RICHMOND — He was the leading man on a high school basketball dynasty which ushered in a new era of mainstream popularity for B.C. boys high school basketball.
Former Richmond Colts star Ron Putzi stops by to join host Howard Tsumura on this week’s Varsity Letters’ podcast.
Tsumura covered Putzi’s high school exploits just as his own career as a journalist was beginning and the two have kept in touch over the years.
In this week’s episode, the pair have a delightful time dissecting Putzi’s rather unique multi-sport background, and also discuss the five seasons he spent stateside with the NCAA Div. 1 New Mexico State Aggies.
Varsity Letters, Canada’s only podcast dedicated solely to provincial university and high school sports coverage, is produced by Gabriel Lynn, and available at Apple Music, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Our theme music, Generation Next, is written and performed exclusively for Varsity Letters by Chad Joiner and the MEI Screaming Eagles marching band.
If you’re reading this story or viewing these photos on any website other than one belonging to a university athletic department, it has been taken without appropriate permission. In these challenging times, true journalism will survive only through your dedicated support and loyalty. VarsityLetters.ca and all of its exclusive content has been created to serve B.C.’s high school and university sports community with hard work, integrity and respect. Feel free to drop us a line any time at howardtsumura@gmail.com.
Thanks Howard. Once again, a great job.
If you have a copy of the 1986 BC Boys AA Championship program, you’ll see the pictures from the 1985 Final. In the top left hand corner, you’ll see a picture of Steve Taylor tip-off against Kevin Linton. Just diagonally to the top left of Darrell Steinberg, you’ll see Ron in the stands with a white shirt and his arms folded. I remember both the 1984 and 1985 Finals like yesterday, as my brother was a part of that team. In terms of Ron’s immediate neighbourhood, we were very lucky in the subdivision that surrounded McKay Elementary. From 1983 to 1991, at least one player from McKay played for Richmond. The 1984 team had four, many others had two. Names like Ray Doyle, Jamie Stone, Ron, Trevor Kojima, and Brian Scales. It was a fever that provided so many amazing role models for the kids coming up. RHS games were must see since we were 10 years old, and we knew what we wanted to do. The funny story about RHS being for sale in the Richmond Review was actually a RHS Grad Prank. It was my sister’s grad year !! I think the selling price was 1,984,000, and you had to phone Jack Rantanan, the Principal at the time for more information.
Oops … the top RIGHT hand corner. The picture from the 1986 Program with Ron in the picture was the top right hand corner. Silly me.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane! So true that we looked up to those players before us -I believe the 1985 starting 5 were: Steve Taylor, James Lamond, Rod Ast, Ray Doyle, Daryl Steinberg.
I remember when I was in grade 2 watching all you guys in awe play basketball at McKay. Great memories.
Hi Bryan. Rod Ast graduated in 1984. The second starting guard in 1985 alongside Ray Doyle was Chris Reeves. His nickname, of course was “Superman”.