First published in the Sept. 10 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
It was a cardinal and gold day for the third meeting of the Glendale YMCA Quarterback Club on Tuesday as David Viar, the recently retired Glendale Community College president and superintendent, regaled the membership with his personal relationship with football and how significant the game was in shaping his future.
“My father, Don Viar, was a hall of fame high school football coach and the lessons I learned from him carried a lot of weight with me, back then and to this day,” he said. “The great game of football teaches players character, how to depend on others to reach a common goal and many other traits. Players over the years and the children of players shared with me stories about how a positive influence like a coach can help shape a life, especially with the kind of challenges young people face after their playing days are over.”
Before Viar took the podium, coaches from local teams talked about their games last week and their opponents this week.
The GCC head coach Tanner Farwell shared that despite the 30-16 loss at Saddleback College, they saw several positives in the game against one of the best teams in Southern California and will look to show improvement on the road at 1 p.m. today against Victor Valley College.
The flag salute for the meeting was led by Tony Zarillo and the inspirational message was given by Ken Biermann with Glendale Area Schools Credit Union serving as the room sponsor and Bill Boyd was the table sponsor. The membership count is up to 83 and the speaker for the meeting on Sept. 13 will be retiring CIF Southern Section Commissioner Rob Wigod. The cost of lunch is $30 at the Oakmont and the buffet line starts at 11:30 a.m. and the club is still seeking new members.
— Alex Leon
