Grossmont Students Hear from Heroes: Bill Walton Not the Only Fitness Celeb

After Bill Walton impishly doffed his jacket to reveal a Helix green shirt—and after he and a series of speakers including the wife of Sully Sullenberger used a Grossmont High School platform to urge pursuit of health and fitness—some 80 students were given a chance Wednesday afternoon to cheer their own heroes.

Nikki Vanderhyde and Adrian Lindeen.

Vanderhyde, a 15-year teacher at the school, said she was excited to learn that Grossmont had been chosen for a visit by celebrity members of Team California for Healthy Kids.

As co-chairs of the Physical Education Department at Grossmont High School, Vanderhyde and Lindeen were among the moving forces behind the school’s own high marks in the 2011 fitness results released Wednesday.

“To have it at our school is amazing,” Vanderhyde said while watching speakers like UCLA and NBA great Walton and Lorrie Sullenberger, whose pilot husband saved the lives of 150 people in the famed Hudson River landing of 2009.

“Everything is based on academics,” Vanderhyde said.  “It’s nice to have health and fitness represented” for state recognition.

State schools chief Tom Torlakson was introduced by Principal Dan Barnes at the event marking the unveiling of state results of fitness tests involving 1.34 million fifth-, seventh- and ninth-graders in California schools.

“Why are we here today? We want to feel good,” Torlakson told an audience of 150 under sunny skies. “We want students to have fun. We want students around the state to find their inner energy. ... The best ambassadors for healthy kids are you—the healthy kids, the future leaders of this state.”

Paul Hefner, helping oversee the presentation for Torlakson’s Sacramento office, said Grossmont High School was chosen for the 2011 results unveiling because of the school’s fitness scores (attached)—and because team co-chair Walton had connections with the area.

Walton, born in La Mesa 59 years ago, wouldn’t say whether the green shirt he wore was issued by his alma mater of Helix High School or his last NBA team, the Boston Celtics.

He said he put the shirt on for an appearance earlier Wednesday in Balboa Park with San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, and just wore it to Grossmont.

In a press release, Torlakson said: “Today’s results are clear. When only 31 percent of children are physically fit, that’s a public health challenge we can’t wait to address.

“That’s where our Team California for Healthy Kids campaign can make a world of difference, by helping make healthy choices the easy choices, at school and beyond.”

Vanderhyde, whose sixth-period class played soccer and touch football as a backdrop for cameras, said Grossmont students are required to take PE their freshman year and a total of two years to graduate (athletes excepted).

But when she was a student in El Cajon, she recalled that four years of PE was required.

Walton recounted his days playing in the Old Gym against Foothiller Ralph Drollinger but couldn’t resist noting that his Highlanders were never defeated at Grossmont.

“I’m here today not to rub salt in the wounds of people old enough to remember when I played basketball,” he said, smiling. “I’m here today to ask you, as our future leaders, as the people who are charged and challenged … to take over for what we as parents, adults and teachers … have failed to do for you.

“We have let you down because we have allowed you—33 percent of you—to get out of shape. We’ve allowed you to put yourself in a position where diabetes is going to be a major factor in your life.”

Calling himself  “the most injured athlete ever,” with 36 operations, Walton urged students in the audience made up of Jeremy Hersch’s ASB and G-Crew (freshman mentoring) classes to protect their health, “our most valuable asset.”

The presence of Lorrie Sullenberger—a fitness expert who told of overcoming a weight problem—was a surprise to the audience of 150 at the west end of the football field. 

Her connection to the Hudson River hero wasn’t apparent until she mentioned it herself—to the crowd’s delight.

Other speakers were Joanie Verderber, president of the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; Rear Admiral William Rodriguez, who spoke of the national security importance of fit young people; and Padres Vice President A.J. Hinch, former manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

After the 50-minute presentation, Superintendent Torlakson peeled away for a few minutes to change from his dark suit and purple-and-black tie into a gray-and-blue Grossmont PE uniform.

Torlakson joined Gus the Foothiller mascot, a group of girls country team members and some male students for a three-lap jog around the track.

Still trim at 62, the former high school coach and three-term member of the Assembly clocked 2 minutes 36 seconds in his second lap and 2:20 on his last.

Walton spent time posing for photos and bantering with student fans, including one young man who excitedly pointed at him and said: “You’re Bill Walton!”

But Danika Brown witnessed a less boastful side of the former basketball All-Star. Walton quietly spent 5 minutes with the junior soccer player, offering some advice.

Danika, 16, who has played with a neuroma, said Walton told her to let the injury heal, and advised her to do some swimming and “be grateful I can still walk.”

He told Danika, a La Mesan, she was young and had a long athletic life to look forward to—and not to rush back into action.