Rest in Peace, Herman. I do remember him. He played at Oregon when I had season tickets and made the trip down from Portland for most of the games. Those teams with Herm, Akili Smith, Reuben Droughns and a young Joey Harrington were exciting and gave hope for what might be possible in Eugene. Gone too soon.
Once again, John, you have reminded us that there is so much more to athletics than the competition. A great story of a man whose legacy is his family and his toughness. Thanks for this.
And don’t forget Pat Valley, (son of Wayne and Gladys) who drowned in the Willamette River when he was going to summer school at OSU. He played on the 1964 Rose Bowl team.
Your mention of Mater Dei brought back memories of 1961. I was a senior at Redlands High School in Southern California. We played Mater Dei in the Coliseum for the CIF Championship, and we Won! Mater Dei was heavily favored but we brought almost 10,000 fans (from a town of about 12,000 at the time) to cheer on the Terriers. Fond memories....
Very difficult loss. Swimming in local rivers is always dangerous. Period. And regarding this man's story, Long Beach is a hardcore town. And a beautiful place with a U.S. Navy base.
There is so damned much we don't know about our athletes, college and pro. They are actual people who have actual lives with the same pains and joys the rest of us have. Pedestals don't give immunity.
Sportswriters have a great platform to give us glimpses into the real people who are the athletes we root for. And when tragedy strikes--yeah, I remember Jesse Nash, as a UO grad student in the 80s I tutored athletes, including him a time or two, and will never forget that tragedy under the Autzen bridge over the McKenzie--some writers can use that platform to show us the really important stuff about the athletes.
There's obviously so much more to Herman Ho-Ching's life, but this glimpse is enough. Important story. He's a person, like us, and his loss is heartbreaking. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Terrible tragedy. I remember him in HS- great player and yes tough kid.
Gone way too soon. Mike Bellotti is a class act, glad you could get his thoughts on this.
A sad and well written tribute, and condolences to his family and Oregon friends.
Godspeed Herman 🙏🏼
Rest in Peace, Herman. I do remember him. He played at Oregon when I had season tickets and made the trip down from Portland for most of the games. Those teams with Herm, Akili Smith, Reuben Droughns and a young Joey Harrington were exciting and gave hope for what might be possible in Eugene. Gone too soon.
Smith summed up the Ho Ching I remember, speed and power.
Thank you against n for a terrific but very sad article🙏🙏
Once again, John, you have reminded us that there is so much more to athletics than the competition. A great story of a man whose legacy is his family and his toughness. Thanks for this.
Condolences to all his family and loved ones.
And don’t forget Pat Valley, (son of Wayne and Gladys) who drowned in the Willamette River when he was going to summer school at OSU. He played on the 1964 Rose Bowl team.
Cannot imagine anyone else telling such emotive, informative, “connective” stories. Thanks, John.
Wonderfully written, John.
I pray for his family. I can’t imagine the grief that they are experiencing right now.
Your mention of Mater Dei brought back memories of 1961. I was a senior at Redlands High School in Southern California. We played Mater Dei in the Coliseum for the CIF Championship, and we Won! Mater Dei was heavily favored but we brought almost 10,000 fans (from a town of about 12,000 at the time) to cheer on the Terriers. Fond memories....
Very difficult loss. Swimming in local rivers is always dangerous. Period. And regarding this man's story, Long Beach is a hardcore town. And a beautiful place with a U.S. Navy base.
There is so damned much we don't know about our athletes, college and pro. They are actual people who have actual lives with the same pains and joys the rest of us have. Pedestals don't give immunity.
Sportswriters have a great platform to give us glimpses into the real people who are the athletes we root for. And when tragedy strikes--yeah, I remember Jesse Nash, as a UO grad student in the 80s I tutored athletes, including him a time or two, and will never forget that tragedy under the Autzen bridge over the McKenzie--some writers can use that platform to show us the really important stuff about the athletes.
There's obviously so much more to Herman Ho-Ching's life, but this glimpse is enough. Important story. He's a person, like us, and his loss is heartbreaking. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Herman HC was one of my all time favs. Came from a rough neighborhood and was tough as nails
RIP my man
Also, not to forget Alex Rovello who also died in a “water tragedy.
Great piece John. RIP to Herman. Clackamas River seems like a bad idea almost always......
Another great article John. I am so sorry for Herman and his family. But you bring insight and memories for all of us who have followed the Ducks