcees were Lamont and Tonelli (radio hosts on 107.7 the Bone), and they got me in touch with John Ring who set this event up.” Everyone in attendance was glad that Ring, Riordan’s Development Director, was able to set this up, and all were pumped to be in the same room as the Giants legend. As Michael Altman ’18, one of the varsity baseball players given the opportunity to attend the event, said, “Meeting Will Clark was incredible and a dream come true. It was pretty cool just talking to him about baseball
after getting over the original shock of meeting him.” The event began with a Mass at 10:00 am for the Feast of Immaculate Conception. Then, the event really kicked off with cocktails at 11, which gave the Crusaders old and new a chance to fraternize and swap stories. Six decades of Crusaders were at the Hilton on this day, with the oldest alumnus being a member of the class of 1953, and the youngest from the class of 2017. Once cocktails began to wind down, guests streamed into the Hilton’s ballrooms 4 and 5 for a lunch of crispy skinned chicken breast and mushrooms, with a garden salad and assorted mini desserts. The tension began to rise as the servers came around collecting plates of food. The guests knew what was coming
Altman concurred: “His speech was entertaining because he retold all of these famous Giants moments from his point of view.” Even as he entertained the luncheon patrons, Clark had another goal. “I have a message for the students and I hope it is received well and people benefit from it,” Clark said. Clark’s message was fivefold. 1. Hardwork 2. Use common sense 3. Trust your gut instinct 4. Family is first and foremost 5. Respect your elders. These messages were delivered in a fun and engaging style and were referenced often through his talk to keep the audience engaged. Dave Dorantes ’88, father of David ’21, thought that “Will’s opening remarks really played into a lot of the rest of his speech
Please see “Downtown Luncheon” on page 3
Riordan puts best foot forward for potential freshmen By Brandon Vargas ’20
On Oct. 29 many new and curious faces visited ARHS and explored the campus during Open House. They were given the opportunity to learn about academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities. Stephanie Martinez, whose brother attends De Marillac Academy as an eighth grader, said, “The band was very welcoming.” Parent Karen Takamoto and her son Alex, a seventh grader at St. Gabriel, loved Riordan’s community and the school’s
environment. Takamoto said, “The students... are all welcoming.” While the visitors were intrigued by the various aspects of the school, teachers were also impressed by the Open House as a whole. Mathematics teacher Ken Morris ’87 said, “The best part is how we show up, in our entirety, as a community.” Teachers circled the gym floor, offering parents and students information about each subject. Many ARHS representatives, including students, faculty and staff, crowded into the gym to disseminate general information
about Riordan. Parents and families were also impressed with the RSP Program, and the variety of clubs and classes offered at ARHS. Primarily, most visitors were eager to know more about the Engineering Program. Morris also stated, “There seemed to be a strong interest in the Engineering Program. I was asked at least ten times.” ARHS students who volunteered at this event were glad to help possible future Crusaders. Miles Poon ’20 thought Open House was beneficial to everyone who wanted to know more about
the school. He said, “It was a good way to introduce students to Riordan.” Overall, the Open House was an opportunity for parents and students to learn about ARHS. Director of Admission Danny Curtin ’08 said, “Open House this year was one of the largest if not the largest crowds we have seen here in over 20 years. Despite the size, I thought our students and teachers kept that intimate feel that makes Riordan unique. I have had countless compliments on the respect and kindness that are a staple of our school.”