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Show APRIL 20, 1989 THE MAGNA TIMES, THURSDAY, PAGE 4 tered, or a C coat made its appearance among the foe, even the stoutest hearted opponent suffered attacks of angina ... thanks in large measure to Sonnys presence on the court, in the field, or on the line. Sonny And, for three glorious years, by W. Kent Goble Magna Times Sports Writer In my book, Albert Sonny Sudbury is the ultimate competitor. A one in a million kind of guy who cant even spell the word lose let alone comprehend it. I mean, he would have made George Armstrong Custer and the hapless seventh cavalry look like the second charge of the light brigade. Or, more recently, the Miami Heat a legitimate NBA title contender. And, if that isnt enough to convince you, how about this? Ive a feeling that Mike Dukakis would be hunkered down in the White House if hed had Sonny running his campaign. Exaggeration? Maybe just a wee bit ... but not much, because Son Sudbury is the best of the best and the living embodiment of a spirit that permeated an entire studentbody back in the glory years of Cyprus sports, the super-sixtie- s. Not long ago, I had the privilege of visiting in the home of Son and Sherry Sudbury. And what a wonderful evening it was as we reminisced about the good old days. As always, Son and Sherry were gracious hosts and the time passed too quickly. The purpose of my visit was to capture the essence of that Sudbury spirit while illuminating some of the special accomplishments of this singular family. And, with Son and Sherrys permission, Ill be sharing some of their triumphs and tribulations with you. I didnt intend to serialize the story but, to do justice to this special family, Im going to focus this week on Sonny and then follow up with the accomplishments of others in the family next week. Besides, I have a great picture of Sonny that Ive pulled from the dusty archives of yesteryear. Its vintage Sonny. THE CAPTAIN OF OUR SHIP In my opinion. Son Sudbury was the most feared ... and revered Pirate that ever walked the decks of Cyprus High School. He was the captain of a swashbuckling crew of Cyprus buccaneers whose motto was Take no prisoners. Sons first coaching job out of col- Son- ny was at the helm as we sailed to every port, taking on all comers who dared to engage us in combat. Whether at Tooele, Murray, Bingham ... or such far flung citadels as Provo and Payson, Sonny was there at the forefront leading the charge. And, as one of Sonnys Pirate mates, Im here to tell you that no one ever took the measure of Sonny Sudbury. Whether battered, bruised, bloodied, or bludgeoned, Son never allowed us to lower our battle flag ... the skull and crossbones on a field of black forever furled proudly in the wind. But, under all that bravado and gruff a heart of pure gold was beating, and it remained for a lovely young lass ... a sophomore ... to call m Son Sudbury was our spiritual leader ... the heart and soul of an era in Cyprus sports that could aptly be characterized as the glory years. Whether baseball, basketball ... or trampoline diving, Sonny had no equal. Sonnys bluff. Sonny was finally captivated by Sherry Coon, daughter of Marv and Joy Coon. And she accomplished what a regiment of the foe couldnt. She surrounded and captured Sonnys heart. Six years after they first met, following Sons graduation from Southern Utah State College, Son and Sherry were wed. And the years since have been filled with happiness and the blessing of welcoming three lovely children into their home: Craig, Todd, and Mary Joy. Continues Sonny, My dads first love was baseball. He took a bunch of kids in Garfield and got it started, and look where the program is now. Sonnys dad, by the way, is a member of Utahs Softball Hall of Fame. Ab Sudburys dream soon took root. Remembers Sonny, The first year was just Garfield, but the next year Dad persuaded the Community PRIDE AND RESPECT Pride is a word that is synonymous with the name Sudbury. Pride ... and respect. Few families have brought greater approbation to their name and fewer still can claim such univeral respect as that willingly showered on the Sudbury clan by friend and foe alike. And no family is more deserving Recreation Association and Kennecott to help sponsor Little League baseball. There was one team in Granger, one in Hunter, four in Magna, and one team in Garfield. And, Sonny was batboy for his dads team. of the accolades. Sonnys mother, Mary Sudbury, was an outstanding athlete as well. Recalls Sonny, Mom was a star for the Utah Shamrocks in ladies soft-bal- l. But, regardless of the magnitude of the accomplishment, their reaction is the same. Compliments are received with genuine modesty and good deeds returned with a reciprocity of good will that makes folks from all walks of life feel at home when associating with this special family. So, between his fathers tutelage and watching his mother play. Son Sudbury became hooked on baseball and sports in general. Son was a At Cyprus (1959-61- ), multiseason Ietterman in football, baseball, and basketball. And his leadership . . . and performances set the standard for Pirate excellence. Whenever the word Cyprus was ut- - Naturally, Sonny credits others for his success. My father (Ab) started organized baseball in Magna, Hunter, and Garfield, Sonny remembers proudly. I guess it was only natural for me to follow in his footsteps. - CO-O- P & SKfan 1 1 um $60.95 $62.95 $65.95 $66.95 $68.95 $72.95 $73.95 $76.95 $81.95 $86.95 $90.95 SUPER 12M MOTOR OIL includes FREE-Rotat- ion FREE--Fl- at FREE--Roa- d FREE--Mila- ge at 5000 mi. 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Marty Evers bounced a shot over the right field fence for a ground rule double, Lance Gibson laced a drive to deep center, Andy Gonzales was and Brad Rammed pounded two hits. Todd Sudbury polished off the 16 hit Pirate attack going 3 and a double. Cyprus defense also backed Eyre and Forster with a strong effort committing only two errors. $32 95 $37.95 $39.95 $41.95 $42.95 $45.95 $47.95 $46.95 $48.95 $52.95 $53.95 ft . If you already insure your auto with the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, insure your home with us, too. Well provide you with peace of mind and sound assurance that your home and auto are properly protected. For over 60 years the Agents with the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies have been making sure home sweet home stays that way. Vft" QiQ deal on a great tire, StepiUpltolC BiTjces SALT LAKE RIVERTON DRAPER 1045 E. 12400 So. 1147 W. 2100 So. 1860 W. 12600 So l PARIS INSURANCE AGENCY 2711 South 8600 West Magna s 25 972-30- 254-350- 09 Price includes: mounting, valve stems & 250-674- 3 1 F.E.T..' Computer Balancing Available ifimdirceuRFrauj Phone: rrrainife (:sfe John Chick V.Res: 250-203- Res: 7 , r Pirates blast Olympus Put your home and auto insurance under one roof. $0095 $5195 0(eI vMotnUl. 2-- CORONA 571-01- M-m- plus F.E.T. Multi-Carri- er A good Book of Hag 3-- 4, FREE mounting on these tires 9.50X16.5D Jazz up your r U23575R15C 750x16 Ctt 750x16 Dtt 8. 75x16. 5D had there was Lefty Scott Eyre was overpowering on the mound, holding Olympus batters to one hit. 1 S9995 Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation has announced that the Soviet National Junior Team will play in the Jon Huntsman Center May 17. This is part of the eleven game tour against AAU club and regional select teams throughout the United States. They will play a team comprised of Utahs best high school basketball players. The team will be coached by Jim Yerkovich of Judge High School, assisted by Ron Carling, Alta High School, and Joel Gamder, retired Mountain View High School. May 17, the two teams will play at the Huntsman Center. This is the third consecutive year that the Soviet National Junior Team has accepted an invitation by the AAU .Boys Basketball Committee to play an exhibition series in the United States. Last year, the Soviet nationals compiled a 4 record and in 1987. they finished with a 2 mark in similar tours of the U.S. The Soviet team will be comprised of that countrys top junior (18-2- 0 year old) basketball Extended Service 55,000 ml Mtlmated milage "Special Purchase boys basketball game set All we The athletic roots of the twin cities by the dead lake stated down at the old swimmin hole. We called it Sandy Bottom. (The twin cities by the dead lake refers to Garfield and Magna, as any old Pirate knows.) Later, we had the Garfield pool which drew great athletes all the way from such distand places as Hunter and Granger. Magna sent its share of studs to the pool and a few strays came in from Tooele, Grantsville, and the Salt Works. the lights at Many an erstwhile athlete got his start playing softball under the old softball park in Garfield. Others spawned on the rock-har- d gravel pit behind old Webster School. Home runs were easy there. Most teams only had two outfielders and the ball rolled well on those rocks. Grass fields were unknown in those days in our town. Then they did it. They built the football field between 8700 West and 8800 West. It was a wonderful addition to our town: an athletic field with grass. In 1944, the football Pirates won a state championship by downing Lehi 28 , to 20. It was like dope. Suddenly the town had some status, a few real live heros, and someone to imitate. It was exhilarating, lovely. We played most of our pick-u- p games in the street before the football field was built. They soon took away die grass we loved to make the houses of Merton Way, but they built a field near the high school with lights. At last our town was complete. An actual football stadium with lights. That was the A1 Mercer era at Cyprus. The Pirates were tough in those days. They reached the football finals three times in six years. The crowds picked up for all those night games. There was no Little League of any kind at that time, but we did have a semi with a pro baseball team and a lighted football field. We also had golf course sand greens and caddying for the rich sports was the best part time job in town. basketball teams and a softball team Those were the days of great on every street, remember? Y. Mori Market was in its heyday and Henry Mori held forth both at the market and the baseball field. James Coffey Sr. got American Legion baseball started and one year later the team made the state playoffs held in Brigham City. Remember the gymnasium in the old Cyprus Junior High School? You know ... the building that burned down? The gym was in the middle with all the classrooms arranged in a square around it. You could rent that great facility for a dollar an hour in those days. It was considered cool at the time to find ten kids with a dime to chip in and own five on five games; fun times. the gym for an hour. We played a lot of hour-lon- g The greatest athletic edifact in our town was the old gym located at the south end of 8600 West. It was a classic. Many a studly player learned to play basketball there. If you shot from the right corner on the north end you had to get the ball up. The floor was six inches to a foot lower there. There were lots of loose boards in the floor and some times your dribble would not come back up from the floor. The place was old and worn out, but our town loved it. Our town was our town, remember? SIMONS SAYS: If I could pick another town to grow up in. Id like one with a delicatessen. SIMONS SAYS: Our town being what it was, sometimes I dream of revenge. prospects. Gart Brothers, KALL Radio, Salt Lake Tribune, University Park Hotel, along with Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, are providing sponsorship assistance. Proceeds from the game will be used to develop new sports programs in the county as well as assist in funding future events of this stature. you choose 5W30 10W30 10W40 P15580R13 P16580R13 . P17580R13 . P18580R13 . P18575R14 . P19575R14 . P20575R14 . P2057SR15 . P21 57SR1S . P22575R15 . P23575R15 . P23575R15XL vs Soviet "Our town was too small for ballet or the opera. semi pro baseball." 7-- DE $5995 AAU BY DALE SIMONS 6-- BUY 4 tires & pick up a case of OIL FREE!!! CD-aPEEAT- lege was at Brockbank Junior High School in Magna. Some of the kids he coached that first year were Kerry Rupp, Doug Perkins, Kenny and Denny Dilley, and Ted Angell ... All good kids, remembers Sonny. Now in his 22nd year of coaching, Sonny is head football coach at Bingham and assistant basketball coach. Not bad for a kid from Garfield who started his career as a batboy on the first Little League team ever to play in this area. Yep, Son Sudbury was ... and still is the ultimate competitor and an outstanding athlete in every sport he has put his heart into, including trampoline diving. But then, thats another story, but if you catch him in a weak moment, maybe hell fill you in on all the details. It was after 10 p.m. when I sheathed my pen, closed my notepad, and bid Son and Sherry a good evening. It had been a pleasure to visit in their home and share with them the many memories of a rich and fulfilling life that has been theirs to enjoy. And, theres no doubt that the most important thing in their lives is each other and a family of which they are justly proud. Next week Ill share a bit of that legacy as well. America can depend on Farmers. i 968-881- 7 Aprils officer Lamar Burns Officer Lamar Bums has beer chosen as the outstanding officer of the month for March 1989. Upon responding to a suicidal subject call, Officei Bums, found a man in the kitchen ol his home armed with several knives and in a heightened emotional state. The subject was not only threatening himself but others. In attempting to diffuse the situation and develop a rapport with the subject, Officer Bums exhibited great confidence and courage. He and other officers at the scene used several options in attempts to resolve the conflict. Ultimately, the combined efforts oi those officers, a crisis worker, and family members present culminated ir a successful resolution. - t It is for his handling of this very dangerous, potentially life threatening situation, as well as other commendable acts, that Officer Lamar Bums has received this recognition and will be further honored as the breakfasl guest of the West Valley Police Honorary Colonels Association. |