Dreams really do come true -- even on Page 2
As luck has it, these people also live among you:
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Robert Desmond: “I don’t only feel that my father deserves to see ‘Scully & Wooden,’ but he needs to go. Dad is very much in need of a boost, as he is facing his first Father’s Day without one of his children. Scott Desmond, my younger brother and a firefighter with the Contra Costa Fire District, died last July in the line of duty. He and his captain perished while attempting to rescue a couple from their burning home.
“We are a close family, and the loss of Scott has left a void that will never be filled. My parents have been devastated, and Dad has lost his faith in a lot of things. Sports has always been a bond that he and I have shared. . . . Hearing from Coach Wooden and Mr. Scully, two men that we both have tremendous respect for, might help restore some of what Dad has lost.”
How about four tickets for the family and an invite to also join Scully & Wooden and sponsors for a private dinner before the event at the Nokia Theatre?
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Juan M Gerardo: “I want to nominate my USC professor, Michael Genzuk. He was not only teaching about teaching but teaching us about how to be wonderful human beings. . . .”
As long as he didn’t do anything special for Reggie Bush or O.J. Mayo, by all means.
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Patrice Esposito: “About a year ago I went through a tough period in my life. My brother was there for me like no one in my life. When I was told to gain weight or else I would be hospitalized, he took me to Marie Callender’s for pie. Every night. We would listen to Dodger games, hear Vin, eat our pie and life was OK for a few hours.
“My brother is now suffering from an undiagnosed neurological problem. This is why I’m writing. I am hoping my brother will find inspiration in two of the most articulate speakers of all time. . . . For one day, I want him to forget his troubles, remember there’s hope and rediscover life through the words of two of his idols. And then go get a slice of pie.”
Too bad we couldn’t get Marie Callender’s to serve apple pie for 7,000 on June 13.
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Spencer Presler: “I already bought tickets for my mom, but believe she’s deserving of your upgrade to $100 tickets because she’s always cared for others. Instead of sitting in a rocking chair making doilies, she’s driving around in a Mustang convertible with a license plate frame that reads: ‘The fun starts when the top comes off.’ My mom rocks.”
What would Scully & Wooden be without a mom who rocks?
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Don Geller: “My friend, Mark Alch, and I met in the fall of 1972, both of us students waiting in line at Pauley Pavilion for tickets. Mark has had some health problems of late with his heart and knees, but I’d love to drive him over to hear Coach Wooden and lift his spirits.”
Would sitting next to a mom who rocks help too?
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Mike Morgan: “I would like you to consider my brother Jim Morgan for ‘Scully & Wooden’ tickets. About six years ago, both my parents, who were also caring for my youngest brother, Patrick, afflicted with Down’s syndrome, became ill. My brother Jim volunteered to move into the home and care for our parents as well as our brother.
“After my parents passed away, he stayed and is currently the full-time caregiver for Patrick. . . . He is in need of a nice night out. My brother is one of those silent unsung heroes, who every once in a while needs to hear ‘thanks’ and ‘good job.’ ”
How about if we get Jim to stand and take a bow June 13 in the Nokia Theatre?
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Dallas Nicole Woodburn: “I want to nominate my younger brother, Greg. Though he is only 18, Greg displays many of the values and characteristics of Coach Wooden; Greg is dedicated to helping kids. . . .
“He created his own nonprofit organization, ‘Share Our Soles,’ and has collected, personally washed by hand, and sent more than 1,450 pairs of shoes to underprivileged kids living in impoverished towns and orphanages in Sudan, Uganda and Kenya. These are the first shoes of any kind for most of the kids.”
If only Wooden could go along with those shoes and show them how to put them on.
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Victor Palomarez: “My father, Rick Massey, deserves to attend this event. I am sure there are plenty of other folks who deserve to go. Plaschke probably has a whole drawer full of them for use for future columns. But maybe an ordinary guy, who does an extraordinary job taking care of his family -- working a second job at McDonald’s to help put me through school -- deserves a bit of a treat with two of his greatest heroes.”
Amen.
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Jon Weiglin: “I would like you to consider my son, Garrett. He’s a former patient at Mattel’s and he is my hero.”
Now the perfect start to a Father’s Day weekend.
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TICKETS REMAIN on sale via nokiatheatrelalive.com, but in addition to these fine folks who will now be going to Scully & Wooden because we’ve received so many generous donations, so can Geoff Browner, who wants to thank his mom, Frances, for using most of her 87 years to care for others.
There will be tickets for Charlene Carr’s husband, John, because of “his ability to continually do what he needs to do to support his kids and his family,” which, Charlene said, “is humbling to me.”
Dennis Deaver wrote to single out Dan Rendant, known as Dodger Dan, who works in the airline industry by day and Dodger Stadium security at night, and who gives all his evening earnings to downtown homeless shelters.
Mark Featherstone wants to give Carolyn Davis a break. “About a year ago she had to put her husband Jack in a ‘caretaker home’ due to him being afflicted with Parkinson’s and worst of all, Alzheimer’s. She’s a huge Scully fan, and kept an old ticket stub that Vin autographed for her many years ago when she was a waitress. She remembers that day like it was yesterday.”
Then let’s make some more memories.
Where to stop? Not here. Sarah and Jeremy wanted to take care of their father, Carl Grossman. Melissa Caskey, proud of her dad, Joel, for turning his life around and knowing he will now be there for her high school graduation in June, now can give him a gift. And Terry Huber is dealing with cancer treatment, so his daughter Anne will get her wish and give him a night out.
And as for Bartus Quinn, 91, “a gentleman who lives and breathes John Wooden,” according to Dorothy Drake, he’ll get a chance to breathe in a little more.
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T.J. Simers can be reached at t.j.simers@latimes.com. To read previous columns by Simers, go to latimes.com/simers.