Remembrances

I well remember working in athletics at Kamloops Senior Secondary. Our football team shared an interesting “locker room” built under the Gymnasium through the leadership of “Micky” Martino. The space was shared with other teams; basketball, soccer, volleyball etc. Sporting equipment was acquired through Mr. Martino’s enterprising spirit and included cross country skis, kayaks, canoes small motor bikes and mini busses. Jock Morris, a legendary former teacher worked as a volunteer to coordinate rentals of equipment purchased by fundraising and donations when the equipment was not needed by Community Rec., Physical Education, or other school classes. Proceeds from rentals were used to maintain and purchase additional sporting equipment. The coach’s room was just like the coaches room depicted in movies of the 1950’s.

Provincial football finals were of great interest to staff and students. Bus loads of spectators joined the team on trips to Vancouver. Principal Gordon Lloyd often made side bets with the principal of Notre Dame and our MLA; Attorney General Bud Smith made bets with the Vancouver East MLA over at least one game. One year, the Fraser Canyon and Coquihalla highways were closed due to heavy snow and avalanches. Teacher Gerry Bond took half of the team down the day before the Canyon closed, as plane reservations were only available for ½ the team. The next day Brian Olthius flew to Vancouver with the other players. We knew the school was behind us as our principal said “just fly down and we’ll worry about how we pay for it later”. Pre game practice was held by getting special; permission from the Canadian Armed Forces Armoury on Cambie St. which was close to the Sandman Hotel where the team was staying. The practice was held between tanks, canons and armored vehicles. It was well worth it as Kam High beat South Delta 38-6 in the AAA Provincial finals.

Even ‘though the official name of the School was "Kamloops Senior Secondary", students and staff referred to the school as “Kam. High” and sometimes even spelling “High” as “Hi”. These were endearing terms which reflected positive school spirit and pride for school traditions.