Idea for Smith Memorial Student Union

[BroadwayVik]

Smith Memorial Student Union ...

is clearly Portland State's campus student union building named in memory of one named Smith. Who?

This is Michael J. Smith, a cerebral Portland State student and member of Portland State's elite five-time winning (Retired-as-Champions) GE College Bowl team from 1965. The team set a new record for total points scored. Let Portland State be and develop naturally, and it will come to amaze you.

He competed in the tournament In true Viking spirit (while in the throes of cystic fibrosis). His condition did not relent but he doggedly held on to life for three additional years before departing this life in 1968. His is a heroic spirit of fortitude and perseverance, upstream and against-the-odds: an overcomer, a battler, Viking scrappiness personified.

I recommend that Michael's story, a glory-filled image of the 1965 College Bowl Champs and his own (prototypical PSU student) personal portrait be showcased at the student union building named in his honor. This as an inspiration and reminder to any flagging student spirits facing daunting opposition. As freedom 'rings' in a national song, let his spirit ring---and radiate---forth from such a showcase held in the building named in his prodigous memory. Let us dignify Portland State's campus culture with befitting praise.

Let us collect and remember our history and do so from our most health-giving and edifying perspective.

 

[BroadwayVik]

1965 Portland State College Broadcast Air Dates:
January 1, February 2, February 14, February 28, March 7

Coach Ben Padrow

Team Members:
Jim Westwood (C), Robin Freeman, Larry Smith, Michael Smith
[Alternates: Al Kotz, Marv Foust, Jim Cronin, Doug Hawley, Jim Watt]

Matches:
San Francisco (w 300-155)
Park University (w 350-25)
Kent State (w 315-35)
Coe University (w 345-175)
Birmingham-Southern (w 415-60)

Michael Smith suffered from cystic fibrosis. Frequently hospitalized during the nine months of preparation for the show, he played in all five games. The Smith Memorial Student Union at Portland State University is named for him.

Portland State was the alternate during the season, to be called in to play once a team had retired as champion. After months of waiting, the team got their chance when Lawrence University retired. The 415 points scored in the final match ties for fifth-highest single-game total achieved, and the 1725 points total set a new record at the time, and now is fourth highest overall.

The March 26, 1965 issue of Time has an article on how the College Bowl victories helped change Portland State's image as "the flunk-out school" for University of Oregon and Oregon State drop-outs, and credits the team's performance as being a major factor in the state legislature's decision to fund a graduate program there. Time Magazine, March 26, 1965, p. 46.

The Portland State University archives has kinescopes of all five broadcasts. Where are they now?

Tragically, Michael Smith braved his conditiondied until dying prematurely in 1968. Larry Smith became a writer, but sadly died in 1999 along with Robin Freeman who died prematurely in London. Westwood parlayed his College Bowl appearances into a gig as a TV weatherman during his last two years in college, and used the money earned to go to law school at Columbia. He now practices in Portland.

Coach Ben Padrow taught Speech at PSU until his retirement. He was active (and a legend) in Oregon politics, and coach of the Portland State forensics team. An annual parliamentary debate tournament at PSU is named for him. He died in the mid 1990's.

Besides alternates, Jim Westwood is the remaining surviving member of the troupe. Why did Larry Smith and Robin Freeman die prematurely?

 

[BroadwayVik]

The following is from website:
http://thegreatadventure-77.blogspot.com/2007/02/mentors-ben-padrow.html

I didn't realize it when I signed up for the class, but Ben Padrow was an icon around the Portland State Campus. Portland State (originally the Vanport Extension Center) was started up after World War II to help deal with all of the returning soldiers who were attending college on the GI Bill. The school gradually developed into Portland State College, but one event in 1965 propelled this school into national and state prominence, which led to accreditation as a university. That event was the 1965 College Bowl team.

I would claim, then, that Portland State does not fully grasp the net worth of this shining experience in the national spotlight: It would appear that the College Bowl event led to a ground-swell of popular political support that literally catalyzed the college's transformation into a fully=accredited, doctorate-granting university. The event literally punctuated Portland State's development. Ben Padrow is truly a Portland State icon and his image is worthy of veneration for what he accomplished politically for the university.

There is another national Portland State spotlight event that has yet to be gathered in to Portland State's full political imagery benefit: The Miss America event showcasing Portland State student Katie Harman. Fear of reprisals from groups denouncing the philosophical basis of the Miss America event need not deter Portland State from claiming any undeniable political benefits. View this and see if you don't get stirred by this national spotlight experience for Oregon, for Katie, for Portland State: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8535754776833385787# Have we forgotten that she was the "9/11 Miss America" ... ? What wonderful dignity and poise for this Portland State alum.