The McCormick Divers tribute to Ray Rude
was a resounding success! The Rude Foundation was in attendance, Jim
Pfrommer, William Isaacson, PhD, Tom Gompf, Steve McFarland, and Jan
Rude.
Bill
Handel of KFI Talk Radio was emcee and live auctioneer. He was so
generous with his time and was terrific. This year we were thrilled
that his wife Marjorie also attended. He started off by reading a
letter from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger congratulating
McCormick Divers on their 37th anniversary and for
efforts to carry on Glenn McCormick’s legacy. A video was shown of
Ray Rude’s amazing life. Bill interviewed some McCormick divers and
also our Olympians, Laura Wilkinson and Steven Barnett.
Lunch was
provided by Bill Handel’s favorite caterer, Ebbie, whose restaurant
is Café and Stuff. ¦The food was great! Lunch was provided for our
divers by Charro Chicken. Laura Wilkinson gave a motivational talk
to all divers and was extremely gracious in signing autographs and
answering questions.
Several past Olympians were introduced
by Bill. The Olympic Torch was passed down from 2004-1948! Those in
attendance were: Dr Sammy Lee (1948 & 1952 Olympic Gold Medalist),
Frank Gorman (1964 Silver Medalist), Li Hong Ping, Li Deliang (1988
Bronze Medalist), Li Kongzheng (Bronze Medalist 1984), Kathy
Seamon (Canada), Madeleine Barnett (Australia), Steven Barnet
(Bronze Medalist 2004-Australia), Laura Wilkinson, 2000 Gold Medalist, Abraham Suarez (Ecuador), Kit Salness, Steve McFarland,
Tom Gompf (1964 Bronze Medalist), Kim Stanfield Berbari, Bernie
Wrightson (1964 Gold Medalist), and Rachelle Kunkle.
Our show
traditionally begins with the singing of the National Anthem by
McCormick Diver and Opera Star, Chris Beck who then dives in and the
show begins. There was a fantastic appreciative crowd cheering as
our divers marched in to some terrific upbeat music provided by
Conte Productions. The comedy diving was the best I have seen. The
“Aquamaniacs” was a huge hit with the crowd and Marnie Young (former
McCormick Diver) organized that part of the show.
We had
guest divers participate from Mission Viejo, Arrow Dive Club and USC.
The current
Olympians, Steven Barnett and Laura Wilkinson, performed on 3-meter
to Olympic music and a few of our top divers and Dwight Dumais
filled in on 1-meter so they could catch their breath. What a
thrill for our kids. They dived great!
The show
ended with a spectacular ending from 10-meter with a “Javelin Dive”
into a ring of fire performed by Brian Pritt, Marnie Young, Lucy
Streeter and Brett Parker.
They even made the
front page of the “Beachwalk” section Long Beach paper!
