Bumming around town with Bill Bumerton
Bumerton is a retired Navy fighter pilot who had been missing in action for several years while he traversed the globe looking for greener grass. He discovered the grass is only greener here (it’s blue in Kentucky), so he returned to again take charge of his 1954 green Hudson Hornet that had been in storage, refilled his pipe, and is continuing his smokin’ ways. Here is what he recently told us at the Sports Paper.
Bumerton sees all
The Kitsap Athletic Roundtable released the other day the inductees into the Kitsap Hall of Fame and they include three teams – Chuggers soccer, 1984 Suquamish softball and the 1951 Bremerton High School football. I don’t know, Big Dawg, what prompted the KAR selection committee to take in the 1951 team, but it will be interesting to discover how many players are still alive. That’s 62 years ago, which means players are around 80. So we’ll see January 25 when the inductions are held at the Kiana Lodge from 10-3 p.m.
Kerry Keefe
This will be the 26th Hall of Fame class, and it also includes 15 individuals – Dave Villwock (hydro racer), Mark Rill (Washington football), Gary Rouse (car racing), Ed Eliason (archery, the first Olympian from this area), Alison Eoff (bowling), Kerry Keefe (basketball), who you did a big story on, Randy Corley (rodeo announcer), Dean Molenaar (mountain climbing), Mike Welch (basketball coach), Chris Thorsen (football and basketball), Ernie Hahn (longtime football coach at South Kitsap), John Ross (football), who you also did a big story on, Jerome Walker (track and field), Frankie Lee (roller hockey), and Bonnie Bermaster (swimming coach). Basketball referee Jim LaMont will receive the Dick Todd Award and the Jim Carlson family will get the Rex Brown Award. … The Kitsap Scratch Bowlers Association is about to open its 41st season. The first tournament is the Westbay Auto Parts (Open Division) and the Tom Myers Sr. Memorial (Under Division) on Sept. 21 at Hi-Joy Bowl. The KSBO will present the Tom Myers Inspirational Award, the 2013 All-Star Team and the Bowler of the Year awards at this tournament. … Splashball returns this fall on Bainbridge Island. This new youth aquatic sport was created by USA Water Polo and the Bainbridge Island Water Polo Club has decided to add regular splashball classes so kids can play in all the seasons. According to a press release you got Big Dawg, Girls and boys ages 5-9 are invited to join coach Drew Keller for new classes starting Sept. 20 at Bainbridge Aquatic from 3:45-4:45. Classes meet weekly for 10 weeks and end on Nov. 22. All skill levels welcomed; no swimming skills required. Kids from all over Kitsap County are welcomed. Registration fee is $125 and includes a Splashball t-shirt. USA Water Polo created Splashball to introduce water polo to kids at a younger age, but they also point out that it is a great sport to develop water safety skills, cultivate health and fitness, sample a new sport for which you may have a special talent or passion, meet new friends in a safe, fun environment and build endurance and muscle tone. According to the USA Water Polo Website, “although water polo is known for its toughness and endurance, Splashball harnesses all the fun, dynamic aspects of the game in a safe, easy to learn aquatic experience that will motivate kids to swim and stay fit.” Sounds like something you need, Big Dawg, although I don’t think there is a pool around here big enough for you. For more information Keller can be reached at drewwkeller@gmail.com or at (206) 954.6321 … Did you know Big Dawg that Bellevue High School won its 41st game last week when it demolished rival Skyline 45-7. The state’s 11-man football winning streak record is 48 set by Toledo from 1965-7. Lake Washington went 51 games without losing, but it had three ties. Thanks to David Maley, the de facto football historian in this state for that information. … The last time the Montlake Dawgs played Illinois they were led by Sonny Sixkiller, the guy who does all those commercials for 7 Cedars Casino in Sequim. Sixkiller threw one touchdown pass as the Dawgs beat Illinois 31-11 in 1972. Greg Collins also was at quarterback in that game for the Dawgs, and led the last Husky drive for a score.