MANY FOSTORIANS FOLLOWED
"HONDO"
Thursday, April 20, 1978
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PIX #1 - 1960-61 Ohio State
Buckeyes - Kneeling left to right, Don Furry, J.T. Landes, Jim Allen,
Dick Reasbeck, Gary Miliken, Mel Nowell, Gary Gearhart, and Larry Siegried.
Standing left to right, Head Coach, Fred R. Taylor, Doug MacDonald,
Bob Knight, John Noble, John Havlivek, Jerry Lucas, Ken Lee, Nelson
Miller, Richie Hoyt, Ray Apple, Assistant coach Frank Truitt.
Fostorians who
are pro basketball fans didn't need to be pro basketball Celtic fans
to have an interest in John Havlicek's retirement recently from that
stellar group of Boston cage plater...Why?...because back in 1959-60
when he was making a record for himself and for OSU, Fostoria's own
Doug McDonald was also a part of the OSU cage lineup.
"Hondo" Havlicek
as he was known by his friends and team mates, has now hung up his "17"
jersey for good...having played his last games with the Celtics last
week-end against Buffalo. But Havlicek and his record will not be forgotten
quickly. And, McDonald won't forget the help he received from him when
he wad a freshman player and "Hondo" was going great during 1959-60.
Neither did "Hondo"
forget his old friends and OSU team mates wehn the celebration was planned
for his "retirement" games. Jerry Lucas another OSU star player, as
well as McDonald were invited, and on hand to see the "Grand Finale".
Those who have
followed the trail of Havlicek, Lucas and McDonald since their OSU days
know that Havlicek went with the Cleveland Browns after his college
career...then to the Celtics where he finished his 1270th game in the
NBA. In his 38 years he has contributed greatly to sports from the time
he started in high school at Lansing, Ohio.
Jerry Lucas helped
the OSU crowd to win three Big 10 titles, one NCAA Crown, two national
runner-up trophies and 78 of 84 official games. From OSU he went with
Cincinnati Royals, then New York Knicks and finally Los Angeles Lakers.
TV fams will remember his appearance on the $128,000 Question program,
when he displayed his knowledge of the Bible, obtained by memorization.
He has written a book on how to memorize and is engaged in Christian
activities.
McDonald made
a good record at OSU too, along with Lucas and Havlicek. In 1962-63
he was named captain of the team. He chose the public school system
and coaching as his voation after OSU. Presently he is assistant principal
at Tiffin Columbian High.
McDonald's wife
the former Sally Gamersfelder of Fostoria, and their two youngsters
Kelly and Mie, spent last weekend with the Havliceks. It was a highpoint
in the life of the McDonald family and one they won't forget soon.
You wouldn't lose
a bet if you bet that "Mac" McDonald at the local Gulf station, and
father of Doug, has been a fan of Havlicek, Lucas and McDonald through
the years. He has preserved the accompanying photo of the OSU team taken
during the 1960-61 season, and it has hung on the wall at the station
for many years.
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