Cheers to MacMillian

Thousands of young Harbor Area boys and their parents have been

blessed over the years by an unselfish and compassionate gentleman

named Rod MacMillian.

MacMillian, who served 15 years as the Harbor Area Boys Club

athletic director and 26 years as a valued trustee on the area’s

school board, has turned 78 this year and is prepared to join his

Class of ’45 at Newport Harbor High to celebrate their 60th

anniversary.

The grand occasion will start with an 11 a.m. luncheon on

Wednesday at the Balboa Pavilion and follow with an invitational boat

cruise the following day.

Warm letters of thanks have flowed his way for years from many of

the former athletes and the highest mark from the school board

arrived in recent years when he was honored with the coveted Marian

Bergeson Award for 26 years of commendable service to education.

Looking back, MacMillian still recalls how his career developed

after having served in the Navy. He was discharged in August of ‘46,

a year after World War II ended.

He said, “I was hearing people tell me that there just wasn’t

enough happening to keep youngsters busy.”

He chose to survey the local picture and finally agreed some

action was needed. Hence, he felt some positive sports programs could

be a treasured direction. And he was right.

Before the Boys Club position opened, he labored far and wide for

donations to cover vital cost factors for some teen-age baseball

teams, including the American Legion, the Junior Robins, backed by

Ford dealer Theo Robins, and the Junior Lions, supported by the Costa

Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club.

With a fond recall, he said, “A team bus was donated.” The

community was energized by MacMillian’s leadership and service.

Once he launched the Boys Club baseball program, perceptive

supporters came to realize he was serving more than 4,000 kids who

loved the game.

It was intense work trying to organize the teams, the leagues, the

managers and the game officials, but he achieved remarkable success

for an independent program. It had no connection with Little League

so there was no outside help.

By ‘49, he established a Boys Club flag football program , which

had no connection with the Pop Warner program. And he managed to form

a program of competitive basketball in the local gym.

Many of the boys were warmed by his valued influence and advanced

to respected levels in professional and college sports.

Some of the most impressive athletes included former Syracuse

Nationals pro cager Paul Neumann, the ’59 Cal Bears basketeer Dennis

Fitzpatrick, who helped lead Cal to the ’59 NCAA crown; Jim Newkirk,

who pitched OCC to a state JC baseball title; Bill Wetzel, who helped

lead OCC to a ’57 basketball championship, and Bruce Knipp, who

played a sterling quarterback role for champion OCC in the ’56 Potato

Bowl in Bakersfield.

Reflecting back on his role in education, he said, “I feel like

I’ve played a part in establishing an education that provides outlets

and opportunities youngsters who are not in the mainstream,” adding,

“our schools were not always providing things for these youngsters.”

MacMillian, a strong end for the ’44 Newport grid team, was the

leading scorer, one who shined with three touchdown receptions. The

Les Miller-coached team finished with a winning record. MacMillian

was also a respected quartermiler on the track team.

He will be pleased to cross paths again with his old ’44 teammates

at the 60th reunion.

The ’44 list includes stout blocking back Joe Muniz, QB Don

Miller, tackle Jim Douglas, halfback Al Bishop, tackle Dick Harper

and lineman Bill Talstra.

He recalls how tough it became as the season progressed due to

WWII. Newport was losing players since the draft age was 18.