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Note #1 From The Editor: On November 20, 2015, Cal
State University Los Angeles, (CSULA) announced in a formal press conference held on campus, that Mike Garrett, the 1965 NCAA Division-I Heisman Trophy winner, former NFL player for the Kansas City “Chiefs“/San Diego “Chargers,” and former USC Athletic Director for 17 years, was selected as the University’s Executive Director, Athletics.
A most important factor in the University’s administration to hire Mike was his deep faith, his unwavering compassion for the area’s college-age students/athletes, and his great familiarity with the proud and loyal communities of Boyle Heights, (where he grew up), and greater East L.A. The move comes at a most opportune time as many of his longtime friends, proud alumni, and community members, can now welcome back home with open arms, the highly celebrated 1961 Roosevelt “Rough Rider” All-City, 1st Team halfback and recipient of L.A. City Schools’ award as “Player of The Year.” At long last, he significantly returns home to his roots. Executive Director, Garrett assumed his new duties in January, 2016. On an extra Note From the Editor, to contrast the time that Mike earned his Senior year playing honors with the present, after opening the link here, then please scroll down to the 5th page.
Garrett’s previous position was Athletic Director at Langston University, an Historically Black College in Oklahoma. He resigned last April. At CSULA, he will oversee a program that fields teams in men’s and women’s basketball, soccer and track and field; baseball; women’s volleyball, tennis and cross-country.
In summarizing his statements made at the press conference to faculty, student-athletes, family members, longtime friends, colleagues, associates, former coaches, teammates, and current student-body members in attendance, he is now ready to take controls of the university’s Athletic Department and usher in of a new era that will focus on bringing more Division II National Championships to the University. A very ambitious goal, but nonetheless, a definitive one that Mike strongly believes he can, and will, attain in his new tenure. He certainly knows that leading by example, and from the front, will be one of the cornerstones of his philosphy in winning multiple California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) titles, while at the same time, earning the respect of many other colleges, both in the local, and national sense of being a valued member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Note #2 From The Editor: In this special posting, we invite you to view the press conference in its entirety, take a few minutes to see our event photo gallery, and watch our interview with Mike’s high school coach at Roosevelt, Al Padilla. Mr. Padilla is certainly a well-known and respected coach from East Los Angeles, as well as a community resident, who’s had a stellar coaching career spanning several decades. Lastly, many Thanks to Erik Sarni for his outstanding work of reporting, then capturing the entire event through the lenses of his video, digital, and Go Pro cameras.
By: Rico Cabrera, Sr./Managing Editor, EastLASports Scene.Com
Credits: Erik Sarni, Photo Journalist, EastLASportsScene.Com; L.A. Times, and Mario Villegas, Photographer, The WAVE Weekly Community Newspaper.
Ongoing Salute To Our Veterans: For each and every day of 2016, it’s always the right thing to do. So, let’s continue to personally say to our veterans, wherever we may enocunter them, “Thanks for your Service!”
Photo Gallery Viewing Tip: Hover over selected picture and click once for an enhanced image.
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