Hall of Fame

 I knew when I planned on flying to LA after only being home for 9 days from our 2-week trip to Chile would be slightly crazy,  but I also knew it was such an amazing honor for my dad to be inducted into the LA City Hall of Fame for athletics.  His 80th birthday was last May, and I had wanted to try to see him for his birthday, but it never worked out, so this was the perfect opportunity.  Plus, my brother and sister were planning on going, and my dad offered to pay for my flight, so I couldn't pass it up!!

I also knew, when I planned my flights, that I couldn't miss any more work. 7 days was plenty and Red Bell is short-staffed right now, so I went to work Friday and flew to LA Friday evening, arriving there at 10:30 pm (1:30 am Michigan time). My flight home was a complete red eye. It left Sunday night at 10 pm and arrived in Detroit at 5:30 am. It was the only flight that allowed me to be at the Hall of Fame ceremony and then return home before work Monday morning.  

After reading my previous post, you'll understand why I was pretty crazy to still fly out there with my gut issues,  but I don't regret it at all. In fact, it was the opportunity of a lifetime! (For the record, it took me the whole rest of the week to catch up on my sleep,  but I expected that and had nothing planned,  except my 4.5 hours of work each morning. (Having been sick gave me a good excuse not to work out either. I had to gain my strength back.)

After my late arrival at my dad's house Friday night, I managed to sleep until 7:30 the next morning, which is 10:30 in Michigan, so that's pretty good for me. And just like my dad had told me I could do, I took the whole day easy. I ate only what sounded good, and ate slowly.  After the horrible bloating on the flight on the way out and the runs in the middle of the night, I didn't have many problems on Saturday.  I was just a little bloated, but I was used to it since I had been bloated for over 10 days. We watched some General Conference,  I chatted with my Dad and Mary Lou,  and I sat on the couch.  It was the best way to recover! Later in the day, we decided I should get some Pepto tablets,  just in case, since I had run out.  Mary Lou took me to the local grocery store and then on a little tour of the neighborhood on the way back. That was my big outing of the day. 

By 5, my brother Derek arrived, and my stepbrother Kevin with his wife,  Toby, and stepdaughter, Alexis. I got to visit with them and eat a slow dinner.

The next day was the big day. We got ready while listening to some Conference (it's weird having it start in the morning. It starts at noon in MI!)

Derek picked Karina up from the airport and we all met at the Odyssey Restaurant in Grananda Hills, overlooking the valley, for the 2025 CIF LA City Hall of Fame.  

A beautiful venue!

They had a silent raffle going on with things like a signed Kansas City Chiefs helmet by Andy Reid, a bracelet Kobe had given his daughter,  and other basketballs and footballs signed by famous players. As my boys get older and discuss and watch more sports, I try to keep up with them a little so I know who the teams and players are. I still don't know a lot, but I'm much better than I was!

We met the swimmers who swam for my dad many years ago, and some of the assistant coaches, who were able to make the ceremony. A lot of them are from the Palisades since he taught at Palisades HS. Many of them lost their homes in the Pali fires in the fall. 

I personally didn't get any pics of my dad with his other swimmers, but I had to get this one because this guy is the picture of a classic CA swimmer, with his sunglasses on, he took them off only for the pic, and his Hawaiian shirt. (he only buttoned up his coat for the pic, too.) Made me chuckle!

Here's what they said about my dad:

Coach Anderson built the powerful Dolphins' aquatics program that it is still today. He led Palisades to 6 consecutive boys water polo titles from 1973 to 1978, 8 varsity boys swimming titles, and 11 varsity girls swim titles. He won an astonishing 25 total City titles during his era. His first City swim title came with the boys in 1974 and proceeded to win 7 straight from 1986 to 1992. Coach Anderson won 11 titles in the 12 years with the girls from 1982 to 1993.

Others who were honored went to the Olympics, won Super Bowl championships, or were outstanding in the sport in other ways. Some were coaches, like my dad, and led their teams to many victories.  The lady who owns the Lakers was there, Jeanie Buss. She was honored as a contributor, but she was also very athletic in her high school days in basketball and golf. The Lakers have won 6 NBA championships and are the 17-time world champs.  All who were honored are from the LA area and made a difference as a representative from LA. I was inspired by everyone who was inducted. 

I don't know how the inductees are chosen. They hold the ceremony every other year and have been doing so since 2011. Some are younger, many older, some have already passed on, but I really enjoyed hearing all the accomplishments of these athletes and coaches and their heartfelt speeches. 

It was a 5-hour event. They served some hors d'oeuvres during the mingling at the beginning, including drinks.  We sat for most of the main event for a 3-course meal. It was during the salad that I realized I was feeling better.  It tasted so good and I kept raving about it.  (I don't think it was that good,  I think I was just not nauseous anymore!)

The main course- broccoli, chicken, and mashed potatoes. 

There were many pictures taken of the inductees at the beginning. I was impressed that they started the ceremony with the posting of the Colors,  playing of the National Anthem, and a prayer. 

After the last inductee gave her speech and the closing words were said, we said our goodbyes so my dad could chat with some of his friends at his home, Derek could meet with his family who had just arrived at Disneylnd, and Karina and I could hang out at her hotel before I took an Uber to the LA airport for my redeye and she got some rest before her early flight from the Burbank airport. 

It was so nice to honor my dad and to see other family members at such an honorable event!

"Big Wave Dave"!