Pearl Harbor, the '41 Spartans

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PROGRAMMING NOTE: Watch this feature tonight on SportsNet Central at 6, 10:30 and midnight.
Ten years ago, in my final television class at San Jose State, I came across what was one of the best story ideas ever passed my way. A professor had told me about the 1941 Spartan football team, which was in Honolulu the morning Pearl Harbor was attacked. I grew up in the Bay Area, and thought I had heard every "important" local sports story over the years ... but this one was new to me.

As a member of the Journalism schools weekly newscast, I diligently tracked down phone numbers and leads to any of the players who were either still in the area, and in good health. Sure enough, persistence led me to Fred Lindsay, who was still local and lively, and recollected the tragic events and his accounts from what President Franklin Roosevelt described as a "day of infamy."

I eventually put together one of my best collegiate feature pieces to commemorate the 60th anniversary of a most devastating event in American history.

Fast forward to the middle of this past summer. I was going through old tapes (yes, I save almost everything), when I came across my original story from college. I literally blew the dust off the tape, watched it, and realized I needed to "re-tell" what is an under-told, incredible tale on its 70th anniversary. I passed along the idea to our CSN senior coordinating producer Dave Bernstein, and immediately the wheels were in motion.

Unfortunately, Lindsay had passed away at some point in the last decade, so we desperately hoped to find someone else. It took us a long time to finally get in touch with someone who fit the same criteria as 10 years ago -- a team member in good health, and someone we could have access to. Luckily, Jack Galvin, a 90-year old Citrus Heights resident was a perfect fit, and willing to share his account with us.

Myself, photographers Keith Manglona and Sandro Barcelos had a good afternoon meeting with Jack, and hearing his story of what transpired on that unforgettable Sunday morning. In total, the interview went almost 40 minutes ... a long time in television standards, and was interesting from start to finish. Its good to see Jack still living life to the fullest, and I hope you appreciate his efforts in putting words to his memories.

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