The 1951 Wrangell Thunderbirds basketball team pose during their last appearance at the Juneau Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. The team will be resurrected during the 2013 event with a team of local Wrangellites.
In the oral history of Native Alaskans, the thunderbird is a creature that is revered, respected, sometimes feared, and responsible for stirring the winds with storms and thunder when it flies.
That said, after 62 years of absence, the Wrangell Thunderbirds basketball team, comprised of organizer Anthony Harding along with Brad Angerman, Cody Angerman, Jason Clark, Dustin Johnson, Kevin Young, Keith Young, Archie Young, Ryan Howell, Graham Gablehouse and Mitch Mork, will travel to Juneau for the March 17-23 Lions Club Gold Medal basketball tournament – and hopefully stir some winds of their own.
The last time Wrangell took part in the tournament was in 1951 when the team of Sid McCullough, Buzzy Bradley, Arvis Dailey, Lloyd Rhinehart, Larry Taylor, Lee Byrd, Richard Rinehart, Bob Stokes, Brigadier Raymond Ford and Harry Thomas competed. Their coach was Howard Churchill.
Harding said he contacted the Juneau Lions Club about entering a bid for a Wrangell Gold Medal team earlier this month. After they receive bids, the Lions Club votes as a committee on whom to invite to the tournament. Harding added that he received the invitation two weeks later.
“It’s a privilege to be part of this year’s team and excited to see the community come together to support the 2013 Wrangell gold medal basketball team,” Harding said. “Basketball has always been a big part of the Wrangell community. Over the years it’s been discussed on representing Wrangell at Gold Medal. This year we are able to make it a reality because of the sponsors. So far Sealaska and Wrangell Cooperative Association have committed support to the team.”
According to Harding all travel and lodging expenses to bring the team to Juneau are being supported by donations – with players traveling from as far as from Oregon and Washington to take part in the tournament.
Questions about donations can be directed to Harding at (907) 305-0966 or by email at asharding@live.com. Fans can follow the Wrangell Gold Medal team on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/wrangellgoldmedal.
Reader Comments(0)