JIM MORNINGSTAR BASEBALL PLAYER The West Seattle High School class of 1955 lost its first classmate during spring 1952. The baseball team was practicing at Hiawatha Field when there was a pop up along the third base line. The classmate, Jim Morningstar, age 15, freshman, was playing catcher when he ran down the sideline to catch the ball holding his mitt up above his head. Meanwhile, the third baseman also ran down the sideline but had his glove down to catch the ball. They collided with the glove hitting Jim in the mid-section of his check. He got up and went back to home plate. Jim collapsed to the ground. He was placed in an ambulance and taken to the hospital where he passed away several hours later from internal bleeding. There was a funeral for Jim a few days later, and many classmates attended the service in downtown Seattle. “His smile, spirit and ambition will live on in the hearts and minds of his friends at West Seattle, and will be an inspiration to students and athletes at West Seattle for years to come.” Kimtah, 1952 Ted Foss Class of 1955
“FROM AN END TO AN END AT THE END” Seattle Times 10/1/1953 The highlight of the 1953 West Seattle High School football season was the Franklin High School game. Although the Quakers were outplayed, they led with one minute and thirty seconds left to play, 7 – 2. This game was critically important for both schools as it would determine the city championship. Coach Ulin called Ted Foss, reserve end, to be part of a “special play”. He replaced Ted Paull at the left halfback position. The play was for quarterback, Drew Smith, to fake a handoff to fullback, Walt Wagner, hand off to right half back, Bill Phelan, and then he would hand off to Foss running to the right sidelines. Behind outstanding blocking by the line, Foss passed the ball 50 yards to Don Anderson, right end, who caught the ball deep in the end zone to score the winning touchdown. The point after was not good. West Seattle held on to win the game 8 to 7 in front of the largest crowd of the season at Memorial Stadium. The season ended with five wins and two losses. Ted Foss Class of 1955
Remember our Champion basketball team in 1970? Metro title, 4th in State? My junior year, I was taking Tailoring from Mrs. King & although I was supposed to turn in my project the next day, I HAD to see our team play for the Metro title in the (now) Key Arena. So I sat there through all the playoffs, my wool jacket in my lap, madly sewing away & cheering the Indians to Victory! I turned in my project & was graded down for being late, but I’ll never regret it! Karen (Seamens) Dobbs ’71
1969-1971. it was best of times and the worst of times. The best of times were numerous and included the excitement of the 1970 State Basketball Championship tournament. Wunder, Hamilton, and Peeler across the front and the backcourt of Wong and Berg. The war in Viet Nam with classmates getting drafted and killed, like all wars, represented the worst of times. But the best outnumbered the worst! Jim Biava Class of 1971
