Tuesday afternoon, the grads reconvened in Carson Ballroom at Old Main for a luncheon with Sun Devil athletic legends from their era, including Steve Holden, Teddy Olivo, Kevin Woudenberg, John Brooking, Chales Moore, Joe Caldwell, Alan Schmeltz and former coach Larry Kentera. Though he has many athletic accomplishments, he’s most proud of being honored as one of the top 60 teachers in America by Walt Disney Productions. Titled “Most Valuable Player in the College World Series" as a junior and the "College Player of the Year," Davini went on to become a coach for USA Baseball and the Tempe Union High School District. Davini was an extraordinary baseball player and led the Sun Devils to the NCAA baseball National Championship in 1967. The Golden Grads were led into Sun Devil Stadium by Ronald Davini, ’70 BA in education, who was the official gonfalon holder for the classes of 19. Fifty years later, they were finally able to participate in this milestone. During the ‘70s, this group of men were drafted into the Vietnam War and unable to attend their graduation. While the entire group was looking forward to being a part of commencement and sitting in the front row during the graduation ceremony, for a few men, this was a monumental experience, as it was their first time. Later that afternoon, the 79 Golden Grads proceeded to Sun Devil Stadium in preparation of undergraduate commencement. Her Sun Devil story started at ASU and continues on as she is a resident of Mirabella at ASU. Throughout her husband’s 22 years as a coach, players looked up to her as a mother figure, and to this day, she still receives calls from the gentlemen who she had the honor of watching grow. Patsey Brock, ’70 BA in education, shared her legacy of being married to the former Arizona State baseball coach, Jim Brock. Each graduate shared the degree they received from ASU, where their life had taken them during the 50 years since graduating and the accomplishment of which they are most proud. The alums started their day at ASU at Mirabella, the university's intergenerational living and lifelong learning complex, for a welcome breakfast and introductions. Photo courtesy of Tim Trumble Download Full Image The classes of 19 were inducted into the ASU Alumni Association's Golden Circle on Dec. 14, the Golden Grads were able to experience their combined reunion during the first in-person graduation since the pandemic in over two years. However, due to the pandemic, the association had to postpone the celebration for the classes of 19 until it was safe to gather in-person. Each year, the ASU Alumni Association invites graduates from 50 years ago to Tempe, Arizona, for their Golden Reunion, a celebration normally hosted annually during spring commencement.
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