Photograph by Louise Webb
Judo Coach Josh Uchida of Saratoga was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame (left), along with Peggy Fleming of Los Gatos (right). Eli Thomas (center) was chairman of the blue ribbon committee responsible for the ceremony.
Our city has many outstanding citizens. Saratogan Yosh Uchida, 76, who coached San Jose State University judo teams to 32 national collegiate championships in 35 seasons, was recognized by being inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame.
Three other inductees from the Bay Area were figure skater and former Olympic champion Peggy Fleming, boxer and San Jose State University soccer coach Julis Mendes and the late John Hanna, once Bellermine College Preparatory's football coach.
The honorees spoke at a ceremony Oct. 8 at the San Jose Arena. Saratogans were well represented. Eli Thomas, owner of Eli Thomas Men's Wear, was chairman of the blue ribbon committee. He was the one most responsible for making the ceremony successful. Thomas and Uchida are known for their generosity and dedication to athletes and feel that discipline learned through athletics carries over into other areas of life. Thomas was inducted into the Butte, Montana Sports Hall of Fame and the Gonzaga University Athletics Hall of Fame and is a two-time NCAA boxing champion.
Uchida was the first U.S. Olympic judo coach and has done more than anyone else for the sport locally and nationally. He has taught judo to 10,000 people.
Uchida received a medal of honor-type award in a special ceremony by the Emperor of Japan for his contribution to judo and for expanding American and Japanese relations.
Becky Dyroen-Lancer, a member of the Santa Clara Aquamaids, was named the Amateur Athlete of the Year by the Sports Hall of Fame Committee. She did part of her schooling at West Valley College.
Former Saratogan Buzz Schulte was on the sports hall of fame and selection committees and is past chairman of the San Jose Sports Authority.
Brenna Bolger of Saratoga, president of PRx, cordinated the event.
Saratogan Reiko Iwanaga was sitting with Olympic champion Kristi Yamaguchi's dad at the Hall of Fame event. The following evening, Iwanaga hosted a teppan dinner in her home. The dinner featured Yamaguchi as the guest of honor and was a coveted item at an auction for the San Jose Senior Center. The winner, along with seven others, got to dine with the skater.
The San Jose Cleveland Ballet opened its season Oct. 11-13 with a superb performance called "Celebration of American Dance." Artist/designer Laurel Burch attended the opening-night reception along with several Saratogans who are ballet board members. Local board trustees are president Greg Jamison, vice chairwoman Anita Del Grande, secretary Joan Hackworth and Bob Lanz, Carole Minton, Lewis Franklin, Alison Aissa and Charmaine Warmenhoven. Byron Tauchi of Saratoga, associate concertmaster for the San Jose Symphony, played in the orchestra.
Other San Jose Cleveland Ballet programs coming up include: The Nutcracker, Dec. 4-8, "Heart Beats" with the Limón Dance Company, Feb. 14-16, and "Blue Suede Shoes" April 24-27, danced entirely to the music of Elvis Presley and "Quicksilver," a company signature piece. Call 288-2800 for ticket information.
On Sept. 9 the School of the San Jose Cleveland Ballet opened its doors to Bay area residents interested in studying ballet. They hoped for 90 students and got 190 of all ages.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, October 23, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved