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WESTWOOD VILLAGE ROTARY CLUB

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Windmill for January 16th, 2025

By PP x2 Diane Good


President Benjamin back in fine form thanked Janet Schwartz for greeting, PP Tom Barron for leading the pledge, Jim Crane for his “Thought of the Day”, a New Year’s prayer giving thanks and asking that we live each day in the most loving ways, and, PP Ed Gauld for leading the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ballpark” in honor of our speaker for today.


Welcome and thanks for attending to guests Aaron MacIntyre, guest of Sunda Croonquist and Joe Malhas and Tim Streufert guests of Steve Scherer.


PP Mark Rogo was then asked to come forward and tell the crowd about what Rotary is.  PP Mark talked about it being a way of life, all about giving back to the community and making the world a better place. It is a non-judgmental organization.


Bill Roen then stepped up the podium to tell us a little bit about his friendship with today’s speaker, John Savage. Bill has been in a workout group that at one time included Rafer Johnson who introduced John to the group.  John worked out with the group during the off season to try and stay in shape (he did a great job of it). Bill and John have been friends for some time, and Bill brought John to speak to us today.


President Benjamin then introduced John Savage who is an American college baseball coach and former pitcher, who currently serves as the head baseball coach for the UCLA Bruins.[1] He played college baseball at Santa Clara for coaches Jerry McClain and John Oldham from 1984 to 1986 before playing in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) for three seasons (1986-1988). After serving as an assistant coach with Nevada and USC in the 1990s, he became the head coach for the UC Irvine Anteaters (2002–04). Savage became UCLA's head baseball coach in July 2004 and has guided the Bruins in that role for the past 20 seasons.   

 

John is one of two head coaches in college baseball history, alongside Vanderbilt's Tim Corbin, to have guided his team to a College World Series title, produced the No. 1 overall MLB Draft selection, coached a Golden Spikes Award winner, and had a former player win the Cy Young Award in Major League Baseball. He is one of six coaches all-time to have led his college program to the College World Series title and produced a No. 1 MLB Draft pick and at least one Golden Spikes Award winner, joining an illustrious group of current and former head coaches

 

John told us when he went to UC Irvine for his first head coaching job, Dan Guerrero was working there. In 2004 Dan brought John to UCLA where John proceeded to have his worst year as a coach with a record of 15 wins and 41 losses in 2005.  It has all been uphill since then including a national championship in 2013.   Coach John stated his program is development of players both on and off the field and, that it is not a portal program. He believes strongly in nurturing young players (18-year-olds) and is huge on loyalty, consistency and being a “true Bruin”. This means each player must help the team win; understand winning traits, and the fundamentals of baseball.

 

Coach John likes to plan ahead, make sure everyone understands they all count, make sure the coaches know their players and can connect with them, be honest and deal with whatever happens.  He feels NIL is a good idea but that the NCAA lost control of it and it is not being used the right way. He was shocked to learn UCLA was moving to the Big 10 but will adapt and that it is tough for players to get drafted now. Many go out too early due to family or agent pressures and end up going overseas or to lower leagues to play. He said you must play at least 3 years before entering the draft.

 

UCLA baseball started the season just recently and had to hold off practice due to the fires. Not an ideal way to start the year but, he was looking forward to leaving the meeting to go to practice with his team.  

 

It was a wonderful presentation by a powerful speaker who loves what he does for a living.

ANNOUNCEMENTS



  • January 25th, 2025 - District Breakfast from 9:30 - 11:30 am. Let Pres. Benjamin know if you would like to attend.


  • January 30th, 2025 - Rotary Means Business in Bellflower. 5pm to 7pm


  • March 15th, 2025 - Culture Fest to End Polio Now in Glendale. More info to follow soon.



  • HUMANITARIAN TRIP to Barbados is now open for enrollment. April 29th - May 4th. Sign up on District website.

FUTURE MEETINGS


  • January 23rd - UCLA Hillel - Jim Dickman, Author of historical romance "The Rebel Isidore Samuels".


  • January 30th - UCLA Hillel - Rabbi Sherman and Father Martinez.



  • February 6th - UCLA Hillel - INVESTMENT DAY hosted by PP Steve Scherer.

WVRC 2024/2025 Leadership Team

President: Benjamin Fisher

President Elect: Currently Opened

Vice President: Currently Opened

Treasurer: Terry M. White

Youth: David Stover

Vocational Service: Janet Schwartz

Director/Peace: PP Marsha Hunt

Foundation: PP Steve Day

Global Scholarships: Chris Bradford

Webmaster: PP Ron Lyster

District Governor: Albert Hernandez

Immediate Past President: Steve Day

Secretary: PP Diane Good

Community Service: Nancy McCready

International Service: Nevin Senkan

Membership: PP Mark Rogo

Director/Social Media: PP Aly Shoji

Sergeant at Arms: Jim Crane

Board Members at Large: Chris Gaynor & Gordon Fell

Windmill Editor: Teya McCockran