Trending. Charlie Wedemeyer's final touchdown in a Punahou uniform not only decided the outcome of the 1964 Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship, it was one of the most unforgettable scoring plays at the old Honolulu Stadium. A native of Hawaii, where he was known as the "God of Lightning" because of his athletic ability, he went on to play football at Michigan State. Best of 2022 Top 250 Movies Most Popular Movies Top 250 TV Shows Most Popular TV Shows Most Popular Video Games Most Popular Music Videos Most Popular Podcasts. Visit my website homepage, TomShanahan.Report. He just gave you a look.. Lucy, daughter Carrie and son Kale (Charles in Hawaiian) are attending the enshrinement at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Feb. 19, 1946: Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the youngest of nine children to Bill and Ruth Wedemeyer. Apisa is considered the godfather of Polynesian football that launched the wave of Polynesians now permeating all levels of football and spreading from coast to coast on the mainland. Judy Peterson is a reporter for the Bay Area News Group's Silicon Valley Community Newspapers. Ive been around Hawaii athletics for most of my adult life,, said Pal Eldredge, 62, a former Wedemeyer teammate and later a coach at Punahou. She always read his lips and interpreted his words. And he was robbed of that.. All these people who look perfect and yet are broken inside.. And to witness Charlie's pride when Kale was honored to play in the Hula Bowl 25 years after he did was unbelievable, Lucy added. Anyone else would have just given up long ago., Patti Hughes, an assistant principal on Simonsons staff, added, There are many wonderful, outstanding people in the town of Los Gatos and on the staff of Los Gatos High School, she said. 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But 30 years after his diagnosis, Wedemeyer is still here. Daughter Carri Andry, 40, lives in Los Gatos and runs the Charlie Wedemeyer Family Outreach, which raises money for ALS families. Whenever theres an obstacle to overcome, its much easier to think how hard it would be if you were in his shoes. He was a first-team all-star with teammate Norm Chow when Punahou won the ILH basketball title in 1964, and played second base on the school's 1965 ILH championship baseball team. "We've had a bit of a bumpy ride since Charlie had kidney failure more than a year ago," she said. WEDEMEYER'S INSPIRATIONAL STORY DEMONSTRATES POWER OF LOVE, GRIT HONEST MOMENTS IN THE SCRIPT GIVE MOVIE A SINGULAR STRENGTH. Throughout his lifetime Charlie Wedemeyer has been an inspiration to others. The film was shot on location in South Carolina, with the Wedemeyer family present. When Charlie attended games, he sat in the end zone so he could see blocking schemes. Wedemeyer played quarterback on the football team along with basketball and baseball at Punahou, the alma mater of President Barack Obama. About 20 percent live five years. ALS is a terminal illness in which one is given, at most, three years to live. I met him. As the morning sunlight melts into the living room of the Wedemeyers Los Gatos home, nurse Angela Palelei-Bustos wedges herself to the side of Wedemeyers bed. Today, he inspires others through his will to live. He was not a big man in stature, but he was a big man in life, Simonson said. He was just one of the most inspirational people Ive ever met, former quarterback Greg Rabitz said. July 1985: Stops breathing three times, undergoes an emergency tracheotomy and is placed on permanent life support, losing the ability to eat, breathe or speak on his own. "It's not light.". Our two children are both happily married and live close to each other, and 4.2 minutes from us, but who's counting?" . After another speech at a youth camp, teens lined up for hours to share their stories. To make this lifestyle work, Charlies family members had to learn complicated medical techniques. Two films have portrayed Wedemeyers life. One of those people I wanted to personally thank for opening doors was Jimmy Raye. He watches the Food Network every day and memorizes recipes. Whether you win or lose, we will act like gentlemen.". He was the subject of a PBS documentary and a made-for-TV movie. More people can know about someone that faced adversity and never gave up. "And just through my own experience in the last couple years, it has really solidified that's where I want to be.". "In a sense," he told them, "I also have a life sentence.". Kathryn gave birth to their daughter Sydney Chandler on 13 February 1997, while their second daughter Sawyer Chandler followed in 2003; both Kathryn and Kyle are keeping their children away from the medias attention, and thus nothing about them is known. For six days in the foothills behind Los Gatos, the Lexington Fire burned, and the smoke caused him to cough uncontrollably. Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular. "At the time it was devastating," she says, "because I was so excited, that's what I had really hoped for and where I wanted to be placed. It was a fitting tribute to the man who touched so many others during his eventful life. Pity? This is not to say "Quiet Victory" doesn't rely upon some sporting cliches. This past New Year's Eve, she developed sepsis related to a central line in her chest and went into septic shock; she coded in the emergency room, was placed on a ventilator and spent time recovering in the ICU. Indiana high school basketball has its Bobby Plump, the real-life Jimmy Chitwood, in the movie Hoosiers. Hawaii of the 1960s had its Charlie Wedemeyer, The God of Lightning, the Hawaiian translation of Kalekauwila (or Charles in English). More than just another tribute to the resiliency of the human spirit, the inspiring story of football coach Charlie Wedemeyer, diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease over 15 years ago, also offers powerful examples of commitment and love in a time when so many "difficult" marriages Lucy, 58, raises that money with tireless work as a real estate broker. CHARLIE WEDEMEYER his life. The Polynesian Hall induction brings full circle one more aspect of Wedemeyers life. Pam Dawber portrayed Lucy Wedemeyer. Or, we can choose to go through the situation knowing we will become better and stronger for it. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Were all going to experience it. Tejada is moved by Cercena's resilience. Menu. More remarkably, her character doesn't age despite the constant pressure and tension Lucy must have felt from Charlie's continuing reliance upon her over 10 years. "To have Louis reach out to me and say we're here whenever you're ready, I was very excited," she says. Though only 5-foot-7, 164 pounds, Wedemeyer played wide receiver and blocking back at Michigan State and took part in the Spartans' memorable 10-10 tie with Notre Dame in 1966, the first game local fans saw televised live from the Mainland. After his graduation from Punahou in 1965 he attended Michigan State University where he played for coach Duffy Daugherty. He's expected to be released this week, in time to attend a coaches' all-star dinner Friday and the 35th Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star Game next Wednesday at Spartan Stadium in San Jose. Charlie, 63, is still making headlines and is continuing to receive gifts, including the most precious gift of all life. If it were a game of touch football, he still would have scored. Hes the most amazing guy youll ever meet, the person told me. Although he was initially given one to three years to live, Wedemeyer continued to coach, leading Los Gatos to a 78-18-1 record and seven league titles. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Charlie Wedemeyer, the inspirational high school football coach who battled Lou Gehrigs disease for more than 30 years, has died. When its time to leave, Wedemeyer is hoisted into the van by three people, including a nurse who holds a portable air bag to his throat until his respirator is plugged into the vehicles generator. Realizing the weight of the moment, Lucy measured her response carefully. It began with his high school sports career, carried into his college football career, followed by teaching and coaching. WebAll Pro Dad. But it took more than 30 seconds, seemingly eons to Kamehameha defenders, because Wedemeyer went back to the 25-yard line for an errant lateral by a teammate who was about to be tackled. A Bundt cake pan lined with a garbage bag is placed under his head, and a pitcher of water is poured over his hair. HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii says aloha to Charlie Wedemeyer. Then, in 1977, his wonderful life turned upside down when he was struck with the deadly Lou Gehrig's disease, less commonly known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Other than a few facial movements, Wedemeyer cant move a muscle. But the Wedemeyers worked out an arrangement with Los Gatos High so that Charlie could coach the team from a golf cart and relay the play calls through Lucy to the field. Kathryn Has Two Daughters With Her Spouse. Wedemeyer was never going to cooperate. They simply told their story, Charlie mouthing the words to Lucy, who relayed them to the audience. The immense payoffs overshadow the games grass roots. The incurable disease attacks the nervous system and destroys the ability of people to control their muscles. I dont think anybody will ever realize how important it is to the kids of this community to have played football for coach Wedemeyer, added Cattolico. No matter what. He helped organize a scholarship dinner for worthy local students who he said were inspirational to him. Despite her protestations in the script, Dawber's character comes off as a saint who easily handles a very difficult situation. But it was quite a ride literally, in Charlies specially equipped wheelchair. Muscle contraction causes Wedemeyers toes to curl, so Popsicle sticks are taped to the bottom of each toe to keep them straight while pulling on socks and shoes. I cant imagine. The school really stuck by him, and [principal Ted Simonson] really stuck by him, said Cattolico. 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Within weeks both nurses were let go because they couldnt master lip-reading, leaving the Wedemeyers to start the process over. PHOTO (Michigan State Athletics): Charlie Wedemeyer was an all-purpose quarterback, flanker and holder. My mom's siblings were Hanson, Irene, Penny, George, Mike, Jesse Wedemeyer of Honolulu. He challenged university administrators to expand access and opportunity to autonomous learners. Their life story would become the stuff movies are made ofand it was, twice. He asked me to take the first two fingers on his right hand and hold them to his mouth, Lucy recalled later. He was a high school athlete and was quarterback of the Punahou If I can have a piece in helping Samantha achieve that dream," Tejada says, "then I want to do that. The Wedemeyers are in a constant battle with their medical provider to cover services. His sheer will and family support helped him beat that ominous diagnosis. He is the son of the famed Brooklyn Dodger catcher, whose own wonderful life was shattered when he was paralyzed after an automobile accident. Every day has been a blessing, according to Lucy Wedemeyer, a real estate agent in Los Gatos, Calif., where the Wedemeyers have lived since 1972. July 3, 2007: Inducted into the National Federation of High Schools Hall of Fame. Remembering Charlie Wedemeyer. The Polynesian ", The offer gave Cercena a much-needed boost. The game ended in a controversial 10-10 tie with Notre Dame (9-0-1) and Michigan State (9-0-1) named national co-champions by the National Football Foundation, although the Associated Press, United Press International and Football Writers Association of America named the Irish national champion. Charlie Wedemeyer, Gregg Lewis. Wedemeyer, upon earning his Masters degree at Central Michigan University, settled into a teaching and coaching career at Los Gatos, but he was diagnosed at age 32 with ALS in 1978 shortly after he was named the head coach at Los Gatos High. Charlie just mouthed the words, I dont care.. The good fight part lasted about 30 years longer than anyone thought. The most fun I had with the guy, though, was when we could just talk football. Also played on Punahou's ILH championship teams in basketball (1964) and baseball (1965). He had such great respect.. A record TV audience of 33 million tuned in, including the first live broadcast of football game in Hawaii, thanks to new satellite technology. About five minutes after I moved to San Jose in 1984, someone told me about Charlie Wedemeyer. Charlie Wedemeyer was more than just a coach,, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Charlie Wedemeyer was more than just a coach, so much more. Kaulukukui stocked Michigan States 1966 national championship roster with three Hawaiians who faced Notre Dame in the Game of the Century, Nov. 19, 1966 at Spartan Stadium. He attained his dream of teaching math and coaching high school football in California. He couldnt swallow. For a while anyway, the pulse of the ventilator was drowned out by the laughter of a child snuggled next to his grandfather, who was clad in a 10-gallon hat. "He was determined to win, especially when he had ended up in Kaiser Hospital after the first time they played," Lucy wrote in a recent e-mail. Its an exhausting process for nurses to learn, and it comes with a high attrition rate. Lets go over the four important words again, she said. They did. And what, exactly, did Charlie say this time? In November, she began requiring intravenous fluids for additional nutrients for 12 hours each day, a process called total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Simonson called Wedemeyer a great example for everyone. So he asked to enter again. But each season the San Francisco 49ers remind Bay Area fans the importance of a high school coach. Unable to walk long distances, Cercena uses a wheelchair on frequent walks with her mother around the neighborhood. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? Between Two Women. I think it is our greatest accomplishment.". Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. Wedemeyers body deteriorated. Both played for Piedmont Hills-San Jose. The rookie nurses have passed the first test. Quiet Victory: The Charlie Wedemeyer Story. But there is no anger or bitterness. The other looks at Wedemeyer quizzically, scribbling notes in frantic fashion (lips go up more on T; teeth slide more on R) and squinting at his mouth as he tries again. Charlie Wedemeyer (February 19, 1946 June 3, 2010) was a high school teacher and football coach. After being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, he continued to teach and coach football at Los Gatos High School. Wedemeyer, with his loving and dedicated wife Lucy constantly at his side, spit in the eye of his ALS, continuing to coach football for many years following his diagnosis. Plugged into a respirator with a TV monitor beside his bed, he called plays with Lucy lip-reading and then sending them via telephone to the press box. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? The nurses shriek is quickly followed by the coachs grin. Kyle Chandlers Wife Kathryn Chandler Professional Life Also check out my stories on AllSportsDiscussion.com. 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